ISS supported the Fondation des immeubles pour les organisations internationales (FIPOI) with logistics services during the renovation of the Geneva International Convention Centre (CICG). This commitment from ISS helped ensure that the ambitious schedule could be met. Sébastien Roussée, Project Manager at FIPOI's Real Estate Management department, explains in an interview why he chose ISS for the renovation of the prestigious international conference centre in Geneva.
Sébastien Roussée,
Project Manager at the Property Management Division of the Fondation des immeubles pour les organisations internationales (FIPOI)
Sébastien Roussée, what significance does the International Conference Center hold for Geneva?
The CICG is an important conference and meeting venue in the international city of Geneva. Every year, nearly 300 events are held in its exhibition halls and 19 meeting rooms, attracting around 30,000 visitors. The CICG is owned by FIPOI, which was founded in 1964 by the federal government and the Canton of Geneva. The foundation’s mission is to help international organizations find suitable spaces in Geneva for their business needs and to provide them with the infrastructure necessary for their operations.
Why did FIPOI want to renovate the CICG?
To meet users’ current needs for comfort and functionality, the CICG decided to put the renovation out to bid through a design competition in accordance with SIA 142. A large portion of the interior was to be refurbished and renewed, particularly the restaurant and reception areas. In addition to aesthetic improvements, the technical infrastructure also had to be brought up to current standards to ensure optimal comfort once again.
What challenges did you face during this project?
Since the CICG is a major conference venue in international Geneva, it has a full booking schedule for the coming years. The greatest difficulty in this project was undoubtedly the very tight five-month deadline for completing the planned work.
Why did you choose ISS to support you during the construction period?
To minimize delays, we decided to set up a logistics service for the construction companies. ISS, in collaboration with FIPOI, implemented and managed this service on-site. ISS’s proposal promised the greatest possible transparency in both order fulfillment and costs. This allowed us to fine-tune the logistical organization, which is extremely valuable for this type of service.
How does ISS fulfill the tasks entrusted to it by FIPOI?
ISS carried out the tasks entrusted to it exactly in accordance with the needs of the partners on the construction site. The ISS employees demonstrated discretion and a high degree of independence.
In your opinion, what are the three most important aspects of this collaboration?
Availability: ISS was able to provide the required number of employees on-site at any time, even on short notice. Efficiency: The tasks were completed swiftly using the necessary resources. Transparency: The openness regarding task completion and costs fostered trust.
About the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG)
The CICG is owned by the Fondation des immeubles pour les organisations internationales (FIPOI), which was founded in 1964 by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Geneva. This foundation identifies, manages, and maintains real estate for international organizations wishing to establish themselves in Geneva, thereby playing a key role in ensuring that Geneva can maintain its reputation as a “small world capital” in the eyes of the global public.