Venue
Conference venue: Concert- and Congress Centre De Doelen, Rotterdam
Located in the heart of the city of Rotterdam, at walking distance from Rotterdam Central Station (train station, a few minutes from the venue), hotels, restaurants, bars, museums and more. There is a direct train connection from Schiphol Airport which takes only 25 minutes.
Venue welcome reception & conference dinner: see below
Conference venue: Concert- and Congress Centre De Doelen
De Doelen ICC is a highly-acclaimed concert hall and state-of-the-art conference centre. Located in the Mauritskwartier district of Rotterdam, De Doelen welcomes visitors for gatherings ranging from 100 to 3.000 delegates.
The history of De Doelen dates back to the seventeenth century when an orchestra of city musicians gave public concerts in ‘De Doele’ located on the Haagscheveer in Rotterdam. It was replaced by the ‘Groote Doelezaal’ on the Coolsingel road that was opened in 1844. A new Doelenzaal was opened in 1934, but it was destroyed in the bombing of Rotterdam in May 1940. The current De Doelen was not opened until 26 years later in 1966. The building is a municipal listed building and is viewed in Rotterdam as the ‘the culmination of the reconstruction’ that has huge cultural and historical value.
The conference centre
De Doelen ICC is an ideal meeting place for international visitors. The special appeal of the venue lies in its dual function as international concert hall and conference centre. This is underscored by the building’s design: the remarkable 1960’s functionalist architecture of the original concert hall contrasts beautifully with the conference centre’s more dynamic and modern design.
For the organization of this conference we have exclusively reserved the Willem Burger Complex. This complex has its own entrance, plenary hall, foyer and a number of smaller meeting spaces.
Centrally located
De Doelen is centrally located in the heart of Rotterdam, just a few minutes walking from the Rotterdam Central Railway Station. There is a direct train from Amsterdam International Airport (Schiphol) to Rotterdam Central Station (it takes only 25 minutes, the Intercity Direct - book the correct ticket to avoid a fine). When flying to Rotterdam-The Hague airport a bus will take you to Rotterdam Central Station within 25 minutes. Furthermore Rotterdam is very well accessible by car and train (high speed) from international European cities such as Paris, London, Brussels and Antwerp. Both hotels and restaurants are in easy walking distance of the conference centre.
Address venue
Willem Burger Complex Entrance
Kruisplein 40
Rotterdam
Venue welcome reception: City Hall Rotterdam
City Hall, located on the Coolsingel in the city centre of Rotterdam, was built between 1914 and 1920 and was designed by professor doctor Henri Evers. The building survived the secon world war bombings on May 14, 1940. The buidling is a national monument and part of the national heritage.
City Hall Rotterdam is located at walking distance (8-10 minutes) from De Doelen.
About the City Hall of Rotterdam
The City Hall is one of the few buildings that survived the bombing in 1940. Queen Wilhelmina laid the foundation stone in 1915. The monumental building, in Beaux-Arts style with Byzantine, Romanesque and Art Deco influences, is symmetrical in design and built around an inner garden which can be reached via the street that 'crosses' the Town Hall. The facade is richly decorated with various sculptures. The mayor's office is located on the first floor of the right-hand corner pavilion. As the building has an official governmental function, only parts are open to the public.
Elaborate stone sculptures adorning the outside of the building itself. There are also pretty gardens to the rear of the building. There are ten or so stone images on the building which denote a cross section of virtues. ‘Stedenmaagd’ (urban virgin) is situated above the main entrance along with a bronze statue ‘Genius met fakkel’ (spirit with torch). The highest tower on the building belongs to the statue of de ‘Vredesengel’ (angel of peace). Once inside City Hall, you are greeted in the reception area with a bust of Sir Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the U.K. during World War II.
Address venue
Coolsingel 40
3011 AD Rotterdam
Venue conference dinner: JACK Rotterdam
At JACK Rotterdam – thirty years of dance history are celebrated with food and drinks. Located in the vibrant heart of Rotterdam, JACK stands out not only as a restaurant, but as a unique location for events. JACK Rotterdam is located at walking distance (12 - 15 minutes) from De Doelen.
About JACK Rotterdam
A unique restaurant and event venue where the dance culture of the city of Rotterdam is key.
The lyrics of this famous House Classic embodies JACK’s philosophy in a perfect way. House music unites people from all walks of life. “You may be black, you may be white, Jew or gentile. It doesn’t make a difference in our House.” At JACK everybody is welcome.
If you look around JACK you can spot different gimmicks with a nudge to the dance scene. This way JACK celebrates the impact the dance scene has made throughout the decades. 30 years of dance has shown us time and time again that music unites people and therefor fulfills an import role in society.
JACK inspires to be a place where people feel the same unity and connection under one roof. That is why at JACK’s entrance you can spot the words “Our house is your house” in big neon letters.
Various Rotterdam artists and organizations from the club and festival world contributed to the experience of the venue by donating memorabilia, art and other surprising things.
Address venue
Raampoortstraat 10
3032 AH Rotterdam
Rotterdam 2025