Smart Cities & Sport
Special Online Session - Sport Tourism (R)evolution: Shaping the Future!
With the COVID-19 crisis, this year has been particularly challenging. And the world of sport has not been spared, with the vast majority of sporting events cancelled or postponed until next year. Because we believe that sport has an important role to play on many fronts in a post-COVID-19 society, we have done our utmost to maintain our activities.
Smart Cities & Sport will host a special online and free session on Thursday, June 24 from 9:00am – 10:30am CET. The topic of the session will focus on sport and tourism, two sectors that have been hit hard by the current health crisis.
On the programme: hands-on interviews, stimulating discussions and inspiring case studies on how to best combine sport and tourism in order to boost your economy with a look at the post-COVID-19 landscape. The results from the online survey on sport tourism will be unveiled. And we have some more surprises for you, not least the dates and venue of the Smart Cities & Sport Summit.
Stay tuned as the full programme will soon be launched.
The Smart Cities & Sport Network provides a high-level and prestigious platform for the exchange of ideas and experience among cities of all sizes.
- Representatives from cities interested in sport as a tool for urban development
- Sport event organisers
- Representatives from the international sport world including the International Olympic Committee and the International Federations
- Corporate partners
Free Online Session
Thursday, June 24 from 9:00am - 10:30am CET Register now!
Prepare the future!
Summit 2020 - Partnerships for the Goals
For its seventh edition, the Summit will focus on how smart and forward-thinking cities can leverage inclusive sport, physical activity and sporting events to advance our common roadmap for transforming our communities and contributing to the UN 2030 Agenda.
The Summit will focus on the many ways in which cities can leverage sport in order to address their urban, economic, environmental, and social challenges while doing so through the lens of the SDG framework. Cities, international organisations, and international sports federations from around the world will be present to share their inspiring initiatives and best practices in building partnerships for the goals.
Information about Covid-19 pandemic
This year is very particular and therefore, due to the current circumstances, the Smart Cities & Sport will offer many options to take part in the 2020 Summit. If you have already registered for the on-site Summit you will be fully refunded. Do not hesitate to contact you : info@smartcitiesandsport.org
Programme Summit 2020
The Smart Cities & Sport schedule has been adapted to match its new virtual format. In order to give our entire community of attendees the chance to join the Summit live and to partake in the discussions as they take place, sessions will be held at the following times:
All sessions will be available to all registered participants in replay, and discussion forums will remain open after sessions, enabling everyone to tailor their attendance to the Summit according to their own agenda!
Tuesday, October 27
Morning session 9:00-11:00 CET
Partnerships for the Goals: How can cities, international sports federations and international organisations work together to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
This kick-off session will aim to briefly introduce the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030. It will also launch a discussion on the potential for sport and its stakeholders (mainly cities and international federations) to contribute to the successful achievement of these Goals. Finally, the development of solid and inventive partnerships will be addressed, as they will be key to the success of this ambition.
Peace and Sport: How to shape better cities through sport?
The role of sport in peace-building is one of the most highly debated areas in sport and development, as many limit its contributions to the post-conflict phase. However, the scope of action can be much broader, as sport has proven to be a genuine tool for social integration regardless of a country’s political stability.
How can cities build a better and more peaceful environment for their citizens through sport?
Afternoon session 13:00-15:00 CET
Cities & SDGs: What is the potential of sport in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals?
National governments alone cannot achieve the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda – but cities and regions can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most people live and work in cities, and urbanisation continues to grow all over the world, with 70% of the global population expected to live in cities by 2050. Moreover, in many countries, cities and regions have core competencies for policy areas underlying the SDGs. What role can cities play in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport? And how can cities develop SDG-based strategies that increase revenues and brand awareness while contributing to the common good?
Youth Empowerment: How to best empower youth through sports events?
For some time, cities have been investing heavily in policy development for the education of young people through sport – often hosting sports events attractive to this segment of the population.
At the same time, many international federations are looking for new ways to engage young people; both through educational programmes and new formats for their events, while international organisations have lengthy experience in developing youth empowerment programmes.
What are the best ideas for empowering the next generation through sport?
Evening session 18:00-20:00 CET
Innovation: How to facilitate a general increase in physical activity?
In recent years, the way people engage in sports has changed. While in the past, sports clubs and associations were quite popular and regularly frequented, today people prefer the freedom to practice the sport they want, when and where they want – undermining the traditional model of sport developed by most cities around the world.
