Antwerpen, Antwerp, Anvers, Amberes, …

A city with many different names and even more facets: the city of Rubens, the world diamond centre, one of the international fashion capitals, a maritime metropolis and a culinary trendsetter. Although the city is pocket-sized it does have a metropolitan feel to it. And although Antwerpers can be a bit quirky at times they are above all welcoming. Antwerp is often praised for its rich history but at the same time it is also a contemporary city. You could even go as far as saying that Antwerp keeps its own time.

A time in which everyone feels comfortable and that is exactly why Antwerp also attracts a wide range of different audiences: a vibrant centre of creativity for designers and fashionistas, a frivolous and trendy place to be for the young and the LGBT crowd, a favourite among culture lovers, the city by the river for cruise passengers. And because of its unique central location in Europe also the perfect meetcentive destination.

Easy to reach Travelling to any destination can be a time-consuming hassle. Not to Antwerp. Antwerp is centrally located on a crossroads of European motorways, just a 45-minute drive from Brussels, the capital of Europe and a 34-minute train journey from Brussels International Airport. From Antwerp Airport, only 15 minutes away from the city centre, there are flights to London City Airport and London Southend.

Direct rail connections
Antwerp has rail connections with the various big cities in Europe. Thalys offers a direct connection to/from Paris and as of 2015 Eurostar will travel directly from London St.Pancras to Antwerp (now there is a change in Brussels). Also in 2015 Amsterdam and Antwerp will have a direct rail connection with up to 17 trains per day. Cruise ships moor in the centre of the city, only a stone’s throw from the Cathedral of Our Lady and Grote Markt. Regardless of how visitors arrive in Antwerp, the centre of the city is always easy to reach.

Golden age
Ask an Antwerp local about his city and he will pour you a Bolleke beer, face beaming, and tell you about its majestic Cathedral, about walks along the quays and about the city’s master painter, Peter Paul Rubens. The city and the painter are eternally associated with each other, much like Andy Warhol and New York. Antwerp was where the Flemish Baroque painter lived and centuries later his presence is till keenly felt in the city. His statue welcomes everyone in Groenplaats and more than fifty of this works are on display in various museums and churches, often in the setting for which they were created.

Antwerpers are known to be very proud of their city, and rightly so. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries Antwerp already was a city with an international reputation, which extended far beyond the city’s borders: it was reputed for its flourishing art trade and its bustling port, which turned the city into an economic hotspot. During this Golden Age Antwerp resembled present-day New York: it was a world city.

Iconic architecture
Today Antwerp continues to build on this rich history and positions itself as a modern metropolis. Although it always remains respectful of the numerous historic buildings, which bear witness to the city’s rich history Antwerp today wants to become a city known for its iconic architecture. Examples include the new Law Courts, the MAS museum, the Red Star Line Museum or the Port Authority building, which has been designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The Antwerp Six are living proof of Antwerp’s influence on the fashion world, and more generally speaking, on the art world, which thrives in Antwerp, especially in the Zuid district. Nowhere else you will feel the centuries-old bond between man and diamond as keenly as in Antwerp – and at Antwerp’s jewellers.

All this and more in a city where you can still sit down on a park bench and smell the roses and where you will never feel lost in the crowd.

Antwerp, why not?
After Brussels, Antwerp is Belgium’s second most important city for conferences and events. Antwerp offers excellent conference facilities and catering often directly linked to the city’s major hotels. Four locations in the city are ideally equipped to host conferences. The historical centre, surrounded by ages of architecture, offers character filled venues like the City Hall and unique settings for entertainment. The impressive Central Station provides the backdrop for creative networking. The Ring road, easily accessible to the city centre, provides a more corporate experience. The vibrant and contemporary docklands (Het Eilandje) are revitalising with water related venues and waterfront atmosphere. Two new museums (MAS and Red Star Line) are the main attractions here. Venues of different sizes cater up to 28 000 people and tertiary services include catering, transport and technology.

Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp
With the opening of the Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp in 2016, the city can host conferences, events and exhibitions up to 2.000 participants. It will be a newly constructed building with modern amenities, technical facilities and ideal logistics. The new conference centre is ideally located next to Antwerp’s Central Station and the Zoo and the charming historical centre is only a short walk away. In the direct area there’s a lot of pleasant bars and restaurants and there is a wide range of hotels close by, from international chain hotels to intimate boutique hotels.

Unique incentives
Antwerp also had been hosting dynamic and successful events for many years. The people of Antwerp hosts events with imagination, creativity and passion. It is very much a creative city, alive with design in every discipline. Fashion, architecture, art and cuisine play vital roles in the every day life of the citizens and those visiting the city. Unique incentive activities like diamond cocktails, chocolate demonstrations, beer tastings, creative workshops, fashion shows and lectures and late night visits to museums entice conference organisers and delegates. Antwerp accommodated over 1,7 million overnights spread between congress, business and leisure. Antwerp is therefore well equipped with over 4300 hotel rooms, ranging from 4 star international names to small boutique hotels.

Free customised advice
Antwerp Tourism & Conventions is a dedicated team offering free, customised advice and information about convention, meeting and event opportunities in Antwerp. They can help you find event facilitators, assist in choosing the best location for your conference and also organise site inspections. Plus they have a wealth of promotional material, can talk you through availability and offers, and provide guidance in drawing up bid books. Antwerp Tourism & Conventions is the ultimate key to unlocking meetings and events in this spectacular city.

For all enquiries, please contact them at the coordinates below:

Antwerp Tourism & Conventions

Grote Markt 15 – 2000 Antwerp

Tel +32 3 338 81 81

Fax +32 3 338 81 32

meeting@stad.antwerpen.be

Antwerp succeeds in being a world-class city without ever forgetting about the importance of being a pleasant and above all liveable city. Antwerp has something to satisfy all taste buds.