St.Gallen Convention Bureau
St.Gallen
Lake Constance
St.Gallen – Lake Constance is the perfect conference and congress destination where the four countries of Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the Principality of Liechtenstein meet.
St.Gallen – unique and versatile as a conference, trade fair and event location St.Gallen impresses with its unique combination of historic old town and modern flair. The iconic city lounge, a red carpet right in the center, symbolizes the warm hospitality and importance of every event. Here the red carpet is not just rolled out for state receptions – it is available for all organizers. St.Gallen is pursuing the ambitious goal of establishing the city as a central hub for congresses and events.
The aim of our city-wide collaboration is to maximize synergies, strengthen the network and further establish St.Gallen as a leading MICE destination. It is where you can hold your meetings and conferences amidst gently rolling hills, beside silver-blue glittering lakes or surrounded by white-capped mountains in our carefully selected conference and seminar locations.
Whether you are interested in international congresses, meetings in small or large venues, seminars in castles or events in a special ambiance, we have a suitable location for every business to enable exchanges among specialists, further training courses and incentives in the St.Gallen – Lake Constance region. Furthermore St.Gallen and its Abbey District (UNESCO World Heritage site), is one of Switzerland’s most significant cities of culture.
Convenient transport connections
Quick access to the international highway network and a highly developed public transport system provide reliable traffic connections. The Zürich-Kloten international airport is reachable within an hour. The St. Gallen-Altenrhein regional airport offers daily flights to Vienna, with excellent connections to 150 further destinations.
Excursions and incentive programs
Choose between visiting the Abbey district with its Baroque cathedral and the Abbey Library, the Textile Museum, Old Town, or experience various outdoor team spirit programs between the Lake Constance and the Appenzellerland. We assist you in creating a memorable stay in our region.
Our service
We have all the qualifications to make your event a success: a unique location and a team of experts who will enthusiastically assist you in organising everything efficiently.
• Free services by the St.Gallen-Bodensee Convention Bureau
• Convenient booking of meeting and event locations in the region
• Organization of excursions and incentives
• Handling all room reservations for participants
Ultimately, it will save you time and provide many advantages. St.Gallen Convention Bureau will assist you with expert planning for your event – and at no extra charge! Benefit from the services offered by St.Gallen Convention Bureau to make your congress, meeting or seminar – in short, your event – a success and a memorable experience. We are at your service!
ST.GALLEN - convincingly different
Chiara Rossi
Head of St.Gallen Convention Bureau
Ms Rossi, as Head of St.Gallen Convention Bureau, St.Gallen might not be the obvious choice of Swiss cities convention planners would choose as a venue, so what sets St.Gallen apart from other convention destinations? What are the key attractions and facilities that make St.Gallen a prime location for conventions?
St.Gallen distinguishes itself as a premier convention destination through a combination of its rich cultural heritage, strategic location, and robust economic clusters. The city boasts the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of the Abbey District, offering a unique historical backdrop for events. Situated at the crossroads of Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein, St.Gallen is easily accessible by various modes of transportation (by train, by road, by plan or even by boat). Additionally, the region is home to leading companies in health, nutrition, information and communication technologies, and precision engineering, providing a dynamic environment for conferences and events.
Prime locations for conventions are the Olma Messen St.Gallen, the Einstein Congress as well as the Würth Haus Rorschach. Each location offers unique possibilities and is easily accessibile.
Considering that St.Gallen is home to a world renowned university, how does the St.Gallen Convention Bureau incorporate technology into its event planning and execution? Are there any recent innovations or technological advancements that have enhanced your services?
Leveraging its association with the prestigious University of St. Gallen, the St.Gallen Convention Bureau integrates advanced technology into event planning and execution. This collaboration ensures that events are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and innovative solutions, enhancing the overall experience for attendees. Recent initiatives include the development of comprehensive event and conference kits, which provide organizers with the necessary tools and resources to seamlessly incorporate technology into their events.
We have the impression that St.Gallen Convention Bureau is focusing a lot of its energy on communication. How does the bureau promote St.Gallen as a top convention destination? What channels and strategies are most effective in attracting international attendees?
To promote St.Gallen as a top convention destination, the SGCB employs a multifaceted communication strategy. This includes maintaining an up-to-date conference calendar, showcasing success stories on various channels (LinkedIn, Instagram and collaboration with influencer), and highlighting ongoing projects and economic clusters on our website. By leveraging these channels, the SGCB effectively reaches and attracts international attendees, emphasizing the city’s unique offerings and strategic advantages.
