I’m freshly home from the 2026 Switzerland Meeting Trophy, and I’m still processing three days that felt equal parts Amazing Race, luxury site inspection and cultural immersion. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the competition sends seven international teams racing across Switzerland, tackling a series of creative challenges while traveling from Zurich to Crans-Montana, Montreux and Geneva. It’s one of the most inventive FAM formats I’ve experienced, offering planners a front-row seat to the country’s meeting infrastructure, hospitality and unforgettable scenery.
Europe’s record-breaking heatwave may have dominated the headlines, but what left the biggest impression on me was Switzerland’s remarkable hospitality. Everywhere we stopped, there was another spectacular venue, another memorable meal and another reminder that this country knows how to create experiences that attendees won’t forget.
Day 1: Mountains, Mascots and a Talent Show
Our adventure began with a train ride from Zurich into the Alps, arriving in Crans-Montana, where postcard-perfect chalets and mountain views set the tone. After checking into the exceptionally luxurious Guarda Golf Residences, we joined fellow competitors, partners and representatives from Switzerland Tourism at Beach Club for cocktails and introductions.
Dinner at La Ferme de Saint-Amour quickly proved this wouldn’t be an ordinary FAM. Each team was tasked with performing a talent-show routine inspired by its mascot. Ours? Tina Turner. That meant an enthusiastic rendition of “Simply the Best,” complete with high kicks that looked considerably more graceful in rehearsal than in execution. Teams from Belgium, the Nordics and beyond followed with performances that were equal parts creative and hilarious, making for a memorable icebreaker.
Day 2: Alpine Challenges and Lakeside Luxury
After breakfast, we boarded a gondola bound for Cry d’Er, one of Crans-Montana’s mountain hubs. The ride itself was an attraction, gliding over sparkling lakes, grazing cattle and wildflower-covered slopes before revealing dramatic alpine peaks in every direction.
Once at Restaurant Cry d’Er, the competition shifted into high gear. Our team tackled a series of Swiss-inspired challenges, from alpine golf using miniature horns to knocking over wooden ibex with carefully aimed throws (none landed, but fun was still had). There was also a cheese tasting that tested our ability to identify both the milk source and the age of each variety.
Lunch featured classic raclette before we climbed into Europcar rentals for the drive to Montreux, where Lake Geneva provided yet another change of scenery. Coffee awaited at Fairmont Le Montreux Palace before the rally continued at Mona Montreux with music trivia and blind-smell challenges that proved surprisingly difficult.
By evening, we were back aboard Switzerland’s famously efficient rail network, arriving in Geneva and checking into Hotel N’vy before heading to Hotel President Wilson for dinner and the day’s results. Team North America wasn’t leading the pack, but with another full day ahead, there was still everything to play for.
Day 3: Science, Swiss Traditions and the Final Push
Our final day began at CERN Science Gateway, where a scavenger hunt doubled as a crash course in particle physics, including the famous Higgs boson, often nicknamed the “God particle.” It wasn’t every day that solving puzzles also meant brushing up on the building blocks of the universe.
Next came Domaine de Châteauvieux, where pre-lunch competitions ranged from blind wine tasting to crossbow target shooting inspired by William Tell. Fortunately, no apples—or teammates—were harmed.
Back in Geneva, the pace hardly slowed. A citywide rally sent us through the Museum of Art and History, challenged us to identify the taste profile of chocolate at La Bonbonnière and tested our dexterity by taking apart and reassembling Swiss watches at Initium & La Treille.
The competition concluded with a gala dinner at Restaurant Hôtel du Parc des Eaux-Vives, overlooking Lake Geneva. Just beyond the terrace, hundreds of locals gathered in the park to watch a live outdoor screening of Madame Butterfly from the Geneva Opera House—a fittingly Swiss finale that blended culture, community and an unforgettable setting.
The coveted trophy ultimately went to Team France (félicitations!), while the rest of us toasted new friendships, memorable experiences and three extraordinary days spent discovering Switzerland from a perspective few visitors ever get to enjoy.
Why It Works
The Switzerland Meeting Trophy offers planners far more than a FAM trip. By moving participants through multiple destinations in just a few days, it showcases the country’s remarkable range, from alpine retreats and lakeside resorts to cosmopolitan cities and world-class cultural attractions. Every stop felt capable of hosting everything from incentive trips and executive retreats to conferences and leadership gatherings.
Perhaps the greatest testament to the destination was how often no one wanted to leave. Just as we settled into one remarkable setting, it was time to board another train toward the next. Fortunately, in Switzerland, every departure leads somewhere equally memorable.
Photos: Mattias Nutt
