Austria

Compiled by Anja Coppieters, January 2010.

Belgium [Antwerp]

As a founding member of the EU, Belgium introduced the euro currency in 2002 and is a leading backer of globalization and open economy. Its favourable location at the heart of an extensively industrialized region helps maintain its rank among the world's largest trading nations.  At the dawn of the 19th century, Belgium was the first continental European country to undergo the Industrial Revolution. Today, Belgium produces over half of its electricity through 2 nuclear energy plants in Doel and Thiange.
Antwerp is the "diamond capital of the world”, handling 80% of all rough diamonds and more than 50% of all rough, cut and industrial diamonds combined.

The Flemish Diamond (Vlaamse Ruit in Dutch) is the name of an area cornered by Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp and Leuven. This area and Flanders as a whole, numbers amongst the most productive and prosperous regions in Europe with purchasing power at 23% above the EU average. The Port of Antwerp is the second-largest in Europe.

With a rich history and flamboyant architecture, Antwerp has a number of Twin cities, notably Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Saint Petersburg in Russia and Barcelona in Spain.

See what’s scheduled, when and where in our Antwerp Business Events Calendar 2010 or get started planning your event, visit: Trade fair & conference organisers located in Belgium and Belgian Business venues & conference facilities.

Estonia

Compiled by Anja Coppieters, January 2010.

Ireland

The Irish economy was dubbed the "Celtic Tiger" in the 1990s as it rapidly evolved and charged past many of the former leaders, causing the Republic of Ireland to be ranked first and best on the "quality of life" assessment by The Economist magazine in 2005. However, in 2009 the rate of unemployment in Ireland shot up to 12.9% – a hex of the recession that swept the globe in 2008.

Ireland has produced numerous brilliant writers and poets such as Oscar Wilde and four Nobel Prize for Literature winners: George Bernard Shaw, William Butler Yeats, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney. Ireland’s rich culture has translated into a number of world-renowned events such as the Saint Patrick’s Day or Paddy's Day; popular myths such as the Leprechaun’s pot of gold or the lucky four-leaf clover. Some of the finest Irish hotels await to welcome visitors, as the island stays in touch with the world through five main international airports in: Dublin, Belfast / Aldergrove, Cork, Shannon and Knock. Keep tabs on Irish business events with our Ireland Business Event Calendar 2010 and learn more about the conference facilities in the Conference Venues of Ireland feature (coming soon).

Latvia

On September 6, 1991, Latvia regained its independence, the last Baltic State to do so. It became one of Europe’s leaders in GDP growth between 1996 and 2006 and entered the EU in May 2004. During the global economic meltdown of 2008/2009 Latvia was among the hardest hit of the EU members. However, significant efforts are underway to heal the damage suffered by the Latvian economy and now Latvia is number 27 on the World Bank’s – Ease of Doing Business Index 2010, beating the Netherlands, France, Spain, Poland and Italy that are 30th, 31st, 62nd, 72nd and 78th respectively.

Latvia is well-equipped to host international conferences with dozens of world-class Latvian hotels and conference venues offering cutting edge equipment and crisp service.

Read more about some of the prominent conference venues we recommend in the Conference Venues of Latvia feature and see what’s on in our Latvia Business Event Calendar 2010.

Lithuania

Lithuania was the first Soviet republic to chip away from the Soviet Union and declare its independence on March 11, 1990. In 2003, prior to EU ascension, Lithuania exhibited the highest economic growth rate amongst all candidate and member countries, (8.8% in Q3). Lithuania bore the full brunt of the global financial crisis of 2008/09 dragging many of the banks of Lithuania into deep, unchartered waters. Find out just how client-friendly the Baltic banks truly are, as Lithuania plans its transit to the Euro in January 2013. Government subsidies and incentives mitigate investments into the high-tech fields and high value-added products, as a shift toward knowledge-based economy sweeps the nation, with a primary focus on biotechnology and IT.

Among her Baltic Sisters, Lithuania is noted for her communicative, multi-lingual inhabitants and rich culture. The main cities of Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda offer a myriad of touristic sights, as well as splendid hotels and business venues. Enjoy perusing our Lithuania Business Event Calendar 2010.

Malta

In 1530 the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem received a perpetual lease of the islands from Charles I of Spain, but lost control in 1798 as a result of a dastardly trick by Napoleon.

Valletta is the capital city of Malta, named after J.P. de la Valette who helped defend Malta in the epic 3-month siege against the 40 000-strong Ottoman invasion in 1565 and set the first cornerstone of the city on March 28 1566. However, Birkirkara, a neighbouring town with over 21 thousand inhabitants is significantly larger. Malta gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a member of the EU in 2004.

With a history tracing as far back as 5000BC, Malta, the “Land of Honey” is praised for its vibrant culture and friendly people. Today Malta, with its idyllic nature and mild Mediterranean climate has become an irresistible allure to tourists and the high-tech conference facilities offered by some of the most prestigious Maltese hotels made it a notable hub for business as well. Find out what is on this year in our detailed Malta Business Event Calendar 2010 guide and learn more about the conference facilities in the Conference Venues of Malta feature (coming soon). Planning a holiday? Learn more about Gozo, Malta’s second largest island.