The leading sustainable mobility events of 2023 in Leipzig
Velo-city 2023
World cycling summit in Leipzig
Velo-city 2023 took place from 9 to 12 May 2023 at the Congress Center Leipzig. The four-day conference was jointly sponsored by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), the City of Leipzig and Leipziger Messe. It was considered one of the most important events on the subject of cycling. City representatives, political and business decision-makers, researchers and many others met there.
Themed ‘Leading the Transition’, it was dedicated to cycling as a sustainable and healthy form of mobility, to knowledge transfer, and to sharing ideas about transport policy. Innovations to improve people’s cycling experience in and around cities were also showcased during Velo-city. This was only the third time in its 40-year history that the event had been held in Germany.
International Transport Forum
Making climate-friendly transport a reality
Velo-city was followed by the Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF) from 24 to 26 May 2023. Hosted by the OECD, the event had been held at the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) since 2008 and most recently had welcomed around 1,000 participants from 60 countries. This made it all the more gratifying that the CCL once again won the tender. It will remain the annual venue of the ITF up to and including 2027.
In line with the theme of Transport Enabling Sustainable Economies, the future of mobility played a major role at this year’s ITF. Presided over by the UK, participants spent three days exploring how sustainable transport can contribute to economic growth and protecting the environment.
Joint support for Velo-city 2023
The urban development concept should also be reflected in (major) events that shape the city’s image. That’s why the city, Leipziger Messe and Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH have joined forces to support Velo-city. They are assisting the European Cyclists’ Federation in the areas of sponsorship, exhibition, communication and more. In the Congress Center Leipzig, the conference also had a prestigious venue on the exhibition grounds.
Leipzig 2035
On the way to becoming a sustainable congress city
The fact that Leipzig was awarded these two events from the field of sustainability is no coincidence. It stands for change like no other European city. Where 30 years ago the city was characterised by open-cast mines, desolate industry and dilapidated roads, today Leipzig is criss-crossed by a green belt. Former open-cast mines have been transformed into a landscape dotted with lakes. The city and the region are focusing on climate-friendly mobility and state-of-the-art transport solutions. Leipzig is thus growing in an economically and demographically sustainable way, as described in the Leipzig Strategy 2035, the city’s integrated urban development concept. This strategy defines the goals of sustainable mobility, a proactive climate and energy strategy, and preserving the local environment.
Logistics as well as GreenTech are also firmly anchored in the congress city’s key industries. Velo-city, in particular, encountered in Leipzig a city that promotes cycling as a mobility solution and was already hosting the LVZ Fahrradfest (LVZ Bike Festival), an event that ideally complemented the Velo-city Bike Parade.
Your partner for sustainable events
The topic of sustainability is not only relevant for conferences and congresses that explicitly deal with it. Sustainable planning is also becoming increasingly important for other events. Does this apply to your event? Then we recommend the sustainable planning checklist provided by the city of Leipzig (in German). It is a guide that shows you how to consistently design and deliver your event in a sustainable way. Need help? The Leipzig Convention Bureau can support you every step of the way.
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