Hungexpo Budapest’s new Congress Centre – a venue of innovation and total flexibility
After a complete refurbishment taking two years, Hungexpo Budapest has undergone a EUR170 million transformation including the opening of a new state-of-the-art Congress Centre.
Owned by GL Events Group, a worldwide provider of integrated solutions and services for events, Hungexpo in the beautiful Hungarian capital is now welcoming all sizes of events to its fully renewed Congress and Exhibition Centre.
A flexible venue, the new Centre offers 26 rooms and a 2,000-seat plenary hall equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology. The plenary hall boasts the latest Gala Seats retractable seating system, which allows it to be transformed from an auditorium to a flat space in a matter of minutes. The 72-sqm, high-definition LED wall behind the stage is a record-breaker in Hungary.
Two new pavilions have also been constructed - 7,250 sqm and 5,700 sqm - together with a new contemporary reception hall. Three other pavilions with a total area of 32,000 sqm have been renovated.
The investment was long overdue, according to the CEO of Hungexpo Gábor Ganczer, who says: “Budapest was already a prime destination for conference tourism, but due to the lack of a suitable venue, it has only benefited to a limited extent from one of the most important and lucrative branches of conference and business tourism. With a modern congress centre and the revitalisation of the entire area, Budapest will be one of the top five conference destinations in Europe and now we are able to host international congresses and conferences of just about any size."
Budapest increases in popularity for events
The recently released ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) rankings puts Budapest 12th in the world while the city has also climbed 13 places according to the Brussels-based UIA (Union of International Associations), to its current position in the top 20 of international meeting cities.
Major events held at Hungexpo since the renovation include the International Eucharistic Congress and the Planet Budapest Sustainability Expo and Summit last year. In 2022 it hosted the Bocuse d’Or European Selection, the prestigious chef’s competition, for the second time followed by the European Congress of Endodontology (ESE) with more than 1,600 participants. The Global Special Operation Forces Symposium Europe, organised by Clarion Events, also recently took place here.
Optimistic for the future
Gábor Ganczer is optimistic for the coming year. With the resumption of international events in 2022, a rebound is expected in 2023-24.
Gábor Ganczer
Gábor Ganczer
He says: “Following an unprecedented quiet period for the events industry worldwide caused by the pandemic, event organisers, associations and corporates are eager to return with their events to be able to meet face-to-face. Exhibitors and visitors are very much looking forward to once more attending well-regulated business events.”
With the two new exhibition halls and the new congress centre, Hungexpo is now the largest multi-functional exhibition and congress venue in Central Eastern Europe.
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Agnes Opitzer
Director of Hosted Event Sales
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