Since the review of the legal basis , the annual General Meeting takes place in hybrid format pursuant to the provisions set out in the SUISA Articles of Association: As before, all SUISA members are invited to take part in the General Meeting in Berne in person and on site and thus to show their interest and their readiness to influence the future of the company. Those who cannot travel to Berne on the day (travel expenses are reimbursed to the participants), can nevertheless take part via a link and identification online. The mixed voting procedure, taking the votes cast online, was carried out for the first time last year and has proven itself.
Yet, if you find time to come to Berne in person, we offer you the opportunity to make your voice heard and seen in the voting and election procedures, but also the chance to meet other members and guests from the world of politics and from associations. The exchange with colleagues, experts from music and copyright is well received each year and contributes to a good understanding and a great cooperation. Directly after the General Meeting, musical entertainment is also provided during the “Apéro”. La Nefera, Basel-based rapper and singer with roots in the Dominican Republic, is going to enchant the audience and create a harmonious Latino evening.
By-elections to the Board of Directors
In addition to the report by the Board of Directors and the approval of the annual financial statements 2024, which reflect another record result, the General Meeting will also elect a new member to the Board of Directors. National Councillor Stefan Müller-Altermatt will stand for election as successor for the Member of the Council of States, Johanna Gapany. This for the seat of a personality who, without being a member of the cooperative society and due to their position or their expert knowledge, is taking a special interest in the activities of SUISA, as is provided by the Articles of Association. Another item on the agenda is the review of the remuneration regulations for the Board of Directors. It is not about increasing the remuneration but to render the calculation for shorter meetings more flexible.
Current topics on top of the General Meeting
The General Meeting represents the annual highlight in the course of the events affecting our cooperative society. As a competence centre for copyright of music creators, we are continuing to look into the effects of generative AI on the music business on a daily basis, this time with a focus on the change of the creation process.
The musicians who are taking part in the Montreux Songwriting Camp initiated by the partners Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation and Pro Helvetia will also make their own creative contributions..
Sadly, it also means that we have to say goodbye to a personality who made a significant impact when it comes to influencing Swiss cultural life, our former communication executive and former SRG SSR TV director Roy Oppenheim.
Transitoriness and the permanent process of change in needs and demands of society are also reflected in the future of SRG SSR which is now in doubt due to the halving initiative; this also highly impacts the future distribution of Swiss music.
I hope to welcome as many of you as possible on site in Berne or on screen, taking part remotely to our General Meeting and look forward to our dialogue then.
