summit 2024
the smartcities & sport summit 2024 is back in Lausanne, the olympic capital, 11-13 November. get in the game!
2024 summit
ifs & cities: mix and match
In the year of the 30th anniversary celebration of the designation of Lausanne as the Olympic Capital, there is no better place than Lausanne, the home of international sport, and no better opportunity than the smartcities & sport summit to explore the dynamic synergies between ambitious host cities and visionary International sports Federations.
In the world of sports events, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, or one specific handbook to follow. Instead, success results from constant dialogue, beginning with defining the scale and scope of an event to align seamlessly with the unique possibilities cities can offer. Collaboration is the key. Through each stage of the process, cities and federations provide the impetus for change in one another’s realms.
The institutional structures of cities and international federations are completely different. Their composition may vary in terms of local authorities or associations, and they differ in terms of operations, means, and expectations. But when it comes to working together towards a common goal – the success of a sporting event – they share a common ambition.
This is what “mix and match” means: the successful unification of different entities for the harmonious achievement of a greater shared aim.
Don’t miss the next edition of the smartcities & sport summit to be held in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, 11-13 November, 2024. Register now!
summit highlights
events: at the heart of the if-city relationship
In the long journey IFs and cities engage in, the execution of the event is only the tip of a vast iceberg. Sport events bring cities and federations together, creating partnerships that fuel excitement and opportunities. At the core of an event, all stakeholders converge to celebrate sport: federations, cities, the staff and leaders of an event organiser, athletes and audience. Lasting for a couple of hours to a few days, spectators attend a sporting experience which is limited in duration, experiencing brief moments of excitement. This is the very moment when sport is in the spotlight, the city shines, and the party is geared towards the public.
a common goal to achieve a meaningful project
Is the sport competition the only common objective? Behind the scenes, organising and hosting a sports event is a meticulous process that unfolds over months and years. This journey, when executed ideally, leaves a lasting and meaningful legacy for both the city and the federation. Success isn’t just about the event itself; it’s about cultivating a powerful partnership which creates shared vision and strategy that allows each partner to achieve their own objectives. Following the event, efforts are directed towards giving back to the communities (citizens, athletes, public services users, etc.) to ensure a relevant legacy. This can take the form of improvements on current venues for better future use and access, or by using temporary venues so as not to impact the events’ sites. Federations can spark innovation, enhance accessibility, improve mobility, and boost sports participation and fan engagement within the city. Simultaneously, cities can elevate sustainability standards and legacy requirements, providing a platform for organisers to scale up their impact. Together, with a shared vision and commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, they can create a transformative experience that transcends the event, and in doing so, they become mutual change-makers.
a science-based toolbox: strategic planning, decision-making, key performance indicators
A process which is informed by science and technology offers solid support during the different phases of the sporting event, from design to evaluation. A successful “mix and match” is a clever assembly of knowledge, skills, expertise and opportunities. It is not a matter of chance or luck but the combination of many parameters that are essential for the successful hosting of a sports event. These include climate, events calendar, location, accessibility, financial constraints, etc., that must be evaluated and calculated. Certainly not all cities can host all sports events and not all sports events can fit in all cities. There is, however, nearly always an appropriate time and place for an event. Relevant instruments, including technology, science, artificial intelligence, are available to secure relevant partnerships and operate win-win combinations.
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monday, 11 november
welcome dinner
tuesday, 12 november
morning session
lunch
afternoon session
gala dinner
wednesday, 13 november
morning session
lunch
award smartcities & sport
introducing the 2024 smartcities & sport award
We’re excited to announce a new highlight for the 2024 smartcities & sport summit : our first-ever smartcities & sport award! This initiative celebrates innovative projects from cities and local authorities around the world that are driving positive change through sport in an urban environment.
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what’s at stake?
This award offers global recognition within the smartcities & sport community. This is a unique opportunity to highlight your city’s innovative projects and be celebrated as a leader in urban transformation. Share your groundbreaking initiatives and gain acknowledgment from peers around the world.
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who can participate?
The award welcomes entries from all cities and local authorities that have pioneered innovative projects, transcending any strict thematic boundaries. While the award focuses on recognizing groundbreaking initiatives across any field, we suggest considering project submissions that align with themes such as sustainable societal impacts from sports events, gender equality in sports, or promoting a healthy urban lifestyle. Your project, whether it aligns closely with these themes or ventures into other transformative areas such as technology or inclusiveness, will be evaluated with keen interest and enthusiasm.
