The market is fiercely competitive at the Olma trade fairs' general meeting: What are the new chairman of the board's plans now?
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Including a video interview: Following the turnaround of Olma trade fairs, Markus Streckeisen is the new Chairman of the Board. Will this put pressure on day-to-day operations?
By Urs Seiler || St. Gallen, April 14, 2026
General Assembly of Olma Messen on April 14, 2026 with, from left: Thomas Scheitlin, Christine Bolt, Markus Streckeisen.
The event industry, especially the trade fair business, is undergoing a transformation, a transformation which Olma Messen, according to outgoing Chairman of the Board Thomas Scheitlin, has now completed – a veritable post-Covid turnaround.
Christine Bolt with Thomas Scheitlin at the general meeting.
Topics addressed in the transformation included expanding the event portfolio, maximizing the occupancy of the new St. Gallen Cantonal Bank Hall, digitally expanding the core business, artificial intelligence, steadily increasing competitive pressure in a stagnant trade fair market, and the renewal of the Olma trade fair brands. "The market is fiercely competitive, but Olma trade fairs are on a successful course. They have undergone a comprehensive transformation, and new products like preXcon and the Schlager Festival will further enhance St. Gallen's image," said Thomas Scheitlin. In his speech, he repeatedly emphasized his core values of passion, responsibility, and teamwork.
“We have had a demanding and very intensive fiscal year. Now we need strong performance. It’s like in football, the most important resource is the team,” said CEO Christine Bolt at the Annual General Meeting. Olma Messen is a partner of the women’s team of FC St. Gallen. “The transformation of recent years is having an effect. Our success strengthens us, but the challenges remain significant,” she added.
Thomas Scheitlin: Part of Olma's history: 19 years of leadership with reason and heart
CEO Christine Bolt delivered the laudatory speech for outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors, Thomas Scheitlin: “In times of upheaval, you always placed your trust in us. Together, we fostered a restructuring and set a milestone with the new St. Gallen Cantonal Bank Hall. Today, the Olma trade fairs stand on a solid foundation with a palpable emotional energy. You are and will remain a part of our history.” And the ever-modest Thomas Scheitlin himself added: “Success is never the work of a single person.”
"Running a company means, first and foremost, listening!"
Short video interview with Markus Streckeisen
The newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors, Markus Streckeisen, is a professional board member and owner of Streckeisen Consulting, specializing in real estate. He previously held various management positions at SBB (Swiss Federal Railways). significant real estate strategies and the further development of key locations.
In an interview with presenter Sabine Bianchi, he explained his motivation for becoming the new Chairman of the Board: "I like to invest in solid companies with good future prospects. I have three motives for taking on the role of Chairman: to belong to a traditional company, to be part of a first-class team, and my belief in the great opportunity for urban development, specifically the development of the Olma site and its origins in a company that is very well positioned for the future."
Olma Messen St.Gallen AG
Olma Messen St.Gallen is one of Switzerland's leading trade fair, congress, and event venues. Each year, it brings together 620,000 people, creating lasting connections. As the only Swiss exhibition center with two large, successful consumer fairs – OLMA and OFFA – and a further 120 diverse events, it plays in the top league of the industry. Olma Messen St.Gallen stands for high-performing trade fairs, innovative event formats, attractive infrastructure, and a flexible, modern organization with 90 high-performing employees. The company's positive development is reflected in its operational success and the palpable enthusiasm of its visitors.
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