THE SWISS ALPINE ENGINEERING EXPERIENCEIn partnership with FATZER – Complimentary Thursday, 12 November 2026 Registration Deadline : 24 October 2026
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Join FATZER for an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit, tailored for engineers, architects, and professionals from the bridge and infrastructure industry. Discover the craftsmanship and innovation behind high-performance ropes – from raw wire to the finished product – and experience how we are shaping the future of structural engineering together.
Get a unique, up-close insight into the stranding process and witness the socketing of ropes in action. Beyond this rare glimpse into Swiss precision manufacturing, there will be time to exchange ideas and connect with fellow industry peers in an inspiring setting.
To conclude the day, we will travel to one of eastern Switzerland’s most iconic viewpoints – the Hoher Kasten. Here, you will experience firsthand where high-performance ropes from our production are put into service.
After the cable car ride, enjoy a relaxed lunch, valuable networking opportunities, and the breathtaking 360° panoramic view over the mountains and lakes of eastern Switzerland — perhaps even catching a glimpse of where we started our journey. The FATZER Swiss Alpine Experience is provided as a complimentary activity for registered attendees. When registering for the IABSE Awards 2026, participants are invited to consider making a voluntary donation of any amount to the IABSE Foundation. Your generosity will help advance the foundation's mission and support its ongoing activities worldwide. Attendance is limited to 50 participants, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
To offer a balanced and enjoyable experience, the day will follow this schedule:
Timetable
07:30 Departure from Zurich, Sihlquai coach parking area (Coach ready at 07:15)
09:15 Arrival FATZER: Croissants and coffee in Romanshorn.
Ice-breaking get-together
10:00 Start factory tour in groups
12:00 End of tour
12:30 Departure from Romanshorn to Hoher Kasten Mountain
13:45 Arrival at Hoher Kasten lower station: Ascent by cable car
14:30 Standing aperitif with a buffet on the summit (Panorama Restaurant).
Free time for lunch, networking, and to freely explore the observation deck with a 360° panoramic view.
16:30 Descent by cable car
16:45 Departure from Hoher Kasten lower station
18:00 Arrival in Zurich, Sihlquai
Event Schedule13 November 2026, Lake Side Bellerivestrasse 170, 8008 Zürich Door Opens 17:00 Door Opens to the Main Hall 17:30 People and Paper Awards 18:00 Dinner Served 19:00 Project and Technology Awards 19:45 Open Bar 22:30 Note: The planned schedule may change during the event. Host Philipp Bächstädt Professional TV Presenter & Journalist |
| Philipp Bächstädt is a seasoned TV presenter. and journalist with nearly two decades of experience hosting prestigious international events and award ceremonies. Known for his storytelling skills, he creates a strong connection between audiences and events. Philipp believes that true engagement lies in how the audience understands and feels the message. As a journalist, he is particularly interested in the stories behind the People and Paper Award recipients and the innovative projects in the Project and Technology Awards. His career, launched in 2005, includes hosting renowned events like the Laureus Awards 2018 in Monaco. Philipp has also worked with major networks like RTL, Sky News, and CNN, earning a reputation Passionate about storytelling, his approach consistently highlights the people and stories behind the events. |
General Information
About Switzerland Discover beautiful and mountainous Switzerland, a marvellous country full of nature, beautiful lakes and rivers in central Europe. Switzerland is the perfect destination for a skiing holiday and vacation, or for enjoying long walks and trekking activities in the woods. The main cities are also worth a visit while on tour in the country: Bern, Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva, Lausanne are all picturesque and cosy cities with charming architectures. As for cuisine, Switzerland offers a wide range of typical dishes to taste on holiday, from cheese fondue to raclette, from tasty Rösti to world- famous Swiss chocolate and cheese! |
Venue
Lake Side Located directly on the upper lakeshore, the Lake Side holds a unique panorama in store for guests. The Lake Side not only offers a holiday feeling due to its excellent location, but also due to the listed architecture and the Mediterranean atmosphere. With its various rooms, it is a perfect event location for IABSE Awards and Gala Dinner 2026. HotelsThere are no pre-selected hotels for the participants. Please click this link to locate hotels within the area.
As of the latest update, there are no longer any restrictions related to COVID-19 in place. Tourist and other information about Zurich: Click Here Visa: Click here Practical information about Zurich: Click Here Currency conversion: Click Here Time: UTC (Coordinated Universal Time Greenwich)+1 Electricity : V230 Hz50 Language: The official languages are German, French, Italian and Romansh. English is widely spoken in Zurich. Telephone: Country code is +41 Internet availability: High Currency: Swiss franc (CHF) | Travelling to the venue By Public Transport (Train & Tram) Zurich's public transportation system is efficient and easy to use. You can take a combination of a train and tram to reach the Venue. Step 1: Take the Train from Zurich Airport Step 2: Change to a Tram Take Tram 4 in the direction of Tiefenbrunnen. Total travel time is approximately 20-25 minutes. By Taxi, Uber The journey usually takes about 20-25 minutes depending on traffic and will cost around 40-50 Swiss francs. Make sure you buy a valid ticket before entering the bus, train or tram. Vicinity Map and Transport Information (SBB train or tram): https://www.sbb.ch/de Lake Side Zurich is in the city center and is covered with a ZVV ticket zone: 110, which costs approx. CHF 9. Buying tickets for travelling (Zurich, ZVV transport, bus, train, tram): Click Here |
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