The preview was attended by representatives of leading associations from around the world as well as the international press.
Following an in-depth review and collaborative work with buyers, industry specialists, destination experts and marketers, Antwerp Convention Bureau has showcased its focus on the proactive development of international inbound conferences for the destination.
“When you come to Antwerp, the city is your venue. In Antwerp, you don’t just rent a venue or book a hotel, you embrace an entire city. Every street, park and restaurant becomes part of it. Thanks to the city’s intimate size, but also thanks to our welcoming and flexible mindset, congresses can resonate beyond the conference room,” said Tadeja Pivc Coudyser, CEO of Antwerp Convention Bureau during the preview of the city’s new international offering and brand at IBTM in Barcelona.
Positioning itself as an intimate and versatile city with a focus on the delivery of custom-fitted event solutions, Antwerp aims to stand out from its competitors, as it makes the most of the fact that the city perfectly combines modern infrastructure, a compact and accessible offering and a rich history at the centre of world trade.
Using “The City is Your Venue” as the message for a core part of its future activity, The Antwerp Convention Bureau team will target international organisations looking to bring conventions, meetings and events to the city, with a particular focus on the association sector. In addition to proactively marketing the city, the team at the CVB will also support association and corporate organisers throughout the lifecycle of any event they bring to the Belgian city.
Pivc Coudyser continues: “Antwerp is a city that opens up easily for organisers and their delegates. It is versatile and adjustable, making sure visitors get to experience it in a way that is custom fitted to their needs. Antwerp never takes anyone for granted. Congresses, which are often meticulously prepared for years, matter more in Antwerp, because in Antwerp, they are not just another congress, they get to be the main event.”
Antwerp’s Vice Mayor, Koen Kennis commented: “This is an exciting time for our city, and it is great to see Antwerp Convention Bureau stepping forward and pushing our incredible destination so hard to the international business events sector. The concept that The City Is Your Venue perfectly suits our accessible, approachable and personal city and I look forward to working with the Convention Bureau team as they win more business for Antwerp over the months and years ahead.”
Gerard Lebeda, Secretary / Treasurer to the Board of Directors, International Society for Urban Health, who attended the launch, added: “Antwerp is a destination I have visited many times and I look forward to returning in the near future. It is a vibrant city with a great offering for the association and wider event markets. Antwerp’s plans to improve the city’s offering and its focus on providing a bespoke and personalised service will really help it stand out in a crowded market and I am sure their ongoing activity will reap considerable rewards.”
In the last year, Antwerp Convention Bureau has helped the city generate significant new conference and event business, including more than 20 large events (500 persons+) over the next three years, these will see more than 21,000 people visit the city.
Joining Antwerp Convention Bureau on their stand at IBTM were:
- A Room with a ZOO
- Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp
- FLI Group
- Handelsbeurs Antwerp
- Hilton Antwerp Old Town
- Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel Antwerp
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
