The 2022 Switzerland Meeting Trophy: A Fam Trip Unlike Any Other

The typical familiarization trip involves a mix of site inspections and sightseeing, with the aim of giving meeting and event planners a memorable taste of a destination's offerings for groups. Admittedly, the details can begin to blur as time passes and the number of programs attended ticks up. The Switzerland Meeting Trophy, however, is not your average fam trip.

Hosted by the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, the annual program invites event planners from around the world on what can only be described as an Amazing-Race-inspired adventure. This year marked the 16th Meeting Trophy, and each iteration has left a lasting memory on its attendees.
 
"The Meeting Trophy has incredible brand recognition," said Jennifer Van Riper, CMP, DES, vice president of sales for Maritz Global Events. "The individuals from my organization who have come before me said, 'Without fail, 100 percent, you should do it. You will not have another experience like it.'"

The 2022 Meeting Trophy had added anticipation built in, as it was two years in the waiting due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. But in early May, Switzerland fully reopened and all remaining Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, setting the stage for 80 industry professionals to travel to Switzerland and compete in this year's Meeting Trophy on one of the seven international teams.

I was fortunate enough to be a part of team North America, which included a mix of event planners from across the U.S. and Canada. Our competition comprised teams from Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, the Nordics and the U.K. 

"This annual unconventional rally has become an essential summer event for meeting and incentive specialists," said Caroline Pidroni, head of the Swiss Convention and Incentive Bureau in New York City. Instead of focusing on room counts and meeting space, the Meeting Trophy offers a unique, fast-paced tour of the country, paired with some friendly competition along the way. According to Pidroni, "it is designed to be fun and informative, while meeting local suppliers and discovering the many opportunities Switzerland has to offer."

Each year, the Meeting Trophy itinerary is different. The 2022 program, held from June 15-18, took us from the city of Zurich up to the Swiss Alps, and then down to the lakeside destinations of Montreux and Geneva. Our groups traveled throughout the country with ease, using the Swiss Travel Pass, which allows for unlimited travel by train, bus and boat. Passes can be purchased for three, four, six, eight or 15 days. 

A Sweet Introduction to Zurich

Since the North America team was traveling the furthest, we were offered the option to arrive a day early in order to adjust to the time-zone difference before the Trophy program began. The extra day also allowed us to do some sightseeing in Zurich, and all team members gladly accepted.

Upon arriving in Zurich, our team checked into the 66-room Sorell Hotel Zürichberg. This boutique hotel, built in 1900 and most recently renovated in 2020, features modern rooms with an impressive view of the city and surrounding lake. After a quick lunch at the hotel restaurant to refuel, we headed off to explore Zurich. 

A short tram ride, followed by a scenic ferry across Lake Zurich brought us to our first stop: the Lindt Home of Chocolate. Opened in September 2020, the new museum sits adjacent to the historic Lindt & Sprüngli factory, which dates back to 1899. 

The rich scent of fresh chocolate greeted us as we approached. Inside, the Lindt Home of Chocolate features a 30-foot chocolate fountain, an interactive museum, a large Lindt chocolate shop and a full-service cafe, which offers chocolate-infused drinks and pastries. After a tour of the museum and a stop at the cafe, our group was treated to a chocolate-making course led by Lindt's master chocolatiers and even got to take home our own handcrafted chocolate bars. 

The day was capped off with a traditional Swiss dinner at Zunfthaus zur Waag. The restaurant in Zurich's Old Town is one of nearly a dozen guild houses in the city that date back to the 14th century. In fact, the Zunfthaus zur Waag building was constructed in 1315. The venue offers three floors for group meetings, and a fountain in the outdoor square can be set to pour wine instead of water upon request — a feature that our group greatly enjoyed.

