Thank you for accepting your invitation to President’s Circle 2024. We have an unforgettable experience planned for you and your guest. Prior to departure, please take some time to review the trip logistics and information on this website. The sections below answer common questions about what to expect from our time together in Switzerland. We look forward to hosting you.

Jena Reindel, President’s Circle Event Manager, jreindel@central-insurance.com

Central Insurance Travel Headquarters, 800.298.0525 / 636.827.0493, CentralSwitzerland@travelHQ.com

Hotel Details

Accommodations have been arranged at our two host hotels, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa and Beau-Rivage Palace. Please check in at the hotel registration desk when you arrive at the Victoria-Jungfrau in Interlaken. A credit card is required for personal hotel expenses not covered by Central. Click here for details on approved expenses.

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken
Höheweg 41, CH-3800 Interlaken, +41 33 828 28 28

Accepted credit cards: American Express, Mastercard, and Visa.

On-premise amenities include Spa Nescens, a 24-hour fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and two indoor tennis courts.

In-room amenities include coffee and tea, bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer, toiletries, and a safe for valuables. Minibar items are a personal expense and will be charged to your credit card on file. Irons and steamers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne
Chemin de Beau-Rivage 21, 1006 Lausanne, +41 21 613 33 33

Accepted credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, and Visa.

On-premise amenities include a spa, fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beach access, and outdoor tennis courts.

In-room amenities include coffee and tea, bathrobes and slippers, a hairdryer, an umbrella, laundry and shoe bags, a sewing kit, and toiletries. Minibar items are a personal expense and will be charged to your credit card on file. Irons and steamers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Hospitality Suite
When you arrive at each of our host hotels, please visit the Hospitality Suite to pick up your welcome packet. The Hospitality Suite at the Victoria-Jungfrau in Interlaken will be at Le Salon Rouge, and the Hospitality Suite at the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne will be at Salon Arcades.

Travel directors from our partners at Maritz and Bucher Travel of Switzerland will be on-site to answer questions, assist in arranging personal plans, and confirm daily activity schedules. Any changes to group programming will be posted in the Hospitality Suite and updated on the President’s Circle mobile app.

Identification Badges
Your welcome packet includes a personalized name badge. Please wear your badge to all Central functions for easy identification as a President’s Circle guest.

Travel Arrangements

U.S. Citizens
  • A valid passport is required when traveling abroad. You may be denied boarding if the name on your passport does not exactly match the name on your airline ticket. The Swiss government requires passports to be valid throughout your visit and contain one blank page for stamping. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State recommends that all international travelers carry a passport valid for at least six months beyond their planned return date. If you do not have a valid passport, please apply for one immediately. Refer to the U.S. Department of State for more information on the process and required documentation.
  • Passport processing is often significantly delayed due to high demand. Click here to view current passport processing times. To expedite processing for first-time or renewal passport applications, visit CIBTvisas or call 800.929.2428. CIBTvisas expediting fees are a personal expense.
All Other Citizens
  • You are responsible for securing the required travel documentation for international travel. Check with the Consulate for each country listed on your itinerary to ensure you have the necessary documentation. Additional travel documents may be required if connecting through countries other than your final destination.
Central's travel partner, Maritz, will manage flight arrangements to and from Switzerland for you and your guest. Look for an email from CentralSwitzerland@travelhq.com on Tuesday, March 19. Central will not reimburse personal travel, so please wait to receive your invitation before booking your flight. Reservations must be completed by Tuesday, April 9.

All guests will fly into Zurich on Sunday, June 23, and depart from Geneva on Saturday, June 29. Airline seating will be reserved in economy class. If you wish to upgrade your seating, this is a personal expense to arrange after booking your flight.
Please plan to make personal transportation arrangements between your home and departure airport. Stateside airport transportation and parking fees are personal expenses and will not be reimbursed.

We’ll provide airport transportation to and from the host hotels. When you arrive at Zurich International Airport, head to the baggage claim area. Once you’ve claimed your luggage, look for event staff with Central Insurance signage, then proceed through customs. We highly recommend packing a small carry-on bag with a change of clothes, personal items, and any other essentials in case your luggage is lost or delayed. Travel time from Zurich International Airport to the Victoria-Jungfrau in Interlaken is approximately two hours.
If you would like to extend your trip beyond the scheduled program dates, please indicate this during the registration process on March 19. Our group rate at the Victoria-Jungfrau and the Beau-Rivage Palace will be available three days before and after President’s Circle. Availability is limited, and extended travel is a personal expense. Any additional charges incurred are your responsibility. A deposit is required at the time of booking.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided at all organized functions per the agenda. Meals at leisure will be available at the hotel restaurant as covered expenses when not included in daily activities. Please sign the check with your name, room number, and “Central Insurance.” Attendance at all evening functions is required, and any charges outside of evening events are considered personal expenses.

Approved charges to your room include breakfast and lunch not associated with a scheduled activity and meals if electing a day at leisure during your stay.

Hospitality Suites will serve as our social hub for the week and will be open daily with grab-and-go food options and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We look forward to seeing you there.

