Visit.brussels | Visit Brussels
Brussels : an irresistible attractionWelcome to Brussels, Europe’s capital city and more than ever, its major regional hub for international associations.This year visit.brussels accelerates its strategic shift towards developing the city as the major European gateway for more than 2,000 international associations based in Brussels. Helping them achieve their international business goals is now our top priority.Brussels has joined already Washington, Dubai and Singapore in the Global Association Hubs partnership, to help associations grow in the world’s key regions and serve their overseas members.The annual European Association Summit (EAS) in Brussels organised as a peer-to-peer knowledge and learning forum, is an early success from our new approach supporting associations.N° 1 European city for association congresses: Brussels’ popularity as a meeting centre continues to strengthen. For the 6th consecutive year, UIA (Union of International Associations) rankings show Brussels is the N° 1 European city for association congresses. Looking at the wider meetings and events market, Brussels ranks firmly in the top 10 destinations in Europe, ahead of many larger rivals, according to Cvent, the leading event management platform. On a worldwide basis Brussels has jumped four places up the ladder to 11th spot, based on 2014 data from the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association).The most diverse capital in Europe: The infrastructure and resources developed to host the European institutions and the meetings industry have helped project Brussels as a truly global centre. Indeed the latest ranking of the International organisation for Migration positions Brussels as the second most cosmopolitan city in the world! It is clear that people everywhere want to come and work in Brussels.Stream of new attractions: In parallel to the meetings industry, this is also an exciting time for cultural development in Brussels.The first museum in Brussels Expo park has just opened: the Atomium Art & Design Museum (quickly adopted as ADAM) and the inauguration of the Train World museum in one of the city’s finest old railway stations. Now eyes are turned to the canal area, where life is bouncing back. The MIMA (Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art) in March 2016, will be followed by MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in the iconic Art Nouveau Citro?n building in a few years: Brussels’ own centre for modern art competing with the best in Europe! On a lighter note, Brussels will put its proud popular heritage on show at the opening of the Belgian Beer World in the old stock exchange building in 2018. And last but not least, The House of European History is opening this very year…With so much happening in the city, we all look forward to welcoming you soon in Brussels – the diverse international city and European gateway!Summary TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u 1. Brussels in figures PAGEREF _Toc448505356 \h 42. Brussels, the meeting capital of Europe PAGEREF _Toc448505357 \h 53. Brussels can host any type of event PAGEREF _Toc448505358 \h 74. Upcoming meeting events PAGEREF _Toc448505363 \h 105. Educational programmes PAGEREF _Toc448505368 \h 126. New in Brussels PAGEREF _Toc448505369 \h 137. Upcoming openings PAGEREF _Toc448505370 \h 178. visit.brussels PAGEREF _Toc448505371 \h 199. Press information PAGEREF _Toc448505372 \h 24In this press kit, the information about Brussels as an international meeting centre is set out in brief. More details can be found on the visit.brussels “Pro & Press” – “Meeting” section.1. Brussels in figures1,175,173 million inhabitants (January 2015) 19 districts161 km?Bi-lingual French/Dutch with English and other languages widely spoken183 nationalities, 45 of which have populations of more than 1,000??? Capital of 500 million Europeans28 EU countries represented, with 23 languages2nd European city in terms of languages spoken (Major European City – Financial Times)20 organisations of the European Union40,000 civil servants from the EU20,000 lobbyistsMore than 1,000 international press correspondents1st city worldwide with the highest number of diplomats : 5,400 (FPS Foreign Affairs)More than 2,200 international associations The international presence generates 121,000 jobs (81,000 directly and 40,000 indirectly)3rd European city for economic potential (Major European City – Financial Times)4th European city in terms of easy access to markets (Major European City – Financial Times)2nd most diverse population city worldwide (World Migration Report 2015)More than 200 hotels12***** / 52**** / 67*** /41** /15*6,45 million overnight stays in 2015, 54,9% overnight stays for business purpose Around 20,000 hotel rooms350 meeting venues1st European congress city and 2nd congress city in the world (UIA - Union of International Associations)11th city in ICCA rankings 2014 (ICCA - The International Congress and Convention AssociationIn the European top 5 for multimodal access Main airport is just 20 minutes by train or by the Airport bus line from the city centreEasy train access by Thalys (Paris) or Eurostar (London)The 4 metro lines, 17 tram lines, 50 bus lines and 11 night bus lines makes every part of the city easily reachable by public transportBikes for rent all over town27m? of green space per habitant20 protected nature areasMore information:About Brussels in figuresAbout Europe in Brussels – Figures 20162. Brussels, the meeting capital of EuropeBrussels is number one in Europe and number two in the world when it comes to hosting the meetings of international associations. And it is the unrivalled top host city for the offices of international associations. So says the Union of International Associations (UIA), an independent research