Thanks to the opening of the new Conventions Centre at the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre, IFEMA has been confirmed as one…
Thanks to the opening of the new Conventions Centre at the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre, IFEMA has been confirmed as one of the largest spaces for international meetings. The 10,000 square metres of the new area to be used for conferences, functions, meetings and business presentations mean these facilities may be ranked as the most complete and versatile in Madrid, which is a leader in business tourism, along with Paris and London.
In 2003, with the Conventions Centre fully operational, an intense programme was developed, including important international events such as the 18th Congress of the European Urology Association and the 14th Congress of the European Society of Paediatric Urology, held in March; The 55th World Congress of the International Union of Public Transport, in May; The European Wind-Powered Energy Conference, EWEC, held in June; The Summit of Donating Countries for the Reconstruction of Iraq (October) and the 10th Congress and World Exhibition of the Intelligent Transport Union, in November.
North Conventions Centre
To develop this activity, Feria de Madrid has fitted out its North Conventions Centre with the latest and most complete equipment. A space of 10,000 square metres, which has 20 highly versatile rooms and a hall of 540 square metres, able to hold 60 stands measuring 9 square metres each.
Once of the characteristic features of the rooms are the many possibilities they offer. Therefore, on the first floor, the six largest ones (holding 270 to 555 people) may be joined together, to house 2,150 people. Of the remaining twelve, 8 may hold 63 people and the 4 remaining, 98. The two largest rooms (555) together form the North Auditorium, which may hold 1,110 people, thanks to a unique system of telescopic tiers that unfold automatically. On the second floor there are two rooms, of 300 square metres and two large open-air terraces of 545 square metres, ideal for holding special events.
South Conventions Centre
In addition to this, Feria de Madrid features a full array of rooms (17) in the Puerta Sur (South Gate), the nearest hall to the Underground Railway that connects the Barajas International Airport to the exhibition centre and the city centre. These rooms are also characterised by their versatility and they hold from 50 to 200 people. A total of 3,225 square metres, with all the resources necessary for the normal running of all kinds of functions.
The South Gate Auditorium, which has been operating since the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre opened in 1991, can hold up to 600 people and is fitted out with the most up-to-date equipment. The access hall to this Auditorium allows cocktails and coffee breaks to be held, to continue the meeting in a more relaxed atmosphere.
150,000 square metres, in 10 Halls
The Conventions Centre also aids the Juan Carlos I Exhibition Centre`s halls in organizing all kinds of functions which, given their size or special characteristics, require larger and more open spaces. Therefore, shareholders board meetings, vehicle presentations, sporting events or gala dinners amongst others are regularly held in the exhibition centre`s ten halls, which make a total surface area of 150,000 square metres, IFEMA has halls measuring between 5,400 and 21,600 square metres.
This wide range of modern equipment confirms Feria de Madrid as one of the largest meeting and congress centres in Europe and it helps to consolidate the capital city of Spain`s ranking as the second destination worldwide for business tourism after London, according to data from the International Association of Conferences and Congresses.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
