The Valencia Conference Centre doubles the number of international congresses

The Board of Directors has approved the budget for next year, with forecasts pointing to a 7.8% increase in sales compared to 2018

The Chairwoman of the Conference Centre, Sandra Gómez, pointed out that the venue has consolidated its international growth in 2018 and is set for a very positive 2019, according to the management report presented today to the Board of Directors, which approved the budget for the coming year, with forecasts pointing to a 7.8% increase in sales compared to 2018.

According to the management report for the last nine months, Gómez highlighted the rise in the number of events held during the period, with a total of 71 events, of which 17 were congresses, 10 were conventions and 40 were conferences. “These are very positive figures, as we predicted at the beginning of the year, with international congresses doubling compared to 2017, and the number of delegates increasing at both meetings and corporate events,” she said.

The report also highlights the sales work carried out during this period which, in Gomez’s opinion, “has been instrumental in the Centre’s excellent current market position as one of the international benchmarks for events”. According to the latest statistics published by ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association), the Conference Centre has contributed “to Valencia’s improved position in the European ranking, moving up from 38th to 35th, ahead of Moscow, Marseilles, Manchester and Glasgow”. The councillor also emphasized that “thanks to the initiatives aimed at attracting new business, which included around 550 sales visits, the Conference Centre has submitted 73 candidacies for events and has won 36 new bids”.

“Thanks to these intense sales efforts, together with constant investments made by the Valencia City Council, pre-tax results are expected to reach €700,000 at the end of the year,” said Gomez.

In turn, the venue’s Managing Director, Sylvia Andrés, stated that, “2018 is a special year for us, as it coincides with our 20th anniversary, and results show that the Valencia Conference Centre is heading towards a very positive end of year and, given the increased number of events booked in for 2019, this trend is set to continue next year.

She also explained that with regard to the proposal to replace the fountains with a landscaped area, the Board of Directors has requested a feasibility study of the project, and that once this are available, the Board will be able to make a decision.