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Trends in food and drink

As we know, where the consumer market leads, businesses follow. So, here’s a look at the trends in food and drink, which is what we can look forward to in offerings from hotels and venues as these filter through to their menus.

Organic and healthy choices

Sugary food and drink are less popular than it was as people are becoming more aware what they are eating, driving the healthy food and drinks trend. The same is true of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There are far more option on menus for people with food intolerances and preferences, including celiac, dairy free, low fat, vegetarian, vegan, keto and organic options. Alternative diets are becoming more mainstream and more vegetables are being added.

Plant-based options

The trend toward plant-based diets is set to grow rapidly in 2020 and non-meat substitutes now have more flavour than they used to. Unusual ingredients becoming more mainstream, such as nutritional yeast, seaweed, hemp, ashwagandha, cassava, bijao leaves, cocona, acai, aguaje, and maracuya.

Healthier snacks

Alternatives to crisps are becoming more readily available with ingredients like chickpeas, beetroot, carrot, peppers, kale and quinoa. People are moving away from three meals a day and using healthy snacks to fill the gaps.

Alternative Milks

Coconut, almond, goats’, rice, oat and soy milks are readily available in supermarkets and cafes. Oat milk consumption is set to rise as it is very popular in hot drinks and has a low environmental impact compared with some of the other options.

Jackfruit

The Indian Jackfruit is often used as a substitute for pulled pork because of its texture and is also being used in recipes instead of tofu and quorn in curries and chilli recipes. It’s low in sodium and calories, but high in fibre, B vitamins and potassium.

Sparkling Water

Sparkling water consumption has grown from consumers who like fizzy drinks, but still want to cut down on sugar.

Unusual fruits

Different fruits are being introduced, both eaten fresh and incorporated in food and drinks. Some of the flavours are prickly pear, dragon fruit, bergamot orange, yuzu, ugli fruit, pineberry, aprium, limequat, cherimoya and strasberry.

Brightly coloured food

Chefs want their food to be talked about and Instagrammable food needs to be bright and appealing

Even more focus on sustainability

Food waste and food miles – it’s here already and will continue to be important. There’s more focus on using ugly fruit and vegetables and eliminate wasted produce at all parts of the food chain.

Simple, natural dishes

This particularly applies to puddings, where healthier options are becoming available using less cream, sugar and carbohydrates by substituting ingredients.

Mind food and mood food

Food to stimulate the brain has been discussed for some time and used in working lunches and conference menus. Food also has an influence on the way we feel, so menus are being designed with ingredients that can change the way we feel too.

Traditional cooking methods

The use of wood fired ovens and grills is set to make a comeback, for bread, pizza and other food and traditional cooking techniques become popular again.

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Birmingham: an experts insight for meetings and events

Alex Dalby, Trinity Event Solutions Event Consultant, recently headed into Birmingham for a series of site inspections. If you’re considering Birmingham as a destination for your next meeting or event, take a read of Alex’s insight and key considerations for each of the venues.

Hyatt Regency Birmingham

The Hyatt Regency is a 10-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Station, so is a perfect location for delegates coming by train. When entering the hotel, my first impressions was how stunning it was, with a great atmosphere. The lobby is filled with plants and water fountains, making it a beautiful feel on arrival and flooded with natural daylight coming through the large rooftop atrium.

The hotel has 10 meeting rooms. The largest of these is the Symphony Ballroom which can accommodate 144 in a cabaret style. This is an elegant space for a meeting and can also be split into 2 separate spaces – Ballroom 1 and Ballroom 2.

There are 319 bedrooms, all spacious and comfortable. Depending on which side of the hotel you are on, the bedrooms either look out onto views on the city or the canals (has an extra charge).

The hotel had a refurbishment in 2014 and this was still clear to see from how modern and fresh it was. There is chargeable parking on site but there are limited spaces available.

Consideration: Hyatt Regency has a direct bridge link to the International Convention Centre (ICC). This means delegates can have direct access to both.

Novotel

The Novotel is situated in a great location as it is approximately a 15-minute walk from Birmingham New Street Station. On arrival, my first impression was how quirky and colourful the reception area was. The reception area leads onto the restaurant and main breakout area for delegates and both areas had a lovely atmosphere to them. The restaurant can hold up to a maximum capacity of 100.

