An open day was held at our offices at Rue J.-L. Pourtalès 1. Welcomed by Pascal Gendre and Lionel Salomon, numerous clients, prospects and insurers had the opportunity to take a look around our centrally situated and well laid-out offices in the city of Neuchâtel, while enjoying a buffet showcasing local specialties. Discussions among visitors were warm and friendly, and also supportive of the choice of Neuchâtel as an office location. The different photo montages displayed in each office, taken by photographer Vincent Bourrut, were also well received.

Following the open doors event, selected guests, clients, company owners, economic decisionmakers
and representatives from public authorities were invited to the inaugural event at Hotel Palafitte, which was built to celebrate the 2002 Swiss National Exhibition. Martin Kessler gave a welcome address to the numerous people gathered. The esteemed guests also included Robert Kessler and Mr. Pierre-André Monnard, mayor of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Luy Nguyen Tang, who was in charge of the set-up project, retraced the history of Kessler as a company, touching upon the current situation and the future challenges facing all of us.
Two guest speakers then gave interesting and inspiring speeches on the topic "Linking people and competencies." Ms. Lada Umstätter, curator of the Museum of Fine Arts of La Chaux-de-Fonds, a town on the Unesco heritage list, talked about the treasures housed in her museum, while Mr. Patrick Vianin, director of TransRUN, gave a presentation on the new rail link project between Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds.
As guest of honor and signatory of our mandate, Federal Councillor Jean Studer gave an impassioned speech on the future challenges facing the canton of Neuchâtel, which go far beyond cantonal borders and will thus also require close cooperation with neighboring cantons.
He also highlighted the qualitative and economic progress already made thanks to the partnership with our company.
In the evening's closing address, Bernard Perritaz, head of French-speaking Switzerland, extended his sincerest thanks to the numerous participants, partners and clients present for the trust they have placed in the company over the years. Kessler is committed to supporting them in their pursuit for excellence. There is no doubt that the Neuchâtel office has a bright future ahead of it.
The evening' proceedings were concluded with an exquisite cocktail reception which gave those invited the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other better.

The Neuchâtel team