Rotterdam develops ambassador programme to attract more congresses

Rotterdam Marketing has launched an ambassador programme, Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors, to help promote the destination and attract more congresses. The Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors programme was officially launched at an event last month where 12 of the 17 ambassadors were appointed. "These knowledge ambassadors are well-established names within institutes such as Eramus MC, Eramus University and the Maritime and Transport College and they frequently attend international congresses abroad," says Director of Rotterdam Marketing, Tom Wesselink. "This is why they are precisely the people who can make a key contribution towards promoting the city within the congress world." The Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors programme focuses primarily on increasing the number of international association congresses within Rotterdam's spearhead areas: medical, port and creative. Rotterdam hosted 26 international association congresses (congresses organised by the academic and association sector) in 2012 that generated more than €12m (US$16m) in spending. In order to be considered for appointment, the Rotterdam Knowledge Ambassadors had to have already actively participated in bringing a congress to Rotterdam. The term of ambassadorship is five years. The ambassadors also jointly serve as a knowledge and network platform in the field of organising and attracting national and international congresses to Rotterdam.