Keeping jobs in the village and attracting young talent

56 exhibitors are taking part in this year's ‘Choma’ trade fair in Cham. OK President Erich Herzog explains why the trade fair is so popular, and how it aims to appeal to the younger generation.

After a six-year hiatus, the Choma trade fair is back. From 5th to 7th September, 56 exhibitors will be showcasing their businesses to the public at the Röhrliberg school grounds. The Zuger Zeitung newspaper spoke to Erich Herzog, president of the organising committee and head of ventilation cleaning company HCN Clean AG.
 

You were already involved in the last ‘Choma’ in 2019. What’s different this time?
Erich Herzog: Primarily the location. The first editions took place in the Lorzensaal in Cham, and the 2019 anniversary ‘Choma’ in in the Hirsgarten. New fire safety regulations now apply in the Lorzensaal, which means we would have less space there. We’ve received a lot of enquiries from exhibitors, which is great. And we can offer them plenty of space at the Röhrliberg.

Negotiations with the local council were necessary to clarify the location issue.
That's right. But we found a very good solution together with the local council and the teachers in Röhrliberg. The Hüna trade fair took place at the Eichmatt school building in April. And this showed us that a trade fair can also work well on school grounds. The exhibition itself will now take place in the gym and in a marquee. The refreshment stand is also located in the marquee, so we hardly affect school operations.

56 exhibitors are participating in this year's ‘Choma’. Why is there still so much interest in this traditional format?
Local businesses want to present themselves to the local population, and especially to the younger generation. The companies want to appeal to potential apprentices in this way. That's why we rely on strong cooperation with the schools. For the first time this year, a Career Fair will take place on Friday afternoon. Even before the exhibition officially opens, schoolchildren can get to know the companies and make initial contacts. It’s important to tradespeople to keep jobs in the village and attract young talent.

Erich Herzog is the president of the Choma organisation committee, and is looking forward to the exhibition weekend                Photo: Jakob Ineichen
 

How do you attract the older generations to the ‘Choma’?
For many people, an important reason for visiting the Choma is to meet people and get together. It’s a celebration for the community. It’s a tradition in Cham, and we want to keep it alive. I expect between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors, but it is difficult to make an accurate prediction.

This year's motto is ‘Cham moves’. What exactly does this focus mean?
Cham is an energy town. That's why we chose the wind turbine as our symbol. With its supporting measures and attractive location, the municipality of Cham is on the move. The motto also stands for diversity, dynamism and joie de vivre.

Is Cham's trade sector well positioned? What about the shortage of skilled workers?
The shortage of skilled workers is a major concern for us, especially in the skilled trades. The housing situation in the canton of Zug is also a cause for concern. People in skilled trades must also be able to afford housing here. Personally, I think that the status of skilled trades will rise again. Technological progress is rapid, but there are areas where technology will never be able to replace humans. That’s our opportunity. And because the industry is looking for many good people, wages are also rising. This in turn makes skilled trades more attractive. With the career fair, we will show young people the diversity of the professions.

What are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to good conversations with the visitors to our stand and to a successful festival with a great atmosphere. And to the evenings in the festival pub. We have managed to put together a top-class entertainment programme.

The programme:
The Choma will take place from 5 to 7 September on the Röhrliberg school grounds. The official opening ceremony will be held on Friday at 4.15 p.m. with short speeches by Mayor Georges Helfenstein, Director of Economic Affairs Silvia Thalmann and Erich Herzog, President of the Organisation Committee.  Before that, Cham schoolchildren will be able to visit the stands at the career fair from 1 pm to 4 pm.

The festivities will begin on Friday at 5 pm, and the party band Pissnelken will play at 10.30 pm.
The festivities will continue at 9.30 am on Saturday, and the exhibition at 10 am. The Cham Music Society will play at 5 pm, followed by a performance by comedian Schösu Hafner at 10 pm.
Sunday begins with a yodelling mass at 9 am, and the festival areas and the exhibition will be open from 10 am. The Chomer Bäre brass band will play at 2.30 pm.

For more information (in German):
https://chomerbaer.ch/artikel/cham-bewegt-willkommen-an-der-choma-2025/