institute that has been observing and documenting international civil society for over one hundred years. And it is located in Brussels.It does, of course, depend on what is meant by “international associations”. The UIA’s classification codes help us sort out what is commonly acceptable and gives us (at the moment) more than 2,200 international associations. The same necessity for definition applies to the meetings of associations: according to the UIA’s criteria, there were 442 such meetings in Brussels in 2014, attended by over 285,000 people coming from around the world. If these numbers do not sound impressive, consider this: the international associations located in Belgium (80% of them are in Brussels) had a total budget of 2.9 billion euros in Belgium in 2013, and they employed 31,000 people. Add to this the services required by their more than 2,000 offices and it is clear that the total impact of international associations on the economic life of Brussels is substantial. Brussels hosts more international associations than any other city in the world, whether we’re talking about intergovernmental or non-governmental bodies. Worldwide, it is second only to Singapore. Ten years ago, Paris was number one in Europe and in the world, while Singapore wasn’t even in the top ten. Why do international associations choose to locate their offices in Brussels? Why do they hold their meetings in Brussels? The presence of the European Union, NATO, the offices of more than 2,000 international associations, 15,000 lobbyists, more than 1,000 press correspondents, regular summits of the 28 heads of state, as well as the many facilities such as the AISBL status, good universities and hospitals, its central geographical position and accessibility, the professional services and the presence of the FAIB (Federation of European and International Associations established in Belgium) contribute to the attraction of Brussels.Global Association HubsDubai Association Centre, Destination DC, Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau and visit.brussels have launched of the Global Association Hubs Partnership. The partnership assists international associations grow and better serve their overseas members by using respective partner cities as regional conduits to extend their efforts around the world. The development cements the positions of the four partner cities – Dubai, Washington DC, Singapore and Brussels – as the leading global hubs for international associations and creates synergistic relationships which ensure key advantages for international associations. The partnership also helps reduce barriers, and facilitate the activities of international associations seeking to work across different cultures. The partner cities, each global hubs for international associations, will leverage the synergies of working together while still promoting their individual destinations. The partners will use each city’s status as a gateway to support association activities in their respective part of the world. Furthermore, the partnership will also allow cross-promotion of partner cities to decision makers in charge of global strategies and expansion plans. The initiative comes as a response to the increasing decentralization of international associations, which are looking to develop and better support their global membership base. The new partnership will also serve as an effective global platform upon which international associations can build capacity in each region, and capitalize on the potential of each region’s growth in activities and membership.The Global Association Hubs have each a strong identity, priorities and course of action in growing international associations’ activities in their specific city. However, they share a common understanding and expertise in working with international associations, giving them a unique competitive advantage: According to the Union of International Associations (UIA), the cities are the leading bases for association headquarters and regional offices in their respective regions of the world. They have established creative partnerships with local economic development agencies and have engaged in innovative teamwork with their local association partners, making them the natural gateways into their respective Regions. They already perform a wide range of specific services for international associations. 3. Brussels can host any type of eventBrussels offers the vital element that conference organisers search for: a wide choice of venues. Indeed organisers can choose from a vast selection of venues specifically for conferences ranging from large, modern well-equipped sites to architectural masterpieces and museums adapted to the latest requirements of the meeting industry.This great variety of meeting venues and infrastructures provides capacities of between 10 and 10,000 persons.Brussels offers a large number of conference hotels, a congress centre, an exhibition park and a vast choice of reception rooms of all styles from the most classical to ultra-modern. There is also a wide selection of ancient museums, private historical houses, ballrooms, Art Nouveau buildings, even castles and cellars, guaranteed to meet any individual requirement.In total Brussels can offer more than 350 meeting venues & hotels, broken down as follows:208 venues:Conference & Exhibition Centres26Cultural & Sport Centres32Historical Buildings and Museums74Miscellaneous and contemporary venues51Theatre, Concert Halls21Castles4149 hotelsBrussels key sites selectionBrussels ExpoThe architectural fa?ade features a unique mix of innovative 20th-century technologies. Brussels Expo is just 20 minutes from the city centre and covers approximately 115,000m? of space divided into 12 imposing halls, 5 of which date from the Universal Exposition of 1935. The other