https://www.amclub.ch/history/
AIC History: Past & Present
1951
Thursday, May 17: birth of the American Club Of Geneva.
1953
Foreign associate membership increases to 20%.
1956
Foreign associate membership increases again, to 33.3%. Civic concerns begin: the Club gives Fr. 1,345 to local charities. The FIrst 4th-of-July picnic was held at the Parc des Eaux-Vives. First Thanksgiving dinner-dance is organized for 378 guests. First Election Night party is held at the American Community House.
1967
Foreign non-voting associate membership increases to 40%.
1968
Big year. The Club adds “International” to its title to become “The American International Club of Geneva.” Associate members become non-American voting members. Full-time executive an assistant is appointed.
1971
Executive Committee goes classic American with a president and 3 vice presidents, 2 always American.
1979
Big year. Membership eligibility clause changes from “all adult male individuals” to “all adult individuals.” The purpose of the Club now is a) to foster friendly relations among Club members and members of the community in which they live, and b) to develop and participate in events, meetings and other activities of topical, educational, cultural, benevolent or diversionary interests in the membership.
1980
Election Night party joins in the excitement live on TV via satellite. Smash hit! Repeated in 1988, 1992, 1996 and (whew!) the longest night in 2000.
1982
Traditional formal 4th-of-July dinner-dance is replaced with themes like Château Shindig, Friday Night Fever, Helvetian Hoedown and Roaring 20s.
1992
After a survey showing member interest, the following are established: young professionals activities program, professional programs and seminars, multi-page newsletter, corporate partnership program, external club relations group and a Thursday evening Happy Hour.
1993
First woman appointed to the Executive Committee.
1994
Big year. Adolf Ogi, President of the Swiss Confederation, heads an AIC Forum. Sir Peter Ustinov stars at the 500th luncheon.
1995
Successful Corporate Partnership Program is launched.
2001
50th anniversary. 40,000 people attend the free 4th of July party.
2002
First female President, Janet Voûte, was elected in 2003. a 50-year story is published.
2006
Pierre Imfeld retires after 30 years of exemplary service, following his wife Patricia who retired in 2004.
2007
Nicholas Negroponte, Founder & Chairman Emeritus of MIT Media Lab, heads the CEO Forum. 2008 Ambassador Membership Category was successfully launched. New Director, Kirsten Stromstad, has been appointed to take over from Pierre Imfeld. AIC successfully “re-launched” our historic US National Day celebration in a smaller, family-oriented version at the Parc des Evaux, Onex. 410 members including their families & friends of all ages attended the event. The membership of the AIC approved new Articles of Association which update the Club’s Constitution & By-Laws last revised in 1987.
2012
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has his audience gripped and says “I’ ll be back” at AIC’s March luncheon attended by 365 members and guests.
2011
60th anniversary. Gala evening with more than 200 AIC members and their guests.
2015
AIC transitions to volunteer, member-managed club.
2020
AIC conducts its first “virtual” luncheon by video conference welcoming Anne Hornung- Soukup, Chair of the Board of the tpg (transports publics genevois) speaking on Geneva in a Time of Crisis.
2022
After a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 crisis, the club formally celebrated its 70th anniversary with a gala reception at the Four Seasons Hotel Geneva.