Events

Swiss AmCham organizes a series of specialized briefings, panel discussions and seminars. Luncheons, Fireside Chats and other functions feature prominent personalities from business or public life.

Chamber Positions

To assist its member companies in their international activities and to promote and facilitate better business relations between Switzerland and the United States of America, Swiss AmCham provides essential information about doing business in these markets, promotes both countries as advantageous places to do business. Swiss AmCham publishes regular articles on policy issues matters as well as studies (often in co-operation with renowned partners) on business-related topics.

Governing Bodies

The Swiss AmCham’s governing body is the Board of Directors. A number of Chapter Boards and Committees contribute substantially to the Chamber’s activities and programs. All members of the various Boards and Committees exercise these functions on a pro-bono basis.

Swiss AmCham Albert Gallatin Award

The Swiss AmCham Albert Gallatin Award is awarded every three to four years to a personality who embodies the spirit and the achievements of Albert Gallatin, a pioneer in the relationship between Switzerland and the United States of America. The award presentation always takes place in Geneva. It is the most important and largest Swiss AmCham event in the Lake Geneva area. This function regularly attracts a high-level audience with national dignitaries and is widely covered by the media.

Background

The Lake Geneva Chapter Board of the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce has created an award to be given regularly to one or more individuals and/or to one or more corporations whose accomplishments or activities merit special praise. The award symbolizes the spirit and the achievements of Albert Gallatin, a pioneer in the relationship between Switzerland and the United States of America, who contributed in many ways throughout his life to helping the United States become a free and prosperous nation. The award also celebrates the close reciprocal ties that have bound the Republic of Geneva, and the Swiss Confederation, to the United States for more than two hundred years.

Purpose of the Award

To recognize exceptional contributions by individuals, and/or corporations and institutions to fostering a better understanding and appreciation between the peoples of Switzerland and the United States.

Award Winners

2022

Hansjörg Wyss, Chairman, Wyss Foundation

2017

Ernesto Bertarelli, Entrepreneur, Sportsman, Philanthropist

On April 6, 2017, the Lake Geneva Chapter of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce awarded the renowned Gallatin Award to Ernesto Bertarelli as recognition for his great achievements in building bridges between Switzerland and the USA as an entrepreneur (Serono), sportsman (twice winner of the Americas Cup) and philanthropist (Campus Biotech, Bertarelli Foundation).

2014

Patrick Firmenich, Chief Executive Officer of Firmenich

Honored for his (and the company's) sustainable development in the business cooperation between Switzerland and the USA.

2011

Charles Kleiber, Former State Secretary for Education & Research
Thierry Lombard, Managing Partner of Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch & Cie.

The two awardees were honored for their brilliant idea and exceptional efforts in promoting, building and sponsoring Swissnex San Francisco and Boston.

2008

Robert J. Portman, Ambassador, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget of the U.S. and former US Trade Representative

2005

Robert A. Lutz, Vice Chairman Product Development & Chairman GM North America, General Motors Corporation

2004

Daniel Borel, Chairman & Founder of Logitech