There are currently 9 meeting spaces in total. 3 of the meeting rooms carry the largest capacity of 48 cabaret. As of December 2019, work will be starting to add a large meeting space for 150 cabaret. I felt that the meeting rooms would be perfectly suitable for an event, but be aware there is no natural daylight.

The hotel has a total of 148 bedrooms and my first impression of the bedrooms was that they were all bright and clean.

Consideration: Car parking is available on site however; it has limited access (50 spaces) and chargeable.

Jurys Inn

The Jurys Inn hotel has a convenient location being just a 10-minute walk from Birmingham’s New Street Station. The hotel welcomes delegates with a spacious reception area, themed with black and white décor.

The hotel has 20 meeting rooms situated on the first floor and 27 syndicate rooms on the second floor. All meeting spaces are partitioned, but these can all be removed to make larger, open spaces. The largest can accommodate 160 in cabaret style. They all have natural daylight and come with standard AV equipment.

There are 445 bedrooms in total. All bedrooms were comfortable and bright, but with varying designs to them. All bathrooms have recently been refurbished, and this was clear by how new and fresh they looked.

Consideration: There will be no parking available on site starting from January 2020, as the hotel is building a lifestyle hotel just next door to the main hotel.

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre

The Crowne Plaza is situated in the heart of Birmingham City Centre and is a 10-minute walk to New Street station. The reception leads onto the restaurant and 360-degree bar, which is quite a fun idea. At the end of this, there is a private dining area which can fit up to 20 delegates. However, this is not an exclusive space so be aware of people from the bar next door.

The hotel has 12 meeting rooms which can be found on the conference floor (first floor). The largest meeting room (Vista Suite) can hold up to 150 cabaret or can be divided into 2 smaller meeting rooms. Along the foyer there are 3 executive rooms, which can hold a maximum of 10 boardroom. For larger events they can exclusive use of all 3 of these rooms. All meeting space have natural daylight, but even with this the spaces are a little dark. There are 312 bedrooms, which are all spacious and comfortable.

Consideration: Currently, the only car parking use is at the Mailbox with a 15% discount for delegates. However, there will be a new car park opening for the hotel in early 2020.

Malmaison

The Malmaison is located within the Mailbox car parking complex, a short walk from New Street station. Malmaison has 6 meeting rooms in total, with the largest meeting space has a maximum capacity of 77 cabaret. They would be suitable for a meeting, but the spaces are basic and standard. In addition, there are 4 pods which can hold a maximum of 4 people. The pods are quite fun and different, so would be suitable for delegates needing a smaller meeting space.

The hotel holds 193 bedrooms, which are spacious and uniquely designed. There is a gym, spa and a newly refurbished sauna that all delegates can use. Chargeable parking is available in the Mailbox.

Consideration: There is only one meeting space that has natural daylight.

Radisson Blu Hotel Birmingham

Radisson Blu Hotel is a 5-minute walk to New Street station, conveniently located near to the business district and shopping areas. On arrival the reception area (albeit a little small) is within a glass building and is flooded with natural daylight.

There are 10 meeting rooms in total, situated over both the 2nd and 3rd floor. The Lunar Suite is the largest of these spaces, with a maximum capacity of 80 in a cabaret layout. The hotel has 211 bedrooms that are all spacious, with the same décor and style. Bedrooms situated on the highest floor levels have views onto the city. The restaurant is situated on the first floor, which is spacious and full of atmosphere.

Consideration: The hotel has recently undergone a refurbishment in 2017 and this is clear by the modern feel to all spaces, so would be great for meetings.

Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre

The Holiday Inn, also known as the BCEC, is in a great location as it is only a short walk to New Street Station. On entering the hotel lobby, my first impression was that it had lots of decoration, with unique patterns and vibrant colours throughout.

There are 24 meeting rooms, with the largest holding a maximum of 250 cabaret. These includes a built-in stage and standard AV. The hotel has 216 bedrooms, all being decorated with a yellow and grey colour scheme. There is no car park available on site but there is an NCP, which is a very short walk away.

Consideration: A few of the meeting spaces have floor-ceiling glass walls so this would not be suitable for a pharmaceutical company due to the lack of privacy.

The Studio Birmingham

The Studio Birmingham is just a 2-minute walk from New Street station making it a great location for delegates. My first impression when entering was that the reception area was a very small space. However, on approaching the first floor I was pleasantly surprised.

