Davos Congress Centre

Davos is the clear leader in the global meeting market in the mountains.With good reason: Davos has a strong tradition of congresses, the most modern congress centre in the Alps and, thanks to the World Economic Forum (WEF), is a source of outstanding international profile. The roots of the business go back to the 19th century, with meetings and congresses in Davos.Even then, famous guests and doctors from across Europe were living in Höhenkurort.They shared their expertise at congresses. In 1923, Davos doctors organised the first international congress. The Physical-Meteorological Observatory followed in 1925 and Albert Einstein opened the first "university course in Davos in 1928".This elevated Davos to the status of a congress city and it began to be recognised as a meeting point for the intellectual elite. A city of meetings, energy, education and knowledge. But Davos is more than just a congress city:The area is home to a variety of renowned research centres, such as the National Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, numerous specialised clinics and hospitals, and the same can be said of energy, education and science.This is all in natural surroundings at 1,560 m above sea level, which makes the "spirit of Davos" known worldwide. The World Economic Forum as the Biggest Event The annual "World Economic Forum" (WEF), involving around 3,000 internationally known, leading economists, politicians, scientists and businessmen, is the figurehead of Davos as a meeting place. The annual meeting of the WEF shows the "Spirit of Davos" to the whole world -Familiarity in a "global village", networking in a village atmosphere but a city infrastructure, in imposing mountainous surroundings. Perfect for Medical Congresses There are strict guidelines for events such as congresses, where medical or pharmacological specialists take part and are sponsored by industry companies.These rules and standards stipulate that the main purpose of the medical congress must be the communication of scientific or technical information.The time input must significantly outweigh that of a possible general programme. Davos takes these guidelines extremely seriously, draws attention to all publications and agreements and fully complies with them. ....

The Global Risk Forum (GRF) in Davos is a Davos-based foundation, which develops specific solutions for integral disaster and risk management, and climate change .The GRF in Davos supports the global exchange of experience and makes an important contribution to the UN Hyogo Framework for Action.The GRF aims to focus more on synergy by working together more effectively.The GRF in Davos serves as a centre for the exchange of knowledge and experience.It aims to facilitate the transfer and application of appropriate disaster and risk management strategies, in addition to providing tools and practical solutions. The GRF in Davos works closely with political institutions, national and international organisations, scientific and economic spheres and the public.

The Fridericianum, a kind of grammar school for tuberculosis sufferers was founded in Davos as early as 1878,and soon after the turn of the century, Carl Dorno opened the first, small research institute. As a headquarters for internationally renowned research institutes, today Davos is highly significant in the international research community.

The Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) is a product of the former medical department of the Swiss Research Institute.It was founded on the request of Professor Karl Turban, the Davos Doctors’ Association and the municipality of Davos.While, at the time, research into tuberculosis was a priority, today the SIAF is concerned with immunological relations in allergic conditions, particularly asthma and atypical skin diseases.From the findings, researchers hope to identify more effective diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

The AO Research Institute was founded by the Association for the Study of Osteosynthesis (AO) in 1959 as a laboratory for experimental surgery .A privately financed research institute, it is part of the global AO Foundation, which was set up in 1984.The research done at the institute aims to solve practical surgical problems regarding dealing with fractures and degenerative conditions .It carries out fundamental and practical research work in the fields of mechanics, biology, materials science, biochemistry and molecular biology .These build the basis for new implants and procedures.

The Davos Physical Meteorological Observatory (PMOD) was founded in by Carl Dorno in 1907 as a private institute to investigate sunlight and its properties .It has been part of the "Swiss Research Institute for High Altitude Climate and Medicine"since 1922.The institute’s main activity has traditionally been measuring atmospheric radiation . In 1971, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) appointed the PMOD the World Radiation Centre (WRC).As the World Radiation Centre, the PMOD/WRC is responsible for making sure that all solar radiation measurements are standardised.This is why the PMOD/WRC maintains a radiation scale, which is comparable to the Ur-kilogramme in Paris.

The Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF) has existed since 1942.In 1996 its headquarters was moved from Weissfluhjoch to the village of Davos.It is best known for the Avalanche Bulletin, which is published twice a day during the winter season (November-May).Around 130 researchers deal with research and scientific services in the fields of snow, natural hazards, alpine habitats and integrated risk management.For interested parties, an exhibition on "snow, natural hazards and alpine habitats" is open to the public on Wednesday afternoons.Tours of the institute are available on Fridays or on request.

Davos Klosters is one of the most renowned destinations in the world, and boasts the most comprehensive holiday, sports and meeting facilities in the mountains.