Automnales 2025: Introducing a Refreshed Three-Act Formula

Geneva‘s Automnales event Reimagined for 2025 with New focus on Gastronomy and Entertainment

Geneva, Switzerland – The Automnales, a long-standing tradition marking the transition to the winter season in Geneva, is undergoing a significant conversion for its 2025 edition. Director jennifer Joly has announced a revamped format designed to both invigorate longtime attendees and attract a new wave of exhibitors and visitors. The event, scheduled from November 7 to 16 at Palexpo, will now be structured around three primary areas: a Food Festival, a Market, and a dedicated Passion zone for activities.

A Three-Pronged Approach to Revitalization

According to Joly,the redesign is a strategic move to enhance the overall experience and maintain the event’s relevance. This year’s Automnales aims to energize the experience for all attendees. The new structure directly addresses a need to not only retain the Automnales’ loyal audience, but also to draw in more exhibitors, ensuring the event’s continued success. Switzerland’s event industry saw a 7.8% increase in revenue in 2024, according to a recent report by the Swiss Tourism federation, highlighting the importance of adapting to evolving consumer preferences.

Food Festival: A Culinary Highlight

The centerpiece of the transformation is the introduction of the Food Festival. This dedicated hall will host approximately one hundred exhibitors specializing in gastronomy, including local producers and specialty food purveyors. Uniquely, this area will remain open until 10 p.m. each evening, extending beyond the 8:30 p.m. closing time of the other sections. “this year’s goal is to extend the evening experience, offering visitors enhanced entertainment and dining options,” Joly stated.

Restructured Market and Expanded Family Activities

The Market area has also been reorganized for improved flow and clarity, categorizing offerings by themes like home, garden, and family. A former designated ‘junior baby lounge’ has been removed, but the organizers have expanded family-pleasant activities to span the entire ten-day duration of the event, rather than just weekends. The Passion zone will continue to feature beloved classics, such as pétanque, zip lines, beach volleyball, and a new addition: an ice rink.

Accessibility and Affordability

Admission to the Automnales will remain free from Monday to Thursday, with a modest fee of 15 Swiss francs charged on Fridays, Saturdays, and sundays, or a discounted rate of 10 francs when purchased online. The organizing team emphasizes the event’s commitment to accessibility. “Our primary objective is to animate Geneva, not to maximize profits,” Joly explained.”We are striving for financial equilibrium while ensuring the event remains inclusive.”

Ortus Foundation to Present Immersive Gardens

This year’s guest of honor is the Ortus Foundation, which will present an immersive plant installation. Visitors will be able to explore thoughtfully designed gardens, providing a calming respite within the bustling Automnales environment. Complementing the exhibit, a series of conferences will address pertinent urban issues, including water management, biodiversity, and enduring city design.

Preserving a Genevan Identity

While acknowledging the success of events like the Foire du Valais in martigny, Joly stressed the importance of maintaining a distinctly Genevan identity for the Automnales. The core aim is to create a space for people to come together – colleagues, friends, and families – to enjoy a shared experience, a tradition spanning generations. “We all know the Automnales; we came with our grandparents, then our parents, and now we bring our children,” she remarked.

The Enduring Appeal of Swiss Trade Fairs

Switzerland has a strong tradition of trade fairs and exhibitions, serving as critically important economic and cultural hubs. These events not only showcase local products and innovation but also attract international attention. Did You Know? The Swiss exhibition industry contributes over 2 billion Swiss francs annually to the country’s GDP according to Swiss Exhibitions Ltd.

Event	Location	Frequency
Automnales	Geneva	Annual
Foire du Valais	Martigny	Annual
baselworld (formerly)	basel	annual (discontinued)

The evolution of the Automnales reflects a broader trend towards experiential events and a focus on community engagement. Pro Tip: Check the Automnales website for a detailed schedule of events and exhibitor lists prior to your visit to maximize your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Automnales

What are you most looking forward to experiencing at the reimagined Automnales? Do you think the new Food Festival will draw in larger crowds?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

How can we ensure speaker content in Act Two directly addresses the “increasing the stakes” element related to not adapting to the current market challenges?

