Bruges: A Conference in a UNESCO World Heritage City Offers the Ultimate Return on Experience

For several years now, Bruges has been strongly committed to attracting multi-day international conferences with a link to the city's economic growth sectors: mechatronics, ICT, healthcare, the port, tourism & culture, gastronomy and cycling. Conferences with a positive social impact is an international trend that Bruges is embracing in their tourism policy and support from their congress operation as well. 

Bruges is easily and quickly accessible by train. Once you arrive, all venues, hotels and attractions are only a stone’s throw away. This is not only sustainable, but also cost-effective. A guided morning run before the start of the conference or a walk along the canals provides oxygen and space for creative ideas. 
 

Bruges surprises with both modern and historical heritage sites

In Bruges, every conference or corporate event is a total experience where heritage and innovation embrace each other. A conference in a state-of-the-art convention centre can be combined with an exclusive dinner in a historic building. If you are looking for a heritage location or a venue with a unique impact, the Flanders Heritage Venues – Bruges Meeting & Convention Centre, Concertgebouw Brugge, La Brugeoise, the Provincial Palace and Madeleine in Bruges – put Bruges on the map as an inspiring and high-quality MICE destination. They were screened by Tourism Flanders on a number of criteria, such as sustainability, accessibility, experience and digitisation.

The ultra-modern Bruges Meeting & Convention Centre (BMCC) is the first conference centre in Flanders to receive the M+ accessibility label from Tourism Flanders (portrayed below). The label guarantees that the venue is easily accessible for all conference visitors. In addition, BMCC also has the Green Key sustainability label. Its many facilities include an exhibition area of 4,423 m² and a divisible plenary hall for 516 people.
 

The Concert Hall of Concertgebouw Brugge can accommodate 1,289 conference delegates and is world-renowned for its exceptional acoustics. And why not a dinner on stage with live orchestra? 

Following extensive renovation, the neo-Gothic Provincial Palace was also awarded the M-label. It provides a beautiful historical setting for seminars, dinners and receptions. The maximum capacity of the Provincial Council Chamber is 220 people, based on the three-chair principle.

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important criterion when considering a conference destination. No less than 12 MICE locations hold the Green Key label: Novotel, Martin's Brugge, Martin's Relais, Crowne Plaza Brugge, Eco Fevery Hotel, Relais et Chateaux Hotel Heritage, NH Brugge, Radisson Blu Brugge, Ibis Styles Zeebrugge, BMCC, Royal Swans B&B and Concertgebouw Brugge.  
 

We asked Kathy Van Wambeke, Sales Director at Visit Bruges Convention Bureau, a few questions:

Headquarters: What is the added value of the Visit Bruges Convention Bureau?

Kathy: “The Visit Bruges Convention Bureau has 30 years of experience and represents the entire Bruges sector. The team assists conference organisers in establishing the right contacts, preparing bid books, requesting quotations and supervising site visits. A single point of contact, impartial advice and thorough knowledge of what is on offer. The team ensures the perfect match. And last but not least, we investigate whether an international association is eligible for the subvention programme. 
 

HQ: What are the advantages of Bruges as a conference city for international congresses?

Kathy: “In Bruges, you get the full experience, before, during and after the event hours. For many international delegates, Bruges was already on their bucket list. They often extend their stay with a couple of days. This is the Bleisure trend”. 
 

Contact:
Visit Bruges Convention Bureau
Kathy Van Wambeke, Sales Manager
T: +32(0)50 44 46 66; E: meeting@brugge.be

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