The Swiss government will again host its signature hospitality lounge, the ‘House of Switzerland’, during WEF 2026 after agreeing to pay CHF 130,000 to Hockey Club Davos for exclusive use of VIP boxes at the local ice‐hockey arena. The expenditure – disclosed on 19 January following an update to federal procurement data – underlines Bern’s strategy of using soft-power venues to court foreign decision-makers and multinational CEOs.
Run by Presence Switzerland, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs’ nation-branding unit, the pop-up venue offers meeting suites, media rooms and tasting stations for raclette and other regional specialities. Ministers will hold bilateral talks there instead of the heavily guarded Congress Centre, easing scheduling and security pressures.
![‘House of Switzerland’ returns to Davos – CHF 130,000 deal secures networking hub for international partners]()
For corporate mobility teams the lounge matters because access badges double as fast-track permits through certain checkpoint rings, allowing smoother movements between hotels and session sites. The location is also one of the few spots where mixed Swiss–foreign delegations can host receptions without the stricter accreditation required inside the main WEF perimeter.
Presence Switzerland says the spend is offset by sponsorship and by the reputational value of showcasing Swiss innovation – this year’s line-up includes briefings by pharma giant Roche and climate-tech start-ups. Critics, however, question the outlay at a time when federal agencies face cost-saving mandates.
Practical takeaway: firms planning side events should register attendees early, as the House operates on a first-come, first-served slot system and capacity is limited when high-level Swiss meetings take place.
Run by Presence Switzerland, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs’ nation-branding unit, the pop-up venue offers meeting suites, media rooms and tasting stations for raclette and other regional specialities. Ministers will hold bilateral talks there instead of the heavily guarded Congress Centre, easing scheduling and security pressures.
For corporate mobility teams the lounge matters because access badges double as fast-track permits through certain checkpoint rings, allowing smoother movements between hotels and session sites. The location is also one of the few spots where mixed Swiss–foreign delegations can host receptions without the stricter accreditation required inside the main WEF perimeter.
Presence Switzerland says the spend is offset by sponsorship and by the reputational value of showcasing Swiss innovation – this year’s line-up includes briefings by pharma giant Roche and climate-tech start-ups. Critics, however, question the outlay at a time when federal agencies face cost-saving mandates.
Practical takeaway: firms planning side events should register attendees early, as the House operates on a first-come, first-served slot system and capacity is limited when high-level Swiss meetings take place.
Source: Blick
