International OSCE Conference in Basel Major international event: OSCE Conference in Basel

The Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) took place in December 2014 under Switzerland’s chairmanship at the Messe Schweiz convention center in Basel. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), led by its head, Federal President Didier Burkhalter - who also served as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE in 2014 - took the lead in organizing the conference, which attracted significant international media attention. The FDFA established a dedicated task force specifically for the organization of this major event.

USP organized the entire conference staff for this event to ensure smooth conference operations. Over 100 staff members were recruited for the event: the team was responsible for media relations, preparing and supporting delegation meetings, managing and booking meeting rooms, and handling reception and support for international guests at all entry points during the supporting programs. Managers were also recruited for specific departments and entrusted with overseeing sub-areas during the event. Dominik Nyffenegger, CEO | Partner at USP, was responsible for the leadership and overall management of the staff during the congress in coordination with officials from the FDFA and the OSCE.

In the run-up to the event, USP was responsible for the entire project planning regarding personnel, developed detailed deployment plans for all personnel areas, and was thus able to incorporate its comprehensive expertise into the conception of the major event. The various profiles were recruited individually through specially organized casting sessions in collaboration with the client, and personnel were assigned to specific positions based on their suitability. As part of a large-scale training program, all staff were professionally prepared by USP for their duties at the congress and were guided on-site by the USP project team during the event. USP rounded out its services for the conference with various additional offerings, such as organizing the dress code, accommodations, and much more.

With this project, USP was able to further strengthen its leading position in the Swiss market in the organization, coordination, and placement of professional trade show, conference, and event staff.

Briefing

Full-service partner for all conference staff across all areas.

Solution

A full-service solution covering all aspects of human resources management: independent recruitment and selection of the right staff, coordination of complex scheduling across all departments, uniform management, behavior and style guides, comprehensive in-person training prior to the conference, and on-site supervision and management of all teams directly by the USP project team throughout the entire duration of the conference.

Result

7 conference days, over 100 staff members deployed, more than 4,000 project hours