High-profile guests at the 25th Südostschweiz Business Forum

The most important business event in southeastern Switzerland is celebrating a special anniversary this year. The 25th edition of the Südostschweiz Economic Forum will take place on Tuesday, August 29, at the Stadthalle Chur and will be held under the motto "Aufbruch Südostschweiz" ("A new departure for southeastern Switzerland"). Renowned representatives from politics, business and science will show how the business location of southeastern Switzerland can take advantage of the opportunities in the current difficult environment.

Captain of industry and well-known economist

The anniversary program features a number of familiar faces. One of the keynote speakers is Peter Spuhler, an entrepreneur from eastern Switzerland. The co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of rail manufacturer Stadler Rail will show how he believes Switzerland can overcome the current challenges of high inflation and uncertain export markets. Stadler Rail trains are also in operation on the lines of the Rhaetian Railway.

Another speaker is Reiner Eichenberger. He is one of the most pointed voices and has been one of the most important Swiss economists for years. The Fribourg economics professor will talk about the starting position for the economic region of southeastern Switzerland. Eichenberger knows the region very well: He owns a second home in Prättigau and is convinced that new forms of home office and mobile working offer special opportunities for southeastern Switzerland.

Self-made millionaire and Grisons innovation pioneer

Another successful entrepreneur is Giada Ilardo. The Swiss entrepreneur with Italian roots will describe to the audience how she opened her first tattoo studio at the age of 16 and today runs Europe's largest tattoo and piercing label with more than 50 employees in five studios. Markus Wolf is known far beyond southeastern Switzerland. The CEO of the Weisse Arena Group manages the Flims-Laax mountain railroads with various hotel and restaurant operations, sports stores and schools, as well as his own construction company. Weisse Arena employs more than 1,000 people during the winter season. Bergbahnen manager Wolf will address how innovation can help alleviate the shortage of skilled workers.
Learning to deal with uncertainties

The renowned scientist Markus Hengstschläger will take the audience on a journey through current issues. The geneticist will show how people react to uncertain situations and deal with unpredictable events. Hengstschläger is head of the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Medical University of Vienna and has written successful non-fiction books such as "The Average Trap" and "The Solution Talent".

On the panel, regional decision-makers and entrepreneurs will discuss the current opportunities and challenges for Southeastern Switzerland as a business location. Enrico Uffer is a fourth-generation timber construction entrepreneur and is setting milestones in modular construction for different areas of application. The first digital and fully automated sawmill will start operations in 2023. More guests at the panel discussion will follow shortly. SRF journalist and "Einstein" presenter Tobias Müller will lead through the Südostschweiz Economic Forum.

Event under new management

After a quarter of a century, the Wirtschaftsforum Südostschweiz is passing into new hands. The event agency Skunk has taken over the event from the Domenig Group, which had launched the Wirtschaftsforum Südostschweiz together with the then Graubünden Autumn Fair Gehla, as part of a succession plan. "We would like to thank the Domenig Group for their trust and are very pleased to be able to work with the previous main partners Graubündner Kantonalbank, ÖKK, Somedia and Domenig Group," says Skunk managing director Markus Goop. The event agency organizes, among others, the Entrepreneur Day in Vaduz, the Business Day for Women and the Finance Forum in Liechtenstein, St. Gallen and Zurich.

The new organizers want to position the Südostschweiz Economic Forum even more strongly as a central meeting place for decision-makers from business, politics and science. To this end, the program, which will be more interactive, will focus on regional and national economic topics such as the shortage of skilled workers, education policy, digitalization and the export economy. The event will be framed by an attractive supporting program and a high-quality networking aperitif. The organizers expect 300 to 400 participants. The main partners are GKB, ÖKK, Domenig and Weisse Arena, while Somedia is the media partner. Numerous other partner companies and organizations are supporting the 25th Südostschweiz Business Forum.

Further information and registration at www.wifo-suedostschweiz.ch