‘Europe’s smartest meeting hub? Utrecht, of course!’

What puts Utrecht on the map? In short: the city has earned its stripes as the most sustainable, innovative, and forward-thinking meeting hub in Europe, attracting an international audience in the process. At its centre lies Royal Jaarbeurs, a world-class venue offering state-of-the-art conference and exhibition facilities right next to Utrecht Central Station, thus connecting international audiences to the heart of the Netherlands. So, let’s meet at Royal Jaarbeurs and explore the city that houses the largest science park in the Netherlands.

With all due modesty: Utrecht has it all. It’s the epicentre of the Dutch rail network, home to the country’s largest train station. It’s a knowledge capital with a global outlook, a vibrant university city, home of the Netherlands’ leading conference and event venue, and a lively destination with one of the nation’s highest densities of bars and restaurants. And that’s without mentioning its rich history. All in one city? Yes!

International appeal

Its excellent accessibility propels Utrecht to the forefront as a knowledge and meeting hub. Utrecht Central Station is a major link in the international rail network. Travel time from Berlin: 5 hours 30 minutes. Check. From London: 4 hours 24 minutes. Check. 

From the Netherlands’ main airport, Schiphol Amsterdam, a train departs every ten minutes to Utrecht Central: travel time 30 minutes.

“It’s only logical that Utrecht’s appeal to international organisations is growing,” state Kelly van der Velden and Jannemarije Spruitenburg, Key Account Managers at Royal Jaarbeurs.

For over a century, Royal Jaarbeurs has been one of the Netherlands’ leading venues for conferences, trade fairs and events. Its calendar features around 8,000 events and meetings each year, national and international alike. Those arriving by train can reach the Jaarbeurs complex within two to five minutes on foot.

Utrecht Congress Alliance

The Utrecht region is on the rise—and the international community is beginning to take notice. To capitalise on this momentum, the city and Royal Jaarbeurs joined forces in 2024 with both public and private partners to establish the Utrecht Congress Alliance (UCA). Members include the municipality and province of Utrecht, local knowledge institutions, and the business community.

Jannemarije explains: “Imagine you’re a congress organiser from the United States wanting to add extra prestige to your event at Royal Jaarbeurs. UCA is your go-to partner, connecting you to local expertise and networks.”

“Need a panel discussion with a renowned researcher? Want to exchange ideas with a leading health expert? We can quickly link organisers with professors and industry specialists. UCA acts as a one-stop shop—one contact point, short lines, smooth collaboration, total peace of mind.”

As an example, we mention three of the major international conferences Jaarbeurs hosted this year. The IUS IEEE gathered top experts to discuss breakthroughs in ultrasonics technology, strengthening global networks in science and engineering. The Sustainable Packaging Summit brought leaders from across the packaging value chain together to exchange insights, spark innovation, and accelerate progress on circular design and environmentally friendly materials. This spring, the International Forum on Quality & Safety in Health welcomed healthcare professionals and policymakers focused on improving patient care and advancing safer health systems worldwide.

Life Sciences & Health

The Utrecht region is a powerhouse of knowledge. It’s home to leading institutions in the Life Sciences & Health sector, including the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, and Utrecht Science Park—the largest science park in the Netherlands. 

Kelly notes: “This ecosystem adds tremendous value for conferences that align with our positioning ‘Utrecht, Heart of Health’ and focus on Life Sciences & Health, the New Digital Society, and Smart Sustainability. Thanks to that focus, we’re seeing more companies in these fields choosing Utrecht as their base.”

Sustainable and local

Royal Jaarbeurs is an organisation committed to innovation and determined to lead the way. Its ambition: to become Europe’s most sustainable event facilitator. Sustainability is woven into every layer of the organisation, with the goal of becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2030. The venue has already received international awards, including the UFI Sustainable Development Award and the UFI Digital Innovation Award.

“At every step, we consider the impact of our actions on both the organisation and society,” state the Jaarbeurs team. “We’ve introduced mobile recycling units and composting facilities. Reducing food waste is a key issue, so we serve smaller portions during events and critically assess what remains. Hardly anything goes to waste: leftover food is donated through Too Good To Go, a partner organisation combating food waste. We also prioritise local, sustainable suppliers. Caring for the planet is simply part of who we are.”

‘Utrecht brings together innovation, accessibility, and historic charm. Making every international event an experience to remember’

Atmosphere and charm

And when visiting Royal Jaarbeurs, you can also enjoy the charm of one of the Netherlands’ most delightful cities.

Smaller and more intimate than the capital, Amsterdam; yet equally vibrant. Utrecht is a city of centuries-old beauty, with scenic canals and bridges, unique wharf cellars lining the water, a rich museum quarter, and iconic monuments like the Dom Tower – 465 steps to the top! – which earned the city its nickname, “Domstad.”

Kelly and Jannemarije conclude: “Utrecht and Royal Jaarbeurs together are big enough to host major international events, yet small enough to feel personal. In the evening, you’re bound to bump into familiar faces while out and about – or cycling, because did we mention? Utrecht is the cycling capital of the Netherlands!”