Utrecht in full pursuit of major international conferences
Utrecht in full pursuit of major international conferences
In the coming years, the Utrecht Congress Alliance public-private partnership will be fully committed to raising Utrecht’s profile as a leading host city and region for major international conferences. The partnership aims to attract conferences aligned with the city and region’s positioning as ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’. The themes of Life Sciences & Health, New Digital Society and Smart Sustainability will spearhead a multiyear, targeted acquisition strategy.
Utrecht Region eager to host more major international conferences
The targeted acquisition strategy is a breakthrough achievement by the Utrecht Congress Alliance, a partnership that includes the Municipality of Utrecht, the Province of Utrecht, ROM Utrecht Region, HOST (Utrecht hotelier foundation), Utrecht University, Royal Jaarbeurs and Utrecht Marketing with its subdivision Utrecht Convention Bureau. The partners have pledged to work together to strengthen Utrecht Region’s competitive edge in attracting business visitors and major conferences.
“Business events and conferences are crucial for Utrecht Region”, says Daniël Kusse, head of Marketing & Communications at Utrecht Marketing. “They boost economic activity, create jobs and are a key component of the knowledge economy.”
Kusse adds, “Events and conferences also provide the opportunity to highlight our region’s wider strengths and position Utrecht as the beating heart of a healthy society, in line with ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’. It’s great to work with an increasing number of partners from various sectors and invest in our shared ambition. For instance, a range of partners from the Utrecht Congress Alliance are attending the IMEX in Frankfurt this week, the leading trade show for the global meetings and events industry.”
Utrecht, Heart of Health
Recently named Europe’s most competitive region for the third time, Utrecht Region aims to play a pivotal role in creating a healthy and sustainable society, as reflected in the region’s positioning as ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’. The targeted, joint acquisition strategy for conferences will further consolidate the region’s profile on a global stage. The key focus is on trade association conferences and industry events like the international WHO European Healthy Cities Network conference, hosted by Utrecht and attended by 350 visitors last November, and the Future Green City World Congress, which is expected to attract more than 4,000 people to the region this September.
Global ambition
Utrecht Region has many venues that are eager to accommodate business events and win bids to host international conferences. “The new acquisition strategy ties in seamlessly with our own, which includes a focus on conferences, trade fairs and health and life sciences events”, says Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of Royal Jaarbeurs.
Van Hooff continues, “Jaarbeurs received the public award for the best conference venue in the Netherlands for the second year in a row in 2023, thanks to our personalised approach to meeting and event planning and our central location. We’re on a mission to raise Jaarbeurs’ international profile as the premier conference venue in the Netherlands, specialising in health and life sciences. It’s extremely rewarding to work with our Utrecht-based partners to gain greater global recognition for our innovative region.”
Since the partnership’s inception, an increasing number of municipalities and partners in Utrecht Region have expressed their desire to help bring business visitors and corporate events to the region.
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Minister visits Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven
Minister Micky Adriaansens visits Utrecht Science Park BilthovenWhat innovations are helpful for a long and healthy life? How can we make our knowledge economy respond to them? How do we ensure sufficient vaccines in the event of the next pandemic? At Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven, knowledge institutions, companies and government are working together on all kinds of innovations in the field of health and care. This innovation location is a good example of where the region excels: Utrecht, Heart of Health. Beating heart of a healthy society.On Monday, April 15, Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Micky Adriaansens visited Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven (USPB) together with deputy André van Schie. This campus is working on smart opportunities and solutions to improve health in the region, the Netherlands and the world. For example, the location contributes to research on better preparation for pandemics, such as the Corona crisis, in the future. As a satellite location, USPB is part of the Utrecht Science Park, the largest science park in the Netherlands with over 30,000 employees at leading knowledge institutions, research institutes and companies.USPB is unique and special because it houses many companies that are experts in the field of health, such as the company Bilthoven Biologicals. This company mainly makes vaccines for diseases such as polio. Now they are even building, commissioned by Europe, a special center to make vaccines quickly when the need is high.During the visit, the minister and deputy discussed how to make USPB even better. Important for the economy of the region and the country. Delegate Van Schie called for supporting such places and connecting them with other companies and institutions that are also engaged in knowledge development and innovation, both within the Utrecht region and beyond.Improving locations, such as USPB, also requires enough space for such places and good accessibility. This is not always easy, as the Utrecht region has a limited amount of space for many different issues, such as housing construction and energy transition. Still, it is important to invest in these kinds of places, because they help create a better future.The minister’s visit to the Utrecht region is good for the cooperation between the Utrecht region and the national government. Together they want to continue to encourage innovation. USPB and its inspiring examples help not only the Utrecht region, but also the entire Netherlands to find smart solutions to issues of the future.
