Enjoy 5 unique guarantees for a succesful conference

1. Get the support of experts in your field

Flanders is a hotbed of knowledge and talent in your industry, and our experts can’t wait to contribute to a quality conference. Thanks to the presence of numerous experts and our matchmaking abilities, you are guaranteed both an engaged pool of peers and a knowledgeable audience.

The VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau will even partner with reputable experts in your industry, who will advocate on behalf of your conference. These members of academia, business leaders and decision-makers will endorse your conference, so that you are certain to get the right level of support.

Discover the key industries

2. Easy to reach from anywhere in the world

Flanders is situated in the north of Belgium, in the heart of Europe. Your delegates can get there easily from wherever they are. Brussels, the capital of the region, is less than two hours by high-speed train from London, Paris, Cologne and Amsterdam. All conference venues are within an hour, by train or car, of Brussels Airport, and most are in the city centre, making public transport a fast, easy and sustainable solution.

Practical info

3. Impress your guests by welcoming them in a Flanders Heritage Venue

Location, location, location. Where you choose to receive your guests is a crucial criterion for the success of your conference. You will make a lasting impression by choosing such destinations as Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven, Limburg, Mechelen or Ostend, and venues such as the Flanders Heritage Venues. Flanders Heritage Venues are architecturally exceptional and often located in historic city centres, a short walk from the cultural, artistic and culinary specialities of Flanders, will make a lasting impression on your guests.

Discover the Flanders Heritage venues

4. Reap the fruits of our impact methodology

Each conference wants to be a milestone for the industry. But nowadays, expectations are much higher. Your association also wants to create lasting added value for the society in which you operate. In other words, you want your conference to leave a legacy.

In Flanders, this milestone is a priority. That's why we developed an impact methodology, in order to co-create a lasting impact of your conference on your association and members, as well as on your host city, the region, and locals. The possibilities are endless, the opportunities plentiful.

More about our impact methodology

5. Your delegates enjoy the best of Flanders’ art and gastronomy

People from all over the world visit Flanders for many different and valid reasons: for its painters, such as Rubens, van Eyck, and Brueghel; for Belgian beer; for unfiltered UNESCO World Heritage. They visit for our cuisine and chocolates, which are the pearl in the crown and they come for our art nouveau architecture and cycling culture. Your conference delegates will be able to experience all this and more to the full. You can offer them a fascinating and extremely varied, world-class fringe programme that always caters to everyone’s tastes.

Discover our cities

Launch of Young Kitchen Rebels 2018 - Meise

Free e-book about Flanders as a dream location for your conference

Rubens, Van Eyck, Bruegel, chocolate and beer. Cities with a thousand-year history. Venues unique in the world. Flanders has a lot of trump cards to delight your delegates.

This beautiful e-book reveals all the assets for you, in 36 pages full of impressive photos. Download your free copy here.

Download free e-book

VisitFLANDERS Convention Bureau loves working with you. Here are the reasons why that is most likely mutual.

How we support your conference in Flanders.

We put together the strongest possible local organising committee.
We provide the best recommendations regarding venue, catering, accommodation and activities.
We help you define the positive, long-term impact of your conference.
You get the use of our state-of-the art technology for hybrid conferences.
We gladly welcome the board of your association or PCO for an inspirational visit.
Our service and support are free of charge.

More about our service Meet the team

Practical information

Travelling to Flanders

Flanders and Brussels are at the heart of Europe. London, Paris, Cologne and Amsterdam are all less than two hours away.

By Train: Flanders and Brussels are at the heart of Europe. From London, Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne you reach Brussels South railway station (Eurostar/Thalys/ICE) in less than 2 hours. This railroad junction ensures a smooth connection to all Flemish cities.
By Plane: Flanders' transportation network allows for seamless travel within the country. All of Flanders' major meeting cities are accessible in less than one hour from either Brussels Airport or Brussels South railway station (Eurostar/Thalys/ICE).
Official carrier of VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau is Brusselss Airlines. This Belgian airline offers a special "Meetings & Events formula" for conference delegates to Flanders, providing attractive flight solutions.
As Brussels Airlines belongs to the Lufthansa Group, there is also full combinability of flights operated by Austrian Airlines, lufthansa and SWISS. Partnerships with United Airlines, Air Canada and many codeshare partners offer additional opportunities for your delegates from all corners of the world.

Travelling within Flanders

Flanders' transportation network allows for seamless travel within the country. All of Flanders' major meeting cities are accessible in less than one hour from either Brussels Airport or Brussels South railway station (Eurostar/Thalys/ICE).

Train: a dense train network connects all of Belgium. National and international passes are available at major train stations. The B-rail website will give you timetables, price and online ticket for your train trip in Flanders.
Rental cars: since Flanders is about the size of Yorkshire, it's no surprise that it's an easy place to travel around. Driving is a great way to get from city to city in Belgium.
Taxis: taxis are available at taxi stands or at hotel entrances.

Passports and Visa

Language

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. English is widely spoken throughout Belgium as a second or third language by native Belgians, and is sometimes used as a bridge language in Brussels.

Currency

The Belgian currency unit is the EURO (euro) €.

Money can be changed at ATM’s, in banks, at the airport and main railway stations, at some hotels and in exchange offices, many of which are open on Sundays.

More practical information on organising your conference in Flanders?

Our experts are happy to help you with any kind of support. Feel free to contact them with any questions. They look forward to your e-mail or telephone.

Contact an expert

Fun facts about Flanders

The first colour photo to be published in National Geographic Magazine (1914) depicted a flower garden in Ghent.

The first printed newspaper in the world was published in 1605 in Antwerp.

Along with Washington D.C., Brussels has the largest number of diplomats and international correspondents.

"Fallen Astronaut" by the Flemish artist Paul Van Hoeydonck is the only artwork on the moon.

The Flemish coastal tram is the world’s longest tram line, spanning 68 kilometres from the French to the Dutch border.

Free inspiration for your next conference

See more inspiration

A successful conference is one that inspires. That’s why we offer you here tons of inspiration. For a conference in your domain, for your conference in Flanders.