NEXPO and Svizra27 go their separate ways
In October 2023, the two initiatives for the next national exhibition, NEXPO and Svizra27, jointly commissioned an expert to carry out an in-depth examination of the possibility of merging the projects. This final report was not approved by the various Svizra27 committees. The national exhibition projects will therefore continue to develop their projects independently.
The aim of the audit mandate was to clarify the extent to which a joint orientation of the two projects and the inclusion of the other initiatives Muntagna and X27 would be possible. This process was initiated due to the common desire and the federal government's demand for a merger.
Conceptually too different from Svizra27's point of view
The two projects NEXPO and Svizra27 approached the project review with great openness, with the aim of achieving a better joint national exhibition project. ‘After intensive discussions and consultations between the project initiatives themselves and subsequently in all our committees, we at Svizra27 have come to the conclusion that the current result does not really represent an improvement to the project,’ says former Federal Councillor and Co-President of Svizra27, Doris Leuthard. Svizra27 will continue to press ahead with the project in north-west Switzerland.
Those responsible at NEXPO, on the other hand, have clearly agreed to joining forces. For them, a joint approach would have been the right one for the next national exhibition. They will now continue to concretise their own nationwide project. ‘Organising the event throughout Switzerland is a new and contemporary approach for the Swiss National Exhibition. We are convinced of this and see it as a great opportunity to link all regions and the four national languages,’ explains Corine Mauch, Mayor of Zurich and President of the NEXPO Association.
The two projects Muntagna and X27 were also consulted as part of the review. Muntagna has a negative attitude towards the present audit report and is sticking to its concept for the first national exhibition in the Swiss Alps. Muntagna believes that further cooperation is conceivable. X27 has been strongly in favour of all four initiatives joining forces from the outset and very much regrets that this approach to cooperation has now failed.
The project initiatives will therefore take part in a competition. NEXPO will plan further work together with X27. There is already a letter of intent between the two projects for the purpose of submitting a possible joint application. Cooperation with Muntagna is also conceivable. In March 2024, the Federal Council was instructed by the Landeausstellung motion to carry out a selection process by summer 2026 and to make a statement on financing by the end of 2026.
Continued cooperation for the political process
Even if the two projects, NEXPO and Svizra27, continue to develop independently, resources will continue to be pooled in the area of public affairs. This should further strengthen political support for the next national exhibition. The National Council and the Council of States have clearly supported the National Exhibition motion. This requires the federal government to decide by the end of 2026 which initiative should be implemented and to make a clear statement on funding. The initiatives will continue to work together to ensure that this is implemented in full and in a timely manner.
