MECC Maastricht’s new conference center will soon open its doors after a massive makeover. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will open the brand new, state-of-the-art conference center of MECC Maastricht on Thursday, September 16. An official and historically symbolic act, since Princess Margriet opened MECC Maastricht exactly 33 years ago, on 23 September 1988. Since then, the venue has been the trusted location for many national and international trade fairs and conventions, and thus of great economic value to the city and region.
In 2019, as part of a broader investment plan that had already started several years earlier, the thorough upgrade and expansion of the conference center of MECC Maastricht, the beating economic heart of Limburg, began. A necessary revitalization to remain competitive as a conference destination with (inter)national venues and to continue to meet the high demands of international conference organizers and participants. The new building was completed last June and will be officially opened in September.
50 million
The total investment of over €50 million was financed by the province of Limburg, the municipality of Maastricht and MECC Maastricht. The upgrade and expansion will lead to more international conventions and events and thus to an even greater economic spin-off for the city and region, with an estimated value of €80 million per year.
Not only has the convention center been given a whole new look, but its capacity has also grown from 3,000 to 5,000 visitors. And the latter in particular is of great importance to Maastricht and the region, as conference tourism is the most attractive form of tourism due to the spending patterns of conference participants. For example, an international congress participant leaves an average of 365 euros per day here.
Rob van de Wiel, Managing Director MECC Maastricht: “We are very honored that Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet will be opening our new convention center exactly 33 years after the opening of MECC Maastricht. Developments in our industry have followed each other in rapid succession and a revitalization of our building was therefore very necessary. With this beautiful new conference center we are ready for a successful future and hope to welcome many national and international guests in the coming decades.”
