What HR Vaud does

HR Vaud (Association Vaudoise des Professionnels des Ressources Humaines) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1958 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. It serves nearly 850 HR practitioners across the canton of Vaud, drawn roughly 64% from private-sector organizations, 36% from public administration (State Vaud, communes, cities, police, tourism offices), and 15% from independent HR consultants. The association functions as a member-driven community platform rather than a technology provider; its only technical surface is a WordPress-based website used for membership applications, event registration, and communication. There are no proprietary software products, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities.

The association's core offering is a dense, year-round events calendar delivered through thematic conferences, debates, roundtables, congresses, workshops (full-day, breakfast, lunch, afterwork, evening, webinar, and hybrid formats). Signature sub-brands include HR Barcamp Lausanne (an annual unconference format, 5th edition planned for 2027), EcoLab (sustainability-focused World Café workshops), the Congrès HR Sections Romandes (biennial, 12th edition planned for September 2026 at UNIL Lausanne), Salon RH (annual trade show at Beaulieu Lausanne), and Journée du Droit du Travail (annual labor-law conference). Members additionally receive automatic enrollment in HR Swiss (the national federation of ~4,000 members across 12 regional sections) and access to a discounted training ecosystem spanning Romandie Formation, FormaSuisse, FMP Formation, IFP, MRHC (MAS program), FormaSuisse, HR Cosmos, ARFOR, PSY4WORK, CVCI, Swiss Leaders, and media partner Le Temps.

HR Vaud's revenue model is straightforward: CHF 200 annual individual membership dues plus a one-time CHF 50 registration fee, supplemented by event-related sponsorship and partnership contributions from training providers, HR Barcamp Platinum/Gold sponsors (HR Campus, Aequivalent, Jobcloud, Act-On), media partners, and event realization partners (Impact Hub Lausanne, Felfel, Coffee You). The association is governed by an elected member committee, has no parent company, no external investors, and no disclosed financial statements. Membership is sold only at the individual level — no corporate or group plans are offered.

Name

HR Vaud

Legal name

HR Vaud (Association Vaudoise des Professionnels des Ressources Humaines)

Website

https://hr-vaud.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

HR Vaud is a non-profit professional association founded in 1958 in Lausanne, Switzerland, serving approximately 850 HR practitioners across the canton through networking events, conferences, workshops, training-partner discounts, and automatic national affiliation with HR Swiss.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

HR Compliance, Policy, EEO & Labor Law (BPACAPAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification) (EDAAALAN)

Keywords

• HR professional association
• Professional networking events
• HR training programs
• HR conferences
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: HR Vaud generates revenue through annual membership fees of CHF 200 and registration fees of CHF 50. Members receive access to networking events, training discounts through partner organizations, and automatic membership in HR Swiss.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

HR Vaud is a non-profit professional association that provides individual HR professionals in the Vaud canton of Switzerland with annual membership (CHF 200/year + CHF 50 registration) granting access to a portfolio of events including thematic conferences, debates, roundtables, congresses, participatory workshops, breakfasts, lunches, afterworks, evenings, webinars, and hybrid events. Members also receive exclusive discounts with partner training organizations, automatic inclusion in the HR Swiss national federation, and access to platforms such as HR Cosmos and HR Bench.

Product overview

HR Vaud is a non-profit professional association for HR practitioners in the Vaud canton of Switzerland, offering a single unified membership that provides access to events, networking, and professional development. The portfolio includes signature event formats (HR Barcamp Lausanne, EcoLab, Congrès HR Sections Romandes, Salon RH), recurring professional gatherings (Journée du Droit du Travail, Aperos HR Connect, Soirée de fin d'année), and member onboarding events. Members also receive automatic HR Swiss membership and access to partner training discounts. The association does not operate commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EcoLab: An innovative event concept that acts as a stimulus for HR professionals to engage in inspiring projects related to HR topics and sustainability.
• HR Barcamp Lausanne

