No time to waste

While some cities are still cautiously rebuilding their events business post-Covid, València is up and sprinting.

“This year is pretty busy with some venues running out of available dates and every day we’re receiving more requests for next year,” says Manuel Ferris, director of València Convention Bureau. In fact, he adds, they expect to recover the same number of participants and events as pre-pandemic by the end of the year. 

This year Spain’s third largest city is also celebrating being named European Capital of Smart Tourism (alongside Bordeaux, France) and World Design Capital. Its futuristic buildings are testament to this, such as the spectacular City of Arts & Sciences, Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia, Feria Valencia Events Centre and the Conference Centre, while the old town abounds with magnificent historic landmarks. 

The largest port on the Mediterranean western coast, València boasts beaches, Europe’s largest urban park, Turia Gardens, created on the old Turia riverbed, and Albufera nature reserve. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s safe, crime rates are low, the nightlife is good, especially in the tapas bars and clubs of the old town, and prices are low compared with Madrid and Barcelona. No wonder expats recently voted it the world’s best city to live in. 

València’s attractions haven’t gone unnoticed by major organisations either, judging by the list of international conferences taking place this year and next in fields including science, medicine, education and business. Most business this year is international, 90 per cent of this is corporate and over half involves more than 100 participants. 

The convention bureau is busy running workshops, site inspections and fam trips. Its Ambassadors Club recruits local leaders to help increase the city’s visibility and improve the conversion rate of conference bids. “We are positioning our brand based on sustainability, security, innovation, design and quality of life,” says Ferris. 

València focuses on sustainability big time. It was the world’s first city to certify the carbon footprint of its tourist activity. Other initiatives include electric buses and miles of cycling lanes and the Conference Centre has introduced energy-efficient measures dramatically reducing its carbon footprint. Many open green spaces are suitable for events. 

There are direct flights to València from over 90 overseas airports and more than 17,000 hotel rooms in the city. Delegates can easily walk to venues from a number of the hotels.