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Recent FIS News
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Presenting FIS Partners: Hilton Zürich Airport Hotel
During the summer months, FIS will present in a series of interviews some of its most important partners. With the annual FIS Autumn Technical meetings starting today, which this year celebrates a 10-year-long partnership with FIS, Michael Reinhardt, General Manager and Walter Maier, C&E Sales Manager at Hilton Zürich Airport Hotel, describe the importance of the long-term partnership and the benefits the hotel offers the FIS family.
The relationship between FIS and Hilton Zürich Airport Hotel was initiated by Heinz Gurtner, Manager FIS Travel Service who was one of the very first guests of the hotel and has since then maintained an excellent business relationship with the hotel. Thanks to this continued partnership, FIS Travel Service has been able to offer free parking at the facility to all its guests. The excellent cooperation with the hotel’s staff and top management has led to successful staging of the annual FIS Autumn Meetings year after year.
FIS: What does the relationship with FIS mean to Hilton?
Hilton: We are absolutely delighted and proud to have such an excellent relationship with FIS for 10 years now. The FIS Autumn Meetings at the Hilton Zurich Airport have become an institution for us. It is always a great pleasure to have the FIS Family with us, and our entire team is very excited. They all give their very best and for us this week is THE highlight of the year.
FIS: What kind of a partner is FIS for Hilton to work with?
Hilton: We are happy to welcome FIS as our important guests, and seek to present ourselves from our best side, with the typical Hilton hospitality. We do have very good relationships with the friendly FIS Organizers and FIS’s guests, and the entire cooperation benefits from a very open and smooth communication and organisation.
FIS: What are the main challenges hosting the FIS Autumn Meetings in which over 500 persons participate and several meetings take place at the same time?
Hilton: When the first FIS meetings took place 10 years ago, they were half as big as this year. Now there are more than 70 meetings, 850 booked rooms in the main hotel and additionally 150 rooms in Apart Hotel operated by Hilton, as well as additional full hotels in the nearby region. In order to make sure all meetings run smoothly, it is important for us to ensure we have enough staff and coordinate the right meeting spaces. Our close relationship with FIS is the most important part though, as the planning of next year’s meetings start immediately after the previous ones. Because we have had the pleasure of hosting the autumn meetings for 10 years now, we know what challenges might arise, and we are better suited for handling them. An important aspect is to stay flexible as we understand that last minute changes may occur and that meetings might take longer than initially planned.
FIS: What sets Hilton apart from other hotels in your market?
Hilton: We do have a unique location as we are close to the airport, but still not at the airport, and just a short drive from Zürich City. Additionally we have more than 300 parking spaces, which come in handy in addition to the free shuttle bus to the airport. Hilton has a very good brand name which also helps position the hotel. Moreover, we offer our guests the Hilton Honours points system where both miles & bonus points can be accrued, to redeem on free meals or rooms.
FIS: With the increasing concerns about the environment, what does Hilton do to protect the environment?
Hilton: As we are part of a big American company, we are of course thinking about the environment. We have installed a brand-new, green air conditioning system, have recycling systems, power-saving bulbs and a concept called “Blue Energy”. Hilton Zürich Airport Hotel was awarded the ‘Best Hotel in Europe’ a few years ago, where all employees got a bicycle. Hilton will continue to focus on the environment and we encourage all our employees to use their bikes instead of any other means of transportation.
FIS: Hilton Zürich Airport Hotel celebrates its 40th anniversary this year – how exactly?
Hilton: This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hilton Zurich Airport with a Charity Gala on 8th October. The funds raised will go to benefit Right To Play and help strengthen the relationship between Hilton Zürich Airport Hotel and FIS the even further.
Throughout the year, we have special prices on our online channels where great savings can be made. To mark the 40th anniversary, we have also created a special retro menu which is available in our restaurants.
Contributed by Sofie Torlei Olsen