halls were constructed between 1958, the date of the second Universal Exposition, and 1998. All the halls are equipped with the latest technology. Brussels Expo also has an auditorium that can accommodate 1,800 people. More information: About Brussels Expo Hall 12In the summer of 2013, a new hall opened at Brussels Expo. Hall 12 is now Brussels' biggest congress and entertainment hall in Brussels. This state-of-the-art modular facility can welcome up to 15,000 spectators for international congresses, concerts and sports events. Hall 12 is also a key component of the on-going NEO project, designed to rejuvenate the area around Brussels Expo. More information:About Palais 12 SQUARESQUARE-BRUSSELS MEETING CENTRE opened in September 2009. It offers a generous 13,000m? in the heart of the city centre with the latest high-tech equipment.SQUARE occupies the entire site of the former Palais des Congrès, which was built for the International Exposition of 1958. Many original attributes such as the enormous wall paintings by Paul Delvaux, René Magritte and Louis van Lint have been restored and now accompany the contemporary setting created by a European team of designers. SQUARE provides 3,600m? of exhibition space and its main auditorium can accommodate 1,200 persons. Situated next to BOZAR (Centre for Fine Arts) with its 2,100-seats concert hall, combinations can be organised for larger congresses.More information: About SQUARE Tour & Taxis The four giant sheds of Tour & Taxis represent an area of 17,400m? and were initially used for transit goods at the beginning of the 19th century. Today Tour & Taxis has become a venue benchmark.Tour & Taxis consists of a vast private car park, large halls that can be divided into numerous configurations accommodating up to 5,000 persons, loading jetties and a glazed metallic saw tooth roof. The Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair, the Book Fair, Art Brussels, are just some of the major events organised on the site every year.The site of Tour & Taxis has welcomed a new iconic building in 2014: the amazing passive office building of BEL.brussels, hosting also a 415-seats auditorium and a spacious atrium that can be used for cocktails and receptions.More information:About Tour & Taxis Brussels Special VenuesBrussels Special Venues is an association of 32 unique meeting & event spaces in Brussels. This association manages a great variety of events in venues including congresses, conferences, press conferences, business meetings, concerts, presentations, product launches, award ceremonies, staff parties, New Year receptions, gala dinners, walking dinners, and many others.Each of the venues has its own individual character and feel: authentic Art Deco, renewed and renovated industrial heritage, designer spaces, museums with a difference, concert halls & theatre stages... with capacities from 10 to 10,000 people. All combined with the latest in meeting & event technology.More information: About Brussels Special Venues Sustainable meetingsThe 66,000 registered meetings per year multiplied by the amount of drinks, food, travel, paper, water and waste per person represent an enormous impact on the environment. On the other hand it also offers an incredible opportunity for Brussels and its multiple offices to be leading examples in the organisation of sustainable meetings & events.Brussels is classified as Europe's first sustainable city for its environmental policy! Out of 30 European capitals, Brussels ranks 9th, ahead of Paris and London, in the European Green City Index or ranking of sustainable cities. In particular, Brussels comes joint top with Copenhagen when it comes to public environmental policy. Through a venue selection, hotels, transports, catering, waste management or conference material, a lot of sustainable options can be put together.More information:About sustainable meetings About how to organize sustainable meetings & in Brussels (practical guide)About the Green City Index4. Upcoming meeting eventsA selection of international Congresses and Professional Fairs & Exhibitions in Brussels in 2016:ISICEM- International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine – March (Annually)This 4-days annual meeting provides an important update in all aspects of intensive care and emergency medicine for the more than 6,000 physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who attend from over 100 countries around the world.TEDxBrussels Brussels (Annually) TEDxBrussels brings world-class speakers to the heart of Europe with over 2,000 influential audience members to push the frontiers of knowledge.The German Marshall Fund’s Brussels Forum (Annually)Is an annual high-level meeting of the most influential North American and European political, corporate, and intellectual leaders to address pressing challenges currently facing both sides of the Atlantic. SPIE Photonics Europe 2016 – AprilIs the premier research conference in Europe?presenting metamaterials, nanophotonics, biophotonics, quantum technologies, optical sensing, photonic fibers, and laser technologies among others.AFRAVIH, 8th International French-speaking conference on HIV/Hepatitis - AprilART BRUSSELS – April (Annually)Art Brussels is a contemporary art fair that takes place in Tour & Taxis in Brussels, Europe’s most upcoming and exciting art city.Seafood Expo Global & Seafood Processing Global – April/May (Annually)Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global is the world’s largest seafood trade event. More than 25,800 buyers, suppliers, media, and other seafood professionals from 150 countries visit the exposition.EBS – European Business Summit – May/June (Annually)European Business Summit (EBS) is an organisation that creates one of the largest networking?and debating events in Brussels. Through its events