Expenses

Central covers all services connected with our planned itinerary. These charges include airfare, transportation to and from the hotel, hotel accommodations, group meals, gratuities, and approved activities.
Expenses not covered by Central include airport parking, personal mileage, hotel accommodations before or after President’s Circle, additional activities or transportation beyond those on the itinerary, international cell phone charges, and any personal incidentals charged during your stay. The hotel will maintain a separate account for personal incidentals, including alcohol or snacks from the guest room honor bar, laundry service, room service, and non-group recreational activities. Guests are responsible for all tipping associated with personal expenses. Please settle your personal account with the hotel when checking out. Central will provide a bill after the meeting for personal expenses not paid upon hotel departure.
The IRS requires a 1099 for non-agent guest expenses. We’ll provide a 1099 form for business expenses applicable to your guests' attendance, including travel, meals, and activities. You’ll receive an email from Central’s Tax & Investments Accountant, Lindsey Gunderman, on Tuesday, April 30. Please return the attached 1099 form to Lindsey by Friday, May 10. The form must be filled out for your guest personally and should not include the agency information.
Central has pre-arranged gratuities for all planned meals and activities from arrival through departure. Additional tipping is not required and will be considered a personal expense.

Evening Events

Welcome on the Water

Night 1: Welcome on the Water

Attire: Smart Casual

After a long day of travel, you’re invited aboard The Blümlisalp for a casual welcome reception. We'll cruise the tranquil waters of Switzerland’s exquisite Lake Thun on a double-decker Swiss steamboat that immerses guests in the timeless traditions of Swiss heritage. Our route takes us past awe-inspiring Swiss Alps vistas, historic castles, and enchanting lakeside towns while enjoying food, cocktails, and conversation with new and old friends.

Family Dinner Al Fresco

Night 2: Family Dinner Al Fresco

Attire: Comfortably Cool

Prepare for a hearty, family-style dinner on the Sapori terrace at the Victoria-Jungfrau. Wine will flow as we pass pasta plates in a celebration of partnership. Come hungry for conversation. Our evening of camaraderie sets the stage for colleagues to become friends beneath stunning Swiss skies.

Snow Disco

Night 3: Snow Disco

Attire: Chic Cocktail

The Swiss Alps may be snowcapped, but our third evening together brings the heat. Don your frostiest white attire and join us for an evening of chilled cuisine before dancing the night away. Our Swiss Snow Disco redefines the phrase, "Ice, Ice, Baby."

Come to the Cabaret

Night 4: Come to the Cabaret

Attire: Classic Cocktail

Willkommen! Benvenuto! Bienvenu! Join us for a celebration honoring Swiss multiculturalism. Guests will enjoy dinner and a show at the Central Club while being treated to an evening of comedy, music, and dance inspired by the rich cultural history of Europe’s cabaret scene.

Gruyères Street Fair

Night 5: Gruyères Street Fair

Attire: Relaxed Casual

Welcome to Gruyères, a picture-perfect medieval town renowned for its cheese production. Our evening includes strolling through the quaint, cobblestone streets at our own local street fair. You’ll have plenty of time to work up an appetite browsing market stalls full of traditional Swiss crafts and culinary delights. Dinner is ready at leisure but come prepared to indulge in the regional fare – including fondu and raclette – while enjoying traditional Swiss entertainment.

Central’s Closing Ceremonies

Night 6: Central’s Closing Ceremonies

Attire: Business Casual

To close out an unforgettable Switzerland experience, we'll gather for one final celebration. The evening begins at one of Lausanne's most popular destinations, the Olympic Museum. After the tour, we'll move onto the terrace to sip cocktails over stunning views of Lake Geneva. We’ll bid adieu to Switzerland and reflect on our time together while looking toward a future of continued partnership, prosperity, and shared success. Come dressed in Olympic Medal Metallics and prepared for a magical farewell with a few playful surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some travelers experience altitude sickness while adjusting to Switzerland’s extremely high elevation. You may find breathing more difficult when participating in physical activities until your body adapts. Staying hydrated and taking things slowly helps reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness.

Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss Franc. Current exchange rates are listed on the U.S. Treasury website. The U.S. dollar is accepted throughout Switzerland, and Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. To avoid disruption, contact your credit card company before departure and advise them you will be traveling internationally.
European outlets differ from those in the United States. Guests are encouraged to bring a Type J power converter and universal adapter to charge their devices while in Switzerland. Adapters and converters can be purchased online or at most electronics stores. A few complimentary power devices will also be available in the Hospitality Suite. You may also want to pack a power bank to charge devices while away from the hotel.
English is widely spoken throughout Switzerland’s tourist areas and major cities. However, learning a few basic phrases in the local languages—Swiss German, Swiss French, Swiss Italian, and Romansh—can enhance your experience. Click here to learn more about Switzerland’s unique multilingual identities.
Switzerland will be on Central European Summer Time (CEST) during our trip. The time difference is:

Switzerland – 6:00 p.m.
Los Angeles – 9:00 a.m.
Denver – 10:00 a.m.
Chicago – 11:00 a.m.
New York – 12:00 p.m.
Lowland Zones (e.g., Lausanne):
  • Daytime temperatures: 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F)
  • Nighttime temperatures: 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F)
Mountain Zones (e.g., Interlaken, Zermatt):
  • Daytime temperatures: 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F)
  • Nighttime temperatures: 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F)
Longer daylight hours provide ample time to enjoy activities and explore the region.
In addition to packing layers appropriate for a range of daytime and nighttime temperatures, please refer to the attire recommendations for each of your selected activities and the Look Book for evening events. We suggest all guests pack comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, a universal adapter, and a power bank. You may also want to pack a waterproof jacket and sturdy hiking shoes based on your activity selections. Be sure to leave ample space in your suitcase for purchases and gifts.