About the Event

We are proud to announce our first Connections Bespoke event in Gstaad, Switzerland co-organised with Switzerland Tourism.

Connections Switzerland will showcase the finest high-end Swiss product. The suppliers attending are among the best companies in luxury travel in Switzerland and include hotels, boutique hotels, DMCs and Swiss destinations. The luxury buyers attending are from all over the world.

Connections Luxury has shaped the format for this event. We provide a carefully selected group of 80 decision makers with targeted, one-on-one networking opportunities. Experiences are incorporated to create memorable exchanges, which lead to long-lasting business relationships.

Connections Switzerland connects global luxury buyers with leading luxury travel suppliers in Switzerland.

When & Where

16 - 19

Gstaad
Gstaad

Agenda

Sunday, 16th September

Buyers VIP transfers sponsored by Swiss Travel Systems

Duration: All Day

Upon arrival, please make your way to the train station and start your journey to Gstaad. Enjoy the stunning two-hour train ride through alpine scenery – the journey is simply beautiful. You will then be greeted by a driver from the host hotel you will be staying in.

Official welcome cocktail reception sponsored by Les Ambassadeurs

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

1st hotel tour by Gstaad Palace

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections welcome dinner sponsored by Les Ambassadeurs with Urs Eberhard, Vice President and Head of Markets for Switzerland Tourism

Duration: 2 hours

Location: Gstaad Palace

This will be your first opportunity to meet new people at "Le Grand Restaurant” which has been totally renovated and exudes a new glamour in elegant design. Enjoy your first opportunity to meet new people whilst enjoying a fine dining experience sponsored by Les Ambassadeurs.

2nd hotel tour by Gstaad Palace

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Transfer from Gstaad Palace to host hotels

Duration: 15 minutes

Monday, 17th September

Transfers from host hotels to Gstaad Palace

Duration: 15 minutes

Opening welcome and briefing at Gstaad Palace

Duration: 45 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Duration: 30 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experiences

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Lunch sponsored by Gstaad Palace

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Veranda, Gstaad Palace

Let yourself be indulged by the Gstaad Palace's chefs’ haute cuisine and creativity at the Veranda. You will have the opportunity to network whilst enjoying the view over the stunning garden and breathtaking mountain panorama during your meal.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Duration: 15 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Gstaad Palace: E-Bike ride, creating one large flower arrangement, hand massage, meditation or stretching, learning how to make a club sandwich, cocktail mixing, setting up a table Palace style and silhouette workshop.

ConnecTalk: Disruptors in luxury travel with Fflur Roberts of Euromonitor International

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Gstaad Palace

Thanks to the combination of wealth expansion and changing consumer habits, the luxury travel industry has seen greater opportunities across the globe. Stronger demand for luxury experiences, digital innovation and issues on sustainability and wellbeing, is also encouraging leading luxury travel companies to expand their offering to reach new demographics and markets; with integrity and trust being the defining qualities for long-term brand success. Euromonitor International is delighted to share its latest luxury travel research and will explore some of the key trends and changes taking place - with a focus on Switzerland - to help answer the question ‘what is happening now and what to focus on, over the long term, in the face of major drivers such as shifting economic power, changing consumer values and technology?'

Meet at the supplier’s table and walk to Gstaad promenade

Duration: 45 minutes

Enjoy a gentle stroll from the Gstaad Palace to the Gstaad promenade. Gstaad’s innovative traffic-free Pedestrian Promenade was awarded the Swiss Milestone Tourism Prize. The centre of this discreetly elegant alpine village is home to many notable art galleries as well as fine luxury boutiques including Prada, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Breguet, and many more.

Transfer to host hotel for free time

Duration: 15 minutes

Free time

Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

Transfer to Connections dinner

Duration: 15 minutes

Connections dinner sponsored by Switzerland Tourism

Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Location: Leonard’s, Le Grand Bellevue

After a day of one to one meetings and Connections Experiences, you will have the opportunity to meet new delegates in the stylish dining room of Michelin-starred restaurant, LEONARD’s, and enjoy the exquisite blend of modern bistro classics and fine dining. Inspired by its mountain surroundings, the menu will feature seasonal local produce with an international twist. LEONARD’s welcomes you to Gstaad with the warmth of true Alpine hospitality.

