26 Sep The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Event Locations in Lausanne

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Lausanne is more than a postcard city by Lake Geneva — it’s an international hub where business, academia, and innovation converge. With world-class universities, multinational headquarters, and a thriving startup ecosystem, Lausanne attracts companies and organizations that regularly host conferences, seminars, product launches, and corporate galas.

But a successful event begins with one critical choice: the venue. The right space not only accommodates your guests, it communicates prestige, supports your technical needs, and aligns with your brand. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore Lausanne’s top corporate event venues, how to choose the right one, and insider tips for planning a smooth experience.

Why Lausanne is a Strategic Choice for Corporate Events

Before diving into venues, it’s worth asking: why Lausanne?

  • Accessibility: Only 40 minutes from Geneva International Airport by train, Lausanne is easily reachable for international guests.

  • Business ecosystem: From Nestlé’s HQ in Vevey to fintech and medtech startups at EPFL, the city draws high-profile professionals.

  • Academic excellence: The presence of EPFL, UNIL, and IMD means corporate events often overlap with research, innovation, and executive education.

  • Lifestyle appeal: Attendees can combine business with leisure — vineyards in Lavaux, the Olympic Museum, and lakeside views make Lausanne memorable.

For these reasons, many organizations choose Lausanne for conferences, executive offsites, and gala receptions.

Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Venue

Every successful event hinges on aligning the venue with the event’s goals. Keep in mind:

  1. Capacity: From 30-person boardrooms to 5,000-delegate congress halls, Lausanne offers variety. Choose a space that feels neither too cramped nor too empty.

  2. Flexibility: Can the venue adapt to plenary sessions, breakouts, and networking zones?

  3. Technology: Reliable AV, interpretation booths, and hybrid-ready setups are essential in a multilingual, international city.

  4. Prestige factor: Is your event better suited for a luxury ballroom, a modern auditorium, or an innovative tech campus?

  5. Catering logistics: Seamless flow for coffee breaks and gala dinners is crucial.

  6. Accessibility: Proximity to train stations, metro lines, hotels, and parking lots matters, especially for international attendees.

  7. Budget: Luxury hotels come at a premium, while modern convention centers may offer more flexibility.

Top Venues in Lausanne

1. SwissTech Convention Center (EPFL, Ecublens)

  • Capacity: Main auditorium seats 2,200 (with retractable seating for flat-floor use). Smaller auditoriums and rooms handle 200–800 guests.

  • Unique feature: Fully modular — entire walls move to change room size, creating up to 15 breakout spaces.

  • Best for: Tech summits, academic congresses, international conferences requiring interpretation and hybrid broadcast.

  • Access: Directly on the M1 metro, 10 minutes from Lausanne train station.

    More info: https://www.stcc.ch

2. Beaulieu Convention Center

  • Capacity: 19 modular rooms + halls, hosting 100 to 5,400 participants. Exhibition space for trade shows.

  • Unique feature: 12,000 m² gardens — perfect for networking receptions or summer galas.

  • Best for: Large congresses, exhibitions, medical and scientific conventions.

  • Access: Central Lausanne, tram stop right outside.

    More info: https://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/explore/beaulieu-convention-center

3. Beau-Rivage Palace

  • Capacity: 11 meeting rooms + 2 ballrooms, hosting up to 600 people. Terraces for outdoor cocktails with lake views.

  • Unique feature: Legendary hotel with Michelin-star dining — unmatched prestige.

  • Best for: Luxury corporate galas, high-profile board meetings, and VIP receptions.

  • Access: On the lakefront, 5 minutes from Lausanne-Ouchy metro.

    More info: https://www.brp.ch/en/meetings-events/conferences-meetings

4. Lausanne Palace

  • Capacity: 8 meeting rooms, accommodating up to 350 people for cocktails.

  • Unique feature: Blend of historic charm and modern facilities, right in the city center.

  • Best for: Mid-sized corporate conferences, seminars, press launches.

  • Access: Walking distance from Lausanne train station.

    More info: https://www.lausanne-palace.ch/en/meetings-events/conferences-meetings

5. Aquatis Hotel & Conference Center

  • Capacity: Convention hall for 300, plus modular rooms totaling 620 m².

  • Unique feature: Located above Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium — unusual and memorable.

  • Best for: Training sessions, mid-sized conferences, and innovative workshops.

  • Access: On the M2 metro, 10 minutes from city center.

    More info: https://www.aquatis-hotel.ch/en/events/conference-rooms

6. Starling Hotel Lausanne

  • Capacity: 5 modular rooms, hosting up to 250 guests. Large esplanade available for exhibitions.

  • Unique feature: Next to EPFL campus, often chosen by startups and scientific firms.

  • Best for: Workshops, mid-size corporate seminars, networking events.

  • Access: Between EPFL and Lake Geneva, 15 minutes from city center.

    More info: https://www.starling-hotel-lausanne.com/work-gather/meetings-seminars

Alternative and Creative Venues

Not every corporate event requires a convention hall or hotel ballroom. Lausanne offers unique venues for creative branding:

  • Olympic Museum: Modern event spaces with panoramic views of Lake Geneva — ideal for international sports or corporate receptions.

  • Rolex Learning Center (EPFL): Architecturally stunning, with open spaces that inspire innovation. Great for conferences linked to design, research, or technology.

  • Collection de l’Art Brut Museum: Adds a cultural, creative twist to product launches or networking evenings.

  • Chaplin’s World (nearby Vevey): Memorable for gala dinners or corporate storytelling events.

Planning Tips Specific to Lausanne

  • Book early: SwissTech and Beaulieu often book 12–18 months in advance.

  • Transportation: Lausanne’s metro (M1, M2) connects most major venues. Provide attendees with metro passes to simplify logistics.

  • Multilingual audiences: Many events require simultaneous translation (FR/EN/DE). Check that the venue has booths or space for interpreters.

  • Catering diversity: Lausanne venues are accustomed to international guests — request multicultural menu options, including vegetarian, halal, or kosher.

  • Hybrid readiness: Ensure fiber connections, streaming cameras, and AV staff are included in the package. SwissTech and Beaulieu excel here.

  • Cultural touch: Add value by including a visit to Lavaux vineyards or a boat cruise on Lake Geneva as part of the event program.

Which Venue for Which Event?

  • 5,000-person congress → Beaulieu Convention Center.

  • 2,000-person tech summit → SwissTech Convention Center.

  • 500-person luxury gala → Beau-Rivage Palace.

  • 300-person seminar → Lausanne Palace or Aquatis.

  • 250-person workshop → Starling Hotel Lausanne.

  • Executive board dinner (20 people) → Private salon at Beau-Rivage Palace or Lausanne Palace.

  • Creative product launch → Olympic Museum or Rolex Learning Center.

Conclusion

Lausanne has everything a company needs for successful corporate events: international accessibility, a wide range of venues, and a reputation for excellence. From massive congresses at SwissTech or Beaulieu to luxury galas at Beau-Rivage Palace, and creative receptions in cultural spaces, the city can adapt to every scenario.

If you’re planning an event in Lausanne, don’t forget the importance of professional documentation. High-quality images extend the life of your event long after the last guest leaves. Work with an expert like Gabriel Gorgi, professional event photographer in Lausanne to capture the energy, prestige, and authenticity of your corporate gathering.