More than just a trade fair – the new Festhalle as a place to connect

There’s still a lot to do, but the anticipation definitely outweighs the stress. We all have a twinkle in our eye when we think about the opening. We are really looking forward to it.

I’m really immersed in the preparations for the official opening of the BEA because the event hall will be part of Switzerland’s largest public exhibition this year, and at the same time we’re also relaunching our website. So yes, I’m having a few sleepless nights whilst also jumping for joy.

What makes it really special is its modular design. This gives it the flexibility to host events of all kinds of sizes, whether it’s a large exhibition, a Confex-style event (a combination of conference and exhibition), or a partial use of the new ‘Cube’ congress centre with additional breakout rooms on the upper floor. The hall has been specifically designed to adapt to a wide range of requirements, without the need for structural alterations.

It’s equipped with the latest technology, and sustainability was also a key consideration throughout the planning and construction process. All in all, we’re able to meet almost any requirement.

One of the biggest challenges for my team has been marketing. We started promoting the new event hall two and a half years ago – at a time when there was no physical hall to show. Even so, we had to produce extensive documentation and describe every detail as accurately as possible.

The hardest part was communicating the facts. Many potential clients asked questions like “What will it look like?” or “What kind of signage will there be?” when we had no photos or finished spaces to show.

So, we decided to create interior visualisations. These graphic renderings were a huge help in presenting the hall as vividly and realistically as possible.

The new event hall impresses with a wide range of innovative sustainable concepts and measures. One standout feature is the state-of-the-art heat pump system, which provides eco-friendly heating without the use of any fossil fuels. It’s a clear commitment to a future-oriented and sustainable energy supply.

A large photovoltaic system has been installed on the roof, with an impressive peak output of 300 kWp, contributing significantly to the self-sufficiency of the building. The entire roof has also been covered with native plants, and new trees have been planted to brighten up the outdoor space in front of the hall.

But there’s so much more going on behind the scenes that visitors might not immediately notice, including sustainable logistics concepts, efforts to reduce food waste, and an intelligent rainwater management system based on the sponge city principle.

We’ve also developed an innovative dashboard that allows event organisers to track and analyse the ecological footprint of their events in real time.

When people think of Bernexpo, two different images come to mind: either a bustling, chaotic fairground or a kind of cratered landscape – there’s not much in between. We want to change that with the new event hall. One of the real highlights is the covered walkway: 500 metres long and 7 metres wide, the interplay between a water feature and a tree garden creates a whole new experience.

We want people to spend their time here even when there’s no event going on. The Café des Artistes at the heart of the hall will play a big role in that. We’re also planning a pop-up food container outside to create a welcoming atmosphere and liven up the space.

Inside the hall, another wow moment awaits: the giant LED wall in the ‘Cube’. At 150 square metres, it’s the largest permanently installed LED screen in a congress setting anywhere in Switzerland.

Bern is perceived as being in the heart of Switzerland – even if that’s not geographically correct. But what really sets us apart is our proximity to national politics: we are the federal city after all.

The close cooperation between Bern Welcome, Bernexpo and Kursaal Bern under the umbrella of the Congress Hub Bern creates a strong network and unlocks a wide range of synergies.

This has a huge impact. It’s like expanding our offer without having to expand the infrastructure, which makes us incredibly attractive.

Thanks to the Congress Hub Bern, the city is positioning itself as a leading destination for national and medium-sized international congresses, trade fairs and events – both in terms of attractiveness and service quality.

We see the new event hall as a valuable extension of the existing infrastructure. It opens up new possibilities, especially because it also attracts international clients. This not only increases our visibility, but also brings guests to Bern who stay overnight, eat out and experience the city.

The economic impact is significant: for every Swiss franc we generate directly, many times more value is created indirectly for the hotel and restaurant industry, the city of Bern and the many local businesses that contribute their services. We firmly believe that the more we make possible, the more everyone benefits.

It was particularly important for us to develop this offer with a clear market focus. We have thoroughly analysed what event formats and sizes are in demand – also in relation to existing venues.

Our goal – and my personal ambition from a marketing perspective – is to establish the new event hall as a place that people really want to visit. A space with a real quality of stay that goes far beyond the traditional idea of an exhibition fair hall.

The Allmend is already a beautiful area, and we see ourselves as a vibrant link and transition point. Someone could come here for a coffee, then go to a concert in the evening and end the day with a bit of sledging on the Allmend.

We want this to be a vibrant meeting place that brings people together and invites them to stay.

We don’t want people to just say, “Oh, that’s the exhibition hall”, but to feel that there’s something more to this place. A space of experience that inspires, touches and delights.

You could say I’m a bit of a dreamer but my heart beats for Die Fantastischen Vier. I think they’re fantastic, and I’d be right there in the front row. But if you asked my daughters, there’d only be one answer: Taylor Swift. I’ll admit, the Fantastischen Vier aren’t the biggest surprise anymore – they’ve played pretty much everywhere by now. And as a working mum, I often don’t even have the time to go to concerts. So, my dream act would probably be one I could enjoy with my kids by my side. That would be perfect.

One element that fits perfectly is the covered walkway. It’s very much in the spirit of Bern’s famous arcades. People in Bern like to stay dry without having to carry an umbrella.

At first glance, some might think that the golden façade doesn’t fit in with Bern. But with all its thoughtful details and quiet sophistication, it actually fits the city very well – especially because Bern often has a subtle, considered character.

I like the fact that it’s golden. It doesn’t feel flashy at all. The colour of the façade changes with the light and looks different depending on the time of day. For me, it’s at its most beautiful when the evening sun hits it, and it shimmers and glows in different shades of gold.