Wherever you are coming from in the Benelux, you have a very sustainable option in the neighborhood. Leave the car, skip the plane, hop on the train and enjoy these wonderful smaller cities.
Aachen (Aken), Germany
Aachen is an ideal destination just across the border, offering a unique mix of imperial history and high-end technology.
- Accessibility: From cities such as Heerlen or Maastricht, you can reach Aachen in 15 to 30 minutes. From the Randstad, you can easily travel via various routes.
- Venues: Eurogress Aachen is a leading conference center. For a historical setting, you can use venues around the world-famous Aachen Cathedral.
- Incentive: A guided tour through the historic city center combined with a tasting of Aachener Printen, or a visit to the RWTH University high-tech campus for an innovative angle.
Cologne (Keulen/Köln), Germany
Cologne is one of Europe’s most important trade fair cities and has a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere. Plus Kolsch.
- Accessibility: With the direct ICE International, you can travel from Amsterdam Central to the heart of Cologne in around 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- Venues: Koelnmesse is enormous and ideal for large-scale exhibitions, but the city also offers unique venues such as Flora Köln (a beautiful glass palace in the botanical gardens).
- Incentive: Climb the cathedral, enjoy a Kölsch beer tasting in one of the many traditional breweries, or take a boat cruise on the Rhine.
- Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp is a “pocket-sized” global city combining fashion, diamonds, and an impressive port. It is hipper than ever.
- Accessibility: The Eurostar (formerly Thalys) or the Intercity Brussels takes you directly to Antwerp Central Station in 1 to 2 hours. The station itself is considered one of the most beautiful event locations in the world.
- Venues: The Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp (FMCCA) is literally located inside the zoo (ZOO Antwerp), right next to the station. Hosting meetings among the animals adds a unique dimension.
- Incentive: A chocolate-making workshop at Chocolate Nation or a culinary walk through the trendy Eilandje district near the MAS museum.
- Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a surprisingly modern and green destination, ideal for international business meetings.
- Accessibility: By train, you travel via Brussels and then take the direct connection to Luxembourg. A major advantage: all public transport throughout the entire country is free.
- Venues: The Kirchberg district is home to the Luxembourg Congress Center, surrounded by modern architecture and European institutions.
- Incentive: Explore the UNESCO-listed casemates (underground fortifications), followed by a wine tasting in the nearby Moselle Valley.
- Düsseldorf, Germany
Düsseldorf is known for its fashion, art, and the famous “longest bar in the world.”
- Accessibility: Like Cologne, Düsseldorf is easily accessible with the ICE International from Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Arnhem (travel time approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes).
- Venues: Messe Düsseldorf is world-famous. For a more modern vibe, venues in the MedienHafen (with architecture by Frank Gehry) are especially popular.
- Incentive: An architecture walk through the harbor or a team-building activity along the Rhine promenade.
- Ghent (Gent), Belgium
If you’re looking for a more intimate and less corporate atmosphere, Ghent is a hidden gem.
- Accessibility: Around 2 to 2.5 hours travel time via Antwerp or Brussels.
- Venues: ICC Ghent is located in Citadel Park, but the city truly shines in its reuse of historic buildings, such as the Old Fish Market (Oude Vismijn).
- Incentive: A boat tour through the medieval canals with a tasting of local beers and the famous “Ghent noses” (cuberdons).
- Lille (Rijsel), France
Lille is the perfect “far-away” destination that still feels very close. It is a key hub for both the Eurostar and TGV networks.
- Accessibility: From Rotterdam or Amsterdam, take the Eurostar to Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi), where you transfer to the TGV or Eurostar to Lille (travel time from Rotterdam approx. 2 hours).
- Venues: Lille Grand Palais is a vast complex for conferences and exhibitions. For something more distinctive, consider L’Aéronef or venues in the beautiful Vieux-Lille district.
- Incentive: A culinary tour through the old town or a visit to the nearby La Piscine Museum in Roubaix, an Art Deco swimming pool transformed into a museum.
- Maastricht, the Netherlands
Often described as the most “un-Dutch” city in the country, Maastricht is ideal for an international feel without crossing the border.
- Accessibility: Direct intercity connections from the Randstad. The station is within walking distance of the city center.
- Venues: MECC Maastricht has recently been completely renovated and ranks among the top venues in Europe. For a historic atmosphere, choose amazing Château Neercanne or the underground cellars of Rebelle.
- Incentive: An underground exploration of the marlstone caves or an exclusive dinner at one of the many vineyards in the Jeker Valley.
- Mechelen, Belgium
Often overshadowed by Antwerp or Brussels, Mechelen is Flanders’ MICE surprise: compact, historic, and highly innovative.
- Accessibility: The Eurocity Direct (formerly the Benelux train) stops directly in Mechelen. From Amsterdam, the journey takes around 2 hours.
- Venues: Het Predikheren is a former monastery now serving as one of Europe’s most inspiring library and meeting spaces (a Flanders Heritage Venue).
- Incentive: Climb the St. Rumbold’s Tower for a skywalk with views stretching to Antwerp and Brussels, or join a beer workshop at the legendary Het Anker brewery.
- 1 The Hague (Den Haag), the Netherlands
The city of peace and justice, offering a unique blend of political prestige and the beach at Scheveningen.
- Accessibility: Excellent rail access via The Hague Central Station and Hollands Spoor.
- Venues: The World Forum specializes in large, often high-security international conferences. The Fokker Terminal, a former aircraft hangar, provides a bold industrial setting.
- Incentive: A networking reception at one of the beach pavilions or a visit to Impact Campus Titaan for groups focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Leiden and Noordwijk, the Netherlands
Known as the “City of Discoveries,” Leiden is ideal for academic or medical congresses thanks to its strong links with the university and the Bio Science Park. Noordwijk aan Zee is the true upscale diamond of the Dutch coast.
- Accessibility: A major Randstad rail hub, with trains departing every 10–15 minutes from all major cities.
- Venues: ECC Leiden offers a large, flexible floor space for big groups, while national museums such as Naturalis or the National Museum of Antiquities provide unique dinner venues. The classic Grand Dame Grand hotel ter Duin is where presidents sleep.
Incentive: A canal cruise along Leiden’s 28 kilometers of waterways or a “scientific walk” through the historic Hortus Botanicus. And of course all sorts of fun beach activities.
- Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
The Frisian capital stands for calm, space, and a distinctive local culture. We love this town.
- Accessibility: Direct train connections from Utrecht and the Randstad. It’s the perfect destination to escape the bustle of the western Netherlands.
- Venues: WTC Expo Leeuwarden for large-scale events, or Post-Plaza (housed in a former post office) for an atmospheric, upscale setting.
- Incentive: Wadden Sea mudflat hiking (just 30 minutes away), a traditional barge tour through the canals, or a visit to the innovative WaterCampus.
- Groningen, the Netherlands
A young, vibrant city that never sleeps, ideal for energetic groups. And ‘Eierballen’ (do not miss this home town snack)
- Accessibility: Despite the distance, the direct train connection from Utrecht and the Randstad is very comfortable, allowing you to work productively along the way.
- Venues: Forum Groningen is an architectural landmark with multiple event spaces and a rooftop terrace offering the best views in the north of the Netherlands.
- Incentive: An “Energy Tour” to the Eemshaven or a nighttime climb of the Martinitoren.
