Convention promotion
Convention Promotion of the Canton of Basel-Stadt: Support for successful conventions
Thanks to its strategic location, excellent transport connections and modern infrastructure, the city of Basel is one of Europe's leading trade fair and congress destinations. Future-oriented industries, renowned research institutes and leading hospitals come together here. The congress promotion program supports selected congresses with the aim of strengthening the innovation landscape and further developing Basel as a congress location.
Our support for conventions
The Basel-Stadt convention promotion supports selected congresses in the three strategic innovation fields of the Canton of Basel-Stadt according to clearly defined criteria:
- Innovations in Life Sciences
- Digital Innovation
- Sustainable economy
Scientific congresses that have a strong connection to these fields of innovation are also promoted.
Congress formats
The following two congress formats are supported:
- Congress partnering: This format includes congresses that have already taken place in Basel, existing congresses that have not yet taken place in Basel, and new congresses. Recurring conventions are particularly attractive and can be awarded a 3-year contract if the development is positive.
- Congress development: The development of new congress formats is supported by further developing existing congresses with potential that do not yet reach the target size of the congress partner. The existing network in research and industry in the Basel region can be mobilised to develop conventions.
Eligibility criteria
- Value creation
- Congress topic (innovation fields of the economic development and relevance for Basel as a location for business and research)
- Convention size (Partnering: ≥ 500 participants, development ≥ 250 participants)
- Duration of the convention (preferably several days including overnight stay)
- International profile of the participants
The following formats are not supported:
- Internal company conferences
- Convention formats with overarching political or socio-political significance
- National conventions with predominantly Swiss participants (exceptions possible in the convention format focused on development)
The Basel Congress Board
The coordination and evaluation of funding applications lies with the Basel Congress Board, which consists of representatives from various institutions in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Depending on the funding contribution, the decision on funding is made by the head of the WSU or the Cantonal Government, based on a recommendation from the Congress Board Basel. In the case of funding, a cooperation agreement is concluded with the congress organiser, which sets out the canton’s services and the organiser’s consideration.
Submission of applications
Funding applications are submitted to the coordination office of the Congress Board Basel (Mail:congressboard@basel.com).
Applications must be submitted no later than November 15th of each year for the following year (or years). Funding decisions will be made no later than four months after receipt of the application if submitted on time.
Obligations by the congress organisers
- Hold the congress in the Canton of Basel-Stadt
- Mention of the canton in all public relations work
- Appearance of the canton or organisations associated with the canton at the congress (e.g. at the greeting/welcome address)
- Free congress admission for start-ups (non-listed companies founded a maximum of 10 years ago), collaborators of the Canton of Basel-Stadt or organisations affiliated with the canton (at least 10 entries)
- Invitations to official receptions/gala events