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The Awards

BI-TC recognises the most dynamic initiatives in the sector!

Together, the 3 elected representatives responsible for Tourism in Brussels, namely Christos Doulkeridis, Brussels’ Minister for Tourism, Benoît Cerexhe, Brussels’ Minister for the Economy, and Philippe Close, BI-TC President, presented 12 awards: 4 Tourism awards, 5 Meetings awards and 3 special BI-TC awards.

Tourism Awards

The "Tourism Awards" recognised initiatives in 4 categories: Green, Culture, Youth and Gastronomy. So, for example, the Green Walk, or 63 km of signposted routes revealing the parks, woodlands and leafy-green areas of Europe’s greenest capital city, received an award, as did Cinematek for its brand new contemporary setting. The platform Voir et Dire Bruxelles was recognised in the Youth category for its Colours of Brussels initiative, surprising guided tours of Brussels in summer, starting out from BIP. The 4th Tourism Award was presented to Moeder Lambic for the opening of its outlet on Place Fontainas, enabling visitors to try more than 300 kinds of beer.

Meetings Awards

The “Meetings Awards” were given to the European Commission Open Days, which gathered together 6,000 people for some 120 seminars with a social programme. Dinner in the Sky, an incentive organised to collect funds by the Friends of the Bordet Institute, was also rewarded for its originality, while the Brussels Airlines event, marking its joining the Star Alliance group, received the “Corporate Events” category award. Of the many trade fairs and exhibitions in Brussels, it was artbrussels that won the award for the most dynamic initiative as it brings together 175 galleries from all over the world and 3,000 contemporary art-lovers. New places were also praised, particularly Chalet Robinson in Bois de la Cambre, harking back, as it does, to Belle Époque Brussels.

Special Prizes

BI-TC was also keen to recognise initiatives or projects “In a Class of their Own”. These are exceptional projects as the significance of their impact on the image of Brussels gives them a special status. They are, first and foremost, Square and the Musée Magritte Museum, two leading lights of tourism in Brussels, which made an impression in 2009. The Wittamer firm also won a special award for its 100 years of existence in Brussels.

About the winners...

Culture Award 2009

CINEMATEK: a new museum for cinema

The showcase of the Royal Film Archive collections, among the most extensive in the world, is displayed in an ultra-contemporary setting. The programme includes: 40 different film screenings a week aimed at all audiences, covering every genre and era, ranging from reflections of the current scene to the history of the 7th art. More than 85,000 visitors were there in 2009 over a period of less than 46 weeks.
www.cinematek.be

Gastronomy Award 2009

MOEDER LAMBIC, Place Fontainas, & their philosophy of independent beer!
A group of young professionals has decided to defend beer, jewel of our gastronomic culture! The challenge was to dare to offer only traditionally-brewed beers in a contemporary setting, without taking themselves too seriously, and to do so under optimum conditions. Here, serving beer is shown to be a matter of style, taste and a true profession! Thanks to them, Brussels is consolidating its leading position in the world of brewing!
www.moederlambic.com

Green Tourism Award 2009

THE GREEN WALK by Brussels Environment
63 km of signposted routes for exploring Brussels, on foot or by bicycle. Sometimes surrealist and always fascinating, the capital reveals its variety of parks, woodlands and landscapes along the course of this fully secured trail. A complete, free guide invites ramblers to slow down for a cultural break or well-earned refreshment!
www.bruxellesenvironnement.be

Young Travellers Award 2009

COLOURS OF BRUSSELS
To bring out the dazzling colours of Brussels, the platform for guided tours “Voir et Dire Bruxelles” is setting a date, all summer long, with a surprise theme, and with no need to book, from Friday to Monday, starting from BIP on Mont des Arts. On foot or by bicycle, a guide will lead young trendsetters on an original and surprising journey of discovery through the European, cultural and trendy Brussels Capital!
www.voiretdirebruxelles.be

The Association & Institutional Meeting Award 2009

OPEN DAYS: EUROPEAN WEEK OF REGIONS & CITIES
What a challenge! 120 seminars and social events over four days attended by more than 6,000 participants representing local and regional authorities, European institutions, the business and financial sector, NGOs as well as the European press, discussing EU regional policy, cohesion, environmental issues etc. This feat was achieved by the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission (Directorate General for Regional Policy). This major event, which brought together participants from more than 40 different countries, confirmed Brussels’ status as the beating heart of a united Europe. One of the highlights of the OPEN DAYS 2009, was the Official Reception held at the BOZAR. 1500 guests were invited to enjoy a concert “Regions live!” with an outstanding performance by young European musicians followed by a dinner reception.
www.opendays.europa.eu

The Corporate Event Award 2009

BRUSSELS AIRLINES JOINS STAR ALLIANCE
In December 2009, Brussels Airlines held a brilliant celebration of its official entry into “Star Alliance”, thus expanding and considerably increasing the range of flights it offers by flying to nearly 1,077 destinations and 175 countries. To mark the occasion, which is enabling Brussels strongly to assert its status as European capital and strategic gateway to the world, Brussels Airlines put on an event combining conviviality and prestige for its new partners. This included some of the gems of Brussels culture (memorable encounter with Manneken Pis – airline pilot, trying a Kriek beer, etc.), and a much-talked-about reception in the Gothic Room of the Town Hall.
www.brusselsairlines.com

The Trade Fair Award 2009

ART BRUSSELS
With its 174 or so exhibitors chosen on the basis of a selection process famed for its rigour and its 3 themed zones, artbrussels is giving Contemporary Art the only score of its kind in Europe played by international galleries to more than 30,000 art lovers. Each event holds its special treasure chest of surprises in store for them, including new talents and safe bets. An amazing VIP programme full of finesse lifts the veil, by day and night, on Brussels – City of Creativity, whether you’re talking about galleries, gastronomy or fashion design.
www.artbrussels.be

The Teambuilding & Incentive Event Award 2009

DINNER IN THE SKY
This Brussels incentive has already been exported to more than 15 countries and is shaking up the world of organised activities for groups! If you like the idea of being thrilled in complete safety and dream of sipping from a glass of champagne or enjoying a Brussels banquet from a perfect ‘ringside’ seat in a centre of Brussels heritage such as the Royal Palace, “Dinner in the Sky” offers you and your guests the chance to dine with your head in the clouds more than 50 metres up.
www.dinnerinthesky.com

The Special Venue Award 2009

CHALET ROBINSON
There it is, it’s back on its island again, Chalet Robinson, standing proudly in cedar and Douglas fir pine! People from Brussels and visitors alike have missed the Chalet, erected in Bois de la Cambre. They loved crossing the pond to make the transition from city life to this centre of good food. Now, the boat is once again carrying its passengers over to enjoy rediscovering the place: decorated in all black and white, Chalet Robinson offers a brasserie for sociable or business gatherings around its tables and a great reception area. Ladies and Gentlemen, lick your lips, the house specials prawn croquettes, beef Wagyu and Brussels waffles are being served!
www.chaletrobinson.be

The Awards

BI-TC recognises the most dynamic initiatives in the sector! Together, the 3 elected representatives responsible for Tourism in Brussels, namely Christos Doulkeridis, Brussels’ Minister for (...)