Video Production Davos

Davos for Corporate Video: The World Economic Forum's Alpine Stage

Davos is a small alpine town in the Swiss canton of Graubunden with a year-round population of around 11,000. For most of the year, Davos is a ski resort and a center for high-altitude medical research and treatment (the Schatzalp Sanatorium history). For one week each January, Davos becomes the most concentrated global media event of the calendar year as the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting brings together heads of state, CEOs of major multinationals, NGO leaders, journalists, and thousands of supporting staff. Corporate production in Davos is overwhelmingly concentrated around WEF week, with the rest of the year operating as a niche alpine resort destination. We are clear about this seasonal pattern with any client considering Davos production work.

WEF Production Reality

WEF week (typically mid to late January) generates enormous corporate communications demand. Media tents along the Promenade, partner pavilions in the Congress Centre, and dozens of side-event venues operate at maximum capacity. Multinational corporate clients commission executive interviews, panel coverage, partner activations, branded content, and live streaming throughout the week. Crew, equipment, hotel rooms, and ground transport are all booked far in advance (often a year ahead) and prices reflect the demand.

Year-Round Davos

Outside WEF week, Davos operates as a Swiss alpine resort with limited corporate production demand. Tourism brand work for the major hotels (Hotel Belvedere, Steigenberger Grandhotel, the InterContinental Davos) and ski industry corporate communications occur. Medical and pharma research at the Davos high-altitude research institutions generates occasional specialized work.

Crew Base

Davos has no significant year-round production crew base. All crew, equipment, and infrastructure during WEF arrives from Zurich, Munich, Milan, or further afield. Hotel and crew accommodation must be secured many months in advance for WEF.

Climate

Alpine. Long cold winters with heavy snow (this is part of why WEF happens in January, partly tradition, partly the snow aesthetic). Short mild summers offer pleasant outdoor shooting weather.

Production Logistics in Davos

Reference for projects in the Swiss Alps, particularly during the World Economic Forum.

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) winter, Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) summer. Note that WEF happens in January when CET applies.

Language

German (Swiss German dialect locally; standard German in business writing) is the official language. Romansh has some local presence in Graubunden. English is the working language during WEF and for international corporate work.

Currency

Swiss Franc (CHF). Most international B2B production work is invoiced in CHF, EUR, or USD.

Electrical Standards, Frame Rate

230V at 50Hz. Type J plugs (Swiss-specific). Default 25fps PAL or 23.976fps for commercial work.

Airport and Ground Transport

Davos has no commercial airport. The most common route is Zurich Airport (ZRH), followed by about 2.5 to 3 hours by road or train. St. Gallen-Altenrhein (ACH) is closer but has very limited flights. During WEF, road access to Davos is restricted with credential checks at multiple checkpoints. Helicopter charter is common for executive arrivals during WEF.

WEF Logistics

During WEF week (mid to late January), Davos operates at maximum capacity. Crew accommodation, hotel rooms, ground transport, equipment rental, and venue access all require booking many months in advance. Prices increase substantially during WEF. The WEF credential system (white, blue, orange, yellow badges with different access levels) governs all venue access.

Permits

For standard non-WEF productions, Davos filming permits coordinate through the Graubunden cantonal authorities and local municipal offices. For WEF productions, the WEF organization manages venue access and media credentialing alongside Swiss authorities.