and publications, EBS delivers an inspired and informed contribution to policy-making in Europe.EAS – European Association Summit – May/June (Annually) Now in its fourth year, the European Associations Summit has established itself as THE annual peer-to-peer education and networking forum for international association executives and senior staff.GEEW - Gastoenterology and Endotherapy European Workshop - June (Annually)13th FELASA Congress - JuneThe 13th Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) Congress will include topics such as Animals, Alternatives, Ethics, HR, Science and Technology, Administrative burden, Public support and Animal welfare bodies.?European Dog Show 2016 - AugustMoOD - September (Annually) International trade fair for producers of upholstery, window & wall coverings.Labelexpo – September/October (every other year- next edition in 2017)Is the?world's?largest event for the label and?package printing industry.Open Days – October (Annually)The European Week of Regions and Cities (Open Days) is an annual four-days event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.AIDEX - The Global Humanitarian & Development Aid Event – November (Annually) The Global Humanitarian & Development Aid Event is the leading international event for professionals in aid and development.5. Educational programmesThe European Association SummitOrganised by visit.brussels since 2013, the European Associations Summit has established itself as THE annual peer-to-peer education and networking forum for international association executives and senior staff.Brussels is not a random choice for such a gathering of professionals: as said before, the European Capital is Europe’s number one city in terms of the number of associations domiciled.For the fourth consecutive year, visit.brussels is organising the European Association Summit (EAS) in Brussels on 31 May, 1 & 2 June. The event has become an unmissable opportunity to share information and knowledge, and network with other international associations. This annual peer-to-peer education and networking forum is being organised in collaboration with the European Business Summit (EBS) and the leading partners in the sector: ESAE (European Society of Association Executives), FAIB (Federation of European & International Associations established in Belgium) and UIA (Union of International Associations).The programme features success stories on cutting-edge practices in diverse areas of association management.Exchanging information and sharing best practices with professional colleagues across countries and sectors throw light on what “champions” have undertaken to revitalize their associations and how they went about implementing new working models.More information:About the European Association SummitTwo university postgraduate programmes: two visions for the future With the support of visit.brussels and professional associations, the Solvay Brussels School has launched two postgraduate courses: the Executive Master in?International Association Management and the Executive Master in?Hotel management. Two industries that are incredibly important for Europe’s capital, both in terms of its profile and the economy and jobs created. The courses for both masters will be based on the fundamental skills needed to manage an international association or a hotel. The Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (SBS-EM) is a benchmark for participants, businesses and institutes that want to reap the rewards of the highest level of education and research in the fields of economics and management in Europe.More information: About the Executive Master in International Association Management About the About the Execute Master in Hotel managementAbout the Solvay Brussels School6. New in BrusselsNew hotelsPentahotel City Center (Spring 2015)Visitors to Brussels are able to experience the laid-back welcome of Pentahotel in the centre of town near the fashionable Louise district. Transformation of the former Mercure Brussels Louise Center into a Pentahotel has been completed in April 2015. Like other Pentahotels, it brings business, pleasure and communal spaces together, giving guests an informal “neighbourhood lifestyle” experience. Travellers are also able to check in at a Pentahotel lifestyle lobby (which multi-functions as a reception, bar and café) at Brussels Airport.More information:About Pentahotel Belvue hotel (May 2015)Since May last year, part of the old Belle-Vue brewery has served as an industrial looking hotel with 150 rooms. Located right on the Brussels canal, it offers one of the nicest views in the capital. The venue was converted into a passive, energy conserving building. More information:About Belvue Hotel The Augustin (July 2015)The Augustin is a 4* boutique hotel offering 47 spacious guest rooms with a view over the city or the garden terrace. Recently renovated and refurbished, The Augustin is located in the heart of Brussels, only a few hundred meters away from the Grand Place, the Sablon and the Brussels South Station. Business guests also have access to a 45 m2 meeting room located next to the Augustino Lounge bar overlooking the terrace. More information:About The AugustinTrain Hostel (Since November 2015)Two steps from the Schaerbeek Station and from Train World, the Train Hostel provides lodging that is out of the ordinary. From the entrance, in the compartments and into the interior of each of the 26 rooms, a train theme prevails throughout the hotel, which can accommodate 200 people. Families, friends and school groups, all are welcome aboard.More information:About Train Hostel9Hotel Sablon (March 2016)Located in the Sablon quarter, between art galleries and antiques shops, 9Hotel Sablon is a place of inspiration and creation. The hotel and its spacious 34 rooms are furnished in a loft-style, with an elegant mix of minimal design pieces and Indian antiques found on Rajasthan roads. 