European Company Sport Games 2017 GHENT S CANDIDACY FOR HOST CITY

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2 Candidate City 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Ghent: so much city 5 Content Open to the world 6 Welcome to Flanders 8 Welcome to Ghent 10 International Convention Center Ghent 12 Flemish Capital of Sports 14 Hotels and accommodation 20 Compact & cosy 22 Green & ecological 23 Take a bite out of Ghent 24 Conclusion 10 reasons to visit Ghent

3 Candidate 2017 Ghent: so much city Ghent is in love with sports. In 2011 it was crowned as Flemish Sports Capital. Why? Because sports events are held in the best possible conditions. Whether it is the Tour de France, the European track cycling championship or a popular city run, there is always a professional team ready to turn every event into a success. The Blaarmeersen, for example, is a unique sports site with state of the art infrastructure for dozens of sports. Niels Donckers At the same time, Ghent is a very generous city. But beware. Its incomparable blend of historic architecture, lively festivals, appealing and renowned museums, mouthwatering cuisine, and energetic nightlife may blow you of your feet. Ghent may be medieval but it is young at heart, it was recognized by UNESCO as Creative City for Music. Ghent is hospitable and welcoming. The language in Ghent is Dutch but people generally speak French and English fluently and with pleasure. In Ghent, language is no barrier. But first and foremost, Ghent is authentic, a city full of contrasts. Old and lovely on the surface but a little eccentric and strong-willed underneath. This is what makes the city real and interesting. Ghent is about people. The European Company Sport Games are also about people. Real people coming together from all over Europe to have a good time, to be the best in their sport but at the same time to break down barriers. Barriers between nationalities, industry sectors, functions,... And where better to do this than in Ghent? Ghent and the European Company Sport Games, they are made for each other. Meanwhile, we hope to welcome you in Ghent in Dienst Toerisme Gent Robert De Roeck President VLB Christophe Peeters Deputy Mayor of Sports City of Ghent Daniël Termont Mayor City of Ghent 4 5

4 Ghent: open to the world Thanks to its central location, in the heart of Europe, Ghent is easy to reach, whether by public transport or by car. The airport is at less than an hour s drive and the city is also perfectly accessible by train. London 3h58 3h30 Dover Eurotunnel Calais Ghent North Sea Bruges 2h12 Antwerp Brussels Zaventem 0h35 Amsterdam 3h10 Thalys via Brussels - 3h00 2h40 2h49 Cologne By air: less than 60 km from Brussels Airport Brussels airport is served by 140 international and regional carriers from more than 70 international cities. Ghent can easily be reached from Brussels Airport in Zaventem: by train: direct connection, every half hour, journey time 53 minutes. by car: about 45 minutes over the highway Other Belgian airports like Ostend, Antwerp, Charleroi and Liège are served by regional carriers and also have easy connections to Ghent. By train: in no time to Paris, London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt Ghent can easily be reached from all major European cities via Brussels Midi railway station. Thalys connects Ghent with Paris in only 2h 10min; no stopovers! The Eurostar can be boarded at Brussels Midi. Total travel time from Ghent to London: 3h 30min! Brussels Central 0h30 Brussels Airport 0h57 4h23 4h00 2h57 Charles de Gaulle 2h36 2h40 3h39 Luxembourg Frankfurt By car: close to main motorways Ghent is situated at the intersection of two main motorways: E17 (Scandinavia - Portugal) and E40 (UK - Turkey) Paris Nord 2h10 Paris 6 7

5 Welcome to Flanders: the warm north of Belgium Flanders has three trump cards: its beautifully preserved historical cities overflowing with culture and good food, its attractive countryside and its coast. It is the number one destination for short breaks, be they cultural or simply for relaxation. From unrivalled luxury to a cosy family atmosphere: Flanders has it all. Identikit Name: Flanders Language: Dutch Size: 13,684 sq km Population: 6,117,000 Typical products: chocolate, fries with mayo, beer, waffles, mussels Most important cities: Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Hasselt, Mechelen, Leuven website: Catch the breeze Need a change of pace? A walk along the 67 km of sandy beaches will no doubt invigorate you. Or why not enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside. Foody heaven Prepare to be delighted! Cooking is nested in our genes. And we love to share it. Wherever you go in Flanders you will find mouthwatering food in restaurants, taverns and cafés. Antwerp Bruges Ghent 45 km Mechelen 102 km 58 km Brussels Leuven 31 km Brussels - Mechelen Brussels - Leuven Brussels - Ghent Brussels - Antwerp Brussels - Bruges 22 min. 25 min. 35 min. 40 min. 60 min. Wander between the old and the new The past and the present are equally alive. While some cities of Flanders are treasure troves of history with lovely historic centers, others are enterprising cities that have embraced the 21st century with open arms. Admire art and antiques From old paintings and valuable antiques to modern art and fun curios. Flanders has it all. Admire masterpieces in the museums or visit antique shops and buzzing flea markets. There is something for every taste and budget. Stefan Jacobs, Tomas Kubes_Toerisme Vlaanderen 8 9

