Countless major events had to be significantly reduced or even cancelled due to the pandemic. The Impulse Network, the student-run HSG initiative and parent organization of the Sports Business Club @ HSG (SBC), also experienced this and had to postpone the physical Impulse Summit by one year. In 2020, albeit being a full success, the Summit was transformed to a one-week virtual Impulse Week with two daily sessions. On 28 October , it was finally time for the gates of Haus Würth in Rorschach to open once again and admit personalities from the world of sports and the sports industry.
Impulse generator
Together with 50 students, the 5-member organizing committee called for a discussion amongst sports officials and, with the chosen theme of «Lessons Learned», provided an impetus to recapitulate the past and collectively draw lessons from the experience. With a focus on digitalization, innovation leadership and responsibility, participants were encouraged to compare the impacts and consequences of the pandemic across industries, share experiences and collectively implement «Lessons Learned».
Covid-19: interfering impulse and opportunity
Despite vast losses, conference participants were quick to agree that Covid was and is as much of an opportunity as it is a detriment for the sports industry. The pandemic caused many clubs to lose important sponsors, some had to fear for their existence, and countless disappeared altogether. At the same time, this dark period was able to bring important insights to light. For example, as could be seen from various discussions, Covid brought an inestimable added value in the form of positive side effects, such as more rapid digitisation, more flexible adaptations to changes, and an indication of the importance of a healthy corporate culture.
Impulse for change
First and foremost, however, Covid displayed the key aspect of sports: people. Regardless of the size of clubs, the profitability of partnerships, or the reach of events, the sports industry depends on the individual. The sessions came to the unanimous conclusion that, in the future, greater value must be placed on the importance of stable partnerships on a business and personal level.
Maintaining impulse
The Impulse Summit 2021 thus once again offered experts and students a platform for international and cross-generational dialogue. This intergenerational dialogue is heavily dependent on the future of the industry: young students. Hence, «Global Talents», as the international student participants are called, are of vital importance to the Impulse Summit – and sometimes even care for the comedic side of things. This was, for instance, the case at a discussion in the plenary hall, after a member of the team started her speech with a statement about the dinner the night before: «I was the youngest at the table – by far»! The crowd instantly broke out laughing and a smooth start for an open and honest discussion was made. The conference was therefore able to highlight the importance of responsible and sustainable interaction and visibly drew the participants into the spell of a promising future for sports.
Do you want to join the 2022 Impulse Summit Team? Apply now:
https://impulse.network/team-application-2022/
