GCN Lunch event 16 April 2026 – wrap up

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the GCN lunch event on 16 April 2026. It was a pleasure to welcome around 30 engaged participants for such a dynamic and interactive session.

We are especially grateful to Claire Doole for sharing her expertise and experience. Drawing on her impressive background, from her time as a BBC correspondent to her experience as a professional communications coach and moderator, Claire guided us through the art of crafting pitches that truly resonate. Her practical tips, real-world examples, and hands-on exercises provided valuable tools to turn ideas into messages that engage audiences and encourage buy-in.

Thank you as well to everyone who contributed to the lively discussions and made the session so engaging.

We’re also pleased to share a selection of photos from the event, beautifully captured by photographer Geraldo Pestalozzi.

We look forward to seeing you at our next GCN event.

The GCN Team

  • Geneva Communicators Network. Lunch event – Crafting and Delivering a Winning Pitch – 16 April 2026 - with Claire Doole
By | April 17th, 2026|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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Lunch event – Crafting and Delivering a Winning Pitch – 16 April 2026

We are pleased to announce our next Geneva Communicators Network (GCN) lunch event, to be held on 16 April 2026.

Join this dynamic session with Claire Doole and learn how to turn your idea into a pitch that gets attention, buy-in, and results. In this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Prepare and structure a clear, compelling pitch

• Combine evidence and emotion to persuade your audience

• Deliver your message with confidence and impact

Expect practical techniques, real examples, and quick exercises you can use immediately—whether you’re pitching an idea, a project, or funding.

Date: Thursday 16 April 2026

Time: 12h30 to 14h00

The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292, Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva

Fee: CHF 35.- per person includes drinks and snacks

 Please register online >>

Claire Doole is a former BBC correspondent who reported from Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, and London, and later served as a spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency, the International Federation of the Red Cross, and WWF International.

Since 2006, she has coached senior leaders in major companies and international organizations on media communication, public speaking, pitching, speechwriting,  storytelling and panel moderating.

Having pitched countless stories to the media herself, Claire now teaches professionals how to communicate ideas with clarity, brevity, and impact. She is also a highly sought-after conference moderator, guiding discussions with Presidents, Ministers, and CEOs. A British-Swiss national based in Geneva, Claire works in both English and French.

 

By | March 17th, 2026|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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In-person event – 7 November 2025 – Beyond the Noise

 Beyond the Noise: Exploring what makes communication credible in turbulent times?
Dear communicators,

We are pleased to announce our next Geneva Communicators Network (GCN) lunch event, to be held on 7 November 2025.

If you are finding the world an increasingly crazy place, you are not alone. With growing complexity, escalating crises and conflicts all around … layered with fake news, an overload of information and artificially generated content … how can we as communicators be credible and convincing?

To help us explore and think differently about this topic, we are going to get hands-on with a fast-paced LEGO® Serious Play® workshop. LEGO® Serious Play® is a powerful research-backed methodology, that is great for tackling complex problems and unlocking creativity. Exactly what we need in the context of communication in these turbulent times. So, get ready to build to discover new perspectives and generate solutions to this challenge we are collectively facing.

The session will be facilitated by Alice Richard.

Alice Richard

Alice is a sustainability catalyst, leading purpose-driven learning experiences that support sustainable transformation. She harnesses the power of play to shift mindsets, stimulate creativity and develop the skills needed to build a better future. With Co-CREATE ImpACT, Alice provides impactful training services and runs sustainability simulations for the UN, nurtures changemaking skills at leading universities, gets big businesses to ‘think out of the box’ using LEGO® and much more. A Scottish national and naturalised Swiss citizen, bilingual in English and French, Alice brings together 20+ years of experience with her energising, authentic and can-do approach, to spark change.

We look forward to an engaging and collaborative discussion with all of you.

Date: Friday 7 November 2025

Time: 12h30 to 14h00

The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292, Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva

Fee: CHF 35.- per person includes drinks and snacks

 Please register online >>
By | October 24th, 2025|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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GCN Crowdsourcing Lunch Event Wrap up

Dear Communicators,

Thank you to the members who joined our Geneva Communicators Network lunch event on 17 June 2025 on Crowdsourcing Solutions for Communicators in Times of Disruption. Our session moved away from the traditional speaker format in favour of a dynamic, collaborative exchange around the challenges communicators face in today’s evolving global landscape.

We had interesting contributions from the groups on how communication professionals can help their organisations maintain trust, relevance, and clarity in light of the current challenges we all face from budget constraints to geopolitical uncertainty, AI disruption and misinformation.

Thank you to Alissa Reindel for her contribution in guiding the discussion and to Alicia Humberset for the photos (we posted a few below).