All spaces had modem décor, with quirky features and bright colours throughout. There are 20 meeting rooms in total, all with natural daylight. The bar décor was in keeping with the meeting spaces, in that it was modern and vibrant. To the left of the bar, there is a quaint outside rooftop area. This would be a lovely space for delegates to use as a breakout space in summer.

Overall, this venue is different to most venues around Birmingham due to its quirky nature and relaxed atmosphere throughout. There is an NCP car park located a short distance from The Studio.

Consideration: This is just a meeting and event space, so there are no bedrooms.

Macdonald Burlington

The Macdonald Burlington is in the heart of Birmingham centre and is a short walk from New Street station. The hotel has 9 meeting rooms in total, with all having built-in Clickshare. The largest meeting space is the Horton Suite which can hold up to 250 in cabaret or can be divided into 3 smaller spaces. They were all soundproof so blocked out any noise from the city.

The hotel has 114 bedrooms in total, which are all clean and comfortable. The hotel’s restaurant area is spacious, giving a maximum capacity of 54 for dinner.

The hotel is adjacent to the NCP cark park, which holds 2000 spaces. The hotel has will be undergoing refurbishments in early 2020.

Consideration: All meeting spaces are partitioned and so can be opened out to provide more space if required.

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50 new openings sees luxury hotel market buoyant in UK

Private overseas investors and a weak sterling against the dollar has helped keep the luxury hotel market in the UK buoyant over the past 12 months, according to new research.

Private wealth law firm Boodle Hatfield said that 50 new luxury and premium hotels opened in 2018/19, a 1.5% rise over 2017/18, up to 3,380 hotels across the UK. Meanwhile the number of three-star and lower hotels dropped by just under 1% to 4,120 during the same period.

A strong market in London has helped drive the luxury market with new openings this year, including the Biltmore Mayfair, the first hotel from Hilton’s new luxury brand LXR Hotels & Resorts, and the Standard at King’s Cross.

Private investors from the Middle East and Asia have helped drive the growth of London’s luxury hotel sector. Recent acquisitions include the 603-bedroom Kensington Hilton – sold to Kurdish investor Bakir Cola for £260m, while Queensgate Investments bought a portfolio of four London properties from Grange Hotels for £1 billion.

The sector has also been boosted by a fall in the value of sterling against the dollar, which has helped drive international tourists to the UK, with VisitBritain forecasting a record spend of £24.5b from overseas visitors during 2019, up from £22.9b last year.

Adam Chamberlain, partner in the real estate team at Boodle Hatfield, said: “The luxury hotel market outside of London has showed some signs of cooling off, but the opportunity to invest in a landmark London hotel is still one that attracts wealthy individuals and families the world over.”

“Ultra-high net-worth individuals from the Gulf and Asia have long found luxury London hotels to be attractive assets, both as major trophy properties and income investments. That shows no signs of changing.”

Research by Boodle Hatfield revealed that 210 new hotels are currently under development in London.

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Trinity Event Solutions appoints managing director

Trinity Event Solutions, Stamford-based venue find and event management agency, announces recent promotion of Jenny Harding. 

Jenny joined Trinity Event Solutions as sales office manager ten years ago. One year on, she was promoted to operations manager, and subsequently invited to join the agency’s senior management team as operations director. 

During Jenny’s tenure at Trinity Event Solutions, she has led the team to achieve Gold Investors in People and – most recently – its three ISO certifications, demonstrating compliance with proven international business practices and appropriate standards. Additionally, Jenny plays an integral role in company CSR, leading many community and charitable initiatives. Last month, Jenny was recognised for “best in class management standards” when she secured a place on the coveted miaList 2019.

Her appointment to managing director comes as former MD and now CEO, Jacqui Kavanagh, continues to focus on the strategic growth of both Trinity Event Solutions and EDGE Venues.

Jacqui Kavanagh, CEO of Trinity Event Solutions said: “With the launch of EDGE Venues last year, I needed a strong management team to help me continue delivering excellence in customer service to our Trinity clients. Jenny is a natural fit and I will continue to mentor and support her as the company continues to thrive. We have a fantastic team and they join me in wishing her huge success in her new role.”

Jenny Harding shares this on her appointment: “I’m delighted to take on the role of managing director for Trinity Event Solutions. My team have a fantastic work ethic and I look forward to leading them to strive for success and achieve great things. I truly believe in what we do and I’m excited for our future.”   

