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by Wim Desloovere, Manager Association Bureau, VisitBrussels
In order to strengthen its position as the #1 international organization city in the world, visit.brussels has set up the Association Bureau, a unique resource providing specific services to those wishing to develop their activities in Brussels. This strategic initiative will help international associations meet their business goals by providing valuable support in four key areas :
1. One-stop shop: the Association Bureau acts as an single point of contact for associations, steering them in the right direction to reach their business goals and connecting them to the right people who will be able to assist them with any information related to the setting up or the running of an organization in Brussels (financial or legal issues, human resources, office space, meetings facilities, living in Brussels, etc.).
2. Global Association Hubs Partnership (GAHP): with the strategic partnership Brussels has set up with Destination DC, Dubai Association Centre and Singapore, the European capital provides a unique platform assisting international associations in their development strategy. The GAHP aims to drive the growth of international associations by helping them expand their reach and presence globally, on top of supporting them in building their capabilities.
3. Training opportunities: the Association Bureau centralizes all information related to training initiatives and continuous education for associations. Additionally, visit.brussels is also supporting the Executive Master in International Association Management set up by Solvay Business School. It is also organizing the annual peer-to-peer “European Association Summit”.
4. Networking project: the Association Bureau will create a formal framework for association executives to meet, converse and exchange information. By sharing their experience, expectations and vision with key protagonists, associations will learn and develop.
To stimulate the many opportunities for networking in this field, visit.brussels will launch, as of 2017, the International Association Club, which will allow associations to benefit from a space for co-working, a dedicated resource to answer their questions and facilities for meetings, exchanges and training. "The purpose of this Club, which will be located in the offices of the Brussels Commissioner for European and International Institutions (63, Avenue d'Auderghem in Brussels), is to provide a place where international associations can share their daily experiences, expectations and visions.
“International Associations play a key role in the life of Brussels and are crucial to the proper functioning of the European decision-making process. It was natural for us, therefore, to offer them a point of anchorage and exchange in the heart of Brussels' European district, explains Wim Desloovere, manager Association Bureau visit.brussels.
All these projects are carried out with the collaboration and continued support of the strategic partners of visit.brussels: the Federation of International Associations based in Belgium (FAIB), the Union of International Associations (UIA), the Maison des Associations Internationales (MAI) and the European Society of Association Executives (ESAE).