Appointment of new Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors

Rotterdam is committed to further developing its position as an international congress city. This is why the Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors network, which helps promote Rotterdam as an attractive congress destination, is being further expanded. Nine new ambassadors were appointed to this network. This means the Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors network – which was established by the Rotterdam Partners Convention Bureau – now encompasses 51 academics, researchers and other experts connected to the Rotterdam region.

Most of these ambassadors work at the various knowledge institutes found in the Rotterdam region, such as Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC and TU Delft. Thousands of congresses focussing on a wide range of academic fields and associations are organised each year around the world. The Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors have first-hand experience in attracting and/or organising congresses. Thanks to their knowledge and experience, they have a clear vision of the networks and congresses that correspond with Rotterdam’s knowledge spearheads: Medical & Life Sciences, Food, Transport & Logistics, Maritime and Cleantech. This knowledge helps Rotterdam Partners to attract congresses to Rotterdam more effectively.

Rotterdam’s popularity as an international congress destination has increased further in recent years. Statistics recently published by the ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association) show that Rotterdam rose 20 positions in the world ranking of convention cities in 2015. Rotterdam was also named the second congress city of the Netherlands for the ninth consecutive year.

The international congress market is very important to Rotterdam. Attracting congresses to Rotterdam strengthens its image as a high-quality knowledge city. It also helps put the related faculty or professional field on the map. The growing awareness of Rotterdam in turn attracts new international congresses, companies, residents and students. International congresses also generate business tourism, which is a key growth market for Rotterdam. Congress visitors have the highest spending pattern of all tourists – an average of 384 euros a day - and consequently make a major contribution to the leisure economy.

The new Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors were officially appointed for a term of three years at the annual Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors network meeting in June. The new ‘Rotterdam manual for a successful congress’ was also presented at the meeting. A range of experts – including the Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors – share their knowledge and expertise in the field of congresses in the manual.

An overview of the Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors is available here.