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UNI Global Union hosted the 7th annual Et Maintenant Forum in Nyon, featuring journalists, politicians, the business community and local residents. Over 200 people attended the Forum and there were animated discussions on the future of Nyon town centre and its commerce sector in an increasingly globalised and rapidly changing economy.

Speakers included Philip Jennings, secretary general of UNI Global Union, Daniel Rossellat, the Syndic de Nyon, Nicolas Servageon, a specialist in economic promotion, and Laurence Zaied, a specialist in digital marketing and E-Commerce.

The forum also included a round table discussion on the risks and opportunities for a town like Nyon. The discussion featured local business owners, industrial and commercial leaders and urban planners. The dilemna is to build on the towns history to adapt and evolve to produce a town centre that is sustainable and structured.

The forum launched in 2010 to mark the 10th birthday of UNI Global Union. “We threw our doors open to the local community, the learn about our work and many use our excellent meeting facilities.

“We are very proud to be able to host this event each year” said UNI general secretary Philip Jennings. “The topic of this year is the changing world of commerce – we know from our work that this is one of the fastest moving industries. Now, a customer with a smart phone means a customer with a shop in their pocket.”

Syndic de Nyon Daniel Rossellat welcomed participants to the Forum saying, “It’s a great honour to hold this forum again and we would like to thank our partners UNI Global Union for hosting. The idea of this forum is to be able to establish a dialogue with the local community, and find the best ways forward for our town together.”

“Nyon has a lot to offer – we need to change the discourse and talk about a vibrant town with plenty going on and reinforce the positive aspects of the town.”

Nicolas Servageon said, “E-Commerce is the dominant force in the commerce sector now. We must take this into account – it is not going anywhere and we must adapt.”

Laurence Zaied told the Forum “As businesses we need to utilize all the tools at our disposal – new media has a lot to offer in order to drive customers to particular brands or shops.”

The Forum pushed late into the evening with participants exchanging ideas for the local community to pursue.