“Once an Olympic city, always an Olympic city”

Image Source and Copyright: International Olympic Committee

The 2nd edition of the Lausanne Summit will take place between the 19 - 21 November 2009.

The Summit is sure to be a another highly stimulating, knowledge sharing experience. The audience will be treated to a variety of topics. You will find below an overview of what to expect and the type of questions which cities typically need answering:

Urban development: Incorporating sustainability and the Olympic legacy into an urban strategy
How can cities incorporate the Olympic Games concept and vision into their long-term urban planning strategy, while respecting the principles of sustainability? How can the Games be best used as a catalyst for positive change in the host city and region, one that will benefit the vast majority of city dwellers? Are there any compromises that cities should make to ensure that the Olympic legacy and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are respected, while delivering the Games according to plans and requirements?

Keeping the Olympic flame alight: From host city to Olympic city
The Games have come and gone, and the euphoria has died down. How can a city maintain the Olympic spirit which is so visible in the lead-up to and during the Games while at the same time respecting the Olympic values and optimising the use of the permanent venues and fixtures which were constructed for the Games? Long-term planning is important but what should cities specifically identify to assist them in their long-term “Olympic” strategy and how can they use the values, culture and general heritage to continue to leverage them and to add value. What should cities be aware of in order to respect and preserve the Olympic heritage?

Bidding for major events and the Olympic Games: the key questions/challenges a city should tackle prior to bidding and the benefits a city can gain from the bidding process itself
How to build a long-term vision in which the opportunities of a major event such as the Games are optimized? What are the tangible and less tangible (hidden) benefits of bidding for a major event such as the Games? How can a city which has lost a bid still implement elements of its vision and projects?

Knowledge Management: Preserving the knowledge gained from hosting the Olympics within a city
How can cities successfully plan a knowledge management strategy to maintain and build upon the experience gained from hosting a major event like, but not exclusively, the Olympic Games? With cities hosting major events from World Championships to the Olympic Games, often spaced over several years with different organising committees, how can cities avoid recreating the proverbial wheel and capitalize on the human capacity that has been created within their city / country?