Sight, taste, smell, sound and touch were the order of the day for the UK launch of the new Palacongressi di Rimini in London recently. Held at the Tentazioni Restaurant in Mill Street, London, SE1, the venue was chosen for its close connection to Rimini as Head Chef and Owner, Mr Riccardo Giacomini, hails from the region himself. Hosted by the Convention Bureau della Riviera di Rimini (CBRR), the promotional evening invited UK-based meeting planners to let their five senses take in the delights of Rimini and its newly developed and extensive conference facilities.

The sense of sight was addressed by a Rimini based artist, Francesco Zavatta, whose paintings adorned the walls of the venue with the artist on hand to sign personalised sketches given to guests at the end of the evening.

From the famous Coro Galli from Rimini, Maestro Matteo Salvemini and opera singers, Mr Roberto Falcinelli and Mrs Claudia Corbelli, entertained guests to a collection of musical delights between courses and there was a special demonstration given by Mr Riccardo Giacomini, owner and head chef of the Tentazioni Restaurant, on how to bake Piadina, traditional bread from Rimini. Of course, the smell and taste of Riccardo Giacomini’s authentic Italian gastronomy completed the assault on the senses.

With the new Palacongressi di Rimini opening at the end of 2009 and other extensive investment in the region, Rimini is looking forward to developing its popularity as a conference and business tourism destination within the UK meetings market.  President of CBRR, Mr Mauro Ioli, welcomed the guests on the evening with a presentation by CBRR General Manager, Stefania Agostina and Bidding Executive, Monica Petermann.

One of the guests said, “I was fortunate enough to sit next to Monica Petermann and discuss ...some possible events in Rimini which we will take forward at our next meeting” and Sally Greenhill from The Right Solution commented, “All the people on my table were most impressed with the developments going on in Rimini so I feel sure it will have generated interest”.

Coralie Delaubert from the Convention Bureau della Riviera di Rimini said, “The promotional evening was very well attended and we were delighted to host so many UK based meeting planners and introduce them to our conference facilities. We hope that many of them will now come to Rimini with their meetings to see the new developments for themselves.”

From 26th to 28th May, meeting planners will also have the opportunity to find out more about the new Palacongressi di Rimini at the “Italia” stand during IMEX in Frankfurt. The stand will be managed by ENIT, the Italian Government Tourist Board, and will have staff from the Convention Bureau della Riviera di Rimini available to answer any questions.

The new Palacongressi will be officially opened in Autumn 2009 as the largest conference centre in Italy for major international meetings.