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Event design and production – some ideas for a successful event

In this world of more digital communication the need for personal engagements has also increased. People need to connect and the event organisers who are linking event design to experience and behavioural science in to a strategy to achieve objectives are running very successful events. Here are some ideas that you might want to think about when setting objectives and planning your next conference or meeting.

Don’t give the delegates too many choices

Some events have grown over the years and multiple concurrent breakouts have been added to please everyone or more networking sessions to satisfy sponsors. However, giving attendees too many choices makes them think they are missing out or need to be in two places at once and the result is that they are dissatisfied. It’s like looking at a restaurant menu and there’s too much on it and it’s overwhelming and if your choice isn’t excellent then you wish you’d chosen something else. If the attendees are overloaded then they’ll skip sessions and attendance will decline. What the delegate wants is value for their time (and money), then time to review, reflect and respond to the content.

You don’t need a huge budget to deliver a successful event – all you need is an idea

Do something different, as new experiences trigger a new way of thinking. Incorporate novelty and interest through narrative and this will help the listeners to retain key messages.

Create a shared identity, values and purpose and this will strengthen the bond between delegates and the organiser.

Do something memorable at the end of the event as that’s the last thing that people will remember. If you make the peak of the event the finish or farewell, then they will leave on a high.

Production – check the venue

When you’re planning the event there are four key pieces of information that a production company will need to know:

What is the available access into the meeting space?
When will it be available?
The dimensions of the meeting room or area
The power distribution in the meeting room

Access

It’s very simple for you to walk to the function room from the catering area or reception but find out how the production company brings its equipment in to the meeting space. There is a large variety of equipment which could be needed depending on the requirements and particularly if layouts are being changed during the event.

Dimensions

Assessing this information has improved dramatically with the internet, as venues now have websites with downloadable floorplans. Look out for pillars that don’t appear on the floorplan and also the accuracy of dimensions. Make sure you check the height and width of doors and ceiling and beware of chandeliers. The screen needs to be the correct size for the audience and this will have an impact on the capacity of the room.

Power

Most events will need addition lighting, check what needs to be hired it and whether you’ll incur a bill to hire alternative power options.

Timings

This can become complicated if the venue has multiple bookings with different companies setting up and de-rigging. The time it will take can only be estimated once the venue has been checked and the technical equipment has been booked. There is also the issue of booking the crew, based on budget and the amount of time allowed to set up for the event.

The main objective is to find the right venue and to do this the organiser needs to talk to everyone involved, so they all understand the requirements before the venue search can start. Site inspections are important so make sure you ask the right questions.

In conclusion, the best event will deliver the message by creating the greatest interest and least amount of effort. More isn’t necessarily better, and you can’t be all things to all people.

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Meet Gloucester to launch

Key venues, hotels and suppliers from Gloucester have joined forces to launch Meet Gloucester, a centralised, event focused destination marketing organisation for Gloucester.

The organisation, which will officially launch at MEET South West on Friday 31 January 2020, creates a hub for domestic and international buyers looking to organise events in the city.

Created to support and target association, corporate and agency event business, Meet Gloucester has the full support of the wider Gloucester City Council, the DMO – Marketing Gloucester and funding from Gloucester Business Improvement District.

Marketing Gloucester is providing seed funding and digital support as Meet Gloucester is developed by key industry partners with a desire to see the city grow its presence on both a domestic and international level as a meetings and events destination. Local partners volunteering their time to set up and launch Meet Gloucester are:

• Hatton Court Hotel Gloucester
• Bowden Hall Hotel
• Gloucester Rugby
• Soaring Worldwide

Councillor Richard Cook, Leader of Gloucester City Council said: ”Gloucester is a vibrant and fast developing city with huge potential for growth within the meetings and events industry. Meet Gloucester will provide an ideal face for the city, bringing together its key suppliers, venues and hotels as we look to increase not just our offering but also the number of delegates coming to experience all we have to offer.”

MEET South West, the only dedicated meetings industry event held in the south-west region, is returning to Bristol for a second year in 2020. Following the success of the show in January 2019, MEET South West will be held again on Friday 31 January 2020. Next year’s event is expected to be even bigger than the inaugural show and will move to a bigger venue, Mercure Bristol Grand, to accommodate more attendees. The show will welcome professionals from every sector of the meetings industry including those who work in the incentive market.