Taking in the Swiss Alps in Villars-sur-Ollon

The following day began with a hearty breakfast courtesy of Sorell Hotel Zürichberg, followed by a walking tour of Zurich, before our group set off for the Swiss Alps. We caught the train from Zurich Main Station to Lausanne, and then transferred to Aigle. A 30-minute bus ride then took us up to Villars-sur-Ollon, a stunning village town set 4,265 feet above sea level, in the heart of the Vaud Alps.

Waiting for us at the top was Chalet RoyAlp Hôtel & Spa, a five-star hotel with 63 elegant guest rooms, 27 apartments and a 12,000-square-foot spa. Open year round, the hotel offers direct access to the ski slopes in the winter and to the Villars Golf Club in the summer. It was here that all the international teams met up for drinks and a welcome dinner, followed by team presentations before the judges, who would be scoring this year's Meeting Trophy.

The Trophy officially kicked off the following morning. But first, we caught the cogwheel train and fueled up with breakfast at Maison de Montagne de Bretaye, which once served as a military training base but now operates as a scenic restaurant and event venue nestled near the top of the Alps. During breakfast, each team was given a rally book that contained all of the activities, challenges and questions that would need to be completed over the next two days. Whichever team racked up the most points at the end would be crowned this year's Meeting Trophy winner.

With our stomachs full and our eyes set on the prize, we set off. The first set of Trophy challenges, which included mini golf, horseshoe throwing, archery and more, took place against the backdrop of the Alps terrain. As though the view wasn't impressive enough from there, we took the chairlift to Grand Chamossaire, the highest summit in Villars, before heading onto the next rally stop. 

Castles and More in Montreux

Next up on the itinerary was Montreux, a resort town along Lake Geneva that is best known for its annual Jazz Festival. During our drive to Montreux, we stopped for lunch at Chateau de Chillon. The lakeside castle, which dates back to the 12th century, is the most visited historic building in the country, according to Switzerland Tourism. Also open for group meetings, this picturesque venue can host dinners of up to 230 people and receptions of up to 500. 

Once we arrived in Montreux, we checked into the Fairmont le Montreux Palace, a 236-room, five-star hotel that overlooks Lake Geneva. Then, it was time for our second rally stop, which included wine tasting, trivia and a scavenger hunt through the city. 

The day ended with a dinner reception at Chaplin's World, a museum dedicated to the life and work of Charlie Chaplin. Housed in the former estate of the famous actor and filmmaker, the venue features three main event spaces: the Manior, the Studio and the Tramp restaurant. Included in the Studio is a 149-seat theater, which after playing a short film on Chaplin, opens up to reveal a hidden circus-themed room and a Hollywood Boulevard — spaces that can accommodate cocktail receptions of 100 and 250 guests, respectively.

Going for the Gold in Lausanne and Geneva

The final day of the Meeting Trophy began with a first-rate breakfast buffet on the Fairmont le Montreux Palace terrace. Afterwards, we drove the short distance from Montreux to Lausanne. The city, which also borders Lake Geneva, has been nicknamed the Olympic Capital, as the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee has been based here since 1914. Lausanne also lays claim to an impressive Olympic Museum, which traces the history of the games and even features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to get in on the fun.

Luckily for us, the Olympic Museum was the third rally stop for the Meeting Trophy. We spent the early morning exploring the museum for answers to trivia questions that needed to be completed in the rally book, as well as competing in stone put and other activities.

After a bit of competitive fun, we enjoyed a lakeside lunch at The Lacustre, before hopping on the train to Geneva — the last stop of the trip. Here, we completed the final few rally activities, which included a chocolate tasting, a paddle boat race and even a quick lesson in the Swiss art of watch making. Then, we turned in our completed rally books and checked into the 412-room Fairmont Grand Hotel Geneva, which was recently rebranded from a Kempinski.

A closing dinner and awards ceremony was held later that evening in the city park, Kiosque des Bastions. Team North America was crowned this year's winner, but all teams joined in the celebration, reminiscing on everything we had seen and learned over the past few days — and how much more there was still to explore in this picturesque destination.