What are the avenues of innovation to be explored in response to people’s new way of engaging in sport?
Sport Events and Revenues: A new business model for the post-COVID-19 world?
The sports events industry has historically proven to be rather recession-proof. Most major sports organisations weathered the economic fallout of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the financial crisis in 2008. However, the COVID-19 crisis has forced the cancellation or postponement of sporting events – and this extraordinary situation has had and will continue to have serious financial consequences for all parties involved.
Could this crisis be seen as an opportunity to conceive a new and more sustainable business model?
Wednesday, October 28
Morning session 9:00-11:00 CET
Sport During a Pandemic: How can we break down the barriers to sport?
At the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, more than three-quarters of the world’s population was confined to their homes. But this reality was not experienced in the same way by everyone. While many innovative solutions have enabled some people to maintain regular physical activity, others were forced to give up the practice of sport.
How can we reduce these inequalities of access to sport? And how can we encourage people to stay active, when sport can be an effective way to limit the impact of future health crises?
The Toolbox: Smart cities in action
Three sports cities share inspiring stories.
Leadership Skills
An expert shares several hints for fine-tuning your leadership skills.
Afternoon session 13:00-15:00 CET
Keynote address
A leading figure in sport shares his view on the current state of sport in the world.
Sustainability & Legacy: How can sports events help to mitigate short-term impacts on the environment and to leverage longer-term impacts for meaningful change?
By their very nature, major sports events cannot be seen as positive for the environment. They typically involve large scale international travel, extensive use of energy resources and considerable on-site waste. However, over the last decade, many sports stakeholders have played an important role in minimising their carbon footprint and using their widespread influence to promote environmental causes and practices in the long-term.
While sport cannot be expected to completely close-up shop in the name of the environment, how can sports events innovatively reduce their short-term impacts on the environment while leveraging their long-term positive impacts?
The Toolbox: Smart cities in action
Three sports cities share inspiring stories.
Leadership Skills
An expert shares several hints for fine-tuning your leadership skills.
Evening session 18:00-20:00 CET
Gender Equality: Is gender equality in sport a new development in cities’ policies on sport?
The COVID-19 crisis could lead to a paradigm shift for women’s sport. While some believe that women’s participation in sport will decline due to a potential drop in private financial support, others believe the opposite, as the crisis could lead to a shift in public investment towards sport for all.
What are the possible levers for action to ensure that women’s sport becomes part of the solution to the current crisis?
Is gender equality in sport a new development in cities’ policies on sport?
Event Hosting: How to leverage sport events for the development of ‘active’ tourism?
Over the past decade, a new type of tourism has emerged. People want to be physically active while traveling, whether going for a Sunday morning run or enjoying a full week of sports activities. As a result, cities around the world have begun to use sporting events to market themselves as “active” in order to attract sports tourists.
How can cities best use sporting events to attract active tourists – whether before, during or after the event?
Call for projects
Around the world, cities are finding new, ingenious ways of making sports accessible to their populations during these unprecedented times. What projects is your city implementing which feature sport as a catalyst for positive change?
We want to hear from you and share your story in order to inspire other cities to make a difference too!
Take the opportunity to be featured in our monthly newsletters or quarterly publications, and to present your project on stage at our Summit next October by contacting us at info@smartcitiesandsport.org or on our social media channels!
Benefits
- Full access to the 2 days of Conference Program
- Networking opportunities
- Access to the Welcome Cocktail
- Access to the Gala Dinner
- Access to the online Networking platform
- Post-Event Report
Early bird fee: 950 CHF
Available until September 25th, 2020
Online registration : 99 CHF
Only conferences and networking sessions
Become a Member
The Smart Cities & Sport Network is growing! Become a Member and get 50% discount on on-site registration fee and 3 free accesses to the online Summit.
Membership fee: 250 CHF/year
Download the programme
Speakers 2020
Lilamani de Soysa
IWG Board
Lilamani De Soysa is located between Tokyo, Japan and Lausanne, Switzerland and she is highly involved in the work for the Women in Sport movement. She implemented the International Table Tennis Federation’s Women’s Development Programme, which later won a Sport Accord Award and she also initiated a Women and Sport Management seminar, held in Lausanne. Lilamani holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Lausanne. Currently, she is Co-Opted Expert on the IWG Global Executive specialising in international sport relations and development.
