The canton of Vaud offers an optimal environment for innovation in Switzerland: more than 2,000 tech companies are established in the region, generating over 50,000 highly qualified jobs. Access to talent is facilitated by the high density of startups, the presence of research centers and technology parks, and a strong network of incubators and accelerators.
The region stands out in numerous and ever-evolving innovation sectors, including FoodTech, SportTech, TrustTech, health technologies, digital innovation, drones, and space. Lausanne-Montreux is positioned at the forefront of these strategic domains.
This vitality is supported by Switzerland’s strong commitment to research and development: 3.4% of the national GDP is dedicated to R&D, placing the country among the global leaders in innovation.
Thanks to its scientific and industrial strength, Lausanne-Montreux is an ideal destination for hosting international congresses, technology forums, and scientific gatherings of global reach.
Scala Days is the leading international conference for the Scala programming language, bringing together software developers, researchers, technology leaders, and members of the open-source community from around the world. Over the years, the conference has been hosted in cities across Europe and North America, but Lausanne holds a special place in our history.
When we brought Scala Days to Lausanne in 2019 for the conference’s 10th anniversary, we partnered with Lausanne Montreux Congress (LMC) to deliver one of the largest editions in the event’s history. The event welcomed nearly 1,000 attendees and featured five co-located events, including Typelevel Summit, Scala Bridge, Scala Spree, workshops, and numerous community activities.
From the outset, what distinguished the experience was the level of support we received from LMC. The team combined professionalism, creativity, flexibility, and deep local expertise with a genuine commitment to the conference’s success. Whether we were designing attendee experiences, coordinating venues, or navigating the countless logistical challenges that come with an international event, we always felt we had trusted partners by our side.
As organizers, we believe conferences should be about more than technical content. They should create opportunities for participants to connect with the destination itself—its culture, history, people, and environment. Sustainability is also a core consideration for us. We look for destinations that are easily accessible by public transport, support responsible event practices, and allow us to create memorable experiences with a limited environmental footprint.
Lausanne proved to be an ideal fit for those values. With LMC’s support, we were able to showcase the region through city tours, vineyard walks and wine tastings in Lavaux, boat excursions on Lake Léman, a speakers’ dinner on the lake, and many other activities that helped attendees experience the destination in a meaningful way.
The 2019 edition also featured a rich social program, including a community celebration at the Olympic Museum and activities for accompanying guests and families. One of my favorite memories comes from that evening at the Olympic Museum. Despite careful planning, more people arrived than had registered for the event—a first for Scala Days. Organizers usually worry about no-shows, not unexpected extra guests. Fortunately, everything worked out, the atmosphere was fantastic, and the evening ended with members of the Scala community dancing late into the night overlooking Lake Léman.
Another aspect of our collaboration that I greatly value is LMC’s Ambassador Program, of which I am a member. Through the program, I have had the opportunity to meet passionate professionals from a wide range of industries who organize conferences and events throughout the region. LMC excels at bringing ambassadors together, showcasing the strengths and lesser-known treasures of the destination, and creating opportunities to exchange ideas. Those conversations have often inspired new ways to enrich the Scala Days experience and strengthen our connection with the local community.
The success of the 2019 edition left such a strong impression that when the opportunity arose to return to Lausanne in 2025, partnering with LMC again felt like the natural choice. Building on an established relationship allowed us to work even more effectively together. We already understood each other’s teams, expectations, and ways of working, which made planning and execution remarkably smooth.
Another major advantage was access to the SwissTech Convention Center and the support of EPFL. The venue offers world-class facilities, an exceptional team, and strong sustainability credentials that align closely with our priorities as organizers of an international event. No matter how complex a challenge seemed, solutions were always found. Throughout the process, we consistently felt understood, supported, and empowered to deliver the experience we envisioned for our community.
Lausanne combines a vibrant academic and technology ecosystem, outstanding conference infrastructure, strong sustainability values, and an experienced support network that understands the needs of international events. For Scala Days, it has become a natural home. LMC has played a central role in making that possible, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration in the years ahead.