When meetings are also a pleasure for the eye

At the Hotel Alexander-Gerbi in Weggis, the seminar segment accounts for around 20 percent of total sales, and on Stoos it is over 30 percent, which means an average of 380 events per year. On Mount Pilatus, around 800,000 Swiss francs are generated annually from this segment, and the Frutt Lodge also handled an impressive 125 events last year. That's 30 percent of total sales; the same proportion as at the Seehotel Wilerbad on Lake Sarnen.Although perhaps less well known in the major cities of Basel, Bern and Zurich, here five Central Swiss professionals offer their services for conferences, seminars and board meetings.

Fresh sea air

The managers of the two hotels Alexander and Gerbi in Weggis, which belong together, talk in their sales pitch about breathing the fresh lake air and being aware of nature. The magnificent mountain scenery and the forests and streams frame the stay for employees in an atmospheric way. And a "total package wellness" fits perfectly to this.

Seminar and fitness

Those who meet on Mount Pilatus, after all at 2128 meters above sea level, really experience "time out". Erich Omlin, marketing manager of the Frutt Resort, also extols similar values with the natural and lake landscape on the high plateau of Melchsee-Frutt. Just like Matthias Jost from Wilerbad, who talks about participants working out in the fitness room early in the morning and then relaxing in the spa and letting new ideas bubble up.

View of ten lakes

But the infrastructure of these "Little Five" is also impressive: On Stoos, for example, hotel director Marcel Neuhaus invites guests to 78 rooms, six seminar rooms with daylight and three group rooms, two restaurants, even a Smoker's Lounge with a magnificent mountain view and, as mentioned, a 1100 m² wellness facility. But if you want to go really high, you can book the "Gipfelplenum" on the Fronalpstock, which is almost 2000 meters above sea level, with Janine Frei, who has recently taken over as head of the MICE department. The seminar room is recommended for strategy meetings; also because in good weather it offers an almost 360-degree view of ten lakes and the Central Swiss Alps.

Breathtaking alpine view

Pilatus is a bit higher still and has seminar rooms that can be divided into four individual sections. The Dragon Forum is suitable for larger presentations for up to 180 people, and the venerable Queen Victoria banquet hall is ideal for dignified award ceremonies or receptions for up to 120 guests. The number of rooms is not too high with 50; but they are spacious and offer a breathtaking view over the Alps.

Freedom and flexibility

The Seehotel Wilerbad on Lake Sarnen offers fewer rooms, namely 61, but an impressive 14 seminar rooms ranging from 15 m² to 229 m². Matthias Jost comments on the question of the unique selling proposition (USP) as follows: "It is not individual services, but the totality of the offer that makes our hotel unique. For example, the spa and wellness facilities are available free of charge to all seminar participants who stay with us. Or another example: In the evenings, there is not only local cuisine, but also a Thai restaurant. "Basically, flexibility is important. And so, for example, at conferences, generous space is desired so that one can first work in the plenum and then in group work in other rooms or outside in nature. Flexibility and adaptability are also necessary in the culinary area; for example, in order to be able to cater to vegetarian or vegan wishes or to be able to take reported allergies into account.

Conclusion

And do Weggis, Stoos, Pilatus-Bergspitze, Frutt and Wilerbad have something else in common? Yes, namely that although they are still somewhat less well known, they will certainly be even more successful in the Swiss conference and seminar business in the future. www.alexander-gerbi.chwww.hotel-stoos.chwww.pilatus.chwww.fruttlodge.chwww.wilerbad.ch