Zaragoza will host in 2021 and 2022 more than 40 large congresses postponed by the pandemic

15 diciembre 2020

Zaragoza Convention Bureau expected for this 2020, before the health crisis broke out, a 10% increase in the number of events compared to 2019, a much higher percentage than that registered in the last ten years which ranged from 1.5% to 2.5%. In fact, throughout 2020, 585 events (conferences, conventions, workshops and congresses) were to be held in the city, attracting 141,000 professionals and leaving an economic impact of €110,000,000.

However, 85% of these congresses have been either cancelled, or postponed or held virtually, with no economic return for the local companies. Until mid-March, 86 events were held, leaving 16 million euros in the city.

This is the balance of the General Assembly of Zaragoza Convention Bureau virtual meeting this Friday, attended by the Deputy Mayor, Sara Fernández, the Director of Zaragoza Tourist Office, Conrado Molina, and the Director of Zaragoza Convention Bureau, Miguel Ángel Argente, who pointed out that Zaragoza was going to experience "the best year for holding events, both in terms of the number and the significance of many of them". He also remembered that "health congresses were planned with the participation of 4,500 people, such as Paediatric Endocrinology, Allergology, Radiology or Primary Care, but also congresses of international relevance such as the 72nd World News Media Congress, with the participation of more than 800 journalists from the five continents".

Exemption of the quota for associated companies


Despite the complicated situation, the Convention Bureau has continued with its promotional activity and has participated in national and international virtual fairs and workshops with the aim of making the city known abroad and presenting it as an attractive destination for holding events.

In any case, the economic crisis caused by the pandemic has plunged companies into a delicate situation due to the lack of activity, explained Argente. Therefore, taking this reality into account, the Executive Committee has agreed to a total exemption from the membership fee corresponding to 2020 and 2021 and, furthermore, it has reduced the amount that will be charged in 2022 when the economic situation improves. During this year, Zaragoza Convention Bureau, which has 122 associated companies, has also joined the Chamber of Commerce Club of which 500 companies are part and has implemented a new methodology to promote the organization of sustainable events in the city.