GLOWING TRIBUTES TO AN INDUSTRY LEGEND
Mr René Kamm, CEO of the MCH Group, said he was honoured to have Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann open Baselworld, underlining that it showed how much value the Swiss government placed on the show and by that also on the Swiss watch and jewellery industry. He went on to say that Baselworld had 1 / 3
experienced openings where the conditions were more favourable and the mood accordingly optimistic, "but fortunately there were never occasions when we had the impression that the watch and jewellery industry was running out of innovative ideas." And on that note, Mr Kamm paid a special tribute to industry legend, Mr Jacques J. Duchêne, President of the Exhibitors' Committee, who had unexpectedly passed away just before the opening of the show. Mr Kamm highlighted many of Mr Duchêne's excellent qualities and acknowledged that through his "indefatigable commitment" to Baselworld his "contribution to the development of the show and raising it to this standard was immense." This year Mr Jacques J. Duchêne would have celebrated two anniversaries: his 60th attendance at Baselworld and his 20th as President of the Exhibitors' Committee.