PADUA -After years of declining numbers, the Padova Congress is ready to accelerate the return of conference tourism to the ancient Veneto city in a post pandemic world. Technology and sustainability are some of the new trends highlighted by Eureka Mice International’s 2024 analysis of the international conference market. The new direction was presented at the “Confrenza Stampa di Presentazione” Wednesday at the new Padova Congress.

 The city is ready with their brand-new conference center that is equipped with all the modern trends reflected in the new conference market of today. The Padova Congress which was built in 2022 was designed by Japanese Architect Kengo Kuma and can accommodate 3,374 people. At 5,400 square meters (58,125sf) it is the largest conference center in Veneto and combines technology with functionality. The main room Giotto is equipped with the largest multimedia system in Europe.

 The 2024 analysis highlights the new “wide spread” conference model rather than the traditional “enclosed” conference model which is based on a vertical system where conference halls, hotel rooms, restaurants, gala dinner venues, and shops and activities all happen. An example of this would be the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, connected with its sister hotel the Palazzo is considered the second largest hotel in the world offering over 7,000 rooms, over 30 restaurants, 150,000square feet of gamming floor and a 500,000 square foot conference center. The Hotel also offers two museums and 875,000 square feet of shops.

 The new Wide Spread model would involve smaller hotels situated around the city with a centrally located conference center. The destination would be the city itself not the large hotel with everything under one roof. The conference would incorporate local restaurants and attractions throughout the city. These activities would benefit the entire local economy not one company. The city would become the brand of the conference.

 “Good public transportation is essential” in this new model, states Dr. Bruna Maccarone, EMDR Europe Association Conference Committee Chair, a panelist at the Press conference presentation Wednesday. Also important are partnerships with local venders and local governments. For international conferences from the United States or a place a similar distance away, Padua’s proximity to Venice, Florence, and even Rome offers opportunities for extended stays for long distance visitors. Non-Italian conferences are twice as profitable than Italian conferences due to the logistics and spending trends.

 Association Days Europe which is a promotional and commercial event that specializes in the conference market and is considered the main annual event in the industry will be held at the Padova Congress February 20-22 in 2025.

 Today’s conference was presented by Giancarlo Leporatti, CEO of Eureka MICE International and hosted by Stefania De Toni, Head of Padova Congress. Leporatti was able to highlight Padua’s connection to the scientific community, one of the leading industries in the conference center market by presenting a quote that showcased the worlds second oldest university in the world, “if there is any single place that can claim the honor for being the seat of the scientific revolution, it is the university of Padova” was stated by Sir Herbert Buttterfield, The origins of modern science, 1962.

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