Products and services

• HR Vaud Membership Annual membership in the Vaud Association of HR Professionals at CHF 200/year plus a CHF 50 one-time registration fee. Provides access to events, networking, training discounts, publications, partner benefits, and automatic membership in the HR Swiss national federation. Targeted at HR professionals working in organizations across the Vaud canton.
• HR Vaud Events and Conferences Professional HR events covering current topics such as psychosocial risks, telework taxation, labor law updates, crisis HR management, caregiving, and personal development, offered in various formats (full-day, breakfast, lunch, afterwork, evening, webinar, hybrid). Targeted at HR Vaud members and the broader HR community in French-speaking Switzerland.
• HR Barcamp Lausanne Collaborative unconference where participants create and lead discussion sessions on HR topics, bringing together the HR community in French-speaking Switzerland. Held annually with platinum partners HR Campus and Aequivalent, gold partners Jobcloud, Act-On Switzerland, and Tipee, and venue partner Impact Hub Lausanne.
• EcoLab Workshop concept focused on HR's role in sustainability and transition, using a World Café format with co-creation and active participation. Explores topics such as psychological safety and sustainable HR practices. Targeted at HR professionals interested in sustainability and innovative HR practices.
• Congrès HR Sections Romandes Biennial congress bringing together HR professionals from French-speaking Switzerland through collaboration with the HR Sections Romandes (Fribourg, Genève, Valais, Neuchâtel, Jura-Bienne). Features conferences, interactive workshops, and exclusive studies. The 12th edition is scheduled for September 7, 2026 at UNIL Lausanne.
• Salon RH Annual HR trade show featuring exhibitors and renowned speakers sharing expertise on current and future challenges in human resources. Scheduled for October 7-8, 2026 at Beaulieu, Lausanne. Targeted at the broader HR community in French-speaking Switzerland.
• Journée du Droit du Travail Annual full-day conference dedicated to Swiss labor law topics, providing updates on legal developments affecting HR practices. Targeted at HR professionals needing to stay current with regulatory changes.
• Apéritif de bienvenue nouveaux membres Annual welcome event for new HR Vaud members featuring networking activities and introductions. Restricted to members who joined during the previous membership period. The 2026 edition is scheduled for August 27, 2026.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HR SwisscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHR Swiss is the national umbrella organization for HR professionals in Switzerland. HR Vaud members automatically become members of HR Swiss, gaining access to national events and representing Vaud in the federation of 12 regional HR associations representing approximately 4,000 members.
• HR Sections RomandescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHR Vaud collaborates with other French-speaking Swiss HR associations (Genève, Fribourg, Valais, Neuchâtel, Jura-Bienne) to organize the biennial Congrès HR Sections Romandes and other regional events.
• Romandie FormationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers receive 10% discount on all HR-related training including certificates, HR diplomas, and labor law training.
• MRHC (MAS en Management, Ressources Humaines et Carrières)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers receive CHF 300 discount on registration fees for the interdisciplinary MAS program offered jointly by universities of Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, and Fribourg in partnership with economic stakeholders.
• FormaSuisseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers receive 10% discount on all HR-related training including certifications, diplomas, and continuing education.
• FMP FormationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership active since January 1, 2022. Members receive 10% discount on HR-related training programs offered by this Lausanne-based distance learning provider.
• IFP Institut de formation permanenteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers receive 10% discount on all training programs. IFP is Switzerland's first distance learning school specializing in accounting, HR, and insurance since 2004.
• HR BenchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers can access HR Bench data and participate in regular surveys. HR Bench conducts research in partnership with Swiss universities and publishes reports and conferences.
• HR CosmosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree access for members. HR Cosmos is a Swiss HR knowledge-sharing and networking platform connecting HR professionals across language barriers.
• ARFORminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers can participate in free ARFOR activities and receive 10% discount on other events. ARFOR promotes and protects training professions and organizes seminars and conferences.
• PSY4WORK.CHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers benefit from member pricing for events. PSY4WORK is an FSP-affiliated association of work and organizational psychologists.
• CVCI (Chambre Vaudoise du Commerce et de l'Industrie)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers receive 30-50% discount on training and access to legal services. CVCI represents over 3,300 member companies in Vaud.
• Swiss Leaders (ASC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMembers can participate in Vaud TrendShops at ASC member rates. Swiss Leaders is the Swiss managers' association defending executive interests.
• Le TempsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner offering members 20% discount on digital or premium subscriptions, access to letempsemploi.ch job platform, and invitations to roundtables and HR events.
• FelfelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent realization partner for HR Vaud events, providing catering services.
• JobcloudminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGold partner for HR Barcamp Lausanne events.
• Act-On SwitzerlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold partner for HR Barcamp Lausanne events.
• Corporate Health ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy partner for HR Barcamp Lausanne events.
• Impact Hub LausanneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent realization partner for HR Barcamp Lausanne, providing venue at Unlimitrust Campus.
• Coffee YouminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent realization partner for HR Barcamp Lausanne.
• HR TodayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for HR Barcamp Lausanne.
• Le Temps EmploiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for HR Barcamp Lausanne.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• HR Genève: HR Genève is the sister regional HR professional association serving the Geneva canton and a co-organizer of the Congrès HR Sections Romandes. Direct peer because it operates an identical regional HR association model in an adjacent canton, competes for the same Franco-Swiss HR professional audience, and collaborates with HR Vaud on shared flagship events.
• HR Swiss: HR Swiss is the national umbrella federation of which HR Vaud is an automatic member-association; it provides the national layer of HR professional representation in Switzerland and operates the federation of 12 regional associations representing approximately 4,000 members. Direct peer because it shares the same membership-association model and serves the same Swiss HR professional constituency, just at the national tier.
• HR Valais: HR Valais is the regional HR association for the Valais canton and a co-organizer of the Congrès HR Sections Romandes. Direct peer with an identical operating model — membership fees, event-driven engagement, regional scope — serving HR professionals in another French-speaking Swiss canton.
• HR Fribourg: HR Fribourg is the regional HR association serving the Fribourg canton and another co-organizer of the Congrès HR Sections Romandes. Direct peer because it operates the same regional membership model in another French-speaking canton, serves the same HR professional persona, and participates in the shared biennial congress.
• HR Neuchâtel: HR Neuchâtel is the regional HR professional association for the Neuchâtel canton, operating with the same membership-driven, event-based model and participating in the Congrès HR Sections Romandes alongside HR Vaud.
• HR Jura-Bienne: HR Jura-Bienne is the regional HR association serving the Jura and Bienne regions, and a co-organizer of the Congrès HR Sections Romandes. Direct peer in structure and mission — a regional membership association serving HR professionals in another French-speaking Swiss geography.