In addition St.Gallen is present at major industry events such as IMEX or m&i healthcare forum. There we meet international clients and showcase the highlights of St.Gallen and our partners.
Can you discuss any key partnerships that have been pivotal to your success? How do you collaborate with local businesses and organizations to enhance event experiences?
Key partnerships have been instrumental in the SGCB’s success. Collaborations with local hotels, educational institutions, and cultural centers enhance the attractiveness of St.Gallen as a conference destination. These partnerships ensure that event organizers have access to a wide range of venues and services as well as local personalities, tailored to meet diverse needs. Additionally, the SGCB works closely with the city, canton, and regional tourism organizations to facilitate quick decision-making and provide comprehensive support to event planners.
One of our key partners is the Olma Messen St.Gallen with who we work closely together to position St.Gallen as a destination for conferences, trade fairs, and events. As the most important meeting place in Eastern Switzerland, Olma Messen attracts around 600,000 visitors annually with a diverse program of trade fairs, congresses, and cultural events. The SGCB supports event organizers by providing expertise, local connections, and tailored services such as hotel reservations to ensure successful events. Together, we strengthen St.Gallen’s reputation as a dynamic and innovative hub for business and networking, contributing significantly to the region’s economic and cultural vitality.
Can you share some success stories or testimonials from past events?
St.Gallen has established itself as a leading destination for high-profile events, with the St.Gallen Symposium, START Summit, and European Colorectal Conference exemplifying its strength in hosting international gatherings. The St.Gallen Symposium, a globally renowned platform for intergenerational dialogue, attracts leaders and young talents from around the world to discuss pressing global issues. The START Summit, Europe’s leading student-run conference for entrepreneurship and technology, connects startups, investors, and innovators, fostering groundbreaking ideas. Meanwhile, the European Colorectal Conference brings together top medical experts to advance research and best practices in colorectal surgery. These events, supported by the St.Gallen Convention Bureau, showcase the city’s capability to host world-class conferences and drive innovation across various fields.
St.Gallen is strengthening its position in the MICE sector through a strategic alliance that brings together key stakeholders. What specific measures have already been implemented to maximize synergies and sustainably enhance St.Gallen as a congress destination?
The collaboration of all key MICE stakeholders under the umbrella of the St.Gallen Convention Bureau has been a crucial success factor. It campaign “St.Gallen – convincingly different” launched in January 2025. One of the most significant initiatives has been the establishment of the “Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kongress & Events St.Gallen”, which enables coordinated market development. This has allowed us to better align acquisition strategies and develop innovative event formats.
In addition, we have made targeted investments in improving service quality. These efforts include tailored advisory services for event organizers, a central information platform, and the optimization of processes to ensure seamless event planning and execution. By closely collaborating with hotels, event venues, and educational institutions, we have successfully positioned St.Gallen as a holistic MICE destination and increased its visibility.
Another key element is our cluster strategy, which allows us to attract congresses in the fields of Health, Digital Intelligence, Business & Science, and Precision Industry. This not only strengthens the regional congress landscape but also enhances long-term economic value creation.
The number of MICE inquiries in St.Gallen has increased by more than 30% since 2022, and several high-profile congresses have already been secured. What do you consider to be the key factors behind this success, and what are the future goals of the St.Gallen Convention Bureau?
This success is driven by several key factors. Firstly, the close collaboration among various partners has proven to be highly effective. By joining forces, we have expanded our network and tailored our approach to better meet the needs of event organizers.
Another major contributor has been the strategic positioning of St.Gallen as an attractive and versatile congress and event destination. The city offers a unique combination of historical charm and modern infrastructure, complemented by leading academic and business networks. Our personalized advisory services and short decision-making processes have convinced many organizers to choose St.Gallen for their events.
Looking ahead, we aim to further accelerate this growth trend. Our goal is to increase the conversion rate of inquiries into confirmed bookings and attract more high-caliber international congresses to St.Gallen. Our candidacy for the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS) 2028 demonstrates that we are already recognized as a top destination on the global stage.
At the same time, we are placing a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovative event formats. Our vision is to establish St.Gallen as a pioneer in eco-friendly and resource-efficient congresses, setting new benchmarks within the MICE sector.