Switzerland US technology firm Hewlett-Packard has appointed Grass Roots Switzerland to manage its events portfolio.

The agency was awarded the business after a competitive pitch against undisclosed agencies. It will share the bulk of events work with MCI in a contract that runs until 2011.

The remit will cover HP's domestic office based in Zurich, as well as its international office in Geneva.

It follows an extensive pitch process that kicked off in March. During the pitch, agencies were asked to design and present a mock event and compete in a price benchmarking exercise.

It is thought that HP will hold at least four major events a year, with a combination of corporate events and staff incentives.

The agency has already organised one event for HP that took place in Zurich's Giardino Verde in October this year. The incentive for 80 people celebrated top employees and customers and coincided with the technology firm's 50th anniversary.

The HP win adds to Grass Roots' client portfolio that includes Burger King, Sanofi Aventis and Roche. Grass Roots Switzerland Director of Client Services, Alexandre Fricker, described the win as the "perfect start to 2010, especially in a challenging market."

He added; "We are very pleased to have secured a three-year contract with HP and look forwardd to working with the company to deliver many successful events in the future."