The Power Cities Alliance

Brussels Tourism in the spotlight in Washington

Brussels, 27 June 2011 ... Freddy Thielemans, Mayor of the city of Brussels, Philippe Close, Deputy Mayor in charge of Tourism and Chairman of VISITBRUSSELS, and Patrick Bontinck, Managing Director of VISITBRUSSELS, have joined forces for an ambitious trip to the United States aimed at making the tourist sector more aware of the advantages of the Capital of Europe.

The small delegation from the city of Brussels and VISITBRUSSELS embarked on their mission to the United States with the aim of promoting Brussels as a destination for business tourism and congresses. To achieve this, the group started Monday with an official meeting between the mayors of the two capitals (see photo).

Freddy Thielemans, Philippe Close and Patrick Bontinck then met the Washington tourism and congress sector to present the numerous advantages of Brussels in the MICE sector. In his speech, Freddy Thielemans presented the Heysel development project, called NEO, which features the construction of an international congress centre capable of hosting large-scale conventions.

"The NEO project and in particular its congress centre will enable Brussels to develop its international scope. It is important to publicize our plans internationally as early as possible. This is one of the reasons why we wished to organize this mission" explained Freddy Thielemans. "Brussels has set itself ambitious objectives to develop its international hosting capabilities. This is one of the major goals in the economic development of the Brussels Region. Our infrastructure projects at Heysel are the tangible proof of this. In addition to infrastructure, we also have to take the necessary steps to promote our destination, through highlighting our assets and advantages" stated Philippe Close, Chairman of VISTBRUSSELS. In the evening it is planned that the two tourism bureaus, VISITBRUSSELS and Destination DC supported by their local governments, sign an alliance of "Power Cities" with the aim of exchanging their know how on hosting congresses and meetings, an economic sector of growing importance for both cities.

In signing this cooperation agreement, VISITBRUSSELS and Destination DC undertake to support one and other in the promotion of their respective destinations, as well as to exchange best practices, in order to attract major events to their cities.

"We know that large congresses are itinerant. And since we are situated on different continents, Brussels and Washington have everything to gain from working together, in order to attract and retain a common clientele" explained Patrick Bontinck, Managing Director of VISITBRUSSELS. The alliance has chosen the name of "Power Cities" accompanied by the slogan "A Capital-to-Capital Connection". Brussels and Washington are both extremely proud of their "Power Cities" status. This power can be measured by the number of international institutions and corporate headquarters present in the city, as well as the number of press representatives and lobbyists. As important decision centres for their continent, the cities of Washington and Brussels both share the same decisive advantages in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Congresses & Events) sector. According to UIA criteria in 2011, Brussels is for the second consecutive year the Number One destination for association congresses in Europe and second in the world, just behind Singapore.

With 474 meetings, Brussels hosted 4.9% of the world’s international congresses. Brussels is home to more international associations (3,300 in total), including both inter-government and non-government organisations, than any other city in the world.

Major advantages of Brussels in the MICE sector include the presence of the European Union, NATO, 15,000 lobbyists, more than 1,000 press correspondents and frequent head-of-state summits. Other features include the presence of numerous non-profit organisations, top-level hospitals and universities, the city’s central geographical situation and accessibility, the professionalism of its services and the presence of FAIB.

More information:

Martha Meeze: m.meeze@visitbrussels.be, +32 486 53 31 81

Pierre-Olivier Massart: p.massart@visitbrussels.be, +32 475 53 08 07