Switzerland’s largest and most popular public fair opened its doors yesterday under the motto ‘echt OLMA’. This year’s OLMA will take place from 10 to 20 October. With numerous innovations, including the new ‘olmaPLAZA’ meeting point, and tried-and-tested classics such as the special show ‘Erlebnis Nahrig’, OLMA offers visitors authentic moments. One highlight is the guest canton of St.Gallen, which invites visitors to a special kind of living room under the motto ‘uf Bsuech dihei’.
Text: OLMA Messen
Pictures: Michael Huwiler
What’s new at this year’s OLMA
OLMA 2024 presents itself with some new features. After parts of the St.Galler Kantonalbank hall, which was almost completed at the time, were used for the first time last year, the foyer and the outdoor area in front of the hall will also be used at the 81st OLMA. Visitors can look forward to interesting special shows in the foyer, while food stands and exhibitors, including Feldschlösschen with the Schwing- und Älpler-hütte, will be present on the open-air site. The offer will also be expanded in the St.Galler Kantonalbank hall: The OLMA gourmet market, presented by LAVEBA, enjoyed great popularity last year and is therefore being expanded. In terms of the entire site, OLMA has over 50 more exhibitors in a larger area than last year. Another new feature between the exhibition centre and the fairground is the olmaPLAZA, the new meeting point next to the OLMA main entrance. This offers a stylish mix of catering and entertainment for up to 4,000 guests throughout the day. In the evening, it is transformed into a lively party zone with DJs and exclusive lounges. ‘With the olmaPLAZA, we are taking the OLMA visitor experience to a new level. It is an inviting meeting place with a cosy ambience that invites visitors to linger from early in the morning until late at night,’ explains Katrin Meyerhans, Head of Products at Olma Messen St.Gallen. Also new is the OLMA-OSTWIND Pass, which is being introduced in partnership with the OSTWIND fare association. From 7 to 20 October 2024, the pass offers free travel on the OSTWIND network and free admission on all eleven days of the fair for 72 francs.
We are looking forward to some great OLMA days and share our first impressions of the opening ceremony.
