360° Entertainment Forum: Focus on the entertainment industry

Maja Riniker opened the Central meeting of the entertainment industry in Andermatt. In front of around 500 participants, the President of the National Council emphasized the importance of the event industry. "Events generate a great deal of economic added value. Switzerland is not just about milk, cheese and chocolate, there is also entertainment," said Riniker. Hans-Willy Brockes, co-host and Managing Director of ESB Marketing Network, added: "Events are also emotionally important anchor points in society."

Oliver Niedermann, co-host and CEO of Ticketcorner, was delighted with the positive market development in recent years: "As a ticketing company, we are an important cornerstone in the event value chain and are delighted with the positive development in recent years.

Two major concerts show economic boom

International music events are not only cultural highlights, but also important economic factors. A study conducted by the HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Ticketcorner shows the economic importance of major international concerts for Switzerland. Using the example of two major concerts in Zurich in summer 2024, a total value added of CHF 92.5 million was documented. With positive effects for tourism, trade and gastronomy. Prof. Dr. Claude Meier, Head of the Center for Research & Methods at the HWZ, explains: "The results show that major international concerts have a broad economic impact that goes far beyond ticket sales alone."

AI in the media house

AI is also being used more and more in media companies, where it helps with the automated creation of content or the analysis of user data. Ladina Heimgartner, Head Media at Ringier and CEO of Ringier Media Switzerland, addressed the topic: "2.5 billion Swiss francs, around 80 percent, of digital advertising money flows to international tech giants and thus abroad". The industry representatives discussed the consequences of AI for the media and event world - from personalized ticket sales to automated content production. However, the differences in quality between conventional journalism, social media and AI-driven content are immense: Heimgartner explains the thesis using an example: "The tech giants will never send journalists to the rockslide in Brienz to talk to the people affected on site".

Exclusive insight into the ESC

After 36 years, the Eurovision Song Contest is returning to Switzerland this year - an event of historic importance for the national music and entertainment landscape. Co-Executive Producers Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler, Head of Communications Edi Estermann and Dr. Frank-Dieter Freiling, former Chairman of the ESC Supervisory Board, provided exclusive insights into the "inner workings" of this gigantic show. They report on the challenges of the organization, the logistical feats and the immense appeal of this spectacle, which fascinates millions of viewers worldwide and also puts the entire Swiss entertainment industry in the international spotlight.

At the 360° Entertainment Forum in Andermatt, industry experts, creatives and decision-makers came together in discussion rounds, networking sessions and interactive formats to analyze new trends, develop forward-looking strategies and forge valuable partnerships. The next edition will take place on March 24 and 25, 2026.