The best destinations for planning a largescale global conference
Scouting a suitable venue for large conferences in Europe can be a challenging prospect; a challenge that is made even more difficult when scoping long-haul destinations
After our insightful blog, “Top 6 hotels for European Conferences and Meetings”, here is just a taste of some of our favourite destinations in the world for largescale conferences.
Singapore
Singapore, the “Lion City,” the City of The Future, and one of the world’s greenest and most prosperous destinations. Singapore is constantly evolving, reinventing, and reimagining itself.
From a logistical point of view, Singapore is perfect for a largescale, global conference.
Singapore Changi Airport is currently ranked in the top 3 of the World’s Best Airports of 2021, being one of the busiest passenger hubs for South-East Asia, flying to over 400 cities worldwide in more than 100 countries. Not only this, thanks to a $500 million renovation in 2019, the airport today houses an indoor forest, a swimming pool, a trampoline, and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.
This fascinating destination has hosted many world-class events, including the first Formula 1 Night Grand Prix, and is consistently voted a top MICE destination, especially when looking at largescale conferences.
Besides prioritising safety and security, the city has multiple award-winning innovative event venues, including the Singapore Expo, which is the largest convention and exhibition centre in Singapore, with over 100.000 sqm of column-free, indoor space spread over ten halls, and the Marina Bay Sands. The latter is home to multiple unique and vibrant venues, all under one roof: over 2,500 hotel rooms and suites, 250 meeting rooms and 24 ballrooms, perfect for large events like conventions, product launches, or red carpets and incentives.
Have you ever seen a gravity-defying park? Well, the crowning glory of Marina Bay Sands is the Sands SkyPark, an architectural masterpiece located 200 metres above the city, featuring exclusive restaurants, an infinity pool, landscaped gardens, and a breath-taking view of Singapore’s skyline.
Chicago
Chicago, one of America’s most vibrant and exciting destinations, voted as the best city in the U.S. for five years in a row.
Everyone knows Chicago as the “Windy City,” although the word “Chicago” actually means “onion field” in Algonquin, referring to the wild onions and garlic that used to grow along the Chicago River.
This Midwest metropolis has a distinguished history and is known for its quirky facts: did you know that it is home to the world’s first modern skyscraper (Home Insurance Building, 1888) and to the only river in the world that flows backwards?
Logistically, it is one of the most connected cities in the world, thanks to its two world-class airports: the multi-award-winning, environmentally conscious O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW), both conveniently located in the city centre, with thousands of daily flights to more than 240 destinations.
Chicago is a cultural melting pot, a hub for world-class dining, attractions, and more. With over 52 million people visiting every year, it is no wonder that this city has long been a popular destination for conferences, conventions, meetings, and events of all sizes, offering all sorts of venues.
Located on Chicago’s lakefront, just minutes from downtown and facing one of the most iconic skylines in the world, McCormick Place is the largest Convention Centre in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 2.6 million sq. feet of exhibit space and 173 meeting rooms, in four buildings, including the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel.
If you are looking for something more traditional, why not choose the Hilton Chicago, overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan. With over 1,500 rooms and suites, and 78 meeting rooms, including breakout rooms, ballrooms, and modern boardrooms, this majestic hotel has welcomed presidents, noted dignitaries, and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II.
Cape Town
Cape Town, the “Mother City” of South Africa and Africa’s best MICE destination in 2020, where vibrant streets, modern infrastructures, fine wines, and stunning white-sandy beaches are the order of the day.
The city where the world’s first heart transplant took place (1967), where you can experience four seasons in one day. Cape Town is an incredible and inspiring city that boasts one of the most dynamic economies on the African continent.
Cape Town International Airport offers direct flights to more than 20 international hubs, with an average flying time of 10-11 hours. The airport has also recently won, once again, the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Award for Best Airport in Africa for the sixth consecutive year, being the second busiest hub in Africa.
