Not only is Brussels the capital of Belgium, but the bustling cosmopolitan city also is considered the capital of Europe, hosting the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization headquarters, not to mention more than 2,400 international associations and 1,700 international corporations. In addition to global governments, corporations and organizations that flock to the city to conduct their business, planners find Brussels a terrific destination in which to host their meetings and events. It offers more than 200 venues; 20,000 hotel beds; and more than 2,000 restaurants to accommodate travelers.

Traveling to and around Brussels proves easy: Direct flights from more than 200 destinations arrive into Brussels Airport, and more than 600 million Europeans reside less than two hours away by high-speed train. Once in Brussels, visitors find the city fully accessible by public transportation such as trains, trams, buses and the metro, alongside taxis and bicycles.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Brussels continues to elevate its MICE offerings. Last fall the city’s largest hotel, Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection, made its debut in Place Rogier, between the city center and business district. The hotel boasts 532 guestrooms and suites, 15 meeting spaces, three restaurants, two bars, a spa and rooftop pool.

Belgian Comic Strip Center © Michael Mulkens | Dreamstime.com

Not long after, the highly anticipated, luxurious 5-star Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels opened on Rue Royale, mere steps from the Royal Palace, with 126 elegant guestrooms; Palais Royal, a restaurant with 2 Michelin-star chef David Martin at the helm; and an expansive spa to enjoy in between. In its former life, this hotel’s notable guests included Winston Churchill, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bob Dylan, Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol.

The Standard made its Belgian debut earlier this year when it opened in Quartier Nord complete with 200 guestrooms, suites and longer-stay apartments, a first for the brand. Guests will find a garden and brasserie on the 29th floor offering sweeping panoramic views of the city below. Looking ahead to next year, the eagerly anticipated reopening of Hotel Metropole Brussels, which once hosted Albert Einstein and Marie Curie, will reveal extensive renovations to the exquisite 5-star Art Deco property that dates back to 1895. All the hotel’s 267 guestrooms and suites are being redesigned, along with its famous Café Metropole.

Not to be outdone, Brussels’ culinary scene also shines in the global spotlight. Of note, legendary Belga Queen, a “chic brasserie” with an oyster bar housed in what once was a hotel and a bank, reopened not far from Grand-Place in late 2024. For varying palates, venture out to Gare Maritime – Tour & Taxis and its food hall housed in what was once Europe’s largest railway station. Find everything from waffles and casual bites to fine dining in this bustling center of activity.

Business travel is not all about business, and Brussels delivers on that front, too. For the sweet tooths in your group, dive into a chocolate-making class with a world- class chocolatier such as Laurent Gerbaud, or bake up some fun with a delicious waffle workshop. For beer lovers, pay a visit to Belgian Beer World. After all, the country boasts the most beer brands globally, and the country’s beer culture earned UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status.

© Cardo Brussels, Autograph Collection

Ready to make Brussels your next meeting destination? Visit Brussels Convention & Association Bureau stands ready to help create myriad memorable events in the capital of Europe.

UNIQUE VENUES
In a city filled with stunning architecture, one can easily find unique venues in which to hold memorable events. Consider these two inspiring examples of the Art Nouveau movement: Solvay Library, built in 1902, featuring stained-glass windows and a terrace overlooking Leopold Park that can accommodate up to 250 guests; and, for more intimate affairs, La Maison Cauchie, considered one of the finest works of the design movement in Brussels, hosting groups of up to 50.

For a bit of whimsy, choose the Belgian Comic Strip Center at the Comics Art Museum, where guests immerse in the comic book adventures of the Smurfs, Tintin, Spike and Suzy, and plenty more illustrated heroes. Or find inspiration at the Musical Instruments Museum, housing more than 7,000 instruments and boasting a 10th-floor restaurant with panoramic views of the city.

Escape the city and make your guests feel like royalty with an event at Château de Rivieren, a 19th-century cultural heritage castle surrounded by nearly 25 acres of parkland, just 15 minutes from Grand-Place. Or go medieval at the fairy tale-like Musée de la Porte de Hal, a 14th-century gate house.