General Meeting
Outcome of the 2023 Summit
The General Meeting was held on 1 and 2 June in a setting of botanical aesthetics, mysticism and design. The programme included presentations about mother nature, surprising incidents and Switzerland’s external economy – summarized under the notion of creativity. The location suited this motto.
Extending over 75 hectares near Rapperswil-Jona, the Enea Tree Museum symbolizes spirituality and imagination. These features do not come about by chance. Enzo Enea, one of the Swiss landscape architects who is in great demand worldwide, leased it in 2010 from the Cistercian Monastery of Mariazell -Wurmsbach. The open air museum houses more than 3000 exclusive trees and shrubs, together with a number of contemporary sculptures by international artists. Some 50 trees represent more than 25 different species and are over a century old. The tree collector Enea rescued them from felling.
My compliments. You understand the industry, the times and the spirit of the times and you make a fantastic team. It is a great pleasure to see how your events are organized and held.
From the speakers to the venue and the meal this was a very successful, indeed even perfect event.
Landscapes, unexpected events and Swiss external trade
The master of landscape art in person inaugurated the programme. Images of his work done to date gave impressive evidence of the way in which human beings can be integrated into the landscape and nature and not the other way round.
The author and Director, CGA Global Economy Program, New York University, Prof. Dr. Christian Busch, went on to explain how various techniques can be employed to create actively and successfully utilize random events. In both private and professional life. The underlying idea is openness and less planning – true to the motto: courage in face of uncertainty. This phenomenon is called serendipity.
The second and last day of the Summit moved on from landscapes and ideas for new ways of thinking to policy matters. Ambassador Dr. Thomas A. Zimmermann of Seco, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs,explained the background conditions that are essential for a secure and creative Swiss economic policy. He concluded that nothing can be taken for granted; change and the ability to reform are imperative.
Carl Illi confirmed as President – Two new members join the Board
The ensuing formal part of the General Meeting focussed on the Board members. While Carl Illi was re-elected President, two new faces joined the Board: Andreas Christen, COO Lantal Textiles AG, and Hanspeter Meier, CEO Monosuisse Group and member of the Managing Board of Sefar Holding AG. They replaced Dr. Urs Rickenbacher, CEO Lantal Textiles AG, and Urs Isler, CEO C. Beerli AG. The members also confirmed the appointments of Dr. Michela Puddu, Co-Founder of Haelixa, Andreas Tischhauser, Managing Director of Tisca, Urs Schellenberg, owner of E. Schellenberg Textildruck, and Silvan Wildhaber, CEO of Filtex AG, who will now also serve as Vice-President.
After the event, the guests were taken on a guided tour of the park. They seem to have enjoyed the colourful range of topics discussed at the Summit. As one participant commented: “From the speakers to the venue and the meal this was a very successful, indeed even perfect event.”
Another attendee paid us the following tribute: “My compliments. You understand the industry, the times and the spirit of the times and you make a fantastic team. It is a great pleasure to see how your events are organized and held.”
Which accords well with Christian Busch’s favourite topic of openness: our next Summit will mark the Jubilee – we have some fascinating surprises in store for you...
Impressions 2023
