The first Rotterdam Association Symposium was held on 7 April 2011 in the culture and conference centre Podium O 950, and saw 45 organisers from the scientific and medical sector and the association world met to exchange knowledge on all the aspects involved in organising and recruiting national and international congresses in Rotterdam.

The symposium’s programme consisted of a session parodying the popular Dutch talk show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’; a ‘tablecloth workshop’; and an informal networking lunch. Rotterdam Marketing/Rotterdam Convention Bureau plan to turn the symposium into a recurring annual event.

The Symposium is an addition to a series of activities that Rotterdam Marketing organises several times a year. These occasions are designed to give business event organisers an opportunity to find out more about Rotterdam as a conference and event city.

“The scientific sector and the association world lacked a good platform for exchanging and compiling knowledge, experience and information,” said Vivi de Regt, account manager at Rotterdam Marketing for the association market. “We saw a need in that market for more cooperation and coordination between the various parties. The Rotterdam Association Symposium turned out to be an ideal tool for discussing specific issues and meeting that need.”

“The main goal is to create a common bond between people who all have experience in this market. Experiences generally contain lessons that people can benefit from and be inspired by,” said Erik Peekel, who chaired the symposium. “Tips and real-life examples kick off the thinking process and get the discussion going.”

The attendees had time to discuss the relevant issues at length in three table sessions of 25 minutes each, which were also attended by various representatives from Rotterdam hotels and conference locations.