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Accor and Arora brings Fairmont brand to Windsor

Accor and Arora Group has announced the signing of The Fairmont Windsor Park. The hotel is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound redevelopment and will open in 2020.

The Fairmont Windsor Park hotel will be the third Fairmont property in the UK alongside The Savoy in London and Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland.

The hotel is located adjacent to Windsor Great Park and Savill Gardens. It is also located on the former site of Savill Court Hotel and Spa, which was owned by Arora Group and is now being redeveloped. The hotel will feature a 2,500sqm spa and wellness area, which will include an indoor lap pool and outdoor vitality pool, treatment rooms, salt room, Hammam and Japanese foot spa.

As part of its food and beverage offering, the hotel will have a tea lounge, specialist dining restaurant and a champagne bar. There will also be an all-day dining venue. Fairmont Windsor Park will offer 16 meeting rooms, an 800sqm ballroom which can cater for 700 guests, two private terraces and a garden for outdoor functions.

Marc Dardenne, chief operating officer, Luxury Brands, Accor Europe, believes The Fairmont is an “ideal match for this hotel asset” and “looks forward to showcasing all the brand has to offer in historic Windsor.”

Surinder Arora, founder and chairman, Arora Group, added: “We are incredibly proud to bring the Fairmont brand to Arora’s growing portfolio of hotels. Over the last decade our estate has grown significantly, with this new hotel joining our other flagship properties.”

Thomas Dubaere, COO, Accor Northern Europe, said that the signing of The Fairmont Windsor Park Hotel reflects Accor’s “expertise in the luxury segment”. Dubaere adds: “The signing also underlines our ambitious regional expansion plans demonstrating the UK’s continued role as a key global market.”

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Keep as safe as you can whilst travelling

Events often require travelling in the UK or abroad and working on site at an event in places which are not under the direct control of your company, so we’ve put some guidelines together to try and avoid foreseeable problems and difficulties, as well as the implementation of appropriate precautions. However, the checks should be modified and developed in the light of personal experience and current conditions.

Planning a trip

  • Make sure someone in the office knows where you are going and how long you’ll be there for.
  • Google street view is good for identifying landmarks in an unknown area. Try to stick to well lit, busy streets and wherever possible walk facing oncoming traffic. Do not take short cuts through quieter areas such as parks. If you have any concerns head to a public place such as a hotel, garage or a shop. Keep your mind on your surroundings and avoid distractions such as your mobile phone or headphones.
  • If you have to carry equipment such as laptops, files, etc, use a suitable bag with shoulder straps or wheels to avoid muscle strains. Avoid branded laptop bags which draw attention to the fact you are carrying a laptop. Keep valuables in a zipped bag or inside pocket.
  • When leaving a hotel to return to your car, always ask to be accompanied if it is dark or if you feel uncomfortable. Your personal safety is important.
  • Ensure you park in a safe, well-lit and designated parking zone.
  • Make sure HR know who to contact on your behalf in case of emergency.

And if the trip is overseas …

  • Contact the Foreign Office for any relevant travel advice and visa requirements.
  • Sufficient time should be allowed to process visa applications.
  • Check all participants have a valid passport.
  • Obtain medical advice to determine necessary vaccinations, immunisations, first aid requirements, the NHS website has good information
  • Ensure you have access to funds to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. Take more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card)
  • Check information on climate, local culture, local customs and other local information.
  • Obtain tickets, using authorised suppliers only and any other necessary documentation for travel.
  • Ensure adequate insurance cover is in place for groups and/or individuals.
  • When travelling in Europe employees should carry a European Health Insurance Card
  • Find out where your nearest British embassy or consulate will be and keep their contact details somewhere safe.

Wherever you go, print a copy of the contact details you might need, as well as your passport and payment card and hard copies. If phone lines are suspended, you may not be able to access information electronically.

Personal accident and safety in an emergency

  • Familiarise yourself with the details of your Company’s emergency medical assistance and travel insurance prior to departure.
  • If you need emergency assistance it’s a good idea to locate a hotel close by, get there safely and stay there. Make sure it is somewhere you will be comfortable for a prolonged period.
  • Call your office and inform them of your location
  • If your company has an Employee Assistance Programme that provider will be able to help
  • In the event of an emergency that is out of your control such as a terror attack, a tube strike, or fire, use your common sense to make a sensible escape from the area.
  • Make sure you have the contact details of the nearest police station and hospitals.

