Open Days and Climate Show: Switzerland pulsates for the climate

With the Open Days for sustainable solutions and innovations for climate protection (Open Days) offers the Climate Show a unique alternative to its trade fairs canceled this year due to the pandemic. Under the motto "Switzerland pulsates for the climate", Switzerland-wide Open Days for sustainable solutions and innovations for climate protection will be held for the first time on October 30 and 31, 2020. The aim of the Open Days is to support companies in Switzerland that are active in the field of sustainability and to give the general public as well as professionals and the media the opportunity to discover innovative projects in their region. 100 companies are already taking part in the event, which is supported by, among others, the Climate Foundation Switzerland, the Vevey city and CleantechAlps is supported.

With this alternative event offering, the Climate Show is following its global concept around sustainability, which aims to enable Swiss companies to bring their sustainable solutions to market more quickly.

More events planned for November and March  

Following the Open Days, the 2020 Sustainable Innovation Competition will take place on November 4-11, 2020 with the "Catwalk." In partnership with the Federal Office for the Environment and CleantechAlps (CTAlps), the Climate Show is organizing the second edition of the Catwalk, which puts the spotlight on innovative companies working to protect the climate. The competition will take place in Lausanne in two rounds on November 4 and 11. The six partners of the Climate Show are each invited to select three companies that they believe offer sustainable solutions with a real impact on ecology and global warming.

The catwalk jury consists of at least three world-class entrepreneurs, -investors
or journalists, who judge the participants on the basis of their pitches and their answers to the subsequent Q&A session.

The teams are distributed as follows:

- Team 1: Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)

- Team 2: Swiss Climate Foundation (FSC)

- Team 3: CleantechAlps (CTAlps)

- Team 4: Loomish

- Team 5: Swiss Youth for Climate (SYFC)

- Team 6: Climate Show

At the end of the second phase, the winning company will receive the "Sylvester Cat Award". All information about the competition, the criteria and details of the procedure on www.climateshowmarket.com/catwalk/

The Climate Show exhibitions, which were postponed due to the pandemic situation, will now be held March 10-14, 2021, at Palexpo Geneva and December 1-3, 2021, in Montreux.

Immerse yourself in the world of sustainable companies

SMEs, start-ups, self-employed and entrepreneurs working in the field of sustainability, in collaboration with various associations, organizations and foundations, will open their doors to visitors on October 30 and 31, 2020, to showcase their sustainable solutions and innovations in workshops and/or presentations. "For us, the Open Days offer an ideal opportunity to learn about sustainable solutions and establish an exchange with investors, partners and other interested parties. Here at Technopark Zurich, visitors can experience our "lighting of the future" live," explains Sina Ungewitter from the LEDCity AGwhat awaits interested parties.

100 companies have already registered, their spectrum ranges from renewable energies and climate-friendly mobility to sustainable agriculture and covers more than 158 categories and subcategories directly related to sustainability and climate. In addition Sibylle Duttwiler from fahrBiogas in Flurlingen: "During the Open Days, you can experience how waste can be used to drive a car. Companies show their vehicle models and report on the positive experiences in everyday life."

 Pro-active support for SMEs

Open Days 2020 is critical for small and medium-sized businesses that provide climate-friendly and/or sustainable solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of them in business and financial trouble. With the Open Days, the Climate Show and its partners are following the targeted demand of some of these companies and providing them with a free alternative presentation platform. This gives the general public and professionals throughout Switzerland the opportunity to discover sustainable and innovative solutions.

"The goal of Open Days is to collectively stimulate sustainable activities and promote the business activities of companies and entrepreneurs, especially those affected by the Covid 19 crisis," explains Nadia Plata, founder and director of the Climate Show.

The hotel and catering industry, which has been severely affected by the pandemic, will also benefit from the momentum of this initiative. Holding the event simultaneously in French-, German- and Italian-speaking Switzerland combines with a welcome program for visitors from each other's cantons. This will include visits to sustainable projects, including environmentally friendly accommodation and catering.

For the Open Days, the Climate Show can count on valuable partners such as CleantechAlps, Unil Hub Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Swiss Climate Foundation, Swiss Youth for Climate and the city of Vevey count.

Participation in the Open Days is free of charge for companies and visitors. Only registration is required at www.climateshowmarket.com .