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key dates
submission opening: 5 september 2024
submission deadline: 15 october 2024
award ceremony: 12 november 2024, during the smartcities & sport summit Gala Dinner in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The selected recipient will be invited to attend the award ceremony at the smartcities & sport summit Gala Dinner, in person (with the possibility of joining virtually). The winning project will be showcased during this special event, providing an exceptional platform for global exposure and networking. The names of the recipients will only be publicly announced on the day of the ceremony.
how to participate
Simply fill out the application form below and submit the details of your implemented project by the deadline. Make sure to provide all required information to help our jury understand the impact and innovative dimension of your project.
register now!
The summit will provide a high-level and prestigious platform for the exchange of ideas and experience to more than 300 participants. It is aimed at anyone involved in international, national and local sports, including: cities, sports federations, national Olympic committees, non-profit organisations, companies and sports clubs. Register now and benefit from the exclusive CHF 950 early bird registration fee, valid until 20 October. Don’t miss out on this comprehensive and inclusive experience in the home of international sport.
delegate pass
- two-day conference sessions
- lunch
- welcome cocktail
- gala dinner
- eventApp
- exclusive early bird registration fee valid until 20 October
delegate pass
feedback from participants
welcome back to lausanne!
The smartcities & sport summit 2024 is coming back to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, 11-13 November, 2024! On this very year, let’s celebrate the 30th anniversary of the designation of Lausanne as the Olympic Capital!
With more than 55 international federations, the City of Lausanne is the home of international sport and is the place where the future of sport is shaped.
As well as being a unique ecosystem, Lausanne has also become the home of international sport, hosting some of the world’s most important events such as the Winter Youth Olympics in 2020. Lausanne actively keeps this flame alive and hosts several major events a year.
With nearly 300 clubs and 30,000 members, Lausanne “La Sportive” is a city where sport is a way of life. With sport as part of its DNA, Lausanne develops the practice of sport within the population, particularly among women.
We look forward to welcoming you to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital for this new edition of the smartcities & sport summit!
summit venues
International Basketball Federation
“The Patrick Baumann House of Basketball” is the headquarters of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
The House of Basketball is home to FIBA’s administrative staff, as well as a FIBA Conference Centre, the FIBA Hall of Fame, the Exhibition Hall, and the Pedro Ferrandiz Library.
Seen from above, the building resembles a hand, one of the important elements of FIBA’s visual identity. It also includes a steel structure which references the weave of a basketball net.
The conferences on 12 November will take place at the House of Basketball.
World Archery Excellence Centre
The World Archery Excellence Centre is a training, competition, and learning facility dedicated to archery in Lausanne.
Opened in 2016, the building has hosted many international sporting and non-sporting events.
Located 15 minutes from downtown Lausanne, the World Archery Excellence Center will host the welcome dinner on 11 November 2024.
Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace
The Beau-Rivage Palace is a famous ambassador of the highest Swiss hotel tradition since 1861. Ideally located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Beau-Rivage Palace is nestled in a natural setting, a stone’s throw from the centre of Lausanne. Victor Hugo, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Nelson Mandela, and Tina Turner are just a few of the many famous guests who have enjoyed the Palace hospitality.
The Beau-Rivage Palace will host the smartcities & sport gala dinner on 12 November 2024.
access the summit
by plane
Participants flying to Switzerland are recommended to fly into Geneva Airport. It is possible to transfer from the airport to Lausanne by train or taxi. Tickets can be purchased directly at the airport. For more information, please visit here.
BY RAILWAY
Lausanne is a key train station in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, located on the Geneva-Zurich line. Two trains an hour run to these cities.
SBB | Swiss Railway
DB | German Railway
SNCF | French Railway
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Metro (M2) will take you from the Lausanne railway station to Ouchy Olympique in 7 minutes. Then, you simply need to cross the street to the Mövenpick Hotel which is located just on the banks of the lake.
lausanne public transport online timetable
BY CAR
Lausanne is the point where the motorway networks meet up in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. There are several car parks in the city centre
car parks in lausanne
join us in Lausanne, the olympic capital!
More than 300 participants are expected for the smartcities & sport summit 2024. We look forward to seeing you there!
logistical information
Visa
It is the responsibility of the participants to obtain a visa if needed. Please check the visa requirements for your nationality. Overviews of ID and visa provisions vary according to nationality.
Schengen visas are valid for Switzerland and for all other Schengen member states (providing nothing to the contrary is noted on the visa).
If you have any questions, 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.
Weather
November temperatures range from 5°C (41°F) at night (minimum night temperature) and around 9°C in the daytime (max day temperature of 48°F). For the current weather forecast, please click here.
time zone
Central European Time Zone
(UTC+01:00)
Electricity
Electricity Plugs
European/Swiss plugs, 220 Volts
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