Keep organizing, that’s the key message to the many event organizers and venues that are based in Brussels. Indeed, after all the tragedy of the last few months, the industry refuses to throw in the towel. “A good framework for your event and an excellent cooperation with the security services is of paramount importance”, says Gilles Baudier, General Manager of ‘The EGG Brussels Congress & Meeting Center’. “The terror activities in March didn’t have too much impact on our business. It was rather the direct consequences, i.e. the unavailability of the airport. Recently we had a conference of 500 people, but only 350 could reach us. There were no flights because the airport was closed down.”
‘The EGG’ can be found near the Brussels South Station and is located in an industrial building. Originally built in 1925 by ‘Danckaert Wood Machinery’ it was erected to expand the company’s cramped premises in the Veeartsenstraat. Later on, in 1985, the company ‘Barama’ bought the building and it served as a warehouse for the decor sets of the Royal Theatre of the Mint. Around 2000, the company ‘Home Shopping Europe’ reconverted the building into a huge complex for teleshopping. After its bankruptcy however, the building was sold to the Brussels Capital Region, and it was converted into the ‘Centre of Cultural Industries’. Since 2009, ‘The EGG Brussels’ is located on the ground floor of the building in the rue Bara.
‘The EGG’ represents a multipurpose convention space of 5,000 m2, in an industrial building. “From the very start we wanted to retain the character of the building with a ‘touch of modern’,” Gilles Baudier explains. Since 2014, the ‘The EGG’ focuses on conferences and trade shows. “The product we put on the market is an all-in-one concept. Via our experience with ‘Event Lounge’, which is more focused on events, we noticed that this concept works well. With ‘The EGG’, however we merely focus on conferences.” All the rooms are equipped with a strong technical set-up. There is an auditorium for 900 people, and four breakout rooms for 100 to 450 people in total. “Our customers are threefold,” the GM explains. “45% is government and European Commission, 30% are B2B customers and 25% represents event agencies. However, we do not organize private events, that is not our target audience.”
As a strongpoint for ‘The EGG’, Gilles Baudier refers to its strategic location, but also to the small team with only one point of contact. “A good preparation, great flexibility and a high level of service, helps of course,” he adds. “Our greatest asset is the kind of Internet we provide, with optical fibers up to 100 Mbts synchro, with all rooms wired, while we can also personalize networks. We provide many streamings for the European Commission. We have a backup line up to 500 Mbts.”
Moreover, safety prevails. “We have a very close cooperation with the police and the community,” Gilles Baudier confirms. “Schedules are forwarded to the police department and we also have monthly meetings with them.”
Since April, ‘The EGG Brussels’ is equipped with a beautiful deck terrace to offer outdoor activities during an event. The large outdoor area (250 m²) is suitable for activities with up to 150 people. Equipped with advanced technology, the terrace perfectly lends itself for a delicious cocktail or a BBQ with colleagues under a clear blue sky. However, because the weather in Belgium is sometimes unpredictable, ‘ The EGG’ has a back-up plan. Indeed, the adjacent restaurant offers an alternative for the terrace if the weather gods are less favorable.
View this customer also on Eventonline:
http://www.eventonline.be/en-69104-11690-55628-meeting-rooms-meeting-rooms-brussels–the-egg-brussels.html
