The Carriers Lunch networking platform celebrates 12 years of events in Geneva
May 2016 saw the 12th anniversary of the Carriers Lunch networking platform, which has been running every month in Geneva, since its launch in 2004.
Initially set up to bring national and international telecom operators (Carriers) together in one room, the Carriers Lunch helps to generate business between players within an ever growing market. Over time, it has grown into a wider ICT networking event offering a platform for IT, Software, Hardware, Cloud, Datacenters, Telecom and many non related businesses wishing to raise their profiles to a local audience.
Geneva Business News met with the event’s founder and organizer, Frits van der Graaff, former Swiss Country Manager for a well-known European datacenter company. Frits has been working at senior levels in the Swiss Information and Communications Technology (ICT) market for over 20 years, and is a well-known and respected character on the telecom and ICT scene across Europe. Frits has also been successfully running this networking platform from day one, ably accompanied by his events management partner, Sarah Dubler.
Carriers Lunches have been taking place in Zürich for over 16 years and in Geneva since 2004, with quarterly evening events more recently being organized in Bern. According to Frits, this reflects his commitment to creating ICT networking across Switzerland.
“My aim is to attract an interesting mix of sponsors and attendees, including representatives from well-known International companies, locally based SME’s and all types of technical, management, and entrepreneurial backgrounds,” Frits explained. “I want to help generate business across the Swiss market.”
Frits’ mantra at these events is 'keep the net working by networking'. He advocates getting people and organizations to meet and talk to each other. “It’s always a great pleasure to greet new people and see them appreciate the atmosphere of these events.”
How does the Carriers Lunch platform work?
Frits described the working model as “a simple formula which offers the opportunity for sponsors and attendees alike to network in return for a small outlay, compared to the bigger convention type events”.
“It’s a very successful format, where companies get to raise their profiles for the cost of the drinks consumed at the event,” he added. “Attendees only have to pay a corporate rate for quality dining and networking.” This is around 50CHF in Geneva.
“An added bonus,” Frits pointed out, “is that sponsors get to upload their presentations to the Carriers Lunch website, so that a wider audience can catch up with what was presented. This provides a nice piece of ongoing, free marketing.”
Registration at each event is followed by an aperitif, with plenty of time for informal networking. Sponsors get to present themselves to a seated audience. Afterwards, attendees enjoy a relaxed afternoon of exceptional cuisine, with time for further exchanges between sponsors and attendees.
Geneva venues
Frits stated that the choice of event venues have proven very popular in Geneva.
Lunches are usually held at the excellently-located Restaurant Parc des Eaux Vives, nestled in the park of the same name and overlooking Lake Geneva (Lac Leman).
The occasional special dinner events (Christmas, New Year, Sponsor requests…) are held at the five-star Swissotel Metropole, also close to the lake.
Summer networking on the lake
Special Carriers Lunch boat events are held in June each year, in both Geneva and Zurich, offering a pleasant alternative to land based networking venues.
In Geneva, the Carriers Lunch boat trip starts with drinks and networking at ‘La Potinière’ restaurant, located in the lakeside ‘Jardin Anglais’, and then transfers, to one of CGN’s historic belle époque steamer boats, moored at the nearby harbour. This is a unique experience in dining and networking on board an early 1900’s piece of steamboat history.
According to Frits, “This very popular event continues to attract around 80+ people, always managing to fill the boat’s sumptuous dining room. It’s really about informal networking whilst appreciating the beauty of a paddle steam boat and enjoying Lake Geneva at its best.”
Broadening the networking platform
When asked about any future plans for developing the platform, Frits explained that he “would like to widen the event’s sponsorship and audience base, so as to keep the networking platform interesting and dynamic for everyone involved.”
As for who can become a member, Frits let us know that “it’s easy to register as a member of the Carriers Lunch, on our website, free of charge. Once registered, you will automatically receive, by email, prior notice and invitations to forthcoming events. Sponsoring is just as easy, as the list registration is also managed through the same website.”
Addressing the Suisse Romand audience in particular, Frits concluded that “with well over 5’500 registered members on the Carrier Lunch list, this is an excellent means for businesses, large or small, to economically raise their profiles in the local and international marketplace, whilst at the same time networking in one of the gem locations alongside Lake Geneva.”
Note: This year’s Special Geneva Lunch-boat event takes place on June 17th, sponsored by IP-Max SA, the locally headquartered Internet Service Provider.
The Carriers Lunch Website: www.carrierslunch.ch
Image credits: anaxagore via Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain License
Carriers Lunch
Swissotel.com
https://pixabay.com/photo-701205/
c/o Carriers Lunch
