Gstaad, Switzerland
Gstaad
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.
Sunday, 16th September - Day One
(All Day)
Buyers VIP transfers sponsored by Swiss Travel Systems
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.
(1 hour and 30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Official welcome cocktail reception sponsored by Les Ambassadeurs
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
1st hotel tour by Gstaad Palace
(2 hours)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Connections welcome dinner sponsored by Les Ambassadeurs with Urs Eberhard, Vice President and Head of Markets for Switzerland Tourism
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
2nd hotel tour by Gstaad Palace
(15 minutes)
Transfer from Gstaad Palace to host hotels
Monday, 17th September - Day Two
(15 minutes)
Transfers from host hotels to Gstaad Palace
(45 minutes)
Opening welcome and briefing at Gstaad Palace
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier's table and choose a Connections Experiences
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.
(1 hour)
Place: Veranda, Gstaad Palace
Lunch sponsored by 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.
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(15 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office
(30 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(45 minutes)
Place: Gstaad Palace
ConnecTalk: Disruptors in luxury travel with Fflur Roberts of Euromonitor International
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?'
(45 minutes)
Meet at the supplier’s table and walk to Gstaad promenade
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.
(15 minutes)
Transfer to host hotel for free time
(1 hour and 15 minutes)
Free time
(15 minutes)
Transfer to Connections dinner
(2 hours and 45 minutes)
Place: Leonard’s, Le Grand Bellevue
Connections dinner sponsored by Switzerland Tourism
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.
(15 minutes)
Transfer back to host hotels
Tuesday, 18th September - Day Three
(30 minutes)
Place: Coach journey
Transfer from host hotels to Glacier 3000 sponsored by Destination Gstaad
(25 minutes)
Board the cable car to Glacier 3000
(15 minutes)
Welcome briefing at Glacier 3000
(45 minutes)
Place: Glacier 3000
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(45 minutes)
Place: Glacier 3000
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(45 minutes)
Place: Glacier 3000
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(1 hour)
Place: Restaurant Botta, Glacier 3000
Lunch sponsored by Connections in partnership with Glacier 3000
Opportunity to network with more delegates whilst enjoying the unique panorama view onto the impressive alpine peaks.
(30 minutes)
Board the cable car to descend Glacier 3000
(45 minutes)
Place: Coach journey
Transfer to The Ultima Gstaad sponsored by Destination Gstaad
(15 minutes)
Welcome briefing at Ultima Gstaad
(30 minutes)
Place: The Ultima Gstaad
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: The Ultima Gstaad
Meet at the supplier’s table and and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Free time - your opportunity to catch up with emails and calls back in the office
(30 minutes)
Place: The Ultima Gstaad
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(30 minutes)
Place: The Ultima Gstaad
Meet at the supplier’s table and choose a Connections Experience
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.
(15 minutes)
Transfer to host hotels
(1 hour and 30 minutes)
Free time
(15 minutes)
Transfer to closing dinner
(2 hours)
Place: Salle Sarine Ballroom, The Alpina
Closing dinner sponsored by Connections in partnership with The Alpina Gstaad
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.