This far sighted development plan will extend the existing 117,600sq.m further and planning permission is already in place.

New facilities will include permanent meeting rooms, flexible exhibition spaces and the possibility of a further auditorium. To complement this expansion, a 50-metre high hotel will be constructed on the site.

Also part of the project is an international arena suitable for sports and cultural events. Location is not yet fixed but a strong possibility is Bella Center’s area in the Ørestad, the thriving new research and scientific park that hosts many pharmaceutical and IT industries. The site is ideal because its success is evident in its continued growth and because it has established infrastructure, including Metro stations; the Oresund bridge, which provides a direct link to Sweden; and parking.

Bella Center has offered itself as Management Company, with the synergy this will bring for combining events in Bella Center and the new arena.
Says chairman of Bella Center Erik Bonnerup: “We are keen to take advantage of the positive economic environment and of Copenhagen’s reputation as a hip and vibrant conference and exhibition venue. Not only will the additional facilities allow us to hold even more events for up to 2,000 participants simultaneously, but they will also contribute to the city’s continued growth and popularity.”

With a total of 137 international congresses held in 2004, Copenhagen is improving its position as one of the world’s most appealing congress cities. In 2004 Copenhagen advanced from being 8th to the 6th most popular destination in the world for international congresses, according to the last report from the Union of International Association (UIA).

Rotary International has chosen Copenhagen and Malmö to host its annual world convention in 2006. It is expected that 30-40.000 of the world’s 1.2 million Rotary members will attend the convention, which will make it the biggest international convention ever held in the Øresund region. The convention will take place from 9-14 June at Bella Center and other locations.