Dejan Crnek
Deputy Mayor, City of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Dejan Crnek was born in Ljubljana and he discovered his personal life motto mostly through sports and working with people. At the age of fifteen, he had already become a guide at the oldest sports association in Slovenia, the Narodni Dom, and later on managed groups at summer and winter field trips to nature. Mr. Crnek studied at the Faculty of Sport in Ljubljana and worked as an elementary and secondary school teacher. Later, he founded a company together with a friend – he still works there.
Felicite Rwemarika
IOC Member, Member of Sport and Active Society Commission
Felicite Rwemarika is the First Vice-President of the Rwandan Olympic Committee and a Member of Sport and Active Society Commission since 2017 where she advises on all activities of the Olympic Movement that are related to using sport to improve physical activity in the population. With a background in nursing, business and hospitality from Rwanda, Felicite is highly engaged in sports on the national and international level. Besides her engagement as an IOC member, she organises international conferences on gender equality through sport for social change and represents the AKWOS (Association of Kigali Women in Sports) as Founder, Chair and legal representative.
Daichi Suzuki
Commissionner, Japan Sports Agency
Daichi Suzuki is a former elite swimmer having won – among others - an Olympic Gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. He also holds a Ph.D. in Medicine and worked as a professor in the Department of Health and Sports Science at the Juntendo University in Japan. From 2013 – 2015, Prof. Suzuki was the President of the Japan Swimming Federation (JSF). Since 2013, he is the President of the Olympians Association of Japan (OAJ) and his currently working as a Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency.
Host City - Lausanne 2020
Lausanne – Switzerland
Host City of the Smart Cities & Sport Summit 2020
The Smart Cities & Sport Summit 2020 will be back to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Summit will take place at the legendary Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa located between a short walk from the lake and one of the most living area: the heart of the city.
The City of Lausanne regards itself as the point of contact for international sports federations and organisations wishing to establish their headquarters here. Lausanne, Olympic Capital since 1994, is very proud to have hosted the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee since Baron Pierre de Coubertin requested it in 1915.
For more information about Lausanne Olympic Capital, check out here.
Smart Cities & Sport Summit Venues
Official Hotel
Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa – Lausanne
The historic Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa has been originally built in 1909 and has reopened its doors by the end of 2015 with a new contemporary wing. This luxury hotel It will be back to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Summit will take place at the legendary Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa located between a short walk from the lake and one of the most living area: the heart of the city.
Gala Dinner
Beau-Rivage Palace – Lausanne
Nestling in 4 hectares of gardens on the shores of Lake Geneva and with a view of the Alps, the Beau-Rivage Palace enjoys an exceptional location, but is nevertheless just 10 minutes from the city centre, in the Ouchy harbour district.
Victor Hugo, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Nelson Mandela and Tina Turner are just a few of the many famous names.
Access
Participants flying to Switzerland are recommended to Geneva Airport.
It is possible to transfer from the airport to Lausanne with the train or taxi. Tickets can be purchased directly at the airport.
For more information, please visit here.
Lausanne is a key station in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, located on the Geneva-Zurich line. Two trains an hour run to these cities, and there are also services to Bern, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Sion, Bienne and Basel.
Metro (M2) will take you from the Lausanne railway station to Délices in 3 minutes. Then, you need to cross the street and the Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa is located just in front of the metro station.
Map of the Smart Cities & Sport Summit Site
Lausanne public transport online timetable
Lausanne is the point where the motorway networks meet up in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa are ten minutes from the freeway exit “Lausanne Maladière” and have parking spaces for 846 vehicles.
Information about Lausanne
Weather
October temperatures range from 5°C (41°F) at night (minimum night temperature) and around 14°C at daytime (57°F) (max day temperature).
For the current weather forecast, please click here.
Visa
Is the responsibility of the participants to obtain a visa if needed. Please check the visa requirements for your nationality Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality.
Schengen visas are valid for Switzerland and all other areas of the Schengen member states (providing nothing to the contrary is noted on the visa).
If you have any questions, you should contact the Swiss Embassy responsible for the area in which you reside: Swiss representations
If the visa is not granted on time, the cancellation policy will be applied.
Institutional Partners
Corporate Partners
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Previous editions of the Smart Cities & Sport Summit
2020 Summit
Virtual Event
2019 Summit
Tokyo – Japan
2018 Summit
Lausanne – Switzerland
2017 Summit
Montréal – Canada