9Hotel Sablon also offers a dedicated well-being space with whirlpool and Finnish sauna. More information:About the 9Hotel Sablon Radisson Red Brussels (April 2016)Radisson Red is a 4* luxury property offering an exclusive experience centered on art, design and music, and is part of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. It has 149 bedrooms, 3 events & games studios, restaurant, private parking, bar and a Red fitness with sauna. It is situated on site of the former Radisson Blu EU, in the heart of the EU district and on the doorstep of the European Parliament.More information:About The Radisson Red Brussels Tangla Hotel & Resorts (Spring 2016)For the first time, a high end Oriental designed hotel has landed in the European Capital. Tangla Hotels and Resorts International, a company duly registered in Hong Kong, is the professional, international hotel management arm of the HNA Hospitality Group. It is a 5* property offering 187 bedrooms and several meeting rooms. It is situated on the site of the former Sodehotel.More information:About Tangla Hotel New venues with meeting & reception facilities ADAM – Art & Design Atomium Museum Located at one of Brussels’ major tourism attractions, this new museum puts the spotlight on the glorious years of plastic, alongside art and design from the 20th and 21st centuries. ADAM is spread over 5,000 m2, almost half of which is devoted to a permanent exhibition of the collection of Philipe Decelle.Started in the 1980’s, this striking collection, the only one of its kind in the world, brings together several hundreds of plastic objects ranging from the most commonplace to works of art. As the space cannot hold all of the pieces, exhibits will be changed every year, offering new discoveries with each visit, an incentive to come back time and again. More information:About ADAMClub des VThe "Club des V" is an exclusive private club dedicated to the world of motor racing where one can relax with friends, true connoisseurs or mere enthusiasts in a casual playful atmosphere. The space brings together exceptional pieces from the collections of some of its members: racing cars, models, signed helmets, etc. The Club's exclusive members have the opportunity to meet well-known figures from the automobile world, but also personalities from the media, entertainment and business arena. They are also invited to monthly reunions, thematic evenings, events centered around prestigious guests or film projections, all of which are destined to enhance the sense of community embodied by the "Club des V". The Club and its amenities may also by hired for private or corporate events, diners, conventions, seminars and incentives.Covering an area of 500 m2, the "Club des V" can accommodate cocktails up to 500 persons and seated dinners for 50. Its projection room has 50 seats.More information:About Club des VLa MadeleineLocated in the heart of Brussels (250 m from the famous Grand Place/Town Hall), La Madeleine is a medium-sized concert hall with a rich history and a strong personality. The layout of the modular hall (250 to 1,050 people) and private rooms can be arranged to suit every need. Designed to be modular, the venue allow concerts as well as any type of show, presentation, cocktail, dinner or event.La Madeleine was the first covered market in Brussels and inaugurated in 1848. It was also one of Brussels’ first large metal constructions. The Madeleine market was destroyed in 1957 and gave way to the festival hall of the City of Brussels. The cut stone fa?ade, whose elevation is inspired by the Loggia dei Lanzi in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, was kept as the front of a new building. For fifty years, the hall welcomed a host of festive and cultural events of all kinds. The venue is also known to the public for its receptions. More information:About La MadeleineMIMA (Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art) The Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art is a contemporary art museum – the only one of its kind in Europe – that takes the public through a history of ‘Culture 2.0’. ‘Culture 2.0’ is the version of culture that dawned with the Internet age and has broken away from the traditional codes of contemporary art to explore new worlds and establish a different relationship with the public. The venue offers temporary exhibitions, a permanent collection, meetings, screenings, concerts and performances in an area of more than 1,200 m2 spread over four floors. For its opening, MIMA scheduled the exhibition “City Lights”. Four artists from the US headlined MIMA’s first temporary exhibition: Momo, Faile, Maya Hayuk, Swoon. These iconic figures of Art 2.0 created four installations specifically for the occasion. MIMA is situated on the remarkable site of the former “Belle-Vue” brewery in the canal area. More information:About MIMALa Patinoire RoyaleLa Patinoire Royale or ? Royal Skating ?, as the Belgians used to call it, was built in 1877 in the heart of the Saint- Gilles district. The building was originally used as a roller skating rink, one of the first in Europe. The Brussels Region declared the Patinoire royale a historical monument in 1995.. La Patinoire Royale now welcomes temporary exhibitions exploring the great milestones of artistic creation in Europe during the second half of the 20th century in the fields of plastic arts and design. These exhibitions will be held on the initiative of La Patinoire Royale itself or of word-class galleries invited to co-produce historic exhibitions. With a combined surface of about 3,000 m?, La Patinoire Royale and Galerie Valérie Bach are one of the largest privately held spaces devoted to modern and contemporary art in