The IMI family is looking forward to an action-packed 2024 with lots of exciting events taking place here on campus as well as on the wider world stage...
With January having flown by, we are already very much in our stride for 2024 and looking forward to welcoming our first intake of new students in February.
This year will see lots of exciting events here at IMI, some well-established traditions and others brand new initiatives.
Further afield, 2024 promises some amazing cultural and sporting occasions as the world's of hospitality, travel and tourism look to see a continuing upturn following on from trends seen in the post-Covid years.
So, to whet everyone's appetite for the year ahead, we have put together a countdown of some of our 2024 event highlights - taking place both here at campus Kastanienbaum and on the wider global stage...
IMI CEO Prof. Caldwell looks ahead to an exciting 2024 for our school.
"It's a great time to come to Switzerland, a great time to come to IMI, and we are ready to prepare you for the hospitality industry."
Professor Gavin Caldwell - IMI CEO
IMI Switzerland - 2024 Highlights
1. Partner School Summer Programme
This year, we will be running a special Summer Programme exclusively for our international partner schools. Prospective students will have the chance to spend two weeks on the IMI campus and experience a range of hospitality workshops and masterclasses as well as lots of exciting trips and excursions around Switzerland. Find out more here.
2. BIG Weeks
As usual we will have four student intakes this year - in February, May, August and November - and our new arrivals will be welcomed with the traditional induction BIG Weeks. Packed full of ice-breakers, fun activities and new experiences, the BIG Weeks also provide students with the essential information they need to make the most of their time both here at IMI and in Switzerland. What happens during BIG Week - check out this video.
3. Open Days
Brand new for 2024, we will be launching a series of new Open Days where prospective students and their families can visit our campus and get a true sense of what it is like to live and study at a world-leading hospitality school. As well as meeting with faculty and our current students, they will also enjoy a fine-dining lunch in our Swiss Room restaurant and guided tours of the campus and Luzern city. 2024 Open Day dates.
4. Partnership Engagement Programme
Following the success of the PEP in 2023, we will once again be offering lecturers and faculty from our international partner schools the chance to visit us here in Switzerland this year. These visits offer an excellent opportunity for academic collaboration and are a great way to strengthen the already strong relationships we enjoy with our global partners. Discover how to partner with IMI.
5. Graduation 2024
Always one of the highlights of our school calendar, IMI's annual Graduation Ceremony allows us to welcome back our Bachelor's and Master's degree students to celebrate their achievements in the spectacular surroundings of Casino Luzern. This year's ceremony will take place on the 25th September and eligible students will receive registration details later in the year. Celebrating success at IMI Graduation.
2024 Global Events (and some closer to home...)
1. The Olympic Games
One of the biggest global sporting events, bringing together competitors from over 200 countries, the Olympics will be hosted in the French capital of Paris this year. With athletes travelling down the river Seine for the opening ceremony and new sports such as breakdancing making their Olympic debut, this year's games promise to be one of the most spectacular ever! Paris 2024 Official Site.
2. Luzern Carnival - Fasnacht
Students for our February intake will be arriving right in the middle of one of the biggest carnivals in Switzerland. On our doorstep in Luzern, Fasnacht is six days of parades, carnivals and festivities where the whole city is decorated with lights, colour (and confetti) with an incredible atmosphere that is not to be missed. Fasnacht parades through the streets of Luzern - video.
3. European Football Championships
The Euros are the biggest and most popular international football tournament after the World Cup. With some of the planet's best players such as Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé arriving in Germany for this Summer's tournament, it should be a truly spectacular feast of football. Euro 2024 Germany official website.
4. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour comes to Switzerland
One of the world's biggest music stars will be taking her record-breaking tour to 15 different countries in 2024, including Switzerland. Playing two nights at Zurich's Letzigrund stadium, tickets were swept up within seconds of going on sale. Having had a taste of what to expect from 2023's eponymous documentary film, fans are sure to be counting down the days until the gigs. Official tour website.
5. The Oscars
The great and good of Hollywood will once again descend on the Dolby Theatre to discover which of the previous year's cinematic releases will triumph in the various categories. Always a glitzy and glamorous affair, nominees including Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling and Jodie Foster will be hoping to take home one of the famous Oscar statuettes. List of 2024 Oscar nominees.
Become a part of the future growth of the hospitality and events industries. Contact us below to find out more...
