Flanders unveils its new convention centre

The Flanders Meetings & Conventions Centre (FMCCA) has announced the official opening of its new convention centre in Antwerp. Located within the award winning 19^th century zoo, the Centre provides the meetings industry with a new venue for the 21^st century. FMCCA was officially opened this weekend by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

Describing Europe’s new venue, Anja Stas, Chief Commercial Officer FMCCA said; “HM Queen Mathilde of Belgium officially opened the FMCCA on 27^th November.  Combining history with the very latest technology, in a city often described as small but with a larger than life attitude for culture and business, this brand new Centre is set within one of the founding ZOO’s in the world. With meeting and conference rooms in historical surroundings and facilities that will provide a truly unique attitude and creativity to meetings and events – we have a living and breathing historic monument now accessible to the world of meetings and events”. The proceeds of all commercial activities – including those of every event – will go entirely to operating the parks and the Centre for Research and Conservation.

Offering something really different

“The focus is on offering something really different for our clients and delegates which could an early morning run through the ZOO surrounded by the elephants and giraffes, or a tea-break with networking, watched over by gorillas. Breakfast with penguins, a yoga stretch by the flamingo pool or a nightly stroll through the sleeping ZOO, are all possible but we have so many options, the combination is endless.  Our team will be happy to provide a customized programme, it’s all about the client’s choice”, added Anja Stas. The legacy of the 19^th Century Great Hall, the Marble Hall, The Winter Garden, Darwin Hall and the Verlat Hall are now all available as part of the conference centre, plus 20-30 meeting rooms with over 25,000m² and a capacity to hold events for up to 2,700 delegates. The venue provides flexible open space areas and venues for banquets and dinners including the Aquarium which houses one of Europe’s largest reef aquarium. Dinner@ ZOO also provides options to hold garden parties, Galas Dinners and networking events in the ZOO when it is closed to the public – providing a “truly VIP experience”; added Stas. Antwerp ZOO was opened in 1843, and is one of the founding zoos in the world with some 7000 animals and 550 species.  It has an award winning reputation for global preservation and breeding programmes.