Luxembourg
New faces and a new approach to conferencing in the Grand Duchy
LUXEMBOURG MINISTER DELEGATE FOR TOURISM ERIC THILL SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO PAUL COLSTON ABOUT THE FRESH STRATEGY FOR THE GRAND DUCHY’ S NATIONAL CONVENTION BUREAU
Paul Colston: Luxembourg has a new convention bureau strategy. Tell us about this fresh direction and what it could mean for international conference organisers? Eric Thill: Absolutely. We’ re in an exciting transformation phase. The recruitment of our new CEO [ Sebastien Reddeker – CEO Luxembourg for Toursim on 12 June ] marks a pivotal moment for Luxembourg’ s business events sector and reflects our ambition as a premier destination for international conferences and meetings. We’ re evolving from our traditional image to a knowledge-driven destination, building on our strengths in clean energy, scientific research, and commercial space exploration.
PC: What unique advantages does Luxembourg offer to international meeting planners that they might not find elsewhere? ET: Luxembourg is truly an undiscovered gem – arguably one of the best destinations in Europe for corporate, association, and incentive events. Centrally located between France, Germany, and Belgium, we’ re incredibly accessible. But what really sets us apart is our comprehensive, free support service. We offer customised assistance for organisers – from bid preparation and marketing support to venue sourcing, funding guidance, and strategies to maximise attendance. This blend of centrality, world-class infrastructure, and tailored service defines our unique offer.
Our flagship venue is the European Convention Center Luxembourg( ECCL). Located in the heart of the capital, it offers flexible, modern spaces and cutting-edge technical infrastructure. The ECCL’ s virtual tours are a big plus for international planners. We also work with a network of hotels and unique venues throughout the country, providing scalable solutions for events of all kinds.
PC: What can delegates do during their downtime in Luxembourg? ET: Luxembourg is a perfect fusion of rich heritage and modern European flair. From UNESCO World Heritage sites to a thriving arts and culture scene, there’ s plenty to discover. The capital’ s compact size means delegates can explore easily. They’ ll find themselves in a safe, welcoming city with excellent cuisine. There are unique opportunities to engage with our emerging sectors like clean energy, the space industry, and tech – opening doors for learning and networking beyond the event.
PC: What about sustainability initiatives relevant to events? ET: Sustainability is embedded in Luxembourg’ s DNA. Our compact size is an ecological asset, short travel times between venues and hotels help reduce carbon impact. Public transport is free. We promote local sourcing for catering and event materials, and advocate for digital solutions to reduce paper use. Our venues adhere to rigorous environmental standards, and we foster collaboration with local suppliers to further reduce the environmental footprint of events.
PC: How else do you support conference organisers? ET: We have a strong ecosystem of professional networks – ranging from industry leaders and academic institutions to international experts and expatriate communities. We also work closely with trade associations. This network helps organisers access content experts, speakers, and professional audiences. More than that, it helps create lasting relationships and post-event business opportunities.
PC: Can you share any recent relevant statistics? ET: We currently have 25 international association conferences scheduled for 2025 – 26 and, in 2024, we hosted over 9,100 business events, with 935,000 participants and a 14 % increase in sector revenue from the previous year. One recent example of a successful meeting was the AIJA Half-Year Conference, in November 2024. It brought together international legal professionals from the International Association of Young Lawyers. Luxembourg’ s central location boosted attendance, while our cultural depth offered an exceptional experience. n
n Organisers can visit the new website at www. lcb. lu for free consultations and bid support.
ISSUE 137 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 45