Social Programme
Sunday 10 September 2017
Chairman’s Welcome Reception at the Provinciaal Hof
Ben Dellaert, IEC Chairman invited delegates to join him for a Welcome Reception at the imposing Provinciaal Hof (Provincial Palace) situated in the city’s main square. The reception offered delegates a great opportunity to forge new business relationships and catch up with old friends.
Monday 11 September 2017
Spouse Tour: Hidden Bruges and Chocolate Workshop
Delegates spent the day discover a path less travelled by tourists walking along winding backstreets and cruising along waterways to view parishes, windmills and medieval fortifications. After the guided tour, delegates took part in a chocolate workshop to make and taste the famous Brugean chocolates.
Gala Dinner at the Belfry
The Gala Dinner was held in the medieval setting of the Belfry, the world-heritage protected bell tower is one of the city’s most prominent symbols. During the evening the IEC honoured the best in our industry with the annual Awards Ceremony.
Tuesday 12 September 2017
Spouse Tour: A taste of Ghent
Touring the city’s colourful bricks and mortar, often remembered for wars and revolutions but today exhibiting an invincible spirit of survival. The quaint downtown area boasts restorations of residential and commercial structures, historic monuments and churches. This is nowadays the setting for a trendy city full of life and gastronomy. The enchanting tour included a boat trip and a lovely culinary walk.
Wednesday 13 September 2017
All Delegates’ Networking Day at the Halve Mann Brewery
The networking day started with lunch at the Halve Maan (Half Moon) Brewery. The authentic and historic brewery is a family business with a tradition stretching back through six generations to 1856. The Bruges city beer ‘Brugse Zot’ is brewed there and there was an opportunity to try that and other speciality beers. After lunch delegates took part in city tours including a boat trip. The tours finished at the Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery where the groups came together again to relax and enjoy further drinks or another brewery tour.