Programme for Utrecht Science Week 2025 announced
Over a week full of science and innovation From 26 September to 5 October, a unique glimpse behind the scenes at Utrecht Science Park From Friday 26 September to Sunday 5 October, Utrecht Science Park will be transformed into an open house for (applied) science and innovation for everyone. The Netherlands' largest science park, where 31,000 employees and 55,000 students work every day to create a healthy, sustainable society, will offer a rich programme of engaging lectures, interactive workshops, guided tours and high-profile interviews during that week. Visitors can now register (free of charge) for the various programme components. Opening by Prof. Dr. Jan van de WinkelUtrecht Science Week kicks off with a special lecture by Prof. Dr. Jan van de Winkel, founder and CEO of Genmab, an international biotechnology company specialising in antibody therapies for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases. During this Utrecht Science Lecture on Friday 26 September, he will explore how immunotherapy is revolutionising medicine.Varied programme for various target groupsAfter the weekend, we look forward to a highly varied programme for diverse target groups. There will be lectures, workshops and guided tours for those interested in science and innovation, policymakers, healthcare and sustainability professionals, and families with children.The week offers a unique opportunity to see where and how the science of the future is being shaped. Visitors will have access to normally closed facilities such as the high-tech plant lab NPEC, can take part in guided tours at Utrechtinc and join an expedition to Amelisweerd. In addition, you can be inspired during the Sustainability Day organised by Utrecht University of Applied Sciences and Utrecht University and contribute your ideas about AI in healthcare at UMC Utrecht. Of course, there are also various events for students, such as the Utrecht Science Week Pub Quiz and the final of the Sustainable City Challenge, where students pitch their ideas for making various neighbourhoods in Utrecht more sustainable. We will conclude Utrecht Science Week on Sunday 5 October with an event for younger visitors, as it is Science Weekend. During this national science weekend, visitors can learn about the world of research, technology and innovation in an accessible and interactive way. From conducting experiments in a real laboratory to building robots themselves or discovering how paediatricians and researchers work together on groundbreaking treatments. This year, visitors will get a unique behind-the-scenes look at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht University, the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital (WKZ) and the Princess Máxima Centre, among others. Full programmeBut there is much more to experience during Utrecht Science Week. Visitors can view the full programme and register here. Except for the Betweterfestival, all events are free of charge, but some have limited capacity, so it is recommended to register soon.
FC Utrecht and UMC Utrecht focus on raising awareness of heart failure
FC Utrecht and UMC Utrecht focus on raising awareness of heart failureFC Utrecht and UMC Utrecht are once again joining forces to raise awareness of heart failure. Over the coming week, the “Take care of your heart” campaign will be drawing attention to heart failure. Together, we are working to make the region healthier.In the Netherlands, 241,900 people suffer from heart failure. In addition, 255,000 Dutch people are unaware that they have heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic condition and is relatively unknown. Only one in five Dutch people are familiar with the symptoms of heart failure. It is often seen as an age-related disease caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. This makes early diagnosis difficult and leads to a lack of understanding for people with heart failure. Linda van Laake, cardiologist and professor of complex heart failure at UMC Utrecht, says: