MPI’s European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC) brings the global meeting industry together to advance new ideas and build lasting partnerships.

Following a pandemic delay, EMEC made its triumphant return in 2023 to Brighton, a lively and inclusive seaside English city that is also home to one of MPI’s most stalwart partners: the IMEX Group. 

In March, we’re back—this time in Luxembourg, where historic sites, natural beauty and culinary delights abound in a compact, easily traversed landscape (alongside an exciting EMEC conference programme, of course).

But don’t take our word for why you should visit. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be chatting with several of MPI’s partners and hosts who are making EMEC 2024 possible and can tell you exactly why a visit to Luxembourg (and EMEC) is essential.

Today, we speak with Denise Toldo, sales executive, Luxembourg for Meliã Hotels International, one of MPI’s EMEC hotel partners, about Luxembourg’s strengths as a meeting destination, what might surprise those visiting Luxembourg for the first time and why she’s excited about hosting EMEC delegates.

“Luxembourg’s strengths as a meeting destination are undoubtedly the good quality of its venue infrastructure, its diversified accommodation facilities and strategic location,” she says. “Luxembourg is located in the heart of Europe and borders three very important countries—Belgium, France and Germany—making it easily accessible by train and therefore promoting sustainable travel. Moreover, its free public transportation service strongly facilitates in-land mobility. As business travel is focusing more and more on experiencing the destination, Luxembourg’s main strength is the ability to combine the pure business purpose of meetings with its leisure side. Because of its strong cultural and historical heritage, its avantgarde approach along with its fascinating natural environments, it enables the customer to breathe the vibes of not only Luxembourg city but get a taste of the country as a whole.”

Toldo says Luxembourg’s multicultural and inclusive soul is surprising to many visitors. 

“As a true melting pot where cultures and traditions blend together, it adapts to everyone’s needs and makes them feel welcome,” she says. “What is also surprising, is both the huge material and intangible heritage that such a small country features, easily noticeable simply by looking out of your window on a bus or tram ride or by walking in the city centre. Some of Luxembourg’s historical sites are part of UNESCO’s world cultural heritage.”

An event like EMEC can strongly boost Luxembourg’s visibility and reputation as a destination among meeting and event professionals, according to Toldo

“We are excited to welcome the meeting professionals attending EMEC in our hotel because we strongly relate with their objective of building new relationships by embracing differences and fostering intercultural exchange in the meetings and events sector happening in the heart of Europe,” she says. “We look forward to welcoming each and every guest to the Meliá family, hoping they will bring back with them a great souvenir of our hospitality.”

Meliá Luxembourg’s location in the heart of the main business district is key to its appeal to meeting planners. The professionalism of the staff and ability to adapt to every customer’s needs are also important, Toldo says.

“The chance for customers to take a break from their meeting and ‘recharge their batteries’ by taking a walk in the surrounding park or simply by enjoying the hotel’s relaxed Spanish ambience after a long day is what makes us unique,” she says. “No wonder that Meliá has been recognized as one of the top hotels in the city and recommended by all our partners for both business and leisure clients for many years now.” 

Meliá Luxembourg features 162 modern rooms, a fitness area and a stylish Mediterranean restaurant with a terrace. Meeting facilities include two spacious conference rooms with a maximum capacity of 120 attendees and a multifunctional space suitable for cocktail receptions, team building events and a variety of other activities. The hotel’s breakfast buffet offers views of the MUDAM, the surrounding park and the old city, while drinks at the Aqua lounge overlook Place de l’Europe and the Luxembourg Philharmonic.