Ron Kaufman is one of the world’s leading motivational keynote speakers on the topics of achieving service excellence, increasing customer satisfaction, retaining loyal customers, and building sustainable service cultures. Rated one of the “Top 25 Who’s Hot” speakers by Speaker magazine, Ron presents powerful insights and global best practices from working with clients in every industry and on every continent for more than thirty years. His energetic keynote speeches have inspired millions, frequently earning standing ovations from audiences of all ages. In 2018, GlobalGurus rated Ron the #1 customer service guru in the world. Ron travels worldwide to speak at company meetings, industry conferences, and association events throughout the year.

Ron is author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller, “Uplifting Service! The Proven Path to Delighting Your Customers, Colleagues and Everyone Else You Meet” and 14 other books on service, business and inspiration. He is the founder of Uplifting Service, a global education and consulting company that enables leaders and organizations to build sustainable cultures that win the hearts and minds of customers, colleagues, and partners.

Brussels is the capital city of Belgium as well as the capital of Brussels Region. The city has a population of around 1 million, while the greater Brussels metropolitan area has over 2 million inhabitants. Brussels was founded during the 13th century and is located in the north-center part of Belgium. As the country’s capital, Brussels is home to many administrative and national institutions, including the Palace of the Nation (the seat of the Belgian federal parliament), the Royal Palace (the actual residence of the Royal family), the Palace of Justice, and the Royal Library of Belgium. After the end of World War II, Brussels became the seat of many European institutions and international organizations such the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), or the World Customs Organization. Some of Brussels’ most famous landmarks include the Galleries Saint-Hubert, the oldest shopping arcades of Europe, the Grand Place, a 14th century square in the center of the city, and the iconic 17th century statue of Manneken Pis. Brussel is also renowned for its many museums, such as the Royal Museums of Fine Arts and the Magritte Museum. Additionally, its local waffles, chocolates, beers and French fries are highly sought and admired by tourists and locals alike.

Brussels as a Conference Destination

Due to the presence of EU and other international organizations in the city, Brussels is one of the world’s largest conference destinations. Some of its most well-known annual meetings focus on areas such as marketing and management, finances, life sciences and technology. During 2018, some of the most interesting events to participate include: the Brussels Digital Marketing Conference, the Digital Finance Europe, the 5th People & Workforce Analytics Seminar, the SAP Business Analytics & Performance Management, and the Brussels Tech Summit (which has gathered over 1000 people each year, inspiring and connecting start-ups with the biggest companies in the tech-world).

Brussels Food Options for Conference Delegates

While you are visiting Brussels, Belgium, there are various local restaurants which you should definitely experience. Some of the best Belgian restaurants where you can try upscale cuisine include Alexandre (Phone: +32 2 502 40 55) and the three Michelin stars restaurant Comme Chez Soi (Phone: +32 2 512 29 21). Among the many great restaurants offering various European dishes, the following three places are perfect for a great dining experience: the French restaurant Le Chalet de la Forêt (Phone: +32 2 374 54 16), the stylish Italian restaurant Pasta Divina (Phone: +32 2 511 21 55), and the delicious Portuguese locale Au Cor de Chasse (Phone: +32 2 308 57 25).

Brussels Attractions for Convention Attendees

There are many great tourist attractions in Brussels which you might consider visiting after your business conference. If you decide to have a walk in the Old Town, you should not miss the Grote Markt – the city’s main square, also known as the Grand Place, which is surrounded by a range of amazing architectural landmarks, including the city’s Town Hall and the King’s House. Not far from there you can also find the iconic Manneken Pis small statue, a fountain featuring a little boy urinating, which dates back to 1388 and is jokingly referred to by the locals as ‘Brussels’ oldest citizen.’

Conference Center Venues

Brussels, Belgium has a large number of great conference centers and facilities, such as:

Albert Borschette Congress Center (CCAB) (Location: Rue Froissart)
Charlemagne Conference Center (Location: Rue de la Loi)
Diamant Brussels Conference and Business Center (Location: Boulevard A. Reyers)
MCE Conference and Business Center (Location: Rue de l’Aqueduc)
Square – Brussels Meeting Center (Location: Rue Mont des Arts)
The EGG Brussels (Location: Rue Bara)