6 Welcome to Ghent Ghent should rank as the most surprising city in Flanders, combining beauty and culture with creativity, cutting edge design and a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene. Education is hot Education is another of Ghent s passions. With more than 65,000 college students, Ghent is the largest university town in Belgium. Universiteit Gent (Ghent University) is famous for its research into gene technology, biotechnology, micro-electronics and medicine. JOHN BRUNTON, THE OBSERVER, 18 JANUARY Tom D Haenens Dienst Toerisme Gent Get a taste of history past Take a boat ride on the canals and enjoy the city s lively history from the water. Or take a walk back into history through the historical centre, Belgium s largest pedestrian area and a UNESCO world heritage site. Ghent is a compact city. You will find all points of interest within walking distance from each other. Culture is a feast and feasting is a form of culture The arts quarter of the city contains the most important museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art and the Collection of Flemish art. Soaked in enough art? There is plenty more culture to experience with music, theatre, film, visual arts and the many festivals and festivities. Ghent, the city of the noose-wearers As the city disobeyed Emperor Charles, he ordered that it should be publicly humiliated. On 3 May 1540, a procession of Ghent residents walked barefoot, dressed only in a shirt and with a noose around their necks, from the town hall to Prinsenhof. They were made to kneel and beg the emperor for mercy. Since that time, the inhabitants of Ghent have been known as the stroppendragers or stropkes (noose-wearers), a nickname they today sport with great pride. The black and white noose has become the symbol of the city! Tom D Haenens 10 11

7 Gent ICC, the International Convention Center: the heart of the Games Thanks to its central location, Gent ICC is perfect to act as the beating heart of the games, a hub where participants gather before and after competitions and where they will meet to enjoy their meals. Gent ICC Easily accessible and with plenty of parking space, the International Convention Center (Gent ICC) is situated in the Citadel park, Ghent s largest park and green lung. Apart from the rare trees that can be found in the park, Gent ICC has two other famous neighbours: the world renowned S.M.A.K. or City Museum for Contemporary Art, and the MSK or Museum of Fine Arts. Together they make up the Citadel site. The Gent ICC s team of experienced experts ensures optimal support for events. Personal account managers guarantee their smooth organization. Easy access Within walking distance of the international railway station Gent-Sint-Pieters Near the access roads to the E40 and E17 motorways, and just 45 minutes from Brussels Airport. Easy parking Underground parking facilities for over 200 vehicles. Three other public car parks in the vicinity Conference and exhibition rooms 12,363 m 2 of usable floor space 817 m 2 of pre-function space 19 meeting rooms 2 exhibition halls Auditorium & break-out rooms 12 13

8 Ghent: Flemish Capital of Sports 2011 The Flemish government nominated Ghent as the first Flemish Capital of Sports That is because Ghent has excellent sports facilities such as the Flanders Sports Arena a regular host of European Championships and World Cup competitions and the Cycling Centre Eddy Merckx. Flanders Sports Arena The ultramodern Flanders Sports Arena is an outstanding location for major sports events. In winter, the emphasis is on indoor athletics. In other seasons the arena is a multi-purpose hall aimed at attracting sports events of national, European and world level. The arena comfortably seats from 3,539 to over 5,000 people. There is also a 300 meters practice track under the stands. Ghent is also a seasoned organizer of large-scale events. In 2007 around 120,000 cycling fans showed up for the arrival of the second stage of the Tour de France. The Six Days of Ghent which attracts around 45,000 visitors each year is an indoor track cycling race held annually at the Kuipke velodrome in one of the city s municipal parks. The one-day Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the classic event that sets off the Belgian cycling calendar, traditionally starts in Ghent. For the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics, Ghent will host a number of the world s best athletes. Thanks to its outstanding sports accommodation and acclimatisation training in Artevelde Stadium Currently under construction, Artevelde Stadium is to be a multi-use stadium with a capacity of min. 20,000 people. Set for completion in 2013, the stadium will be used mostly for football matches and will host the home matches of first division football club K.A.A. Gent. OVERVIEW OF MOST IMPORTANT SPORT EVENTS IN GHENT Name/Nature Date No. Visitors European Championship Petanque Youth and Ladies 31/10-5/11/2012 3,000 City run 20/05/2012 6,500 World Cup Gymnastics 8-9/05/2012 4,000 Gents Boksgala (Boxing) 27/04/2012 3,500 The Ghent Masters of Showjumping 1-4/03/ ,000 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (cycling) 25/02/ ,000 Zesdaagse 2011 (six day indoor cycling race) 22-27/11/ ,000 Flanders Indoor 2011 (athletics) 13/02/2011 4,000 Tour de France 1/07/ ,000 OVERVIEW OF MOST IMPORTANT CULTURAL EVENTS IN GHENT Name/Nature Date No. Visitors Lightfestival 26-29/02/ ,000 OdeGand (various classical musicconcerts) 17/09/2011 8,000 Ghent Festivities 16-25/07/2011 1,000,000 Flemish Cycling Centre Eddy Merckx The Flemish Cycling Centre Eddy Merckx is a top notch covered cycling track with a unique feature: its centre court can be converted into a multi-purpose sports field. Water Sports Course The Water Sports Course, first used in 1954, is a rowing race course. It is 2,300 meters long and 76 meters wide (a 5-lane rowing course). The course is also used for rowing and canoe polo. Around the course is a 5km-long Finnish track that is popular with joggers

