100 days of Michel: "The foundation stone has been laid."

Michel, you've now been in office for 100 days...

...the 100 days went by extremely quickly - it was an intense time! I'm already looking forward to the next 100 days.

Do you already have a favorite place in the house?

There are lots of them. The entrance hall is a wonderful place: it's imposing and makes a huge impression. The congress hall is of course great - especially when it's full and something is going on. The terrace is an amazing place, you have a wonderful view of Lake Zurich. The gallery in the vestibule is very atmospheric. But the upper terrace is my secret favorite...

Let's talk business first: how did the collaboration with your partners get off to a good start?

I found it important to get together with the biggest partners as quickly as possible. That I understand their needs, but also that they understand me. I have now met them in the first 100 days and have received a very warm welcome. At the Tonhalle, for example - we both believe that we can strengthen our collaboration even further and will tackle this in the coming weeks. But I have also met some potential customers.

Do you already have a work routine and are you fully settled in?

There's no routine in my job - every day is different. The only thing that's always the same is my two hours of email processing in the morning and organizing everything. But since I've been there, not a single day has really gone as planned.

Did everything go differently than planned in the 100 days?

No, on the whole it went exactly as I had imagined. I had planned to meet with the most important contacts in the first few weeks and months, and that's exactly what I did.

Is there already a highlight from the first 100 days?

There are certainly a few success stories, for example that we will have an extremely exciting program with lots of music next summer. We will also be cooperating with the Street Parade again - it will be a very musical summer.

So 100 successful days throughout?

Of course, you're never completely satisfied. But I'm actually satisfied with the first 100 days. You might also have to ask the employees or customers. It's definitely been an enriching time - getting to know the building, working with the team and all the partners, such as Zürich Tourism and the Tonhalle. They are wonderful people. The foundations have been laid and I'm really looking forward to the next hundred days.

How many times have you dined at LUX? You're often seen there...

The question should be asked the other way around: How many days have I not eaten at LUX? I mainly go to LUX at lunchtime with partners and customers - that way I combine the pleasant with the useful and can show them the restaurant. But I'm also trying to come more often in the evening because the new menu was recently launched and I haven't eaten my way through it yet.

You're good for surprises - what else are you going to surprise us with?

Well, if I said it now, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore (laughs)! It's clear - I want to bring new events, new formats here. The first talks are underway. There will hopefully be a new event in February 2025 and I'm particularly looking forward to that. We are also working on two or three formats for fall/winter, which we will probably be able to announce in the summer. We have a lot to do! But it's very motivating when you can work on new formats. And it's even better to actually implement them.

What are your plans for the next 100 days?

Make sure that all the announced events go off without a hitch. That's the most important thing. Then we can make our sales even more efficient and there will be adjustments to the organization so that we can bring many more events to the Zurich Convention Center. It will be another extremely exciting three months for me and the team. We'll then see whether everything will happen as planned!

One of your favorite places is the upper terrace, why?

In fact - and when you stand here, you know why. On the one hand, you can see the LUX restaurant with its large terrace. And if you let your gaze wander, you have a wonderful panorama over Lake Zurich and the Alps, which not only we appreciate, but also our customers. Unique! I try to come here every day - the lake basin always looks different. This location is also what makes the Zurich Convention Center so special.