One of this initiative’s value added elements is the use of the city’s emblematic venues and historical buildings, such as the Perez Galdos Theatre, Columbus House, the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Gardens and Mata Castle.
The Head of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council’s Tourism Department, Pablo Barbero, and Luis Acosta, CEO of the Canaries Congress Centre – Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, have recently signed a collaboration agreement aimed at promoting the capital of Grand Canary as a congress destination, under the umbrella brand LPA Meetings.
The agreement signed by the two institutions will run for three years and contemplates subsidies for those international and national scientific societies and professionals planning to hold meetings, seminars or conventions at the Canaries Congress Centre from 2013-2015.
The evaluation criteria used when granting subsidies for holding congresses will be based on the meeting’s scientific value, economic and promotional impact on the city, number of delegates, length, and exhibition floor area, among others.
Barbero invited companies to submit their applications, as well as stressing the growing importance of business tourism for the islands economy. Along these lines, he reminded those present that this activity "has a direct impact on the hospitality industry and commerce, as well as industry service providers, including translation and event staff agencies, and AV companies."
Initially, subsidies to the tune of €120,000 will be available during the first year, each institution contributing half of the funds. Scientific societies, professional bodies, universities and public research institutions, among others, will be eligible for subsidies. There will be two calls for applications: from April-June and from October-December.
One of this initiative’s value added elements is the use of the city’s emblematic venues and historical buildings, such as the Perez Galdos Theatre, Columbus House, the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Gardens and Mata Castle, for events included in the social programmes of congress and meetings.
In 2012, the Canaries Congress Centre – Alfredo Kraus Auditorium has consolidates its position as a national congress destination, thanks to the 10 national and international congress the venue has hosted, in addition to some 110 meetings. In 2011, the centre hosted 118 meetings, 10 of which were national or international congresses, and 108, conventions, seminars or meetings.
The Canaries Congress Centre – Alfredo Kraus Auditorium
