SVTB

What SVTB does

SVTB (Schweizer Verband der technischen Bühnen- und Veranstaltungsbranche) is the largest professional association in the Swiss technical stage and event technology industry, representing over 420 members across private event firms, public theaters, broadcasters such as SRF, and trade fair venues. Founded as a non-profit, volunteer-led association headquartered in Zürich with a training center in Kloten, SVTB delivers its mission through four main lines of activity: federally recognized vocational training (Veranstaltungsfachmann/-frau EFZ) and continuing education (Veranstaltungstechniker/in eidg. FA, Tontechniker/in eidg. FA) delivered with TBZ and ARTOS; co-developed safety standards and reference publications (Sicherheitshandbuch and ASA-Handbuch, produced with SBV and NSBIV AG) supporting compliance with EKAS-Richtlinie 6508; the Proscenium trade journal and Veranstaltungsrecht legal guide sold to members and non-members; and the new LIT – Live-Industries & Theater trade fair launched in March 2026 at Theater Casino Zug.

SVTB monetizes primarily through membership dues, publication sales (ranging from CHF 85 for the Sicherheitshandbuch to CHF 2000 for the ASA-Handbuch ring binder with USB stick), and inter-company course fees (CHF 302.85 per üK day at the Kloten center and partner venues including SRF Zurich, Konzert und Theater St. Gallen, and Südpol Luzern). Because SVTB operates as a non-profit association, member contributions are reinvested entirely in association objectives rather than distributed, and financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

The association extends its scope through strategic partnerships with SHRV/ASHR (rigging and PSAgA training), MODECO (theater tailor certification), and the Schweizerische Koordinationsstelle Feuerwerk (stage pyrotechnics), positioning itself as the umbrella trade body for all stage and event production crafts in Switzerland. Its near-term strategic emphasis is on generational leadership renewal (President Jörg Gantenbein, term 2024-2028) and the build-out of the LIT trade fair as a recurring industry platform.

Name

SVTB

Legal name

SVTB - Schweizer Verband der technischen Bühnen- und Veranstaltungsbranche

Website

https://svtb.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SVTB is the largest Swiss non-profit association for the technical stage and event technology industry, serving over 420 private and public-sector members through federally recognized training, co-developed safety standards, industry publications, and the new LIT trade fair.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Industry Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Vocational event training
• Stage safety publications
• Industry trade fair
• Event technology certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SVTB is a non-profit professional association representing the Swiss technical stage and event technology industry. It delivers vocational apprenticeships, federal certificate preparation courses, inter-company training (üK), industry publications including the Sicherheitshandbuch and ASA-Handbuch safety references, and the LIT trade fair. Membership-based services include advocacy, networking, and access to the Proscenium trade journal.

Product overview

SVTB operates as a professional industry association for Swiss event technology rather than a software product company. Its offerings consist primarily of publications (Proscenium trade journal, Sicherheitshandbuch, ASA-Handbuch, Veranstaltungsrecht), professional training programs (inter-company courses, Veranstaltungstechniker/in and Tontechniker/in preparation courses), and industry events (LIT trade fair). The association also provides an internal member portal, job board, and agenda/calendar services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Proscenium Official trade journal/magazine of SVTB published as a membership benefit, featuring industry news, technical articles, and professional content for the Swiss event technology sector. Available exclusively to members.
• Sicherheitshandbuch für Bühnen und Veranstaltungsräume Safety handbook for stages and event spaces covering safety fundamentals, construction requirements, and machinery technology. Sold at CHF 85 to members and CHF 115 to non-members.
• ASA-Handbuch (Modell-ASA-Handbuch) Model ASA Handbook supporting theaters and event operations in implementing the legally required EKAS-Richtlinie 6508 directive. Available as a ring binder with USB stick for CHF 2,000.
• Veranstaltungsrecht Book covering the legal foundations for events in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, including best-practice solutions and cross-jurisdictional guidance on event law.
• Überbetriebliche Kurse (üK) Inter-company courses for Veranstaltungsfachmann/-frau EFZ apprentices covering stage, lighting, audio, media, video, safety, and special effects. Conducted at SVTB's training center in Kloten at CHF 302.85 per üK day.
• Veranstaltungstechniker/in mit eidg. Fachausweis Professional examination preparation program leading to the federally recognized Event Technician with Federal Certificate of Proficiency in the specialties of Stage or Lighting. Offered in collaboration with TBZ Zürich.
• Tontechniker/in eidg. FA Two-year part-time professional examination preparation program for sound engineers leading to the federally recognized Audio Technician with Federal Certificate of Proficiency. Conducted by TBZ with the examination administered by AES Swiss Section.
• Kurswesen (SVTB Training Courses) Basic and safety courses for technical professionals in theater and event professions, conducted at the SVTB training center in Kloten. Includes courses on audio engineering, lighting, Vectorworks, network technology, media servers, and event safety law.
• LIT – Live-Industries & Theater New professional trade fair organized by SVTB providing a platform for industry networking, product exhibitions, specialist presentations, and breakout sessions for the live events and theater sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 420 members represented from private and public sectors

