BÜRGENSTOCK RESORT LAKE LUCERNE
MASTERS AS HOST OF A SEAMLESS WORLD-CLASS GATHERING
History was made at the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne on 15th and 16th June 2024: the Peace Summit on Ukraine, organized by the Swiss Confederation and considered the largest diplomatic event in Swiss history, took place on this iconic mountainside. Thanks to its committed team of 700 employees, backed up by 350 externals, the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne managed to cater to more than 1’000 international VIP guests, of which were 57 heads of states, as well as to 500 media and 1’400 staff and security members over two intense days.
While walking to the plenary hall and asked by a journalist if she felt the spirit of the Bürgenstock, Vice-President of the United States Kamala Harris responded with a smile, “I do! Thank you!” Thanks to the resort’s dedicated team, the legendary Spirit of Bürgenstock resonated across the 92 international delegations, marking this unprecedented event as a milestone in the resort’s illustrious 151-year history. The highlevel diplomatic event has even come to be known as “the Bürgenstock Conference.”
The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne met the highest standards required for an event of such magnitude. It demonstrated its capability to manage complex operations seamlessly across more than 30 buildings simultaneously, while adapting to strict security and safety protocols and maintaining top-notch discretion, precision, and attention to detail. The resort not only accommodated the needs of 1’000 international politicians and diplomats but also provided around-the-clock support for 1’400 staff, including personnel from the FDFA, police, military, security, hotel, and external services across four staff canteens, complemented by 500 members of the media.
Close collaboration was fostered with the Canton of Nidwalden, the Swiss Confederation, the Federal Department of Administrative Affairs, the Army, Cantonal Police, and other security forces. Managing Director Chris Franzen expressed gratitude for this intense and memorable collaboration and for the significant achievement: “Hosting the Peace Summit on Ukraine was not only a milestone and unforgettable experience for our resort, but also for the entire region and Switzerland. It brings a sense of common pride, honor, and optimism for the future. It shows that we as a nation can host such global events!”
The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne is also grateful to its longstanding local partners and suppliers, particularly in the gastronomy but as well as in the logistics, events, and infrastructure sectors, with whom it strengthened its collaboration. These partners greatly benefited from the event. During the first two weeks of June (June 1-14), the share of local producers increased by over 45%.
Among others, meat was sourced from Metzger Gabriel AG in Wolfenschiessen and Holzen Fleisch GmbH in Ennetbürgen, bakery products from Christen Beck in Buochs and Kreuzbäckerei AG in Stans, vegetables and fruits from Keller Früchte und Gemüse in Sins, cheese from Josef Bircher Käserei Boden in Obbürgen and Misli Sepp (Amstutz Irene & Sepp) in Obbürgen, chocolate from Nobile AG in Bätterkinden and Max Felchlin AG in Ibach, and coffee from Rast Kaffee AG in Ebikon.
Despite the short lead time, the spontaneous requests, and the significant amounts, suppliers consistently met delivery deadlines and demonstrated great commitment and, underscoring the close and effective collaboration that contributed to the event's success.
On diplomatic footsteps: The legacy of Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne
Since 1873, the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne has been attracting celebrities and politicians for both business and pleasure. The hotel has played host to such iconic figures as Audrey Hepburn, Konrad Adenauer and Jimmy Carter. Over the decades, it has become the venue for major international conferences, culminating in the "Bürgenstock Summit". In this instance, the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne reiterates its long tradition of hosting large-scale international events. For example, the "Bürgenstock Conference", an annual gathering of leading chemists known for its role in promoting interdisciplinary research in chemistry and other related scientific fields, was held here from 1965 to 2008. In addition, the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne has been the venue for several other historic peace negotiations and conferences, including ceasefire talks in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan in 2002, and talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in 2004 to discuss Cyprus's accession to the European Union. Its idyllic and Bürgenstock Hotels AG 6363 Obbürgen, Switzerland T +41 (0) 41 612 60 00 info@burgenstockresort.com burgenstockresort.com
strategic setting makes it an ideal venue for this kind of global event and diplomatic negotiation on neutral ground. It makes the hotel a key player in the history of many global agreements, hosting crucial discussions and the most important peace agreement signatures.