9 Blaarmeersen sports and recreational park The Blaarmeersen is the largest sports and recreational park of the city. The area is perfect for the organization of tournaments for various sports: the adjacent grassland can be used to organize side events. PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE Legend For sports lovers there are 7 outdoor and 10 indoor tennis courts, a parabolic practice wall, 4 squash courts, 5 football fields, a synthetic athletics track, a roller-skating rink, a rugby field, several beach volley courts and a fitness track. For more outdoor activities, visitors can take to the waters by boat, sailboard or kayak. A bicycle track and mountainbike track are also available along with a winter ski-run. 2 De Waterkant E 9 10 Piereput Camping Apart from that visitors can stroll along the lake, bask in the sun upon sandy beaches, enjoy a quiet moment along the fishing quays or play with the remote controlled boats. Or you can just camp out on its four star camping grounds. The Blaarmeersen also includes other top sports facilities on its site: the Flemish Cycling Centre Eddy Merckx, Flanders Sports Arena and the Water Sports Course. C B A Smash 23 R PEDESTRIAN ENTRANCE PEDESTRIAN & BIKERS ENTRANCE D CENTRAL 150 pl. 23 EAST 705 pl. WEST 130 pl. 3 ENTRANCE EAST 18 Zuiderlaan CENTRUM ENTRANCE WEST R4/E40 19 CENTRUM Finse piste MAIN ENTRANCE WATER SPORTS TRACK Finse piste Noorderlaan 16 17

10 Sports hall Bourgoyen A multi-purpose hall fitted out to accommodate indoor sports. It also has a multi-purpose outdoor court for ball sports. GUSB Located near the Water Sports Course, the University of Ghent s sports complex has a 25m pool, 3 multi-purpose courts, a court for fighting sports, 2 outside courts, a sauna, and 2 meeting rooms. Sports hall Tolhuis The Tolhuis is a multi-purpose sports hall equipped to accommodate indoor sports events for up to 1,774 spectators. Het Kuipke The Citadelpark is also a large event hall, harbouring Flanders main indoor cycling track where each year the six days of Ghent are held. Golf Several golf courses can be found in the vicinity of the city. Ghent itself has golf school with plenty of practice possibilities. Sport complex Rozebroeken Rozebroeken is a multifunctional complex integrating sports, wellness, eating and drinking. It has an olympic-sized swimming pool, a recreational swimming pool with wellness, a multi-purpose sports hall, a court for fighting sports, a gymnastics court and outdoor courts. There is also the possibility to take a relaxing walk in the nearby park. The complex will be finished in june Bowling Three bowling complexes with a total of 33 alleys are situated within 5km from the city centre. More bowling alleys are available in the wider environs of the city

11 Hotels and accommodation: to everyone s taste and budget Enjoying the comfort of a hot bath and a good night s sleep after a day of vigorous athletic activity is an enticing prospect. Ghent has a wide range of accommodations to suit all tastes and pockets. They all have one thing in common: a warm welcome and comfortable rooms. Hotels Staying overnight in one of Ghent s fine hotels makes your experience of the city complete. From four-star deluxe to cosy family hotels, there is a room waiting for you! HOTELS IN AND AROUND GHENT Classification Rooms * 1, Total 3,335 *With an average of 2 or 3 people per room. Bed & Breakfast Sleeping on a boat, in a loft or in a typical house? Choosing a B&B gives you a taste of the real Ghent. With 203 rooms equaling 410 beds, Ghent s 70 B&Bs are ready to give athletes a warm welcome. Youth Hostel For participants on a tiny budget, youth hostel De Draecke in the city centre has 106 beds waiting. There are 27 comfortable rooms for 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 people. All with private bathroom and toilet. In 2017 there will be 2 extra hostels in the city centre with a capacity of 200 beds. Dienst Toerisme Gent Camping Blaarmeersen For participants who enjoy the outdoors, Ghent has a unique four star camping facility at the sports and recreational park De Blaarmeersen, right in the green lung of the city. The camping has a capacity of 200 spaces