The city is also home to Africa’s leading convention centre Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), located in the shadow of Table Mountain. A modern building that offers a floor plan of over 140,000 sqm, divided into two main facilities, CTICC1 and CTICC2, fully-equipped boardrooms, and on-site five-star accommodation.
Moving towards Somerset West, between the Cape Winelands, the Helderberg Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, just half an hour from the city centre, the Lord Charles Hotel is ready to start a great new chapter, reopening its doors in February 2022.
An elegant and tranquil venue renowned for hosting world-class conferences and events. Its conference centre consists of 11 fully equipped meeting rooms, accommodating intimate, medium-size, or larger gatherings. Lord Charles Hotel is also the perfect venue for hybrid meetings, thanks to its latest audio-visual equipment.
Vancouver
Who would not want to organise an event in the city that recently ranked as the third most “liveable place in the world” for its high standard of living and quality of life?
Vancouver, the “Hollywood of the North,” the birthplace of Greenpeace, where sustainability becomes reality: from the six-acre living roof on the Vancouver Convention Centre to eco-transportation, renewable energy, and urban rainforests, like Stanley Park, which is even 10% larger than New York City’s Central Park.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located close to the city centre, is consistently rated one of the best airports in North America, with non-stop direct flights to over 122 destinations.
This fascinating city offers unparalleled destination value and one of the most cohesive hospitality networks in the world.
Part of the beauty of this place comes from the diversity of its inhabitants. Vancouver is known as a safe and inclusive city, where you can hear more than 70 languages (although French and English are the official languages).
In terms of meetings, Vancouver offers a wide range of conference and event facilities, from its ultra-high-tech convention centres to the dynamic sports venues and learning centres. An inspiring and beautiful destination full of flexible space options, such as the award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre, recognised internationally as an innovative and leading events facility.
This incredible venue, located on Vancouver's downtown waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop, hosts more than 500 events and welcomes hundreds of thousands of attendees each year, thanks to its two connected buildings, which feature over 43,000 sqm of flexible and functional meeting, exhibition, and plenary spaces for any event.
Nestled on the shores of Coal Harbour, overlooking Stanley Park via its picturesque seawall and the North Shore Mountains, the Westin Bayshore can offer the best of both worlds: a refreshing urban lifestyle and a relaxing resort-like experience.
This hotel is home to 499 spacious guest rooms and to the impeccable a 15,500 sq. foot space that holds the distinction of one of Western Canada’s most spacious venues. With an array of outdoor spaces and more than 30 fully-equipped indoor meeting rooms, the Westin Bayshore is the ideal setting for corporate gatherings and conferences in Vancouver.
Dubai
The city that has one of the largest indoor malls in the world, the biggest automated fountain, the tallest hotel, and one of the largest indoor ski slopes...this is Dubai.
Founded in 1833, Dubai today has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. From being a small fishing village on the edge of the desert to become the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), claiming a population boom of over 500% in recent decades.
The city is an important hub for international travel. Dubai International Airport (DXB), the second busiest airport globally, is the home base of the award-winning Emirates Airlines, which serves more than 7,000 flights per week and 260 destinations across the World’s continents.
Although Dubai is a newcomer to the events and meetings market, it has consolidated its reputation as one of the world’s leading MICE destinations, having hosted some of the world’s most prestigious events.
When talking about Dubai, it is impossible not to mention the well-known Burj Khalifa Hotel, the tallest building in the world (163 floors and a total height of 829.8 metres), with its high-speed lifts, which can take you up to the observation deck or even up to meeting spaces, within seconds.
This incredible venue is home to a sprawling 990 sqm events space, situated at level 112 (400 metres), with an outdoor terrace offering a breath-taking view of Dubai – certainly, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Purposely built to host exhibitions and events of any size, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has played a considerable role in developing the region’s MICE industry. Built in 1979, the DWTC was Dubai’s first major tower and business centre. Today, with over 92,000 sqm of covered exhibition and event space, including 21 halls and over 40 flexible meeting rooms across three floors, this incredible building hosts over 500 events annually.
If you want to know more about these stunning destinations and how to organise your next event, contact us now!