Is it a cold? Jet lag? Hay fever catching up with me? Or simply the aftereffects of a memorable evening when the lounge at our Zurich headquarters took on the atmosphere of a Swiss-style Ginza bar? We truly thought this “Gin-züri” event (the second of its kind, three years after the first edition) would never take place. The flights of our Japanese guests—a mama-san and her entourage, whom she calls the “genki boys”—seemed in jeopardy. Fortunately, despite tensions in the Gulf, Etihad Airways was able to maintain and restore its flights. Our group of five thus arrived at dawn on Thursday, after a 23-hour journey from Narita Airport.
Unexpected expertise in the heart of Switzerland
By Friday, my colleague Yuko had taken charge of supervising the kimono dressing and hairstyling for the Tokyo delegation, joined by a few members of the local Japanese-Swiss community who came to lend a hand. It is surprising to note that a European city the size of Zurich is home to a veritable market for this type of service: two professionals make their living there by offering complete traditional styling sessions—from hairstyling to makeup—for residents and visitors alike. Watching these preparations unfold is fascinating; it’s a true production that requires hours of work. By late afternoon, our ground-floor space had been completely transformed by our colleagues Guy and Rochdi, ready to welcome forty readers and clients for a convivial gathering featuring songs, lively discussions, and a few dance steps.
The art of hospitality as a true hallmark
I’m often asked what makes us unique in a saturated media landscape. In the past, I would readily highlight our editorial rigor, our commitment to print, our international reach, or our distinctive tone. Today, my perspective has evolved: our greatest strength lies in our ability to bring people together. Building connections, fostering conversation, and above all, ensuring moments of warmth and laughter. Field journalism is our foundation, but our true soul lies in hospitality. Whether it’s serving coffee in the morning, hosting an evening event featuring Miki Matsubara, or proving to a packed house that it’s always good to know a few Take That classics. Unsurprisingly, we fully intend to expand these kinds of initiatives.
This sense of community will also be at the heart of our upcoming communications, with a campaign aimed at highlighting the strength of our global network. Why settle for virtual discussions when we can meet in person at our summits, in our new guesthouse in Zurich, or around the sunny tables of our London, Paris, and Swiss locations? The invitation is open, especially to those who choose to support us by subscribing.
From Zurich to Shanghai: a bustling spring schedule
To continue the Japanese theme, our large market dedicated to cherry blossom viewing (Hanami) is currently in full swing in Zurich and will return over the coming weekends. The pace will then pick up: within a month, we’ll head to Shanghai to host our conference for entrepreneurs, while also opening a pop-up café and boutique to complement our presence there.
Behind the scenes, our team is putting together a full summer program of gatherings, a prelude to our major annual conference on quality of life to be held in September (the host city will be announced very soon). To join us on this adventure and receive all of our publications (print and digital), the investment is far less than the price of a daily espresso. We look forward to seeing you soon, whether by the sea or on a street corner in Shanghai.