Business · Companies · 2 days ago
Olma plans to grow beyond its traditional fair identity
The Olma is a long-running fair focused on agriculture and food in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Its chief executive, Christine Bolt, says it has remained successful by investing and adapting while staying connected to its roots.
Other major Swiss fairs, including the Geneva Motor Show and Züspa, have disappeared.
Bolt says Olma is known for local specialties such as bratwurst, but wants people to see it as more than that.
The fair’s pig race draws crowds but has also faced criticism, with signatures being collected to demand its end.
Bolt says the animals are carefully cared for and that Olma works with the veterinary authority.
The company wants to turn its exhibition grounds into a more active part of the city, potentially including housing, education, hotels and services, though the details are still open.
Olma Messen St. Gallen CEO Christine Bolt said the fair has stayed relevant by investing and developing while remaining connected to its roots.
Bolt said agriculture and food remain timely themes and help make Olma a major attraction.
She said Olma is working to broaden its image beyond St. Gallen and bratwurst, while acknowledging that those associations remain strong outside eastern Switzerland.
Some people are collecting signatures to end Olma’s piglet race; Bolt said the animals are carefully looked after and that the fair works with the veterinary office.
Olma’s vision is to make its exhibition grounds a more active part of the city, potentially adding housing, education, hotels and services.
- Who
- Christine Bolt, CEO of Olma Messen St. Gallen AG
- What
- Bolt discussed Olma’s success, its traditions and plans for the exhibition grounds.
- When
- The interview aired on 9 October 2026; the article was published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Why
- To discuss how Olma can remain relevant while balancing its traditions with future development.
People seeking to end the piglet race
Olma Messen St. Gallen AG
Whether the race should continue
People seeking to end the piglet race
Some people are collecting signatures calling for the piglet race to be abolished.
Olma Messen St. Gallen AG
Bolt said Olma takes a different position and considers the race part of the fair.
Animal welfare
People seeking to end the piglet race
The article does not give the campaigners’ reasons or specific claims about animal welfare.
Olma Messen St. Gallen AG
Bolt said the animals are carefully cared for and trained, and that Olma works closely with the veterinary office.
Die entscheidende Frage lautet: Wie bleibt man aktuell und gleichzeitig seinen Wurzeln treu?
Aber wir sind mehr als das.
Die Tiere werden sorgfältig betreut und trainiert.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- CEO since
- June 2020
- Interview broadcast
- 9 October 2026 at 13:00
- Article published
- 10 October 2026 at 05:25 UTC
- Olma grounds vision
- A more active city district with possible housing, education, hotels and services
Sources
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