Visit Bruges Convention Bureau blows out thirty candles
Tuesday 27 June 1995. Exactly thirty years ago, the Visit Bruges Convention Bureau first saw the light of day. To mark this special anniversary, partners from the Bruges MICE sector were invited to a festive evening at Madeleine in Bruges. The unique setting of this Flanders Heritage Venue immediately created the right atmosphere. The evening's theme ‘Future-proof conference tourism in Bruges’ was discussed in detail by trend watcher Bert van Thilborgh who juggled mega- and meta-trends in international conference tourism. The panel discussion with Kathy Van Wambeke, Sales Manager of the convention bureau and Evelyne Bardyn of Flanders Convention Bureau, provided insights into future-proof convention tourism in Bruges. During the networking reception, ideas were exchanged with industry colleagues, followed by a delicious walking dinner conjured up by La Muse de Marcel.
Madeleine in Bruges
Saint Magdalene Church from the mid-19th century is one of the earliest neo-Gothic churches in continental Europe. The church aims to be ‘a little piece of heaven’, where everyone is welcome. Our team was not given rice pudding with golden spoons during the celebration, but rather a real piece from the church's blue sky. Beautifully wrapped with a card: "a little piece of heaven. This bag contains a piece of the peeling ceiling of our church".
Madeleine in Bruges is also a real “do church”, with a 17-metre swing, cosy coffee bar, interactive installations and quirky art. A unique setting for a business event, such as a seminar, dinner or concert. This venue was recently recognised as a Flanders Heritage Venue and includes a spacious church of 800 m2 and a stately vicarage with garden.
The team of Visit Bruges Convention Bureau
Imagine... As a local healthcare expert in Bruges, you want to convince the board of the American association of which you are a member to organise their annual cardiology congress in 2028 in Bruges. Working as a doctor in Bruges hospitals and attending numerous seminars at home and abroad, you cannot see the wood for the trees. Superman is nowhere to be seen, but wait... the iron ladies of the Visit Bruges Convention Bureau know what to do. They know the Bruges sector like no other, help you draw up the bid book and request availability and price quotations from local hotels and venues. They also have ideas in abundance for the social programme. Finally, the convention bureau has 30 years of experience. But what will this cost? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Our service is free and without obligation.
Has your interest been piqued? Contact us and we will discuss your plans together.
The convention bureau in figures
Bruges is well on its way to building a strong position in the field of association conferences. Through the mediation of the convention bureau, over 22 association congresses with almost 8,000 participants took place in 2024. For 2025, 24 association conferences are on the books, accounting for almost 12,000 participants. Association conferences are also increasingly meaningful for the local population. Congresses with a positive social impact is an international trend that we embrace in our tourism policy and support from our congress operation.