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SHRV/ASHR (Schweizerischer Höhenarbeiten- und Rigging-Verband)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHRV/ASHR is a partner association of SVTB offering courses in elementary rigging and PSAgA (personal fall protection equipment). The association provides Anschlägerkurs (slinger course) and PSAgA training specifically for event technology professionals.
• TBZ (Technische Berufsschule Zürich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBZ is the primary vocational school partner for event technology education, offering preparation courses for Veranstaltungstechniker/in with federal diploma and Tontechniker/in with federal diploma. SVTB collaborates with TBZ on continuing education programs.
• ARTOS (Association Romande Technique Organisation Spectacle)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARTOS is SVTB's partner organization in French-speaking Switzerland, responsible for organizing professional exams and preparation courses for Veranstaltungstechniker/in in alternating years (2025, 2027, 2029).
• MODECO (Schweizerische Fachschule für Mode und Gestaltung)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVTB is an education partner supporting certification for TheaterschneiderIn (theater tailor) training program offered by MODECO.
• Schweizerische Koordinationsstelle Feuerwerk (SKF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVTB supports SKF as an education partner in pyrotechnics training and certification for Bühnenfeuerwerk (stage fireworks) authorization.
• Schweizerischer Bühnenverband (SBV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBV is the Swiss Stage Association, co-publishing the Sicherheitshandbuch (Safety Handbook for Stages and Event Spaces) and the ASA-Handbuch with SVTB since 2005.
• NSBIV AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSBIV AG is a specialist in occupational and machine safety that led the working group developing the Model-ASA-Handbuch for theaters and event operations in collaboration with SBV and SVTB.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• AES (Audio Engineering Society): International professional society for audio engineering that administers the Tontechniker/in eidg. FA examination in cooperation with TBZ. Ecosystem participant with standards and credentialing overlap.
• TBZ (Technische Berufsschule Zürich): SVTB's primary vocational school partner delivering Veranstaltungstechniker/in and Tontechniker/in federal diploma programs. Strategic partner / educator with deeply intertwined curriculum and exam work.

Direct peers

• PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association): UK-based international association for the live events and entertainment technology industry. Comparable as a global trade body offering training, standards, and major trade events to event technology professionals.
• ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association): US-based entertainment services and technology association running the LDI trade show and ANSI standards programs. Comparable as a national trade body developing technical standards (e.g., ANSI E1 series) and providing training for the same industry.
• VPLT (Verband für professionelle Licht- und Tontechnik): German professional association for lighting and audio technology. Directly comparable as a DACH neighbor association providing training, certification, and industry representation for event technology professionals.
• Schweizerischer Bühnenverband (SBV): Swiss Stage Association, SVTB's partner in co-authoring the Sicherheitshandbuch and ASA-Handbuch since 2005. Closely aligned trade body for Swiss theater venues that shares substantial operational overlap with SVTB.
• ARTOS (Association Romande Technique Organisation Spectacle): French-Swiss counterpart professional association for event technology, jointly coordinating federal Veranstaltungstechniker exams with SVTB on alternating years. Most directly comparable peer in the same Swiss market.
• DTHG (Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft): German society for theater technology covering stages, lighting, sound, and scenography. Comparable as a national trade association serving similar theater and event technology professionals with training and standards work.

Broad incumbents

• IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees): Large North American labor union for stage and entertainment technicians. Comparable in workforce representation function but operates as a labor union rather than a voluntary professional association.
• EVVC (European Venue and Congress Centre): European association for convention and event venues. Broader regional incumbent covering venue-side of the event industry with overlapping training and standards interests relevant to SVTB members.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/svtb

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 SVTB