Bonn and the region of Bonn

City-countryside-river have been the inviting elements for 2,000 years, which characterise Bonn as the city where everything is close together on the banks of the Rhine and at the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the romantic Upper Middle Rhine Valley. For approximately 50 years Bonn was the capital city of the Federal Republic of Germany. The former parliament and government district, nowadays known as the Federal Quarter, is considered the symbol of the first successful German democracy. The former plenary chamber of the German Bundestag (lower house of parliament) is a popular conference and congress venue. The conference region of Bonn has successfully developed into a platform for international collaboration as well as a location for companies that operate globally. Bonn has also been the only German city of the United Nations since 1996. As the location for 18 UN secretariats, its Federal ministries, Federal authorities and non-governmental organisations, Bonn is the second political centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Ludwig van Beethoven is the most famous son of Bonn and therefore the beacon of the cultural heritage of an entire region. The building where he was born in Bonn houses the largest Beethoven collection in the world.

The conference region of Bonn benefits from its central position in Europe and together with Cologne and Düsseldorf forms the economic axis of the Rhineland along the banks of the Rhine in the west of the Federal Republic of Germany. The city of Bonn is embedded in the region, which consists of the surrounding rural districts of Rhine-Sieg and Ahrweiler. The good transport connections in the region to the European and international transport network are of particular importance for Bonn as an international location, the site of the United Nations and home of major global Groups quoted on the DAX stock market. Cologne/Bonn Airport (25 minutes) as well as Frankfurt Airport (40 minutes) and Düsseldorf Airport (50 minutes) are easy to reach on the motorway or using the ICE train. Cologne/Bonn Airport alone offers connections to 132 destinations worldwide on 49 different airlines. Major European decision-making centres such as Brussels and the neighbouring metropolis regions of Rhine-Main can be reached within 1-2 hours by car or rail.

The wide range of conference venues means that many different event formats are on offer in the Bonn conference region. The historical conference locations in particular such as the plenary chamber of the Federal Parliament provide a unique setting for events. Conferences and congresses from five to five thousand people can find equally appealing locations such as a private celebration in a castle or an event in the grounds. The Bonn conference region offers not only a varied conference infrastructure, but also over 2,000 years of history, the place where Ludwig van Beethoven was born, the cradle of democracy in Germany, the Museum Mile and a region full of inspiration, tradition, internationalism and passion for global topics regarding sustainability. The conference location of Bonn also offers the corresponding theme-based approach for all kinds of event formats.

Bonn is a dynamic, young city with a remarkable history stretching back over more than 2,000 years. Here international flair meets a zest for life from the Rhine, modern architecture encounters historical buildings. These contrasts characterise the charming features of the city. The Roman Minster with its cloister that is approximately 900 years old, the old town hall in Rococo style, the Electors' castles and palaces of the University of Bonn or the architecturally attractive buildings on the Museum Mile and the modern Post Tower are only a few of the highlights. Manager Magazin recently nominated Bonn as one of the TOP three business locations in Germany (source HWWI/Berenberg 2013)

The international flair of the Bonn conference region is also reflected in the colourful range of dishes on offer in the local restaurants. Here there is a culinary treat suitable for every taste. Visitors can look forward to an unusual number of restaurants and specialist shops with specialities from all corners of the globe. They further enrich the already wide range, which includes rustic pubs and inns right up to select award-winning cuisine. A large number of beer gardens along the banks of the Rhine are an inviting place to spend time not only during a conference break.

The conference and congress landscape offers the right solution for every requirement. From a seminar to a conference or congress lasting several days, there will always be a suitable venue; regardless of whether the budget is large or small. The range stretches from premises in traditional conference hotels run by well-known national and international hotel chains to historic locations. Such as for example the premises in the Steigenberger Grandhotel Petersberg or the former plenary chamber of the Federal Republic of Germany. Other conference options include on board a ship or high on the summit of the Siebengebirge, for example on the Drachenfels with the unique Drachenburg Castle, completing the wide range of possibilities. The excellent museum landscape also offers exciting premises for high quality event formats with its architectural highlights.

The Bonn conference region offers a wide range of cultural, culinary and sporting social programmes. No wish is unfulfilled with the option of staging social programmes in a setting that interacts between the countryside idyll in the Rhine-Sieg district and the urban flair of the city of Bonn. Social programmes along or on the Rhine, in authentic, historical locations, in moated castles, vineyards or on the peaks of the Siebengebirge, regardless of whether it is active team-building or a cultural, social programme, the conference region of Bonn always offers a suitable experience. The rich cultural and museum landscape provides a focus. In particular the five buildings along the Museum Mile, which attract art lovers as well as conference visitors interested in history and the natural sciences and also open up their premises for receptions or gala dinners. The Rhine-Sieg district offers unique conditions for outdoor social programmes, ranging from a cycle tour to a canoe trip. Worthwhile excursion destinations can easily be reached by bus or train owing to the short distances involved.

Together with the conference hotel and catering companies, a wide range of competent, experienced congress service-providers are behind the local conference industry. Regional service-providers successfully and sustainably support all kinds of event format. From a small seminar to a road-show or major conference - at a venue in the Bonn region the organiser will always find the right regional service-provider at his side.

The conference industry in the Bonn region has experienced a noteworthy change in structure. From its time as the former Federal capital, Bonn has developed into an international location with great business strength. For example the region is now home to several Groups quoted on the DAX stock exchange from various industries. Thanks to the core competences in telecommunications, information technology, logistics, sustainability, medicine and health, the region offers a bundle of specialist skills and therefore theme-based connecting factors for specialist conferences in the region. The institutions from the world of science and research that have moved into the area have developed potential for innovation with a highly qualified employment structure in the region. The location of United Nations institutions and numerous non-governmental organisations provide evidence that the conference region continues to play an important role as an international centre of competence and communication.

The conference region of Bonn offers a broad range of annual events, which can also act as an ideal supplement to a conference programme on site. The Beethoven Festival – the classical highlight of Bonn's music year takes place annually in September and October. Pützchen's Market – The Bonn-Beuel district of Pützchen becomes a magnet for millions of people every second weekend in September. Christmas markets in Bonn and the surrounding region – in December Bonn and the surrounding region become a Christmas fairytale. Carnival – Bonn is one of the carnival centres along the Rhine. The highlight is Carnival Monday with magnificent floats and the Bonn princely couple. Rhine in Flames – the original. Framed by five firework displays, a fleet of approximately 60 illuminated ships travels from Linz to Bonn, until a firework spectacular synchronised to music forms the crowning finale.