The meeting with Karin Ernlund at the Stockholm School of Economics was a follow-up from the visit to Stockholm City Hall with Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic who, among others, visited the Stockholm School of Economics for a lecture on March 8th. Ernlund, City Council for Sports, and Carlsson-Wall, Director for Center for Sports and Business, among others, talked about how the City of Stockholm and the Stockholm School of Economics can cooperate regarding sports and health. 

Vice Mayor Ernlund described the importance of creating closer bonds between the city and academia and showed great interest in the work of the Center. In January 2022, the City of Stockholm announced a multi-year project focusing on large international sports and cultural events. By strengthening coordination between units within the City of Stockholm, but also with external parties such as SSE, the ambition is to develop Stockholm as a great destination and venue for international events. 

The Center for Sports and Business was the academic advisor to the Swedish Olympic Committee during the bid campaign for the 2026 Olympic Games. Even though Sweden did not win, we learned a great deal. 

During the spring of 2022, a CEMS student team is helping the City of Stockholm with the development of the international event strategy. This project together with research and other outreach activities from the Center for Sports and Business will deepen the relationship between SSE and the City of Stockholm. Reflecting on the partnership with the City of Stockholm, Martin Carlsson-Wall, the Director for the Center for Sports and Business says:

"The City of Stockholm is one of SSE's most important partners. The land where SSE's main building on Sveavägen 65 stands is owned by the City and they have supported our research for many decades. I look forward to deepening the collaboration with an explicit sports theme. We fully support the City's new ambitious agenda to become an international destination where large events play a key role." 

Karin Ernlund served as President of the Centre Party’s Student Union between 2009-2011. Since 2015, she is the Group Leader of the Centre Party in Stockholm City, and serves as the City Council for labor market, integration and sports since 2015 as well as the Deputy Mayor of Stockholm City.