Europe.More information:About HYPERLINK "" La Patinoire RoyaleTrain WorldThe first railway line in continental Europe was built in 1835 and linked Brussels with Mechelen. But up to now, there was nothing much to celebrate this great innovation, so it was time to fill that gap. Train World is Brussels's railway museum and is anything but traditional! Thanks to the imagination of designer Fran?ois Schuiten, it is more like a railway opera. Architecture and scenography shines the spotlight on the various aspects of this sector, which is rooted in both travel and transport: the passenger, the infrastructure, the change in rolling stock, from the past to now and to the future, sustainable development and even utopias. More information:About Train World 7. Upcoming openingsThe House of European History – opening in 2016The permanent exhibition in this museum will focus mainly on 20th century European history and the history of European integration, based on the very different experiences that Europeans have known. The House of European History aims to convey a transnational overview of European history, taking into account its diverse nature and its many interpretations. More information:About The House of European History Choco-Story – move and installation planned for end 2016-early 2017Choco-Story, the Chocolate Museum is a source of data and historical, geographical and botanical information as well as recipes for industrial and individual chocolate makers, teachers and students, and chocolate lovers.Choco-Story, currently on the Rue de la Tête d’Or, will move to Rue de l’?tuve for a larger exhibition space.More information:About HYPERLINK "" Choco-StoryCentral Africa Museum – Reopening in 2017The proposal for renovation of the Africa Museum was approved by the federal council of ministers in July 2006 and has been assigned to the Stéphane Beel Architectenbureau on September 11th, 2007. The preliminary design fully modernizes the museum, but in so far as possible retains the historical vista of the building. Besides the renovation of the museum building, a master plan is also being developed with a long-term vision for the whole site.More information:About Central Africa MuseumThe DROH!ME Meltink Park - 2018A new generation of leisure parks : The DROH!ME Melting Park project will introduce an entirely new generation of active leisure parks which above all aims to be active, intergenerational and focused on nature. This ambition will be developed through the park's five aspects : sports, culture, nature, active education and leisure. This combination of offers will make DROH!ME Melting Park a unique, pioneering concept in Europe, which will be ranked as a landmark destination in Brussels, capital of Europe.DROH!ME will naturally fit into the aim of “Brussels, sustainable city” and will be an emblematic actor of the objective. Until the official opening, DROH!ME offers activities to go alongside corporate, institutional or private events : golf initiation, starting point for walks through the forest, sports activities around the track (jogging, cycling,…).More information:About DROH!ME Belgian Beer World– 2018City authorities have given the green light to start work on the new 12,000 m? “Belgian Beer World” (Temple de la bière belge / Biertempel). It will open its doors when renovation of the famous neo-classic stock exchange has been completed. Visitors will be able to trace Belgium’s proud brewing history and enjoy a total beer experience in one of Brussels’ finest buildings.MoMA Brussels – 2019Brussels will have its own centre for modern art in a few years and aims to compete with the best in Europe. The Brussels Regional government has purchased the iconic art nouveau Citro?n building by the Brussels canal, and plans to transform it into a 16,000m? showcase for modern art. The deal is part of the government’s plan to make Brussels one of Europe’s cultural capitals and not just home to the EU institutions. “We need to start playing in the big league” says Brussels Region President, Rudi Vervoort. “We will have our MoMA, our Guggenheim.”The new Brussels art house won’t have to look far for its first exhibits. Sitting in storage at Belgium’s Royal Museums of Fine Arts is a modernist collection that includes works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Francis Bacon… just waiting for a wall.NEO – 2021The city of Brussels has set itself the objective of enhancing the everyday life of its inhabitants and reinforcing its international attractiveness by creating an ambitious urban project on the Heysel plateau. This unique site receives over 5 million visitors a year and is ideally located at the heart of Europe’s capital. NEO is an ambitious and visionary re-urbanisation based on the sustainable development of a multitude of different urban facilities and functions. The NEO project will include a convention centre, worthy of the name, in the capital of Europe. NEO will be the centre of human, economic, commercial, touristic, cultural leisure and home development creating 5,000 new jobs in the long-term.Phase 1 of NEO will be completed in 2021. The convention centre will be part of Phase 2.More information:About NEOMedia City – 2022This mega project will redevelop the nation’s TV broadcasting centre which fronts onto Boulevard Reyers where the airport motorway enters the city. The plan will create a state-of-the-art media city with broadcasters and specialist media companies surrounded by housing, retail outlets and park areas on the 450,000 m ? site. An ambitious programme that will modernize the nation’s broadcasting capabilities and expand Reyers’ business core. 8. visit.brusselsvisit.brussels, the communication agency for tourism in the Brussels-Capital RegionIts aim is to promote and strengthen the image of the capital of 500 million