Highlights A year in review
A busy year of events
GGBa reps actively participated in a diverse range of international events. From high-profile gatherings like CES and Vivatech to specialized conferences such as Knowledge for Growth and Medica, GGBa remained at the forefront of cutting-edge innovations and industry developments. The team’s presence at events like Außenwirtschaftstag Düsseldorf, DEMA Berlin, Greentech Festival Berlin, Hello Tomorrow, CIIE as well as an outreach trip to Korea highlighted the organization’s dedication to exploring diverse markets and staying abreast of emerging opportunities. These engagements underscored GGBa’s role as a dynamic facilitator in connecting businesses and promoting collaboration on an international scale.
Strengthening bilateral ties and promoting innovation
In 2023, GGBa championed various initiatives, fortifying bilateral ties and economic bonds. The successful Firjan seminar in Rio de Janeiro marked a pivotal moment in advancing collaboration between the State of Rio and Switzerland, specifically in R&D. GGBa collaborated with the Association Nationale des Directeurs Financiers et de Contrôle de Gestion (DFCG) for a webinar on financial, fiscal, and cultural aspects of Swiss innovation. Active participation in events like Journée des Entreprises and the 56e Journées Romandes des Arts et Métiers showcased GGBa’s commitment to adding value to the local ecoysytem. Collaborations at the 13e Congrès Mondial des Chambres de Commerce emphasized GGBa’s dedication to multilateral economic forums. Lastly, a two-day visit for the Futura-Mobility Think Tank explored energy innovations and the role of public authorities in advancing mobility solutions and a market exploration journey specifically tailored for Embraer-X in Western Switzerland was orchestrated by GGBa and Swissnex in Brazil
Exploring horizons during our annual training week
GGBa Training Week 2023 took place from August 28 to September 2 in the canton of Fribourg. This much-anticipated event serves as the culmination of a year’s worth of remote collaboration, drawing together GGBa representatives and cantonal delegates from various corners of the globe. This convergence facilitates a dynamic exchange of updates, innovative ideas, and best practices, all aimed at elevating Western Switzerland’s stature as a preeminent business destination. Through a series of strategic workshops, engaging presentations, and collaborative brainstorming sessions, GGBa collectively charted the course for its future roadmap. The GGBa Night at Scott Sport’s headquarters in Givisiez (FR) was a great success, fostering valuable networking opportunities.
A diversified content strategy
The communication team directed its efforts towards crafting innovative content, striving to provide a unique and captivating approach tailored to the target audience. They achieved this by releasing a total of 240 varied articles, delivering comprehensive coverage of events and relevant information pertaining to the region. In parallel, the team produced and shared 46 videos, aiming to showcase and promote businesses, partners, institutions, and the overarching benefits of the country. These initiatives collectively aimed to engage and inform the audience while highlighting the diverse facets and strengths of the region.
The production of topical videos and cluster videos, including “The Startup Ecosystem in the Canton of Bern”, “Multilateralism and Sustainability in Geneva”, “Micro and Nano platforms in Neuchâtel” and “Fribourg’s Agri-Food Landscape” contributed to GGBa’s efforts in highlighting regional strengths.
Increased digital marketing efforts
Alongside organic posts on GGBa’s LinkedIn page, the association continued to expand its international presence through targeted LinkedIn campaigns. Following a series of “landing page” tests, the system was fully deployed in 2023, enabling a focused and contact-oriented approach. The integration of an email automation system marked a significant leap in our digital marketing strategy, enhancing GGBa’s ability to generate high-quality leads and foster enduring relationships with potential clients. The campaigns resulted in over numerous connections across diverse markets and several First Corporate Visits.
GGBa’s “Why Switzerland” blog and global partnerships
The “Why Switzerland” blog has proven to be a valuable resource, continuously engaging and captivating audiences both on the website and across social media platforms. Its impact has been substantial, notably demonstrated through articles like “Working in Switzerland: working hours and days off,” showcasing the enduring value of this initiative. This content has positioned GGBa as a leading authority on practical topics related to the country’s functioning. Furthermore, the blog has facilitated a partnership with the Présence Suisse team, enabling the global dissemination of infographics through embassies and consulates, amplifying the region’s visibility on the international stage.
Jimmy Jackson to promote Switzerland as the ideal business location
One of the standout initiatives was the launch of the Jimmy Jackson project on LinkedIn in October 2023. This rapidly growing LinkedIn page plays a pivotal role in fostering cohesion among the diverse Swiss regions while unifying the country’s image through the lens of an American entrepreneur aiming to establish a presence in Switzerland. Moreover, this initiative has facilitated the formation of partnerships with key players, thereby expanding GGBa’s network and influence both within Switzerland and internationally.
Website redesign and image revitalization in 2023
The overhaul of the website stood as one of the flagship projects for the communication team in 2023. The redesigned site now offers a streamlined user experience that is both functional and visually appealing. Overall, the redesign proved to be a success, delivering a modern and efficient platform to engage with our target audience. This revamp also included a general simplification of GGBa’s URLs and emails, aiming to invigorate our image—transitioning from ggba-switzerland.ch to ggba.swiss.
