Genk: Brand-new meeting and event destination

Genk is a young city, and that's something you really notice. The city has a dynamic and creative spirit. Genk has reinvented itself time and time again over the years and will probably always carry on doing that; innovation is in its DNA. The innovative character is reflected in local trades and activities, as well as the 14 unique event locations, 60 meeting rooms, 16 hotels and 56 restaurants the city has to offer. Genk is centrally located in the EU and is easily accessible by car, train or plane. The proximity of many international and regional airports (Brussels, Charleroi, Liege, Maastricht/Aachen, Eindhoven and Düsseldorf) makes Genk the perfect destination for meetings and events.

Colourful & diverse

Genk is a colourful and diverse city. A real asset. When the mining industry was flourishing, Genk attracted residents from countries such as Turkey, Italy, Greece and Spain. This multicultural population gives the cosmopolitan city its unique, dynamic vibe. As a result of the tradition of immigration, the population is known for being very welcoming. Furthermore, there's lots to discover in terms of cuisines from all over the world, such as in the Vennestraat, a stone's throw from the C-mine site. In 2016, it's mainly the students, talents, start-ups and entrepreneurs from all over the world who find their way to the spirited city.

Energy, healthcare and more

Sustainable energy, healthcare, the creative economy... Genk stands out in various sectors. At Thor Park, for example, you'll find everything related to research into sustainable energy. This park at the former Waterschei coalmine has become a hotspot for technology and innovation. The IncubaThor is the first realised industrial  building and offers office space as well as various meeting rooms. The topic of 'healthcare' has really taken off since Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (ZOL) attracted a number of top surgeons, such as the orthopaedic surgeon Professor Bellemans, also head of medical staff of the Belgian delegation at the Olympic Games in Rio. Another thing worth mentioning is the vibrant community in the field of design, gaming and IT that has emerged at the imposing site of C-mine, a former coalmine. In addition, Genk is a pioneer in the field of logistics and technology & engineering. And as a gateway to the Hoge Kempen National Park, environmental developments are also top of the agenda.

Outside the Box at C-mine

If you like thinking outside the box, you can't miss C-mine. C-mine is the city's creative hub and an absolute must. This location, on the site of the former Winterslag coalmine, breathes innovation. Here you can find a culture and design centre, a cinema complex, many creative companies, an art college, 1,120 free parking spaces and a whole lot more. At C-mine, you literally meet up between the old machines, but in an innovative and inspiring context. With more than 31 rooms, distributed over various buildings, the options are rich and diverse. There's a large auditorium (487 seats), an impressive event hall (400 seats or 800 standing), a handful of meeting rooms and multi-functional spaces. You've also come to the right place if you're after an original catering concept or activity. The so-called C-mine crib is home to more than 20 creative and innovative companies. You can also rent meeting rooms, a creativity loft, a co-working space and a demonstration area.

Street of the Senses

For an original catering concept or a special activity, you're also at the right place at C-mine. How about a miners' menu or street food? Or a C-mine expedition where the guests don't only go underground,  but also 65 metres in the air? The Vennestraat, also known as the ‘Street of the Senses’, isn't far from C-mine. Here, multi-cultural restaurants, cafés and handicraft shops are interspersed with surprising design shops, galleries and pop-ups. Do you want to serve something a bit different from the classic lunch? If so, you've come to the right place.

Cycling through water

Bokrijk is a large, open-air museum that transports you back to the atmospheric 17th century. The museum contains a reconstruction of an impressive old-fashioned city. Here you'll find HANGAR58, a large multi-functional event location, where a dinner for up to 1,200 people, a reception for up to 2,000 people and a conference for up to 500 people can be organised. Bokrijk is also the designated place for social programs. One of the highlights is that you can literally cycle through the water here. Cyclists pass through the De Wijers pond region along a 200 metre-long cycle path, with the water at eye-level on both sides. All of the senses are stimulated: you see, feel and smell the water from your bike.

Virtual Reality Tours

Another unique experience is a workshop at Studio Peter Stockmans, an internationally renowned ceramist from Genk. Its plates adorn many famous restaurants, including the world- renowned Parisian restaurant Le Meurice of the top chef Alain Ducasse. The Virtual Reality tours in C-mine are also a must. Experience how dark it really was in the sultry corridors. Feel the ground boom with the numerous explosions in the tough ground. Step inside the time capsule, put a helmet on and step back in time, to the heyday of the Belgian mining industry in the 50s. Of course, the wonderful scenery of Genk also offers many opportunities for social programs and team-building activities. Cycling, walking or horse riding in the Hoge Kempen National Park is sure to be an adventure.

MeetinGenk

Interested and looking for advice? The MeetinGenk team would be happy to help you find unique locations and experiences in Genk and the surrounding area.