Update from the Maastricht Conference Region May 2025 |
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Ready to meet you at IMEX |
The countdown is on—just two weeks to go until IMEX Frankfurt! The Maastricht Convention Bureau and MECC Maastricht will be there to energize your day — and your future events! Meet Tom Swaen and Sandra van den Berk at booth E100 in Hall 8 and discover how Maastricht brings vitality, innovation, and top-tier hospitality together. Don't forget to check out our Vitality Box to get you through the day. Make your appointment with Tom and Sandra now by clicking here.
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Maastricht welcomes World Conference on Computational Intelligence in 2026 |
In 2026, three major conferences on computational intelligence will convene in Maastricht simultaneously. The IEEE World Conference on Computational Intelligence (IEEE WCCI) will be the world’s largest technical event in computer science, focusing on applications such as artificial intelligence. IEEE WCCI will be held at MECC Maastricht from June 21 to 26, 2026.
Anna Wilbik, professor in Data Fusion and Intelligent Interaction at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences at Maastricht University, will chair the IEEE WCCI 2026. During the conference, about 1500 scientists from around the world will focus on the technology behind applications that are critical to our modern society, such as health care, energy management, and industry. Read more about the IEEE WCCI 2026 World Conference here.
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From left to right: Stephanie Cleven - Klinkhamer conferences & events / Frank Mimpen - MECC Maastricht / Paul Grefen - Eindhoven University of Technology / Anna Wilbik - Maastricht University/ Enrique Hortal Quesada - Maastricht University - Mark Winands - Maastricht University / Jurgen Moors - Maastricht Convention Bureau / Robbin Grouwels - Klinkhamer Conferences & Events / Marcin Pietrasik - Maastricht University |
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Science meets Art in Maastricht |
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The Maastricht region is home to several dynamic knowledge hubs, located on the Brightlands campuses, where education, research, and business come together to drive innovation.
To inspire conference organizers and showcase what the region has to offer we organized the exclusive event 'Sustainable Chemistry & Innovative Healthcare Meets Arts'. Together with Prof. Yvonne van der Meer (Maastricht University, President of the Royal Netherlands Chemical Society), Dr. Tom van Mulken (Maastricht UMC+), and Prof. Maarten Honing (Maastricht University), we welcomed board members of scientific associations and media partners for an inspiring programme across the Brightlands campuses, exploring groundbreaking developments in chemistry and healthcare.
The event included a curated experience at TEFAF Art Fair and a tour of MECC Maastricht’s state-of-the-art conference facilities — highlighting the region’s unique combination of academic excellence, cultural richness, and high-end event infrastructure.
Watch the recap video here: |
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| Revamp Beaumont Hotel
This spring we celebrated the festive reopening of Luxury Boutique Hotel Beaumont in Maastricht. Following an extensive renovation, Beaumont now offers 62 spacious, luxurious rooms. Externally, the historic 1875 building has retained its original grandeur and remains an iconic eye-catcher for the many passersby in the heart of Maastricht. Find out more here.
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| From Eden Hotel to Leonardo
The Leonardo Boutique Hotel Maastricht City Center is the first Eden hotel in the Netherlands to be rebranded under the Leonardo name. Located in the vibrant Wyck district and offering 105 stylish rooms, the hotel provides a comfortable and well-connected base for business travelers and conference attendees alike. Read more here. |
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Maastricht Goes Green: The Social Hub |
Join us as Luc van Neer, General Manager of The Social Hub (B Corp™) Maastricht, takes you on a tour of this remarkable hotel, where sustainability and social impact go hand in hand. With B Corp certification as a foundation, The Social Hub is committed to reshaping the hospitality industry for the better. Repurposing the iconic Sphinx building, the Maastricht hotel embodies innovation, sustainability, and community spirit. As Luc puts it: “Social is not only in the heart of our name but it's also in our philosophy.”
From hosting events that connect people to the monthly community dinner, fostering inclusivity and reducing loneliness, The Social Hub is more than just a place to stay—it’s a movement. Watch the video below and see how The Social Hub is pioneering in sustainable hospitality. |
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Limburg named one of the ICF world's smartest communities |
The Dutch province of Limburg, home to Maastricht and located at the heart of Europe near Germany and Belgium, has been named one of the ‘Smart21’ Communities by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). This global recognition highlights regions that excel in innovation, knowledge development, and sustainability.
ICF co-founder Louis Zacharilla praised Limburg’s strong collaborative ecosystem of universities, Brightlands campuses, businesses, and government. “Limburg should be less modest in telling its innovation story,” he said. “From medical technology to AI and healthy food – the world needs to see what’s being achieved here.” Read more about this achievement here.
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| Funding Regenerative Medicine innovation
RegMed XB, a public-private partnership focused on regenerative medicine and partly based in Maastricht, has received multi-year funding for its ‘Regenerative Medicine Translational Synergy’ program. The €2 million per year grant will accelerate new therapies for chronic diseases using stem cells, organoids, tissues, and advanced (bio)materials.
Read more here. |
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Mosa Meat Maastricht in TIME Greentech TOP 10
Six Dutch companies were selected for TIME’s list of top greentech companies of 2025. Cultured-meat pioneer Mosa Meat made it into the top ten. Mosa Meat, based in Maastricht, is working on scaling up its production and submitted its application for market approval under the European Novel Foods regulation in January 2025. Read more here.
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New York Times reports about Maastricht |
Two wonderful articles about Maastricht recently appeared in The New York Times. In addition to a feature on the city’s underground treasures — the caves of Sint-Pietersberg, the Casemates Corridors and the former NATO headquarters — the Bonnefanten Museum also received special attention. Read both articles here:
Discovering Maastricht’s Hidden History, Underground - view article
At the Bonnefanten Museum, artist try to imagine a better world - view article |
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Maastricht Convention Bureau |
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