Europeans. Each of its departments has a specific mission: Sales promotion and advisory services to motivate professionalsTour Operators, to think of Brussels as an essential destination when visiting EuropeJournalists, by giving them material for fascinating articlesConference & event organisers, by highlighting the talent of Brussels for business tourism and by finding with them the meeting, accommodations and service locations they dream ofCommunication: to design and produce internet sites, brochures, products and items that make people want to be in BrusselsCulture and tourism: to make known the rich heritage of the city and the pleasure of living ’Brussels style’Major events: to organise or support the major festive, cultural or sports events that make Brussels a city where something is always happeningBrussels cinema: to facilitate production of films in which Brussels is the decor... and the star!The site visit.brussels, a veritable gold mine of easily accessible information, has now become the ideal travel companion for everyone.First of all, the new graphics on the visit.brussels site offer a redesigned search engine with a filtering system for very personalised content. It links activities with dates and Brussels neighbourhoods. The search precisely meets the web visitor's expectations, from a selection of 6,000 events, restaurants, bars, museums, exhibitions, etc. Thus the site casts those who energise the Brussels-Capital Region in the best possible light.In addition, the site is now adapted to all formats with no download required. On a computer, tablet, or smartphone, it displays as a "web app" and, thanks to a GPS system, provides a real-time selection of the best options that are just a stone's throw away.It also offers rich editorial content. Depending on the season, user, and current events, articles on various Brussels subjects will be published and featured: gourmet cuisine, architecture, events, nightlife, etc.More information: About visit.brussels : visit.brussels The visit.brussels strategic plan 2016In 2015, all non-profit organisations operating in the tourism industry merged within the new visit.brussels structure. visit.brussels is now be the sole player for the development of Brussels tourist proposals and marketing.Thanks to the MICE and the 442 conventions they bring, Brussels leads the European Union and ranks second globally as a convention destination. In four years, overnight hotel stays have increased by 40%, to surpass the nearly 7 million mark in 2014, 53% of which derive from business travel. Leisure travel also expanded, going from 41% of total overnight stays in 2000, or 1.91 million, to 47.3%, or 3.13 million, in 2014.The region has undeniably become a prized city-break destination, especially thanks to its cultural dynamism and special events.The cultural sector, which currently represents 24,000 employees and 2,700 independent contractors, is also an essential source of economic growth and employment expansion for Brussels, and visit.brussels reiterates its desire to participate in the dissemination of cultural content throughout the Brussels Region.With its new strategic plan, Brussels is setting itself the ambitious goal of 10 million overnight stays by 2020. visit.brussels will pursue its affinity strategy and its plan boasts several innovations. New affinity themes will be developed, such as theatre, diversity, geek culture, etc.With its new plan, visit.brussels also affirms its desire to develop tourism in all of Brussels communities.It prides itself on developing tourism that is respectful of residents. The visit.brussels’ strategic plan also intends to place special emphasis on “tourism for all” in order that the city might be fully accessible to everyone, especially those living with a handicap.The plan which was recently presented to the media and tourism industry players has been developed in recent months in close collaboration with the economic, cultural, and social players that will now have permanent representation on the visit.brussels strategic committee, empowered to set the association’s strategic action agenda.More information:The Strategic Plan is available upon request.visit.brussels Convention & Association BureauThe Meeting & Association Bureau helps every organiser – whether it is an association, a company or an intermediary agency – by providing information about potential local suppliers. This includes the selection of the venue, an introduction to PCOs and DMCs, and other services before and after the event.What’s more, in order to help increase the number of requests, visit.brussels attends professional fairs and shows in Europe and beyond.visit.brussels promotes the destination exclusively to congresses whose criteria meet the Brussels offer precisely.The staff of the Meeting & Association Bureau works on several dozen applications a week, providing details on the capacities of venues and hotels, and information on possible visits. The visit.brussels Meeting & Association Bureau uses various strategies to increase the attendance of congresses in Brussels. Specific actions are undertaken, such as:Personalised welcome for the participants at the airport and in Brussels railway stationsVisibility of the congress on the visit.brussels websiteAccommodation solutions for congresses with a large number of delegates offered by the Brussels Booking Desk. It can also obtain competitive prices when hotels are booked.More information:About the HYPERLINK "" visit.brussels Convention & Association Bureau Brussels Booking DeskThe Brussels Booking Desk (BBD) is the dedicated "Accommodation Booking Service" linked to the Brussels Meeting & Association Bureau (visit.brussels) supported by the Brussels Hotels Association (BHA) and Brussels Enterprises Commerce and Industry (BECI).?The Brussels Booking