PR - Bruges welcomes the IELA Congress

From the 27th of June till the 1st of July, Bruges hosts the 37th annual IELA Congress. IELA stands for International Exhibiton Logistics Association, a worldwide professional network consisting of event logistics providers for the exhibition and event industry. The association deals with challenges in the field of transport and logistics associated with international exhibitions and events.

“The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is an important hub for freight handling and logistics in the context of these activities”, says Alderman for Tourism Mieke Hoste. “The choice of Bruges as a host city for this congress is obvious”.

During this year’s IELA Congress, Net Zero Carbon will take centre stage at the IELA Forum. In view of this theme, the Crowne Plaza Bruges Hotel was chosen as the conference location. Crowne Plaza has had the ‘Green Key’ label for years, an international quality mark that more and more organisers of conferences and events appreciate.

Alderman for Tourism Mieke Hoste: “With regard to our tourism policy, we are actively commited to sustainability and the link with the port is one of the spearheads for attracting international conferences to Bruges. For our tourism sector, the IELA Congress is a real boost because the 210 participants from 47 countries will stay in our city several days”.

Elizabeth Niehaus, Executive Officer of IELA, explains: “IELA has applied several measures to reduce actively the waste and carbon footprint generated by the Congress:

• Starting local, working with our on-site providers that are committed to reducing waste and energy consumption and with a catering concept based on regional products.
• Going digital reducing 97% of our printing. No printed programmes, roll-ups, banners.
• Making an effort to reach Bruges by train only, with a luggage-delivery service by our Host Members, Kristal bvba - International Fairs & Exhibition Logistics and Ziegler Expo Logistics.
• Advancing know-how with the participation of local and European speakers with a radius of 300 KM reaching us by train, overseas speakers will join us remote.
• Zero event-transportation-policy for the complete 5 days-event-programme: no buses, no taxis, just walking-distance venues. A dream come true!

About IELA

The quality brand IELA is currently represented by 158 members and  23 affiliates in 55 countries. The IELA Congress  is divided into 4 parts: the General Assembly, the IELA Forum, the Workgroup Meetings and the Network Sessions.
For more information about the IELA Congress: programme 

About Visit Bruges Convention Bureau (VBCVB)

Thanks to the expertise of the VBCB, Bruges is put on the international map as a MICE destination. Conference organisers can always contact us for professional advice, support for finding suitable locations and introducing you to the right contacts. 

Note for the editor:

Contact:
Visit Bruges Convention Bureau
Jasmine Kestens (Sales Manager)
E: jasmine.kestens@brugge.be / M: +32(0)494 41 28 42

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