Content is created in partnership with CVB Budapest and SkiftX, Skift’s branded content studio.
With a history dating back to the Roman Empire, Budapest, Hungary has long been a place where world travelers seek inspiration. This remains true today, as leading industries are hosting conferences and events designed to stimulate innovation in the context of one of the world’s important cultural capitals.
This blend of past and future has made Budapest a favorite among meeting planners, especially in the booming tech and financial sectors. The luxurious venues and restaurants are not only stunning, but also feature the modern amenities business travelers and award winners have come to expect.
“The dynamic interplay between tradition and progress inspires people to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions,” said Ildikó Lippai, senior sales manager at the Budapest Convention Bureau.
Read on to learn more about how convenience, culture and creativity make Budapest a meeting and incentive travel destination.
Find inspiration from innovation
Budapest’s growing reputation as a place to explore is no accident. Our affordable prices, highly skilled workforce, and strong educational institutions create an environment for top thinkers to change the world.
The Hungarian government invests in innovation, especially in areas such as information technology, fintech and artificial intelligence. This effort has paid off with the emergence of several notable startups such as Prezi, LogMeIn and Ustream, as well as the birth of inventions that are renowned around the world. Major achievements include:
- rubik’s cubeCelebrating its 50th anniversary, it is still used for entertainment and education, including the development of cognitive skills such as logical thinking and problem solving.
- Microsoft Word and ExcelSoftware development originated from Charles Simonyi, a Hungarian-American software architect, and has fundamentally changed the way people work and manage data.
- fiberglass concrete Advanced architecture is achieved by creating decorative and structural elements that transmit light to create unique visual effects.
- gombok It is the first and only homogeneous body with stable and unstable equilibrium points, demonstrating unique properties of geometry and physics.
- Measure 1Developed by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, it is the world’s first small satellite capable of communicating with the Earth and conducting effective measurements.
“There are many outstanding talents in Hungary’s history who have made significant contributions to the world,” Lipaj said. “These inventions inject pride and innovative spirit into the Hungarian people. This historical legacy, coupled with the city’s commitment to technology and forward-thinking in business, encouraging experimentation and risk-taking.
Take, for example, the Hungarian MICE Collective Commitment, an initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of events held in the city. This sustainability commitment encourages event organizers to adopt sustainable practices such as reducing waste, minimizing energy consumption and supporting local suppliers.
A tradition of innovation builds on itself. Budapest has a highly skilled workforce with strong technical, financial and engineering expertise, making it an ideal location for industry conferences and seminars. Budapest is now a natural center for top scientific conferences, including:
- 2023 European Neurological Society Congress
- April 2024 ESGCT (European Society for Gene and Cell Therapy) Spring School
- 2024 ISUOG World Congress, the leading international event in the field of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
embrace history
One of Budapest’s greatest strengths is that while looking to the future, this destination never forgets its past.
With a history dating back over 1,000 years, Budapest has long impressed visitors, receiving millions of visitors every year. Planners should capitalize on this appeal by creating a conference that emphasizes both the conference destination and the destination, giving attendees time to immerse themselves in a cultural experience rather than sitting in a conference center all day.
For example, organize private events in historic thermal baths such as Széchenyi or Gellért, offering massages, saunas and gourmet meals. Lipaj noted that these historic baths, some of which date back to Roman times, offer a unique opportunity to relax and rejuvenate while experiencing a piece of Hungarian history.
Another activity worth trying is taking attendees on a tour of the city’s historical monuments, such as the Buda Castle district. Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, such as the iconic Parliament Building, Buda Castle and Fisherman’s Bastion, are dazzling. But as well as being enjoyable, these venues are a testament to turning dreams into reality – a theme that applies to all conferences.
For even more spectacular views, book a dinner cruise along the Danube. Evening cruises along the Danube offer panoramic views of the city’s illuminated landmarks and an unforgettable dining experience – perfect for posting on social media and leaving those who didn’t attend worried about missing out.
“For first-time visitors to Budapest, the most common surprise is the striking contrast between its historical architecture and its vibrant modern culture,” said Lippay.
Taste culture
Like its architecture, the city’s gastronomy is another area where tradition meets innovation.
One of the most striking examples of Budapest’s fusion of old and new is its “Ruin Bar”. These venues are located in abandoned buildings, often with exposed brick walls and industrial-chic decor. They offer unique and authentic experiences that attract locals and tourists alike, demonstrating how to create something new while respecting the old.
“The unique cultural identity of this city is wit, humor and a certain degree of irreverence,” says Lippay.
Underscoring this point further, Budapest is home to Michelin-starred restaurants that reinterpret classic Hungarian cuisine by adding modern twists to classic recipes. Famous restaurants include Borkonyha, Cotes (Michelin-starred restaurant) and Menza. Attendees who try the food at either restaurant quickly realize it’s not their mother’s goulash. Other popular team-building and social activities include wine tours of local vineyards and cooking classes.
Planners should also incorporate arts attractions into the event experience. The Hungarian State Opera House, renovated in 2022, is a must-see. Also worth visiting are the Eiffel Art Studio and the new arts center and rehearsal center of the Hungarian State Opera.
Also worth noting is Stephen’s Hall, one of the most important locations in the Buda Castle palace at the turn of the century, now open to visitors again.
The Liget Budapest project was launched in 2011 and has become Europe’s largest cultural city development project. As part of the Liget project, the rebuilt former Olof Palme House was opened as the Hungarian Millennium House.
One of the most unique innovations of the Liget project is the Music House, which opened in January 2022. The Ethnographic Museum is now housed in a brand new building and is an important part of Liget’s Budapest project.
Stay at a first-class venue
One of the most popular aspects of Budapest among planners is its ability to offer high-quality hotels at affordable prices. Budapest has 22,700 hotel rooms, including 4,083 five-star hotels, 12,699 four-star hotels, and 5,985 three-star hotels. Three hotels have been named among the 10 best hotels in Europe by Travellers’ Choice.
The city will add 1,012 hotel rooms in 2023 as part of an ongoing effort to meet demand. Hungary plans to add 4,400 new three-, four- and five-star hotel rooms in 2025, such as the W Hotel Budapest, Hotel Dorothea and Four Points by Sheraton. In addition, the St. Regis Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel will also open in the near future.
These developments are attracting international groups. “Budapest offers competitive prices on accommodations, venues and services, making it a budget-friendly option for U.S. companies looking to host events in Europe,” said Lippai.
Groups looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city will be drawn to the Mövenpick Resort Balaran on the south shore, the gateway to Lake Balaton in Santo de Balaton. Located 90 minutes from Budapest, the countryside is home to a range of conference centres, hotels and resorts offering first-class facilities and services tailor-made for MICE events.
Located within the Annabella Hotel, the Balaton Leisure and Conference Center offers educational facilities for 1,100 people and over 17,000 square feet of spacious exhibition space.
Travel easily
Budapest is located in Central Europe and is very convenient for attendees from all over the world.
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport is one of the highest rated airports in Europe and is less than a two-hour flight from major European aviation hubs. Once arriving, attendees can move around easily. The city has well-developed public transport and is part of an EU network that supports technological advancement, which increases its appeal to business travelers and new citizens.
As Ripay explains, “Budapest has become a center for business and creative industries, attracting talent from all over the world.”
Visit the Budapest CVB website to learn more about the destination and start planning your event.
Content is created in partnership with CVB Budapest and SkiftX, Skift’s branded content studio.
