LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – The success of recent major sporting events has highlighted the valuable impact that these can have on a city, a region or a country. Many cities have therefore been inspired to bid for and host the many sporting events that become available in 2013.

For this reason, City Events 2012 will focus on the theme “Preparing to bid and bidding to win”. City Events is the only conference connecting host cities, International Federations and event organizers, and will be held in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, on November 14-16.

The public sector (cities, regions, and countries), National, and International Sport Federations, event organisers and numerous key stakeholders in this market will have the unique opportunity to share knowledge and experience in the three-day conference, with world class speakers.

Starting on Wednesday, November 14, Martin Kallen from UEFA, CEO of three UEFA EURO tournaments and Michael Payne, the first ever Marketing Director of the IOC will share their experience and address the challenges of organising international sport events.

The following day, Thursday 15, under the theme “Preparing to bid”, the first Plenary Session will allow three cities to share their bidding experience: the City of St-Moritz, host of the 2017 FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships, represented by Hugo Wetzel, the City of London, host to the 2012 Olympic Games, represented by Ian Edmondson of London & Partners, and the City of Istanbul, one of the most active bidder and host in the world, represented by Ugur Erdener, President of the Turkish NOC and IOC Member.

In the afternoon, the second Plenary Session “Bidding to win” will start with UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland-Ukraine, which will share key learnings on their bid to host the tournament after having recently hosted it, followed by Vladimir Leonov from the City of Kazan, host to the 2015 FINA World Championships, and Annika Malhotra from the City of Stockholm, Candidate City for the 2004 Olympics who will share what was the great positive legacy of this bid which did not win. In addition, two hours will be dedicated to one-to-one meetings with International Federations who will come to meet future host cities, international sporting events organisers and key stakeholders, to lay the foundation for future major sport events.

The third and last Plenary Session will take place in the morning of Friday 16, and will focus on the tools used to win sport event bids. The latest trends and updates from the world of hosting and bidding will be revealed exclusively at City Events. A presentation from the AISTS, will be preceded by “alternative” events organisers such as the Iron Man Series, X-Games, Festival International des Sports Extrêmes (FISE), and the Homeless World Cup, who will share what it takes to get and host them.

Each plenary session will be followed by a break-out session in smaller committees involving additional stakeholders. Additionally, five International Sport Federations, the International Ski Federation (FIS), the World Masters Games Association (WMGA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), World Archery Federation (WA), and the International University Sport Federation (FISU) will share their thoughts on what really matters in a bid.

Finally, many networking opportunities will be available during coffee breaks and lunches, and two receptions are offered on Wednesday and Thursday evening where participants have the opportunity to meet and talk with International Sport Federations, cities and stakeholders.

Additionally, FISU have the pleasure of inviting you at the Rolex Learning Center for a reception that promises quality exchanges, followed by a “relaxed” party offered by City Events to make this third edition a memorable one.

We kindly invite you to consult the full program that you can find as an attachment or alternatively on our website.

Information and Registration are available from now on: www.cityevents-sport.com