Marianne talks about the fate of the ‘Wundertüte Lorzensaal’
Managing Director Marianne Sidler talks about her 15 years at the Lorzensaal Cham. She reflects on where she sees the particular strengths of the Lorzensaal Cham and what makes an event a success for her.
Congratulations on your anniversary - what has actually been your highlight as Managing Director so far?
Thank you very much. Over the past fifteen years, we have been able to organise numerous events in the Lorzensaal. The variety of events are the highlights of our work: sometimes it's a wedding reception with over 300 guests from different cultural backgrounds - then there's a delegates' meeting of associations with guests from all over Switzerland. Colourful cultural events with concerts ranging from classical to pop and performances by Swiss - and international - artists are always highlights. Whether they are organised as a separate event in the Lorzensaal or as part of a corporate event.
What do you particularly like about the preparation?
It's all the ‘trappings’ that make working here in the Lorzensaal so exciting: from the organisation of making the building available for events to the framing with the culinary catering. I'm inspired by the ideas that customers keep surprising me with. The Lorzensaal is fascinating because of its versatility - we can host so many different events under one roof.
A room that inspires new ideas with its many facets?
Exactly - the CHOMEDY project comes to mind spontaneously, which has been taking place in our company for a few years now - an example of a project that suddenly becomes a great event thanks to the close exchange with customers and organisers with initial discussions over a coffee and makes the hall really shine. The great thing is that the potential of the hall is far from exhausted and new things can and can always happen!
How has working in the event business changed compared to the past?
The event business has become much more professional over the last 10 years, and we can see that in the training opportunities. When I started in the event business, there was no such thing as an ‘event manager’ training programme in Switzerland. Learning was ‘on the job’ - with the associated opportunities and risks.
How has the Lorzensaal Cham developed over the years?
A lot has been invested in the infrastructure so that we can keep up with the industry. I'm very pleased that the municipality values a strong infrastructure and that we can offer customers such a great establishment - because let's be honest, you simply can't tell it's been 30 years. This is certainly also thanks to the great team, without whose support it would not be possible. The team has developed a lot over the years - we have grown together.
The Lorzensaal is Swisstainable - what does that mean?
Sustainability has always been a major issue for us. We already prioritised sustainability in the event business with our ISO 9001 certification in 2015. Lorzensaal Cham is a founding member of the Q12 association, which I have chaired for five years. It brings together small and medium-sized cultural and congress centres in Switzerland, and I have been its chairman for more than five years. The topic of sustainability has been on our minds for a long time - how we can develop more sustainably as a cultural and congress centre. It was important to us that we could make our endeavours in this regard visible and tangible to the outside world. By taking part in the Swisstainable programme, we are able to give appropriate expression to this.
What does sustainability mean besides the careful use of natural resources?
For me, it is important that sustainability is not just limited to the environment, but also relates to society: We are committed to sustainable business - this requires inclusion and fair working conditions. For example, we have realised structural measures to improve accessibility in the Lorzensaal by converting the entrance doors with their awkward swing doors to automatic sliding doors. We have also created an additional entrance at the bottom of the foyer with direct access to the hall so that guests in wheelchairs can attend an event in the hall without major obstacles.
What makes the Lorzensaal Cham what it is?
The beautifully maintained, flexible rooms and the people behind them, who give the events a home.
When is an event a success for you?
Ultimately, it's all about customer satisfaction, of course. But I find it particularly motivating when the organisers recognise our passion for their events. When they see that we always put our heart and soul into it.
