Association Insight International & European Association Insights Spring 2015 | Page 13
Article | Association Insights
The Swiss Tech Convention Centre
- ‘at the crossroads of knowledge and innovation’.
This year’s International & European Associations Congress was held at the Swiss
Tech Convention Centre (STCC). Situated at the centre of the EPFL university
campus, close to student accommodation, a shopping centre and a hotel, the
STCC is a commanding structure just a short Metro ride from the city centre.
The STCC is a modular building capable of adapting to any kind of event and particularly suited to the diversity often
required for association events.
It has a flexible number of conference rooms and capacity. The building’s architecture allows two or three auditoriums
to merge into one; the number of seats in each space can be changed in a matter of minutes from theatre style to a flat
banquet set up and again to classroom style. Every second row of seats is hidden beneath the floor.
EPFL
The STCC benefits from the atmosphere of the EPFL and
associations holding events here can take advantage of the
many centres of excellence based at the university.
Andre Schneider, EPFL Vice President says what conference
delegates get from meeting at EPFL is “impact, learning
and networking”. “EPFL is a top technology university
recognised internationally,” he adds. “It has over 10,000
students from Switzerland, France, Europe, America, Africa
and Asia and more than 340 professors and scientists
working on developing research in science and technology
such as projects exploring artificial robotic limbs.”
“Associations holding conferences here have unique access
to this scientific development and to professors carrying
out work in the fields of sport and health.”
“Also benefiting from the Olympic heritage in Lausanne,
EPFL is working with the IOC on new technology for bob
sleigh runways without ice.”
Andre Schneider, Vice President, EPFL
Associationsplanning events at the STCC over the next few
years include: Federation of European Materials Societies,
Swiss Society for