Desk offers tailor made solutions for event organizers and participants in the reservation of hotel rooms in Brussels.More information: About the Brussels Booking Desk visit.brussels advisory and welcome servicesWhatever stage has been reached in the conference planning process, the visit.brussels team of experts is there to provide potential meeting clients with independent and neutral advice, and with free of charge welcome services. The team will do everything possible to ensure that the meeting is a success, and to assist the organizers during every step of the organisation of the congress.For large conferences, visit.brussels can:Help prepare a high-quality bid book: an essential step for a successful candidature;Request support from relevant politicians and authorities in Brussels;Support the organizers through the Brussels Fund for Scientific Congresses*Help to sell the Brussels destination to decision-makers with power points presentations, short films on Brussels and any relevant information on Brussels as hosting city.Expertise and advice for finding the best location (conference venue, hotel, museum, theatre…) for congress and social programme.Help to organize the site inspectionsIntroduce to professional suppliers experienced in particular business area: PCOs, DMCs, event organizers, and trade fairs, AMCs if you are a non-profit organisation, interpretation agencies, caterers, transport services, and any other suppliers neededHelp select accommodation and then pre-book with advantageous rates and conditions through the Brussels Booking Desk, an accommodation booking service attached to visit.brusselsPlan and advise on social programmes for persons accompanying the delegatesPut a welcome desk at the airport and international train station - an easy point of contact as soon as your delegates arrivePut a Brussels information desk in your congress venue. A dedicated concierge can assist delegates with touristic information, online flight check-in and restaurant or entertainment bookings.More information: About the visit.brussels advisory and welcome servicesInformation at meetings@visit.brussels Brussels Fund for Scientific CongressesEvery year some 870 scientific conferences of more than 50 delegates are organised in Belgium by academic organisations, 255 of them by Brussels-based organisations. This fund has a triple objective: to promote scientific research in Brussels; to develop the city’s reputation as a centre of innovation; and to increase the number of congresses held in the capital. visit.brussels lacked two essential tools for providing organisers with optimum support in the organization of their congresses and leading them through the complicated maze of the meetings industry, thereby increasing the number of scientific congresses held in Brussels.The Brussels Fund for Scientific Congresses fulfils this double mission:Offering the possibility of pre-financing to scientific congresses which do not have access to creditProviding scientific congresses organised in Brussels with subsidies for each international delegate.More and more international associations are taking advantage of support from the Brussels Fund for Scientific Congresses.Since it was introduced at the fall of 2011, more than 82 associations have received pre-financing and subsidies from the Fund which is managed by visit.brussels.The numbers have been growing steadily from 2 in the last quarter of 2011, 13 in 2012, 17 in 2013, 22 in 2014 and 28 in 2015. More information:About Brussels Fund for Scientific Congresses 9. Press informationvisit.brussels meetings informationMore general information are available on the visit.brussels “Pro & Press” - “Meeting” section.More information and download of the interactive brochure “Let’s Meet” on kiosk.brusselsOfficial twitter account: visit.brussels CVB (@bxlmeetings) “Kiosk.brussels”, the “Let’s Meet” brochure made interactive! “kiosk.brussels” is one of visit.brussels’ official applications available on computers and tablets. It brings the latest publications of visit.brussels. It is a guide before or during a stay in Brussels. The application is totally free for download, and can be used online or offline. “Let's Meet” is the reference tool for conference organisers, and is now available via the kiosk.brussels’ app! Contacts, technical data sheets, seminar venues and places for relaxing, “Let's Meet” is the key to successful professional events in Brussels. General information about BrusselsOn the press section of the visit.brussels website, a lot of general information can be found. Want to know general information about Brussels? Need to learn more about a particular theme? A lot of press kits about the various identities of Brussels can also be downloaded. ??Brussels, the capital of Europe ???Art Nouveau & Art Deco????Brussels for chocolate lovers????Brussels on draught????It’s Brusselicious????Brussels, capital-city of comic strips????Surrealist Brussels????Contemporary art in Brussels????Mode & Design????Brussels sustainable destination ???Jazz in Brussels ???Gay-Friendly Brussels???? Sports in Brussels ???Brussels for kids????2014-18.brussels - The First World War Commemoration in the Brussels-Capital Region??All pdf files can be downloaded for free on the visit.brussels thematic press kits page.Picture libraryA nice selection of picture can be found in the online picture library on the website visit.brussels > Pro & Press > Press > Picture libraryVideo materialGeneral videos and meeting videos can be found on the website visit.brussels > Pro & Press > Press > Video materialPress contactsMartha Meezem.meeze@visit.brussels +32 486 53 31 81Press Manager & SpokespersonCatherine Renard c.renard@visit.brussels +32 474 37 67 05Press support coordinator ................
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