Your Public Affairs
advisers in Bern
Public Affairs is an area of strategic communications which focuses on establishing the best possible operating conditions for companies and their services and products. Public Affairs management is all about providing our clients with strategic and operational support in their dealings with political bodies, trade associations and society at a wider level.
The central hub for Public Affairs work at HNS is our Bern office. Our partners work to internationally recognized quality standards and use their own platforms to represent client interests. We are also part of FIPRA, the world’s most extensive international public affairs network.
Our commitment


Forum Einstein
Forum Einstein is an independent institution that promotes dialog between opinion leaders from the worlds of business, academia and politics. It was established by HNS founding partner and Chairman Dr. Victor Schmid.
Forum Einstein facilitates focused, professional debate away from the board room and across party lines. We help our clients develop possible solutions that go beyond ideology and preconceived opinions.
More information: www.forum-einstein.org
Next event
When: Summer 2023
Where: Hotel Bellevue Palace, CH-3011 Bern
Theme: Brain Gain – Brain Drain. The importance of ICT research centers in Switzerland
Register now

Leaders.We.Meet.Leaders.We.Trust
HNS offers a communications platform in Bern and Zurich to help top executives, members of parliament and trade association chiefs keep ahead of complex issues, track fast-moving developments and test strategies. As well as giving CEOs, politicians and PA strategists a quick and efficient way to grasp what’s going on, it also provides an opportunity for them to expand their networks strategically.
Next Event
When: April 2023
Where: Kramgasse 16 | CH-3011 Bern
Theme: “Digital sovereignty – what next.”
Register now

Industry Advisory Platform
The Swiss Government wants to broaden its perspective on digital transformation and benefit from (international) examples of such transformation in practice. The “Industry Advisory Platform” is facilitating this informal, independent discussion with solution providers from the private ICT industry – moderated by HNS partners Dr. Andrea Willimann and Dr. Victor Schmid. Operating as a private club, this is an exclusive platform for sharing useful information and networking.
Next event
When: January 25, 2023
Where: Kramgasse 16 | CH-3011 Bern
Closed events for members of the Industry Advisory Platform.
Contact

Cigarren Club
The Kramgasse Cigar Club is not a political grouping, but simply a popular event held during parliamentary sessions. It is supported by HNS partner Hugo Schittenhelm and serves to foster contacts across party lines. The president of the Cigar Club is National Councilor Daniela Schneeberger (FDP).
Next event
When: Next session
Where: Kramgasse 16 | CH-3011 Bern
Closed club event.
Contact for Members of Parliament

Cloud7
As the need to incorporate societal changes into corporate strategy becomes ever more plain, the demand for women executives with a flair for digital topics and ICT expertise is growing exponentially. Networks and knowledge exchange within industries are crucial here. With a focus on the most relevant topics and content, Cloud7 facilitates this networking of top female leaders – organized by HNS partner Dr. Andrea Willimann.
Next event
When: Spring 2023 | Personal Invitation to Club Members
Where: Zurich
Contact for interested parties
Our network
Global FIPRA Network
The FIPRA Network is the world’s leading international public affairs advisory network. Based in Brussels, its members include the best advisors on public affairs, public policy and regulation. The network extends across approximately 60 countries and is made up of owner-managed companies that are committed to international public affairs standards and quality processes. Quality is ensured by an independent committee, and leadership is provided by an advisory global board. The global network is chaired by HNS Partner Dominique Reber. The network can provide HNS clients with advisory and practical support on government relations and regulatory issues all over the world.
Fipra News

A Forward Look: EU Green Deal key initiatives and their role in securing a green transition
Monday, 3 October 2022

LOOK UP: the future of mobility is here!
Monday, 5 September 2022
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Learn from us

Klartext
Schönreden war gestern
Victor Schmid (ed.)
Klartext – Schönreden war gestern
Auseinandersetzungen und Erfahrungen mit Kommunikation
With collages by Wojtek Klimek
ISBN 978-3-7272-7072-8

Klartext
Schönreden war gestern
Victor Schmid (Hrsg.)
Klartext – Schönreden war gestern
Auseinandersetzungen und Erfahrungen mit Kommunikation
Mit Collagen von Wojtek Klimek
ISBN 978-3-7272-7072-8
Lockdown confirmed that during a crisis, plain speaking is the only thing the general public will accept. Within businesses too, people are desperate for clear messaging. So what qualities does a message need if it is to really land?
In the book “Klartext – Schönreden war gestern” (Plain-speaking – no place for fancy words any more), leading figures from politics, business, academia and culture, alongside the experienced communication consultants at HNS, explore the nature of modern communications.
The various articles and conversations collected in the book examine what communicators have to do today to effect real change, win over the public and shape the narrative.
Conversations with:
Christoph Brand, CEO AXPO
Astrid Epiney, Rector of Freiburg University
Martina Fehr, Director of MAZ
Gerhard Friesacher, Entrepreneur
Petra Gössi, President of FDP Schweiz
Hans Hess, President of Swissmem
Thomas Hirschhorn, Installation Artist
Christian Levrat, President of SP Schweiz
Martin Schröder, Happiness Researcher
Rolf Soiron, Business Leader
Walther Thurnherr, Federal Councilor
Public Affairs Academy
We hold a regular cycle of Public Affairs Academies for communications managers from major firms and associations, as well as public affairs professionals. By means of practical examples and a dissertation, participants learn about the HNS public affairs methodology in four modules centering on public affairs strategy and projects.
Contact: rob.hartmans@konsulenten.ch
Public Affairs Academy for Executives
Many CEOs and directors find it hard to navigate their way around Switzerland’s democratic institutions: talking to cantonal governments and members of parliament, working with trade associations and much more besides can seem new and difficult to understand. To help overcome the initial hurdles we have developed a personal, individualized program specifically aimed at foreign business leaders who want to take on a role in Switzerland and who want to enter and move confidently around the Swiss political arena.
Contact: victor.schmid@konsulenten.ch