On the occasion of the BTC – Italy’s Events Exhibition, two site inspections took place at the new “Palacongressi” Conference Centre in Rimini, followed by an “impressive” presentation which was highly appreciated by the guests.
On the occasion of the 2011 meeting of the BTC (Italy’s Events Exhibition) which has just come to an end in Rimini, the Convention Bureau of the Rimini Riviera seized the opportunity to show buyers and specialized international press, the new Palacongressi in an innovative way, which both surprised and impressed those who attended.
Intrigued by the event’s catchphrase “It’s all inside to be discovered!” more than 300 invited guests were to discover one of the leading complexes of Italy’s conference network. Divided into different language groups, the guests were able to visit a large number of rooms, which are all equipped and provided with facilities for any type of requirement.
The guests were guided by a tour leader who communicated with them through headphones, giving detailed descriptions of the features, spaces and technological equipment. The participants went from room to room, on different levels, accompanied by a charming soundtrack and interesting screenings, finally ending their visit with a cocktail and some excellent food and wine from the Romagna region provided by Summertrade, the catering company of the Rimini Fiera Group.
The new Palacongressi in Rimini was designed by architect Volkwin Marg, from the Hamburg based GMP studio, who also designed the Rimini Trade Fair. Marg has achieved international acclaim for the creation of important works around the world and is considered to be one of the top 15 contemporary architects worldwide.
The Palacongressi has three entrances and two main bodies connected by a sophisticated system of foyers and galleries. The net floor area is approximately 28,000 square metres. The first body is 23 metres high whereas the second, which houses the main room, is 17 metres high. There is a maximum of 39 rooms and a total of 9,000 seats. The main room can accommodate up to 4,700 people, while most of the other rooms can be split into soundproof rooms thanks to mobile partition walls, all having independent entrances and foyers.
The distinctive feature of the complex is the impressive shell-shaped amphitheatre which faces the sea. Entirely made out of glass and suspended on steel beams, it houses a spacious amphitheatre-style room which seats 1,600. The shell-like design, the defining characteristic of this complex, will make the Palacongressi recognisable all over the world.
At the entrance to every room, together with the description of its technical features and its name, there are pictures of Rimini’s most important monuments and attractive spots, in order to remind the visitors of the important history of the city and entice them to explore and discover its magnificent past.
In addition to its flexibility, some other main features of the complex are its
high-quality tech-design and Italian style furnishings. Moreover, the importance given to the environment has led not only to the redevelopment of the surrounding green spaces, but also to the fact that every step of this project has been carried out according to the imperatives of energy conservation and eco-sustainability.
