The enlargement project will involve the construction of an independent building next to the existing centre, comprising a number of highly flexible venues.

Since opening in 1998, the Valencia Congress Centre has amply demonstrated its function as a driving force for the local economy, contributing to Valencia's brand recognition on an international level and to the fact that it is the Spanish city registering the biggest growth in European visitors, reflected by the 10th position that it currently occupies in the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) world ranking of non-capital cities, in front of destinations such as Oslo, Washington and Toronto.

With the aim of consolidating this inexorable progression, the Valencia Congress Centre believes it is necessary to reinvent itself and reinforce its position in international markets by increasing its capacity so as to be able to host even larger events. To this end, on 30 November, the official presentation of the enlargement project – involving the construction of an identical building next to the existing one – took place at the Valencia Congress Centre.

Due to the architectural uniqueness of the congress centre, the solution put forward by the architect Norman Foster (also responsible for the design of the existing centre) necessarily involves the construction of an independent, two-storey building, housing multifunctional and flexible facilities. The new building will house two conference halls seating up to 2,500 people, as well as 20 breakout rooms of varying capacity, depending on the needs of the event, which can be connected to create diaphanous venues suitable for all types of setups.

Juan Vieira, a partner of the architectural studio Foster+Partners, said: "Our team is delighted with the opportunity of picking up where we left off because of the success of the original centre. From an urban planning standpoint, we have designed a building that complements the existing centre, thus allowing for the holding of simultaneous events and putting the accent on the green area separating both buildings. In other words, the new building will be the same size as the existing centre but with a greater capacity."

Valencia Congress Centre presents enlargement project for 2014

Taking into account the volume of activity of the existing facilities, an estimated 150.000 overnight stays could be reached a year, generating a direct and indirect impact of approximately 100€ million a year, which would contribute enormously to the city's economic and social development, as has been the case to date with the existing centre. The project will also have a considerable impact on job creation both in the local tourist and congress industries and in the local building industry.

As regards the initial investment, this is expected to be in the region of 24€ million and will be financed by the congress centre's income. The centre currently has a portfolio of future events, which will generate a positive net result, thus allowing for the self-financing of the existing facilities and the new building.

In line with the green policies implemented by the existing congress centre, which have converted it into a benchmark for environmentally friendly initiatives, the new building will be equipped with cutting-edge solar panels, covering an area of 14,000sqm and generating approximately 600,000 kWh a year, thus avoiding the emission of 456,000kg of CO2, for whose absorption 100,000 trees would be required.

According to Jose Salinas, CEO of the Valencia Congress Centre: "The centre has been essential for the international promotion of the city, quadrupling the number of international delegates in the last four years and hosting 60% of the large international congresses held in the city in the last decade. Furthermore, on a national level, Valencia tops the ranking of Spanish congress centres as regards the hosting of national congresses, with a 70% share in the last three years."

About the Valencia Congress Centre
Voted the Best Congress Centre in the World 2010 by the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), the Valencia Congress Centre has hosted over 2,000 events with a total of 1,500,000 delegates since being opened in 1998. This activity has generated 700€ million, 23 times the cost of its construction. The events hosted by the centre include 400 congresses and 200 conventions, with a total of 200,000 and 75,000 delegates, respectively. It is important to note the high attendance of national and international delegates, comprising 80% of attendees at association events and 70% of attendees at corporate events.

Another of the aspects that has marked the management policy of the Valencia Congress Centre is its commitment to quality, for which it has obtained the EFQM stamp of European Excellence 400+, plus the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, the "Q" for Quality Tourism and the UNE-EN 16001 certification.

more informatio: http://www.palcongres-vlc.com/