Start tendering for new conference centre in Eindhoven

On 16 September, the Municipality of Eindhoven launched the tender procedure for an ambitious new congress centre. In recent years feasibility studies and market consultations, supervised by Eindhoven365, have shown a need for a large international congress facility in the Brainport region.

A financial impulse of 7 million euros from the 'Regio Deal' with the Dutch state means there is now an opportunity to realise this ambition. Given the exceptional strength and potential of Brainport Eindhoven, there are opportunities and needs for an innovative conference facility in this region. A large, international conference facility also represents considerable social value in terms of employment, contributing to the image and economic attractiveness and strengthening the facilities' level.

International positioning

"Brainport Eindhoven has developed into one of the most innovative regions in Europe. We want and need to raise the level of facilities for residents and companies," says alderman Stijn Steenbakkers. "The government, industry and science are increasingly recognising the importance of congresses for the international positioning of Brainport Eindhoven as a (high-tech) economic, scientific and knowledge centre. Despite the current situation (corona), we must continue to look strategically at these kinds of long-term projects. We have been talking about a conference centre for years, a lot of preliminary work and research has been done. Now we will see if parties will tender to realise such a facility with the help of the financial impulse of up to 7 million euros from the Regio Deal."

Innovative ideas

The requirements and wishes that the conference facility must fulfil offer scope for innovative ideas. They concern, among other things, the congress function and the size: a minimum capacity of 1,000 seats and a total of at least 4,000 m2 of event spaces. The innovative profile of Brainport Eindhoven offers an extra opportunity for the congress centre. Therefore, the municipality hopes that stimulating the establishment of this facility will add value to the local ecosystem. Other criteria also play a role, such as accessibility by public transport, ancillary facilities (e.g. hotels in the area), architecture/appearance, sustainability and social return. The tender did express a preference for the development area next to the Eindhoven railway station and city centre, but other locations were not excluded.

Two phases

Through a public tendering procedure, the municipality of Eindhoven is inviting interested market parties to submit a development plan and location for the conference facility. The tender process will occur in two phases: an assessment of the proposals and a dialogue phase with the parties selected after the first round. The municipality will eventually award the contract to a single tender, possibly consisting of a combination of a developer and an operator.

Regio Deal

With the 'Regio Deal Brainport Eindhoven', the government and the region invest 370 million Euros in four years. In the Regio Deal, a one-off contribution of a maximum of 7 million euros has been reserved for the realisation of a so-called Dedicated Conference Centre in Brainport Eindhoven. In return, the region will co-finance the project. It means that the party submitting the tender must 'bring in' 20 million euros, possibly with the help of partners.