KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE (LEX)?

Leadership Exchange, commonly known as LEX, is an exclusive immersion into the economic infrastructure of other major metropolitan regions. This year we are heading to Zürich, Switzerland.

This year’s LEX delegation will focus on Switzerland’s Apprenticeship Model. Switzerland is the world-leader in talent development through a strong tri-part structure of business, education, and government. Our delegation will learn from and observe Switzerland’s work for optimal implementation of Ascend Indiana’s Modern Apprenticeship Program.

WHO IS INVITED TO LEX?

The delegation consists of Indy Chamber board members plus select corporate, education, and legislative/elected leaders. Limited registration is available. We recommend registering early.

Invitations are non-transferable and intended for the invitee only. Substitutions cannot be accommodated.

WHEN IS THE TRIP?

LEX content will begin at 12 p.m., Sunday, September 17, and runs through the Farewell Dinner on Wednesday, September 20. We strongly recommend all delegates arrive in Zurich on Saturday, September 16, in order to acclimate to the time change, and depart the morning of Thursday, September 21. Hotel check-out is at noon.

HOW DO I GET TO THE HOTEL FROM THE AIRPORT?

We recommend taking a taxi from the airport to the Zürich Marriott near Old Town. It's approximately a 20-minute drive.

WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF THE HOTEL?

The address of the hotel is:

Neumuehlequai 42,

Zürich, Switzerland, 8006

CAN I REQUEST EARLY CHECK-IN?

Hotel check-in is at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, but Marriott Zurich will do its best to turn the rooms for those who arrive earlier. If your room is not ready upon your arrival, please consider enjoying the Hospitality Studio from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and the NFP Lake Zürich Welcome Cruise (Link to register to come soon!) to keep you comfortable until your room is ready.

CAN MY SPOUSE/GUEST ATTEND?

Conference activities, including dinners, are not open to spouses or other delegate guests. Spouses and guests are welcome to attend the Saturday, September 16 Lake Zürich boat cruise and the Ice Miller Hospitality Suite.

WHAT ARE SWITZERLAND'S COVID-19 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

There are currently no entry restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we encourage you to visit the CDC's website for the most up-to-date information.

TIPS FOR USING YOUR CELL PHONE INTERNATIONALLY:

Add an international travel plan to your existing wireless plan and contact your provider with any additional questions. Please note that the Swiss power outlets differ from U.S. outlets. Follow this link to purchase an adaptor.

TIPS FOR TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY:

What to pack, when to tip, and why you should consider using Swiss francs instead of U.S. Dollars—read our travel tips to make you the world's (or, at least, Switzerland's) savviest traveler. Read the tips.

WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Your point of contact for all things Leadership Exchange is Lisa Juillerat. She can be reached at ljuillerat@indychamber.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

During this year’s Leadership Exchange trip, we kindly request all delegates to exercise discretion when sharing content on their social media channels. If delegates choose to post about their experiences, we ask that they adhere to our outlined talking points and key messaging below, prioritizing the privacy and comfort of fellow participants and respecting the confidentiality of any discussions or activities during the invite-only trip. Your cooperation in maintaining the integrity and exclusivity of this event is greatly appreciated.

KEY MESSAGING:

WHY ZURICH: Switzerland’s youth apprenticeship system is considered the world’s gold standard. About 30 percent of their high school students go the 4-year college route, and about 70 percent enter into a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship starting at 16. Apprenticeships span the entire economy – from life sciences to telecommunications to advanced manufacturing.
- Central Indiana is at an inflection point where talent shortages and the skills mismatch – the gap between the skills employers need and the skills high school and college graduates obtain through their studies – have long been challenges in the Indy region and across our state.
WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING: Our goal here is to see the youth apprenticeship system at scale through the lens of employers, then take lessons learned back to the Indy region to scale the pilots we already have underway.
- Ultimately, our goal through this LEX trip is to help find a long-term, systemic approach to addressing the challenges of the Indy region’s talent pipeline.
WHAT THE INDY CHAMBER AND OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE DOING: The Indy Chamber is focused on the economic well-being of the 9-country Indy region. Through our economic development work, the number one question we hear from site selectors representing businesses looking to relocate or set up new locations is: What does the talent pipeline look like? The Indy Chamber adopted “Talent” as one of the four pillars of our Accelerate Indy regional strategic plan.
- Indianapolis began implementing a youth apprenticeship program modeled off the Swiss system in 2021 and now has three active cohorts of apprentices. The Indy pilot and a statewide community of practice is funded by the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and implemented by Ascend Indiana and EmployIndy.

WHO TO TAG: @Indy Chamber, @Ascend Indiana, @EmployIndy, and @Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation

WHAT THE INDY CHAMBER ENCOURAGES: Photos with delegates and business leaders with key takeaway reflections from what was learned on the trip.

WHAT TO AVOID: Please avoid posting photos of individuals without their consent, specifically with elected officials and government agency leaders.