With no less than 68 confirmed conferences and business seminars, and a raft of pending requests, our order book is getting nice and full. Our team has also taken part in various international trade fairs and networking events, making interesting contacts and gaining a lot of inspiration and knowledge. Among other things, we took part in the ICCA Beyond Borders Annual Meeting, IMEX Frankfurt 2023, M&I Healthcare Forum and PCMA/Convening EMEA. At IBTM World 2023, you can meet me and our partners or make an appointment in advance. But first, we're delighted to share some news and tips.

Happy reading!

Kathy Van Wambeke

The fastest way to Bruges

Located in the heart of Europe, a city that combines UNESCO World Heritage, innovation and business is perfectly accessible for your next conference. By train, you can be in Bruges in less than an hour and a half from Brussels Airport. And did you know that flibco.com operates no less than 12 direct connections to and from Brussels South Charleroi Airport? Once you arrive, all the main destinations and eateries are within walking distance. A great asset for your conference or seminar in our city!

Our website gives you a handy overview of airports and train stations with travel times from around the world. 

Bruges as host city for EACD 2024 conference

On behalf of the Belgian Academy of Childhood Disability, the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD) is hosting its 36th annual gathering in our UNESCO World Heritage City from 29 May to 1 June 2024. The aim of the conference is to improve the quality of life for people who have had disabilities since early childhood.

Thanks to its central location in Europe and proximity to the decision-making heart of European policy, Bruges is the ideal location and timing for EACD to open the discussion with local and European stakeholders during workshops, with the aim of keeping the quality of healthcare and education for people who have had disabilities since childhood acceptable and affordable, and putting this topic on the European agenda.

EACD is an excellent example of an international conference that makes a difference, and is part of the growing healthcare sector, which is also a focus of the Visit Bruges Convention Bureau. The conference will be held at the BMCC and Concertgebouw Brugge.

Did you know?

• That there are fully 101 hotels, good for 3,696 rooms and 8,569 beds, for your guests to choose from? And that they spend an average of 2.7 nights in our city?
• That the BMCC and Concertgebouw Brugge are complementary and enhance the possibilities for your conference?
• That the BMCC, Concertgebouw Brugge, La Brugeoise, and in 2024 also the Provincial Palace, are the 4 larger Flanders Heritage Venues focusing on the conference market?
• The Concertgebouw Brugge has plans to become an international pioneer of solar energy in a heritage context? For the necessary replacement of the complete building shell, the possibility of generating solar energy via facade tiles with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is being explored.
• That Bruges is not only a historical gem, but also a locus of economic growth? The thriving sectors of tourism & culture, healthcare, ICT, mechatronics and the bustling Port of Zeebrugge offer a wide range of opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

BMCC has a passion for sustainability

The brand new BMCC is not only a state-of-the art venue designed by architect Eduardo Souto De Moura, it also has a passion for sustainability. The BMCC is a nearly zero-energy building (NZEB) thanks to its sustainable construction and carefully-considered choice of materials in both the shell and finishes. Did you know that the BMCC was the first venue in Flanders to be awarded the 'M+ accessibility label' from Visit Flanders in 2023?

Thanks to all its efforts, the BMCC was awarded the Green Key label, the international sustainability label for event venues. Finally, two beehives have been installed on the green roof, home to as many as 100,000 bees. Congress organisers can order BeeMCC honey for their speakers, participants or co-organisers.

In the spotlight

Kopje Zwam

Kopje Zwam stands for 100% circular. Kopje Zwam grows oyster mushrooms from leftover coffee grounds, and cultivates microgreens on compost. The coffee grounds are collected from companies and coffee bars by the social partners. The results are vegan burgers, veggie balls and veggie mince. Book Kopje Zwam as a sustainable caterer for your conference or be creative and incorporate an inspiring cooking workshop into your social programme!

Copyright foto's: 'sichtways'