Dear Rob,
I am searching for an event location in Basel Switzerland to host 100 attendees, and it needs to be something cool and edgy. What ideas do you have for unique venues in Basel, Switzerland?
Shezmeen Prassad, marketing and public relations manager in San Francisco for WebDeal AS, a web hosting company with offices in Norway, London and San Francisco, was approached by a client of her firm to identify event venues in Basel, Switzerland. Given that the client is in the computer industry, it’s obvious that they would want unique and edgy.
Basel, Switzerland has fewer than 200,000 residents, but offers a combination of culture and recreation in a traditional and modern city. Basel features museums, culinary choices, nightlife, 15th century buildings, and the Rhine River. Switzerland is also known for being a center of innovation and research for computer applications, so it’s not surprising that a technology company would consider Basel for a client program.
Each year, two important conventions take place in Basel, Switzerland: Baselworld, the largest international show for the watch and jewelry industry, and Art Basel, the world’s premier international art show for modern and contemporary art.
Not having yet been to Switzerland for a site visit, I reached out for advice to Caroline Pidroni, director of sales and marketing for the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau in New York, NY. Pidroni offered the following suggestions that each offer a different Swiss experience:
Basel United - Pantheon Basel
A museum for old-timers, an old-timer workshop, a restaurant, a shop and an attractive event platform which all results in the largest Swiss forum for old-timers, covering 7,500m2, directly on the periphery of the city of Basel, in Muttenz. The implementation of the forum only lasted 2.5 years and was initiated by the Basel-based entrepreneur Stephan Musfeld. The building was designed and implemented by toffolarchitekten basel. The event space is located in the center of the circular building. 900m2 including two conference rooms (may be combined) with a view of the old-timers are available for dinners, anniversary parties, conferences or seminars.
Event area: 7,093 square feet; 659 square meters
Theatre setup: 600 persons
Banquet setup: 400 persons
Gamma Catering AG, Reithalle Wenkenhof
Located in the middle of a large English-style park, the Wenkenhof, with its elegance and tradition, is the ideal setting for stylish receptions, banquets, conferences and exhibitions. This atmospheric environment enhances a culinary experience. Here, festivals are not celebrated as they fall, but are given their own, special individual tone. From the perfectly designed invitation cards, to the selection of decorations, the organization of the supporting program and the culinary act itself, nothing is left to chance. The love of detail and manicured setting are made apparent and satisfy every wish.
Riding Hall: 4,843 square feet; 450 square meters
Theatre setup: 300 persons
Banquet setup: 300 persons
Restaurant Safran Zunft
The historic rooms of the Safran Zunft are especially suited for general meetings, presentations, exhibitions and conferences which require a unique, incomparable setting. The festival hall of the medieval guild of spice traders is the ideal venue for gala dinners, cocktail parties and welcome receptions for up to 500 people.
Guild Hall: 3,013 square feet; 659 square meters
Theatre setup: 300 persons
Banquet setup: 300 persons
Bottmingen Castle
The 14th-century castle stands at the gates of Basel, is surrounded by water and a romantic park and has recently been tastefully renovated. Our creative kitchen team, under the personal direction of René Gischig, will pamper guests in eight stylish rooms (from 10 to 150 people). All sorts of presentations, concerts, meetings or productions can be organized to take place before, during or after this gourmet experience. Schloss Bottmingen is the right venue for important, festive occasions – whether business or private. A wonderful garden terrace with tall trees invites you to linger for a while.
Knights' Hall: 1,829 square feet; 170 square meters
Theatre setup: 150 persons
Banquet setup: 150 persons
Dreispitzhalle
(site only in German) is the event facility centerpiece of the up and coming hot spot in Basel, the former industrial area Dreispitz. In the coming years, this area will be developed and will host a design school and top-notch galleries as well as trendy restaurants and bars. The Dreispitzhalle will be the anchor of the neighborhood’s future international art and cultural activities. It was once a storage depot and became an event venue with two event halls (820 qm and 746 qm) in 2008. It is located about 10 minutes outside of the city center in Basel, and can be reached by public transportation or taxi.
Event area: 8,030 square feet; 746 square meters
Theatre setup: 600 persons
Banquet setup: 400 persons
My pick for the requested event? I would look more closely at Basel United - Pantheon Basel and Bottmingen Castle. If I had a significant budget to customize entertainment and decor, I would look more closely at the Dreispitzhalle.