We wish all our members a great weekend and look forward to seeing you at a future GCN event.

The GCN Team

 

 

By | June 20th, 2025|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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Crowdsourcing Solutions for Communicators in Times of Disruption – 17 June 2025

Dear Communicators,

We are pleased to announce our next Geneva Communicators Network (GCN) lunch event, to be held on 17 June 2025.

In light of the growing challenges faced by Geneva’s international community, we are adapting our traditional speaker format in favour of a dynamic, crowdsourcing discussion. As communication professionals, we are navigating an increasingly complex global environment marked by budget cuts, public skepticism, the rapid evolution of AI, and geopolitical instability—often compounded by widespread misinformation. In such a context, effective communication has never been more essential, or more difficult.

This interactive lunchtime seminar will explore how communicators can best support their organisations in maintaining trust, relevance, and clarity in their messaging—despite limited resources and mounting external pressures. Through a lively group exchange, participants will contribute ideas and share experiences in response to real-time challenges.

The session will be facilitated by Alissa Reindel, an experienced communications professional with expertise in developing strategic communications campaigns, content creation, and team leadership.

We look forward to an engaging and collaborative discussion with all of you.

Register here>>

Date: Tuesday 17 June 2025

Time: 12h30 to 14h00

The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292, Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva

Fee: CHF 35.- per person includes drinks and snacks

By | June 10th, 2025|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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Lunch seminar – How AI is influencing photography – 28 November 2024

Dear communicators,

We are pleased to announce our next in-person lunchtime seminar of 2024 on an exciting and very timely topic: How AI is Influencing Photography: The Future of Image Creation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world of photography, from image capture to editing and beyond. It enhances camera capabilities, improves image quality, and speeds up editing through advanced algorithms. AI can also curate and organize vast photo libraries, and even generate entirely synthetic images, pushing the boundaries of traditional photography. However, these advancements raise ethical questions regarding authenticity and copyright. This presentation dives into AI’s role across different stages of the photographic process, showcasing practical applications and open-source platforms reshaping the art of image creation.

Francesco Arese Visconti is the Media Studies program head at Webster Geneva Campus, where he is also the Deputy Academic Director. He has a PhD in Photography and is a member of SIYU (photographie professionelle suisse) and SPECTRUM – Photography in Switzerland. He is interested in photography and its evolution as a means of communication in all its forms. His research focuses on migration processes in Switzerland and Italy, with a future publication on contemporary Italian migration in Switzerland soon to be published by Palgrave Macmillan.

The presentation will be followed by a standing lunch, to provide an opportunity for you to network with the speaker and fellow GCN members.

Date: Thursday 28 November 2024

Time: 12h30 to 14h00

The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292, Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva

Fee: CHF 35.- per person includes drinks and snacks

 Please register online >>
By | November 7th, 2024|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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Lunchtime seminar – 2 May 2024 – Harnessing AI in Communications

Dear communicators,

We are pleased to announce our first in-person lunchtime seminar of 2024 on an exciting and very timely topic: Harnessing AI in Communication. 

Our speaker, Marco Barber has worked as an AI trainer for various organizations and private companies in Geneva. He combines UX (user experience) and AI (artificial intelligence) expertise for strategies focused on connecting user behavior with algorithm behavior. He demystifies AI, making new technologies accessible and optimizing their use. He has been responsible for digital marketing, communication, e-commerce, and CRM programs for multinationals. He has founded his own company www.digitalcuts.ch. With a master’s degree in service design, a bachelor’s in management and IT, and certifications in psychology and digital marketing, he aims to leverage his expertise in AI and adult education to train and inspire, focusing on educational innovation and adaptability to learners’ needs.

Marco’s presentation will explore the transformative role of AI in today’s professional landscape and promises to redefine your understanding of AI—not as complex code, but as a natural language tool that can be managed through critical soft skills, which are more vital now than ever before.

Key Highlights:

1.   AI and Communications: Discover how AI is managed with natural language. This shift makes AI accessible to all, empowering all to leverage technology with ease.

2.   The Rise of Soft Skills: Learn why soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and continuous learning, are essential in effectively managing and maximizing AI technologies to reach key audiences.

3.   Interactive Experience: Be prepared to engage in a dynamic session where you can see AI in action. Bring your challenges and ideas, and let’s explore together how AI can be tailored to address them.

The presentation will be followed by a standing lunch, to provide an opportunity for you to network with the speaker and fellow GCN members.

