Perfectly formed

For the city of Belfast, its compact size is one of its strengths, powering a reputation for delivering value as well as fantastic experiences (it was even included in National Geographic Traveller (UK)'s 2024 Cool List).

Once a world leader in shipbuilding, today Belfast is making waves in advanced manufacturing, fintech, medtech, life & health sciences, and the digital and creative industries. It's home to two world-class universities, and more than 1,300 business, medical and academic leaders form its Ambassador Circle, tasked with winning meetings and events.

And don’t be fooled by its size: this is a destination that is able to rapidly scale up when it’s needed. In August, it hosted Europe’s largest archaeology conference, the European Association of Archaeologists’ annual conference, for more than 3,000 delegates then, two months later, the One Young World Summit 2023 took over the SSE Arena Belfast and ICC Belfast for 2,200 attendees from 191 countries, with a closing ceremony held at ICC Belfast and across the Titanic Quarter.

"Belfast is an award-winning hidden gem of a city, nestled between the hills and the sea," says Deborah Collins, head of business tourism at Visit Belfast, who cites its walkability as making it perfect for events. "A proud tier 2 destination, we are renowned for our warm and authentic hospitality and our ability to win over the hearts and minds of our organisers and delegates."

Belfast is certainly a big hit with delegates: the 2024 ICCA conference saw record numbers in February, and all-female leadership programme SistersIN, a charitable collaboration between major players including ICC Belfast | Waterfront Hall | Ulster Hall, Danske Bank and Queen’s University Belfast, welcomed more than 800 attendees in March.

With demand growing in the city, plans have even been mooted by the city council to convert the former Belfast Telegraph building into event space. Plus not-for-profit organisations holding events in the city until 2030 can benefit from awards from £5,000 to £100,000 under the Belfast and Northern Ireland Conference Support Scheme.

Where to stay

There are more than 10,000 hotel bedspaces across the city, more than three-quarters of them in hotels that have earned sustainability credentials. The hotel sector has doubled in size over the last 25 years, with more than £1.5bn invested in new builds and revamps: four hotel projects currently underway in Belfast will add at least another 430 rooms to the city's total.

Check out the newly opened room2 Belfast, a trendy low-carbon hometel made up of 175 rooms, which offers space for events for up to 120 people, including the bijou kitchen workshop and its funky plant-filled Winnie’s cafe & bar area.

Or the renowned Europa Hotel has capacity for 600 alongside 272 hotel rooms, while the Crowne Plaza Belfast’s conference spaces include The Grand with capacity for 900 delegates or 550 dinner guests.

Where to meet

With flexible space for conferences and events with up to 5,000 delegates, most organisers of large-scale events opt for the waterfront ICC Belfast. And with sustainable congress credentials no longer just a nice-to-have, it’s great to hear that it has become Ireland’s first purpose-built conference venue to earn the Green Meetings Gold Award.

Nearby, Titanic Belfast has a host of spaces for events: check out the Andrews Gallery for a reception for up to 300, or the Giant Atrium for an unusual setting for 600, while the neighbouring Titanic Exhibition Centre is the city’s largest dedicated exhibition space at 6,000 sqm.

Other notable venues include the elegant St George's Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions, which makes a charming setting for events for up to 2,500. But for a boardroom meeting venue that really raises the stakes, try "one of the most visually exciting venues to have launched in recent years"… the Game of Thrones Studio Tour just 30 minutes' from Belfast includes the Studio Café, The Great Hall of Winterfell, Dragonstone, King’s Landing and Destroyed Throne Room.

What to do

This year sees an extensive programme of cultural events that form part of Belfast2024 with almost 200 events, workshops and activities taking place throughout the city between March and December.

A 90-minute walking tour of West Belfast offers an interesting overview of the Troubles, taking in the Falls Road and Shankill Road along with famous murals, memorial gardens and peacewalls between the two communities. The historic and picturesque Cathedral Quarter takes some beating, and there are some great food and drink tours on offer – underestimate the city’s foodie scene at your peril.