A city perhaps best known as the seat of the Olympics movement has become the latest member of the Energy Cities Alliance – a marketing consortium of business events destinations.
Lausanne, which sits on the banks of Lac Leman, might seem like an unlikely addition to the alliance, which comprises gas and oil giants Aberdeen, Abu Dhabi, Calgary and Stavanger.
Its inclusion marks an apparent shift in emphasis in the consortium towards ‘sustainable energy solutions’ - a move no doubt precipitated by public perception of the fossil fuel industry.
Specifically it is the university-based SwissTech Convention Centre that has joined the consortium, in recognition of its ‘dedication to energy-related events and sustainable energy solutions’.
The venue, covered in multi-coloured ‘solar windows’, is owned by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), which runs degrees on energy management and sustainability.
“We are delighted to be expanding our membership with such an important research and scientific hub,” said Lindsay Fraser, chair of the ECA. “The addition of Lausanne will add greater value to the existing members, given Lausanne’s track record of hosting high profile conferences.”
Julianne Jammers, managing director of the STCC, said: “We are proud to join the Energy Cities Alliance as a knowledge and research partner. The SwissTech is located on the campus of the globally ranked technical university, the EPFL, and we believe we will contribute to the success of the alliance in identifying and securing relevant business and association events for our cities.”
[caption id="attachment_4199" align="alignright" width="300"]
Lausanne, on the banks of Lac Leman[/caption]
Professor Laloui from EPFL Energy department, Lausanne, said: “The integration of the SwissTech Convention Center EPFL into the Energy Cities Alliance is very much aligned with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne’s (EPFL) objective of raising awareness of the importance of the energy transition and LMC’s focus on sustainability and cleaner forms of energy.”
Lausanne is a city that has continuously fostered sustainability and innovation towards the growth industry sectors and made energy and environment one of their five innovation sector pillars.
Meanwhile, the newly formed convention bureau Lausanne Montreux Congress (LMC), made up of the two Swiss regions of Lausanne and Montreux, recently ranked in the top 20 destinations (16th spot) in the Global Destination Sustainability Index for the first time.
Do you have anything to say about this story? Make your comment below or contact jlancaster@CATMedia.global
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