12 Ghent: compact & cosy Ghent: green & ecological All assets of a metropolis in a small and cosy town. Historical city center (36 ha): mainly pedestrian area. Walking distance between hotels, congress facilities, cultural attractions and shopping areas. All sports facilities easily reachable and in the vicinity of the city centre. Excellent public transport network. Tom D Haenens Famous for its world Flower show Floraliën. The cyclist is king of the road. Green parks are scattered around. Room is given for private allotments. The swimming pool water is recycled. Environmental sustainability is precious value. Tom D Haenens Tom D Haenens Tom D Haenens 22 23

13 Take a bite out of Ghent Things to see The Castle of the Counts Patershol St. Michael s Bridge St. Bavo s Cathedral The Belfry Beguinages Graslei and Korenlei The adoration of the mystic lamb, a painting by Van Eyck Town Hall Museum of Fine Arts S.M.A.K.... Tom D Haenens Eat and drink to your heart s content With over 300 restaurants - from trendy and chique to cosy and traditional - and hundreds of charming taverns and typical pubs, you won t go hungry or thirsty. The local specialty is Gentse Waterzooi, a creamy chicken and vegetable stew. There is also a typical Ghent s beer called gruut and nice apéritif the roomer. The night is young And the lights are beautiful. Ghent received three Michelin stars for its lighting concept. The carefully planned illumination of the buildings and monuments in the city center ensure a fairytale snapshot. And it s not just the lighting that is fantastic. The social and cultural nightlife dazzles as never before. Just stop off at one of the bars or cafés and taste the countless Belgian beers. Besides, Ghent has an excellent reputation for being a safe city. Shop till you drop Antiques, haute couture, a trendy or traditional gift? Ghent has it all. Besides, in Ghent every day is a market day. So you re bound to come across a fancy flower or flea market, unless you remain seated in one of the cosy cafés. Dienst Toerisme Gent 24 25

14 10 reasons to choose Ghent to host the 2017 European Company Sport Games 1 A city at the crossroads of Europe Thanks to its central location in the heart of Europe, Ghent is easy to reach, whether by public transport or by car. The airport is at less than an hour s drive and the city is also perfectly accessible by train. London Dover Eurotunnel 3h58 Calais 3h30 North Sea Amsterdam Bruges Ghent Antwerp Brussels 2h12 3h10 Thalys via Brussels - 3h00 Zaventem 0h35 Brussels Central 30min Brussels Airport 57min 2h40 2h49 Cologne 4h23 4h00 4 Green & ecological Ghent has a big invironmental awereness. Our swimming pool water is recycled and green parcs are scattered around. 5 Dazzlingly authentic Ghent s entire city centre is a UNESCO world heritage site. But Ghent is also a city of all times. It effortlessly combines an impressive past with a vivid present. 6Compact and cosy Ghent combines all assets of a metropolis in a small and cosy town. All points of interest are within walking distance from each other. 2h40 2h57 Charles de Gaulle 2h36 3h39 Luxembourg Frankfurt Paris Nord 2h10 Paris 7Walking back into history Ghent s historic city center is the largest pedestrian area in Belgium. But that is not the only way to discover the city. Take a boat trip through the canals and relive Ghent s rich merchant history. Stad Gent Champion in the organization of events Ghent is a seasoned organizer of large-scale sports and other events and has all the facilities needed to make them a success. Yearly: 6 days of Ghent indoor cycling; 43,000 visitors. Yearly: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad cycling; 15,000 visitors. 2009: AXA Tennis Masters; 7,000 visitors. 2007: arrival second stage Tour de France; 120,000 visitors. Flemish Capital of Sports 2011 Ghent is proud to be the first city to carry the title Flemish Capital of Sports. This title is granted by the Flemish Government. 3 First class sports facilities Ghent has wide-ranging sports facilities, all located close to each other. The center is formed by the Blaarmeersen site with Sports & Recreation Park De Blaarmeersen, the state of the art Flanders Sports Arena and the Flemish Cycling Centre Eddy Merckx. These locations are ideal for a professional organization of top sport events and competitions. 2 Tom D Haenens A story of good food With over 300 restaurants from trendy and chique to cosy and traditional -and hundreds of charming taverns and typical pubs, visitors won t go hungry or thirsty. The people of Ghent The city is its inhabitants. The people of Ghent welcome visitors with an openness of spirit and a glibness of tongue, whether it is in Dutch, French or English. Ghent by night and light festival Ghent received three Michelin stars for its lighting concept. The carefully planned illumination of the buildings and monuments in the city center ensure a fairytale snapshot. And it s not just the lighting that is fantastic. The social and cultural nightlife dazzles as never before. People in Ghent like their cafés, bars, festivals and festivities

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