GOVCERT.NL Symposium 2009

We're proud of this year's location: the Beurs/World Trade Center in Rotterdam. Below we've included some background on the actual building as well the city of Rotterdam.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is one of the most important ports in the world, the second city and the industrial heart of the Netherlands and the economic, social and cultural centre of the Rijnmond (Rhine Estuary) region. In addition, Rotterdam is a city of modern architecture, events, art, leisure and recreation. More than one million people from 162 countries live in the Rotterdam region.

The city that is so unlike Holland's other cities. Located on the mighty Maas River. Being the ''Gateway to Europe'' Rotterdam has a hinterland of 500 million inhabitants. Its international orientation as a port and the regeneration of its city centre have made Rotterdam a business city without parallel. City with outstanding architecture and delightful culture. City with an abundance of attractions, festivals and museums. A swinging, young city culture and excellent shopping facilities, restaurants and cafes.

World Trade Center

The World Trade Center is a modern building with a historical past. A past that dates back to 1598, when the first Rotterdam Beurs (stock exchange) was founded. This Beurs proved to be a great success, and lack of space meant that larger Beurs buildings had to be constructed. In 1941, the Beurs on the Coolsingel was opened. This building, with its many functions, housed not only numerous exchanges, but also shops, conference halls, a bar and offices. As the quality formula improved on all fronts, demand for offices and conference space increased.

In 1984, a start was made on the construction of a new office tower, in the midst of the existing low-rise buildings designed by the architect J.F. Staal. The green elliptical tower, designed by the architect Van Erk, was completed in 1987. Her Majesty the Queen then named the entire complex "Beurs-WTC". At present the World Trade Center still accommodates one exchange, the Insurance Exchange. The Beurs-WTC is managed and operated by Beurs Rotterdam N.V., which also owns the impressive building.