GastroSuisse: Beat Imhof replaces Casimir Platzer as President
At the 133rd GastroSuisse delegates' meeting, the focus was on the general elections. In Neuchâtel, the delegates bid farewell to Casimir Platzer, who had led the association for ten years. Beat Imhof from Zurich was elected as the new head of the association. The new Vice President is Gilles Meystre from Vaud. Daniela Segmüller, David Maye and Samuel Vörös were elected to the Board for the first time.
219 delegates took part in the 133rd GastroSuisse delegates' meeting at "Les Patinoires du Littoral" in Neuchâtel. Casimir Platzer, the retiring President of GastroSuisse, led the packed program for the last time. The main topic in the ice rink of the Neuchâtel ice hockey club was the general elections. Platzer led the association for ten years. "I am grateful for what we have achieved and that we have made our association one of the most important in the country," said the Bernese Oberlander, looking back on his time in office.
Esther Friedli and Gilles Meystre, members of the GastroSuisse Board, paid tribute to his work: "Casimir Platzer has put his heart and soul into our industry and made our association politically effective in particular. "During his time in office, Platzer strengthened and institutionalized the Parliamentary Group for the Hospitality Industry and initiated top-level meetings with all political parties. He has consistently fought for favorable political and economic conditions in the hospitality industry. The delegates appointed Casimir Platzer as Honorary President.
Two candidates were vying for the office of President: the current Vice President Massimo Suter from Ticino and Beat Imhof from Zurich. Imhof won the race after the first round of voting. "I am very pleased and will do everything I can to meet the high demands," said the newly elected GastroSuisse President. Beat Imhof is a trained chef and completed his Master's degree in General Management at the EMBA University in Lucerne. The 52-year-old was Managing Director of dine&shine Event Catering, SV Schweiz AG from 2011 to 2015 and Head of Catering and Deputy Managing Director of Samsung Hall from 2015 to 2018. He has been CEO of the Casino Theater in Winterthur since 2018. Imhof has two children and has been President of GastroWinterthur since 2023. Until 2023, he was a lecturer in event management at the FHGR and ZHAW. He is also an HFP examination expert at Hotel & Gastro formation in Weggis.
Muriel Hauser and Moritz Rogger, two long-standing members of the Board of Directors, stepped down. Both were appointed honorary members. The delegates elected Gilles Meystre, also a long-standing member of the Board of Directors, as Vice President. Maurus Ebneter was confirmed as Treasurer. Seven candidates vied for the other six seats on the Board. Daniela Segmüller, David Maye and Samuel Vörös were newly elected to the Board. The new GastroSuisse Board is therefore made up as follows:
- Beat Imhof, Winterthur; Chairman (new)
- Gilles Meystre, Pully; Vice Chairman (previously member of the Board of Directors)
- Maurus Ebneter, Basel; Trésorier (previously)
- Bruno Lustenberger, Aarburg; Member of the Board of Directors (to date)
- André Roduit, Saillon; Member of the Board of Directors (to date)
- Esther Friedli, Ebnat-Kappel; Member of the Board of Directors (to date)
- David Maye, Neuchâtel; Member of the Board of Directors (new)
- Samuel Vörös, Lucerne; Member of the Board of Directors (new)
- Daniela Segmüller, Zurich; Member of the Board of Directors (new)
Source: www.gastrosuisse.ch
