ROTTERDAM. MAKE IT HAPPEN. Rotterdam

Ahoy Convention Centre in 2020, consists of 35 break out rooms and the largest auditorium in the Netherlands, named RTM Stage. The 4 floor Convention Centre can be used for a variety of events and is directly connected to Ahoy Plaza and the Exhibition & Event Halls. On the 2nd and 3rd floor one can find all break out rooms, varying in capacity from 50 to 2,750 persons. The Expo Foyer (2,300 m2) is also located on the 3rd floor. The perfect place for gala dinners, expos and receptions.

De Doelen is a highly-acclaimed concert hall and state-of-the-art congress centre. De Doelen is the largest in the Netherlands in terms of the combination of these two functions. Located in the Mauritskwartier district of Rotterdam, de Doelen welcomes visitors for gatherings ranging from 100 to 3000 delegates. The adjacent Rotterdam Marriott Hotel is connected to de Doelen by a covered footbridge.

The history of de Doelen dates back to the seventeenth century when an orchestra of city musicians gave public concerts in ‘De Doele’ located on the Haagscheveer in Rotterdam. It was replaced by the ‘Groote Doelezaal’ on the Coolsingel road that was opened in 1844. A new Doelenzaal was opened in 1934, but it was destroyed in the bombing of Rotterdam in May 1940. The current de Doelen was not opened until 26 years later in 1966. The building is a municipal listed building and is viewed in Rotterdam as the ‘the culmination of the reconstruction’ that has huge cultural and historical value.

De Doelen comprises three groups of halls or complexes: the Grote Zaal (Main Hall, max. 1850 p.), the Willem Burger Zaal (max. 700 p.) and the Jurriaanse Zaal (max. 465 p.). Each complex has its own entrance, hall, foyer, and a number of smaller meeting spaces. One distinctive feature is that these three groups of halls can be used individually or in combination.

The Grote Zaal’s ceiling, chairs, floor, boxes, hall lighting and technical facilities were improved in 2009, naturally while retaining the characteristic architecture and internationally-acclaimed acoustics. The surroundings of the Grote Zaal, such as the reception hall, foyers and soloist rooms have also been renovated recently.

De Doelen is divided into Complexes, which each has their own entry. They can be rented separately or together. De Doelen was awarded Green Key certification in 2010 and free WiFi is available throughout the building.

The Willem Burger Complex is businesslike and light. The Willem Burger Zaal has permanent theatre seating for 700. De Doelen’s concert halls with their famous acoustics are located in the Grote Zaal Complex and the Jurriaanse Complex. The Grote Zaal can accommodate a maximum of 1,755 people, while the Jurriaanse Zaal can accommodate 465 people when set up as a theatre. White leather seats, chandeliers and marble floors adorn the other spaces in both complexes, which consist of foyers and rooms without a fixed setup. Receptions and dinners can be held in these spaces as well, such as the Port of Rotterdam Foyer that can offer a seated dinner for a maximum of 1,000 people.

De Doelen provides coffee, tea and drinks receptions and lunches and dinners for groups of up to 250. De Doelen also works with two house caterers: Maison Van den Boer and Maître Frédéric.

The congress venue is located approximately 200 metres from Rotterdam Central Station. Paid car parking is available in Schouwburgplein parking garage located next to the venue.