 Date: Thursday 2 May 2024

Time: 12h30 to 14h00

The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292, Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva 

Fee: CHF 35.- per person includes drinks and snacks

Please register online >>
By | April 19th, 2024|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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Lunch event – in-person – 8 December 2023

From static publications to interactive content: the experience of the International Trade Centre

How do organisations make the leap from static publications content to dynamic content online? Natalie Domeisen will explain how the International Trade Centre has created engaging content on trade and development integrating text, video, animations and more. Natalie will share her experiences, focusing on opportunities and challenges for people looking to expand their organization’s multimedia capacity and impact.

The presentation will be followed by working groups to discuss challenges and opportunities. Please feel free to send examples of multimedia publications in advance (genevacom@gmail.com) – we’ll be happy to compile them for those attending the lunchtime presentation.

Date: Friday 8 December 2023
Time: 12h30 to 14h00
The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva
Fee: CHF 30.- per person includes drinks and snacks

Please register online

About the speaker: Natalie Domeisen is the Head of Corporate Events and Publishing Programmes at the International Trade Centre. Natalie has extensive experience as a public affairs and communications professional in the international trade and development sectors, working across a range of areas including strategic communications, community outreach, publishing, pitch training and media relations.

By | November 20th, 2023|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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Lunch event – in-person – 28 April 2023

The Geneva Communicators Network is pleased to announce our first in-person lunchtime seminar for 2023!

The communications industry is full of great, creative, forward thinking and influential minds. Your skills have the power to change the narrative on sustainability and make lasting change. But the industry is awash with green claims, misleading messaging and exaggerated language… if you work in PR and comms, there’s no way you haven’t come across this type of disinformation and spin. Do you verify the claims you are being asked to communicate? Are you using your talents responsibly? Are these questions uncomfortable? This interactive and reflective workshop will use humour and out of the box thinking to explore purpose and help you identify how you can be part of the solution.
Date: Friday 28 April 2023
Time: 12h30 to 14h00
The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva

Fee: CHF 30.- per person includes drinks and snacks
About the speaker: Alice Richard is a sustainability catalyst, designing and leading learning experiences that help bring sustainability to life. A Scottish national living in Switzerland, Alice’s career has bridged private and non-profit sectors and has been built around products and collaborations that drive positive change. A former United Nations staff member, she worked for UNICEF for 14 years before founding her sustainability training company Co-CREATE ImpACT. Today, Alice provides services to a wide range of educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and corporations; and is regular expert for UNITAR on the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Commission on gamifying sustainability. Alice brings together genuine passion for making the world a better place with her 20+ years of experience and expertise helping organisations ‘think out of the box’, to advance sustainability with inclusive, energising and thought-provoking training.
By | April 2nd, 2023|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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Lunch event – in-person – 1 December 2022

The Geneva Communicators Network is pleased to announce our first post-COVID-19 in-person lunchtime seminar!

Pressure is mounting on companies and organisations to prove that they’re taking concrete, meaningful steps to achieve sustainability and ESG. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, for example, is pushing for new rules to require greater transparency in a company’s environmental- and social-impact reports. NGOs and UN agencies are increasingly aiming to showcase how they are contributing to achieve the SDGs. For communicators, sustainability storytelling is a solution as our speaker, Michael Jordan, will explain in the seminar.

Date: Thursday 1 December 2022
Time: 12h30 to 14h00
*NEW location*: The Swiss Press Club, Domaine de Penthes, Chem. de l’Impératrice 18, 1292 Pregny-Chambésy, Geneva
Fee: CHF 30.- per person includes drinks and snacks
About the speaker: Michael J. Jordan is currently a Lausanne-based Specialist in Global Communications, Media Relations, Staff Training & Executive Writing. He has lived on four continents, working across three industries. As a Foreign Correspondent, he’s a former UN correspondent who’s also reported from 30 countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Southern Africa, for major media like Foreign Policy, French news agency AFP, the Christian Science Monitor and South Africa’s Mail & Guardian. As a Visiting Professor, he’s taught International Journalism from New York to Prague to Hong Kong; most recently, at top Chinese universities in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. As a Global Communications Consultant, he’s shared his toolkit of skills, strategies and storytelling with both for-profit and non-profit clients, with Consultancies ranging from HIV orphans, maternal health and domestic violence in Africa, to environmental protection, worker’s rights and telecommunications in China. As an independent Consultant today, he serves in a variety of roles, including as Executive Writer for the Mekong River Commission in Laos; and as an Ambassador and Trainer for the Geneva-based NGO, ConnectAID. He recently delivered online trainings for NGO activists world-wide on how to generate storytelling that illuminates their organization’s impact and persuades skeptical donors; and a two-day workshop in Geneva for the Communications team of Medicines for Malaria Venture, on how to craft Impact Stories.
By | November 16th, 2022|GCN lunch events|0 Comments
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