Bordeaux
Plenty to learn on a guided tour from B comme Bordeaux
to 1,293 seats , a modular exhibition / catering space of 3,000sqm , plus 10 smaller meeting rooms .
I also visited Hangar 14 , on the banks of the River Garonne . It has two 3,000sqm spaces on the ground floor as well as an upper floor with 1,400sqm more .
Lunch on the 600sqm panoramic terrace not only showcased the fine catering available , but offered a striking view of the river and the city .
The Cité Mondiale Congress Centre , meanwhile , offers a high-quality base for corporate and association conferences in the city centre , with a 300-seater auditorium , four meeting rooms ranging in size from 20 to 190 seats , and a flexible 1,270qm exhibition / catering space .
Bordeaux numbers
n 8 Conference centres n 347 UNESCO listed monuments n 60 Centres of Excellence in the region n 65 wine appellations n 5,300 wine chateaux n 400,000 congress days in 2022 n 2,500 events in 2022 n 35 Paris-Bordeaux journeys per day
BEAM As Bordeaux looks out from the Garonne to the international market , its new marketing branding , ‘ Bordeaux Events And More ’ ( BEAM ) is forging a new and impactful identity aiming to shine the global meetings light on this remarkable city and its meetings and events assets .
BEAM markets and delivers events at five of the venues : Bordeaux Exhibition Centre , Palais 2 l ’ Atlantique , Bordeaux Congress Centre , Hangar 14 and the Cité Mondiale Congress Centre . BEAM is ISO 20121 certified and works hand in glove with the BCB .
Stéphane Kintzig , BEAM director , says the target for the city in the short term is 1.3m visitors per year and he clearly believes in this very joined up approach across the city . “ We are the only destination where the range is so wide for events and activities . We all work together to find the solution for our clients .”
Incentives and activities While Bordeaux certainly sits in the premier conference league in terms of conference and events venues , its special ingredients are the charms of the surrounding region and numerous activity options for delegates keen to absorb some of the local heritage and attractions of this unique French environment .
There are memorable teambuilding away days at wine chateaux and cellars to consider , incentives on the water , including trips on the River Garonne , as well as treasure hunts on the Bassin d ’ Arcachon , to name a few . Our group had an enthralling guided tour of the old city with B comme Bordeaux and a ride in two vintage 2CV , courtesy of ‘ 4 roues sous 1 parapluie ’. The pièce de resistance , undoubtedly for me , was a visit to Chateau Giscours , set in a 300 hectare Medoc wine estate in the Gironde near Margaux . The whole experience really was premier cru and an ideal stop for those wishing to find out all about the art of fine wine-making and maybe even explore how to hold your event in such a beautiful setting .
I raise a toast to the words of Stéphane Kintzig who told us : “ Bordeaux ’ s way of life can make the difference to your event .” Santé . n
ISSUE 125 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 33