Transfer back to host hotels

Duration: 15 minutes

Tuesday, 18th September

Transfer from host hotels to Glacier 3000 sponsored by Destination Gstaad

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: Coach journey

Board the cable car to Glacier 3000

Duration: 25 minutes

Welcome briefing at Glacier 3000

Duration: 15 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Glacier 3000

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Glacier 3000: Explore the grounds with a Glacier 3000 tour guide, walk by the Tissot – a suspension bridge, ride the alpine coaster – The highest situated toboggan run in the world and ride the ice express chairlift.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Glacier 3000

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Glacier 3000: Explore the grounds with a Glacier 3000 tour guide, walk by the Tissot – a suspension bridge, ride the alpine coaster – The highest situated toboggan run in the world and ride the ice express chairlift.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Glacier 3000

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at Glacier 3000: Explore the grounds with a Glacier 3000 tour guide, walk by the Tissot – a suspension bridge, ride the alpine coaster – The highest situated toboggan run in the world and ride the ice express chairlift.

Lunch sponsored by Connections in partnership with Glacier 3000

Duration: 1 hour

Location: Restaurant Botta, Glacier 3000

Opportunity to network with more delegates whilst enjoying the unique panorama view onto the impressive alpine peaks.

Board the cable car to descend Glacier 3000

Duration: 30 minutes

Transfer to The Ultima Gstaad sponsored by Destination Gstaad

Duration: 45 minutes

Location: Coach journey

Welcome briefing at Ultima Gstaad

Duration: 15 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: The Ultima Gstaad

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at the Ultima Gstaad: hotel tour, art tour, head or hand massages, shisha experience, and mocktail making.

Meet at the supplier’s table and and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: The Ultima Gstaad

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at the Ultima Gstaad: hotel tour, art tour, head or hand massages, shisha experience, and mocktail making.

Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office

Duration: 30 minutes

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: The Ultima Gstaad

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at the Ultima Gstaad: hotel tour, art tour, head or hand massages, shisha experience, and mocktail making.

Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience

Duration: 30 minutes

Location: The Ultima Gstaad

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one-on-one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10-15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities. Choose from the following Connections Experiences taking place at the Ultima Gstaad: hotel tour, art tour, head or hand massages, shisha experience, and mocktail making.

Transfer to host hotels

Duration: 15 minutes

Free time

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Transfer to closing dinner

Duration: 15 minutes

Closing dinner sponsored by Connections in partnership with The Alpina Gstaad

Duration: 2 hours

Location: Salle Sarine Ballroom, The Alpina

Be inspired by the chef’s inspirational and creative dishes, an ode to authentic food and the finest produce on your last night at Connections Switzerland. Enjoy, each plate produced is an expression of the chef’s famous attention to detail and eye for perfection.

Transfer to host hotels

Duration: 15 minutes

Wednesday, 19th September

Buyers VIP transfers sponsored by Swiss Travel Systems

Duration: All Day

Location: Train journey

Speakers

Fflur Roberts

Head of Luxury Goods

Fflur Roberts manages the research programme for the global luxury goods industry at Euromonitor International, which she joined in June 2000. In her current post, Fflur Roberts has direct responsibility...

Dress Code

The Connections way works best when you embrace the experiences on offer. We would like you to be prepared so here are some useful information in advance of the event.

During the day we would advise that all delegates to dress in a comfortable/casual attire.

Suits are not required – we all like you to look your best, but our programme being quite active, suits won’t work that well!

Ties are not required – even with the evening programme, we are in a relaxed environment and want you to feel comfortable.

Think carefully about heels– heels can be a problem if you want to join some of the activities on offer during the day. As some of the experiences may require a bit of walking, we recommend you wear flat, comfortable shoes so you don't miss out. However, if you'd like to dress up for the evenings and wear heels then please feel free!

Weather: the average temperature is likely to be 15°C, with highs of up to 21°C and lows of 11°C. There may be some rainy days, so bare showers in mind when you pack.

We do advise that all delegates take their own necessities, which may include, insect repellent, medical supplies, etc.

Connection Switzerland

Connections Experiences are intended to act as replacements for tabletop introductory meetings. Instead of sitting in a conventional one to one meeting, we encourage you to try an activity together for 10 – 15 minutes as an icebreaker and then return to your assigned table to discuss further business opportunities.

Here is a list of activities, to give you an idea of what to expect:

Monday at Gstaad Palace:
- E-Bike rides
- «Fahnen schwingen»
- Flower arranging
- Hand massages
- Learn how to make a Croque Monsieur
- Mocktail mixing
- Setting up a table Palace style
- Silhouette workshop

Tuesday morning at Glacier 3000:
- Crossing the Tissot Suspension Bridge
- Guided tours of Glacier 3000
- Riding the Ice Express chairlift
- Tobogganing down the Alpine Coaster

Tuesday afternoon at Ultima Gstaad:
- Hotel visit
- New VIP client experience
- Shisha tasting
- Spa & Clinic visit and treatment
- Ultima signature drink making
- Yodelling workshop

The experiences available during Connections Switzerland are sponsored by Destination Gstaad.

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