Rotterdam shortlisted to host 60th ICCA congress

A congress destination on the rise, Rotterdam is on the short list to host the 60th ICCA congress in 2021, as revealed on 17 May. The candidacy for the 2021 congress is a result of the joint efforts of the Dutch ICCA members with the support of their international partners. Rotterdam has improved upon its reputation as an international congress destination in recent years; and, based on the annual statistics released by ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association earlier this month, maintains its position as the second congress city of the Netherlands for the eleventh consecutive year. The city is also better equipped to attract larger congresses. For example, the number of hotel rooms has risen in the last few years, and the number of congress venues has also increased. The arrival of the new Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre in 2020 will offer Rotterdam the opportunity to attract more and bigger congresses in the future. The renovation and extension of the Ahoy complex are part of the large-scale qualitative transformation of the Rotterdam south area (Hart van Zuid). The project aims to make Rotterdam south future-proof by reinforcing the local economy. The initiatives include creating jobs, enhancing the overall well being of citizens by planting more greenery and redesigning the urban space. Special focus is given to cultural aspects of citymaking as a way to fuel participation, community resilience and citizen strength. Connections in Rotterdam arise naturally, perhaps thanks to its strategic position in Europe. With a compact city centre, many business and conference locations, hotels and other facilities are all within walking distance of each other. The number of international association congresses that Rotterdam has managed to attract has grown enormously in this time, rising from 11 congresses in 2006 to no less than 31 in 2017. The increasing popularity of Rotterdam as a congress destination is in line with the trend of the city’s increased positive international profile.   Rotterdam hosts large international conferences on topics such as the smart port and logistics (Smart Future Logistics, World Conference Cities and Ports), growth, disease and health among children (Generation R), or the transition to more sustainable forms of energy (Winddays). Smart technologies and applications from Rotterdam entrepreneurs and the knowledge pooled by scientists from Erasmus University and Erasmus University Medical Center come together around these conferences and exhibitions, and new avenues are explored.