The SHIFT supports THE SPOT 2022 on its sustainability journey

ThinkSport’s international sport and innovation event THE SPOT is an ambitious project. It aims to be disruptive, bringing together exceptional people and showcasing latest trends, fresh ideas and new solutions for the sport industry. In line with this spirit, THE SPOT strives to be an event embracing and demonstrating sustainability. For this year’s edition, which will be held on 17 and 18 May in Lausanne, The SHIFT has worked together with ThinkSport to further boost the efforts in the areas of circular economy, responsible catering, and inclusion and diversity.

The SHIFT is a group of committed and innovative experts in the field of sustainability, based in Lausanne. Their team members have a wealth of experience, having worked with major international sport events, but also with companies and non-profit organisations in Switzerland and abroad. The SHIFT’s philosophy: reconciling entrepreneurship and innovation with sustainability principles. 

Talking about the group’s involvement with THE SPOT, Neil Beecroft, founding partner of The SHIFT explains: “Since its first edition, THE SPOT has embarked on a sustainability journey. For this year’s event, the event went a few steps further. We identified three main strategic focus points to work on which will serve as a pilot for innovative solutions and enable to improve THE SPOT continuously.”

The three strategic focus points are:

• Circular economy: co-conception of the event leading towards zero waste and single used plastics. 
• Responsible catering: use local and healthy food, including vegetarian options. Provide 100% reusable tableware to the participants during the event.
• Inclusion and diversity: aim towards gender equity related to women speakers and participants. Push for youth inclusion on discussion panels. 

Asked about how to realise sustainable sport events, Neil explains: “The UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action is worth following in terms of carbon management. In 2022, events must reach a turning point regarding sustainability and go through disruptive innovation, and systemic change. Topics such as smart mobility, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), circular economy, healthy lifestyles and social entrepreneurship must drive the future of event management. Sport has a role to play, there is no time left for incremental change.” 

Neil adds: “On a positive note, there is already good practice to look at, such as from the Olympic Games Organising Committee for Paris 2024, the Ocean Race and Formula E. In terms of innovation, it’s also worth to highlight the DGTL music festival in Amsterdam, which we will take as an example to drive change within the world of sports.”

The SHIFT also supports ThinkSport’s Air Quality and Sport Challenge, which will be presented at THE SPOT, featuring the top ten finalists during a dedicated pitch session.

Meet The SHIFT and other pioneers in innovation and sustainability at THE SPOT on 17 and 18 May in Lausanne. Learn more about the event and register here: www.thespot2022.org .