Understanding the Core of Three-Act Structure

The three-act structure is a foundational storytelling model used in screenwriting, playwriting, novel writing, and increasingly, in impactful marketing campaigns and presentations. It’s a framework that provides a natural rhythm and builds audience engagement. For Automnales 2025, we’re not reinventing the wheel, but refining it – focusing on maximizing impact within this proven format. This year’s approach emphasizes a tighter, more emotionally resonant experience for attendees and partners. Key terms related to this include storytelling structure,narrative arc,and plot development.

Act One: Setup – Establishing the Landscape (0-25%)

This initial act is about introducing the world, the characters, and the central conflict. For Automnales, this translates to:

* Defining the Current Market: What are the pressing challenges and opportunities facing businesses now? This isn’t just about listing trends; it’s about framing them as problems needing solutions. Think digital transformation, sustainable practices, economic headwinds, and innovation challenges.

* Introducing Key Players: Highlighting the innovators, thought leaders, and companies shaping the future. This includes showcasing exhibitors and speakers.

* The Inciting Incident: A clear statement of the core problem Automnales 2025 aims to address. This year, it’s the need for agile adaptation in a rapidly changing business environment. We’re positioning Automnales as the catalyst for that adaptation.

* Setting the Tone: Establishing the overall atmosphere – forward-thinking,collaborative,and solution-oriented.

Effective setup is crucial. It lays the groundwork for everything that follows. Consider it the foundation of your event narrative.

Act Two: Confrontation – Rising Action & Stakes (25-75%)

This is the longest act,were the protagonist (in this case,the attendee or participating business) actively confronts the conflict. for Automnales 2025,this means:

* Deep Dives into Solutions: Workshops,conferences,and exhibitor showcases focused on practical strategies and technologies. Topics include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, supply chain resilience, future of work, and circular economy.

* Increasing the Stakes: Demonstrating the consequences of not adapting. this isn’t about fear-mongering,but about highlighting the competitive disadvantages and missed opportunities.

* Subplots & Challenges: Introducing smaller, related challenges that add complexity and realism. This could include discussions on funding opportunities, talent acquisition, or regulatory compliance.

* Midpoint Shift: A significant event or revelation that changes the direction of the narrative. For automnales, this could be a keynote address unveiling a groundbreaking industry report or a major partnership declaration.

This act is where attendees actively engage with the content and begin to formulate their own solutions. Event engagement and knowledge transfer are paramount here.

act Three: Resolution – Climax & Denouement (75-100%)

The final act delivers the climax – the peak of the conflict – and the resolution. For Automnales 2025:

* Showcasing Success Stories: Presenting case studies and testimonials demonstrating the positive impact of the solutions presented. Real-world examples of business growth, cost savings, and increased efficiency.

* The Climax: A culminating event – perhaps a pitch competition, a networking gala, or a final keynote – that embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration.

* The Denouement: A sense of closure and a clear path forward. This includes providing attendees with resources, connections, and a renewed sense of purpose.

* Call to Action: Encouraging attendees to implement what they’ve learned and continue the conversation beyond the event. this could involve joining online communities, attending follow-up webinars, or scheduling consultations.

This act should leave attendees feeling empowered and inspired. It’s about translating knowledge into action and fostering long-term relationships. Post-event follow-up and community building are critical components.

Benefits of the Refreshed Formula

This refined three-act structure offers several advantages:

* Increased Attendee Engagement: A more compelling narrative keeps attendees invested throughout the event.

* Enhanced Memorability: A clear structure makes the event more memorable and impactful.

* Improved ROI for Exhibitors: A focused narrative attracts a more qualified audience.

* Stronger Brand Positioning: Reinforces Automnales’ position as a leading innovation hub.

* Better Data Collection: A structured event allows for more targeted data collection and analysis.

Practical Tips for Implementation

* Content Mapping: Map all event content to specific points within the three-act structure.

* Narrative Consistency: Ensure that all messaging and branding reinforce the core narrative.

* Speaker Alignment: Brief speakers on the overall narrative and encourage them to align their presentations accordingly.

* Attendee Journey Mapping: Design the attendee experience to guide them through the three acts.

* Feedback Mechanisms: Collect feedback throughout the event to identify areas for improvement.

Case Study: Leveraging Storytelling at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024