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The Flanders Heritage Venues in Bruges offer international conference organisers clear added value because they go far beyond traditional conference facilities. They combine high-quality facilities with an authentic heritage experience, which sets Bruges apart from other conference destinations.

Bruges is a city with a rich events culture and strong tourist appeal, where the difference between a good conference and an impactful one is increasingly based on experience. In Bruges, every conference or corporate event is a total experience. As a conference participant in Bruges, you experience more than just a substantively strong programme. The city itself often becomes an integral part of the conference experience.

Bruges is not only a historic and touristically attractive city, but is also increasingly focusing on creativity, innovation and a high-quality conference experience, from which you, as a conference organiser, definitely benefit.

Highest distinction for Bruges as a conference city! A recent survey by Tourism Flanders shows that conference organisers give our city a score of no less than 9.5/10. Conference participants also appreciate Bruges as a conference destination, with a high overall satisfaction rating of 8.9/10.

Centuries ago, Bruges was the beating heart of European maritime trade. Ships from all corners of the globe brought knowledge, innovation and ambition together here. Today, the city continues that tradition — as a gateway to the future of the Green Economy. 

Tuesday, 27 June 1995. Exactly thirty years ago, the Visit Bruges Convention Bureau was established. 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 theme of the evening, “Future-proof conference tourism in Bruges”, encouraged reflection on how Bruges can continue to attract future-proof conference tourism over the next thirty years.

The EACD conference was consciously committed to a greater impact for the region. Inclusion and better accessibility to sports, culture and technological applications for the target group was the goal. They did this on the one hand by closely involving the target group in the organization of the conference and opening the conference to them and their families, but on the other hand by organizing several activities – under the umbrella EACD+ - that served as a lever for more inclusion.

Regenerative tourism is currently one of the market trends. But what does regenerative tourism in the MICE sector actually involve? It is case of organising conferences and corporate events that are not only sustainable, but also have a positive social, economic and environmental impact on the destination and its inhabitants.

Sustainability is not a buzzword. It is a verb. To keep our planet liveable for future generations, we must take action now.