Five Star Top Congress
By Beat Fritsch
By Beat FritschAnyone who travels to a congress in St. Moritz, as Swiss publishers and places close to them did last week, could gain important insights. However, we are not talking here about the primacy of avoiding campaign journalism, which Leipzig University professor Michael Haller preached on the basis of the Borer affair. Nor are we talking about the entrepreneurial advice of Dieter Stolte regarding cost reductions and editorial mergers. Nor is it about the need to improve FIFA's communication concept in the wake of the "Tschau-Sepp mud fight", which Joseph S. Blatter admitted somewhat late, but at least sprinkled ashes on his head, in front of the assembled publishers. Firstly, contrary to a widespread misconception, mountain air does not make you tired - on the contrary, you need much less sleep than at home! The observations made in the hotel bar, which was open until early in the morning, fully confirmed this thesis.
Secondly: high altitude air toughens you up - you can tolerate a lot more high-proof alcohol than usual. However, you also need a proportionally higher dose of Alka-Seltzer in relation to the altitude! Thanks to various voluntary self-experiments by congress participants, this assumption was also confirmed.
Thirdly, just because someone blows the alphorn in the mountain air doesn't make them a real mountain man. Hanspeter Danuser's alphorn trio proved this on Thursday evening on the Corviglia. The trio's line-up: one spa director, two Unterlanders.
Fourthly: mountain air is thinner than city air - it is therefore advisable to immediately and carefully ventilate all the tubes and bottles of beauty lotion, toothpaste and other items you have brought with you as soon as you arrive in the mountains. Otherwise, when opening the tube in the evening rush, the shoe polish will splash across the room directly onto the freshly ironed tuxedo shirt (this wisdom is thanks to an experimental arrangement by the shortlist author). However, thanks to the top service at Suvretta House, the resulting near-miss was immediately rectified.
The five-star residence also proved to be an excellent choice of conference venue in other respects. It was one of the most beautiful congresses, was the verdict of the participants. For Swiss Press President Hans Heinrich Coninx, the stay at the "Suvretta" also brought back personal memories. He was elected chairman of the association at this very venue exactly ten years ago. In addition to the congress presentations, there was also a ladies' program back then, the Tamedia Chairman of the Board of Directors recalled with a smile. Fortunately, courses in lace-making, knitting and herbalism are now a thing of the past, he explained in his speech at the Publisher's Night on Friday evening - which was met with laughter and applause, and not just from the ladies in attendance.
There was also a cheerful atmosphere in other respects. The only serious faces were the general assessments of the industry during the presentations. It's also possible that one or two people were thinking about the fall in the price of their personal share portfolio since the last congress. However, such thoughts were quickly dispelled in view of the St. Moritz panorama and the "Suvretta" ambience. After all, if you can meet and dine in such style, you can't be doing too badly!
Beat Fritsch
Secondly: high altitude air toughens you up - you can tolerate a lot more high-proof alcohol than usual. However, you also need a proportionally higher dose of Alka-Seltzer in relation to the altitude! Thanks to various voluntary self-experiments by congress participants, this assumption was also confirmed.
Thirdly, just because someone blows the alphorn in the mountain air doesn't make them a real mountain man. Hanspeter Danuser's alphorn trio proved this on Thursday evening on the Corviglia. The trio's line-up: one spa director, two Unterlanders.
Fourthly: mountain air is thinner than city air - it is therefore advisable to immediately and carefully ventilate all the tubes and bottles of beauty lotion, toothpaste and other items you have brought with you as soon as you arrive in the mountains. Otherwise, when opening the tube in the evening rush, the shoe polish will splash across the room directly onto the freshly ironed tuxedo shirt (this wisdom is thanks to an experimental arrangement by the shortlist author). However, thanks to the top service at Suvretta House, the resulting near-miss was immediately rectified.
The five-star residence also proved to be an excellent choice of conference venue in other respects. It was one of the most beautiful congresses, was the verdict of the participants. For Swiss Press President Hans Heinrich Coninx, the stay at the "Suvretta" also brought back personal memories. He was elected chairman of the association at this very venue exactly ten years ago. In addition to the congress presentations, there was also a ladies' program back then, the Tamedia Chairman of the Board of Directors recalled with a smile. Fortunately, courses in lace-making, knitting and herbalism are now a thing of the past, he explained in his speech at the Publisher's Night on Friday evening - which was met with laughter and applause, and not just from the ladies in attendance.
There was also a cheerful atmosphere in other respects. The only serious faces were the general assessments of the industry during the presentations. It's also possible that one or two people were thinking about the fall in the price of their personal share portfolio since the last congress. However, such thoughts were quickly dispelled in view of the St. Moritz panorama and the "Suvretta" ambience. After all, if you can meet and dine in such style, you can't be doing too badly!
Beat Fritsch
last week moved towards the "Top of the Media World", as the motto of the annual congress of the Swiss Press Association was based on the slogan of the St. Moritz venue. As usual, the conference brought together all the big names in the publishing scene.
We find out who else meets in the communications industry when an advertising party takes place. Do you already have something more exciting to report? Pick up the phone (01 296 97 98) or hit the keyboard (info@werbewoche .ch). For event tips and more shortlist images: www.werbewoche.ch