Broad incumbents

• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): SHRM is the largest HR professional membership association in the world (300,000+ members), offering the SHRM-CP/SCP certification, training, advocacy, and conferences. Broad incumbent because it operates the same membership-and-events model for HR professionals globally, but at vastly greater scale and with a technology and certification infrastructure that HR Vaud does not match.
• CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development): CIPD is the leading HR and people development professional body in the UK and Ireland with 160,000+ members, offering chartered status, learning, and policy advocacy. Broad incumbent because it operates the same professional-body model HR Vaud uses (membership, events, training, policy) but at a national/international scale with formal accreditation that HR Vaud does not provide.

Emerging players

• HR Cosmos: HR Cosmos is a Swiss HR knowledge-sharing and networking platform that connects HR professionals across language barriers; HR Vaud already partners with it to offer members free access. Emerging player because it represents the digital-native model of HR community that competes with the in-person association model HR Vaud relies on, and serves the same Swiss HR professional persona but via a platform-based delivery model.

Regional players

• CVCI (Chambre Vaudoise du Commerce et de l'Industrie): CVCI is the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry representing 3,300+ member companies and offering HR training, legal services, and advocacy in the same Vaud canton. Regional peer in the sense that it serves overlapping Vaud-based employer constituencies and offers member training discounts that partly substitute for HR Vaud's value proposition, but its primary mission is broader (employer representation) rather than HR-profession-specific.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hrvaud
• Facebookfacebook.com/HRVaud

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HR Vaud