During civil or political unrest, or if you feel threatened, leave the country if it’s safe to do so. Continue to check FCO travel advice and subscribe to email alerts for updates. Follow the advice of the local authorities unless the FCO travel advice advises differently. Avoid all crowds, demonstrations or large gatherings. Remain in touch with your airline or tour operator and insurer. If you’re visiting and staying in a hotel, identify the emergency procedures in place.

If you wish to leave, but are unable to do so due to disruption, cancellation or overload of commercial transportation operations, follow the advice of the local authorities. Remain in touch with your airline/tour operator, insurer and try to stay in touch with the Company. Take sensible precautions until it is safe to attempt departure. Depending on the crisis and location, The FCO will offer a range of channels for you to request help (for example: in person to a member of their crisis team on the ground, by phone, the internet or SMS) – they’ll advertise these widely at the time.

In the event of an emergency that is out of your control such as a terror attack, a tube strike, or fire, use your common sense to make a sensible escape from the area.

A good DMC is invaluable in emergency situations as they will have staff with local knowledge and procedures in place to cope with unforeseen problems.

For more information check the Suzy Lamplugh Trust which has information on personal safety and carries out training on how to stay safe at work.

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BVEP delivers pre-election manifesto for Britain’s £70bn events industry

The Business Visits and Events Partnership (BVEP) has published a report ‘Events Deliver Growth, Jobs and Opportunities. A Manifesto for Britain’s Events Industry’, which illustrates the sector’s contribution to the country’s economy ahead of the upcoming General Election on 12 December 2019.

The manifesto sets out the value of Britain’s events industry, which currently stands at £70bn through direct spend and accounts for over 50% of spend in the UK visitor economy. The events sector, both business and leisure, is estimated to now provide more than 700,000 jobs across Britain.

Simon Hughes, vice chair, BVEP, said: “Our starting point is one of significant economic impact, expert delivery of complex and creative events and active support from government departments that recognise the importance of establishing Britain as the destination of choice for hosting events.”

The document outlines five key areas to help position Britain as the leading European country for staging events including: working together to enhance the UK’s position as a leading European country for hosting events, creating a more competitive tax regime, supporting the industry in driving forward its skills agenda, avoiding greater regulation, growing infrastructure, enabling greater access and increasing investment.

Hughes continued: “In order to deliver this manifesto, we need more collaboration, less regulation and more investment in infrastructure on a national, regional and local level. All of these areas align with many of the requests from across different business sectors and are based on the proven success of Britain’s Event industry to deliver opportunities for great careers, real economic benefits and outstanding creative solutions and experiences.”

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Luxembourg Convention Bureau sets sights high for international meetings

The newly created Luxembourg Convention Bureau is aiming to secure a spot in the top 50 business meetings and events destinations in the ICCA ranking.

“Our main goals are to enter the top 50 of the business events destinations worldwide and to double the number of international congresses,” said Francois Lafont, CEO of business events Luxembourg.

“Luxembourg  has the quality of being one out of three capitals of the European Union, its excellent connectivity, its location in the heart of Europe and its innovative economic sectors will definitely secure Luxembourg on the agenda of international congress organisers.”

The Luxembourg Convention Bureau was set up to optimise the country’s meetings and events offering with strong support from the government.

The convention bureau aims to build upon Luxembourg’s economic and scientific strengths, with an emphasis on securing association meetings from its key economic and research sectors, as well as regional and European corporate and incentive events.

The main sectors that Luxembourg has identified are automotive, cleantech, finance, IT, life sciences, logistics, manufacturing, maritime and space.

“We are working on putting together an ambassador programme at the moment and we want to ensure we pick the right people from the main sectors we have identified,” Lafont added.

Luxembourg has also announced strategic partnerships with key industry players such as Luxinnovation, its national innovation agency and Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) which aim to further highlight the local knowledge expertise.

Luxembourg has ambitions to become a country where industry professionals chose to meet, exchange and connect. With more than 170 different nationalities, Luxembourg is a crossroad road for people coming from all over the world. The new convention bureau is dedicated to connecting the right people outside Luxembourg to the right people inside the county.