Andorra, the perfect place for corporate events

The recently opened Conference Centre in Ordino, the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Andorra la Vella (undergoing remodelling works), the Lauredià Cultural and Conference Centre in Sant Julià de Lòria, the Andorra ice rink in Canillo and the events and conference hall in Encamp all consolidate the Principality of Andorra as the ideal setting for business events throughout the year. In addition, the government promotes the special seals for business and meetings and for conferences amongst hotels.

Since last May, Andorra now has a new space for holding conferences and all types of business events: the Conference Centre in Ordino, with a surface area of 2,000 m2 distributed on two floors. Its excellent geographical location (16 km from the Vallnord station and 10 minutes from Escaldes–Engordany), the varied choice of hotel accommodation in the area, the versatility of the rooms with capacity for large events and cutting-edge technology mean that this space is ideal for holding business events year-round.

On the ground floor is the main hall with an area of 99.33 m2, with views over the Ordino valley and optional natural light. This is followed by three panelled rooms: the La Cortinada room (240.9 m2 with capacity for 153 persons), the El Serrat room (203.42 m2 with space for 225) and the Ansalonga auditorium (181.28 m2, 197 seats with an innovative storage system, fixed stage, three simultaneous translation booths and optional natural light) which all together make up the Ordino room. This is the main space of the new conference centre, with 652,15 m2, 640 places, optional natural light and independent access to each room.

The 101 m2 stage has a built-in ramp with direct access from the outside of the building to the stage, two 16.82 m2 dressing rooms, 32.55 m2 reception area, five audio connection points, two speakers at each side of the stage and screen with projection format 16:9 of 5×2,81 m. On the ground floor there is also the Sornàs room with 125.85 m2 and capacity for 116 persons.

Finally, on the first floor there are two further adaptable spaces: the Arans room and the Llorts room. The former, with a surface area of 37.09 m2, has capacity for 38 persons; the latter is 56.4 m2 with room for 65 persons.

The Centre Cultural i de Congressos Lauredià, in Sant Julia de Lòria, has the Auditori Claror, with a capacity of 450, the 156-seat Auditori Rocafort, and various rooms for holding seminars and meetings for up to 50 people. The Centre also has light and sound booths, reception area, parking, simultaneous translation booths, audiovisual equipment and exhibition panels.

The Andorran ice rink at Canillo and the Encamp Sala de Festes i Congressos are options provided by the Principality for corporate events. The ice rink has a 345 m2 auditorium holding 322, a viewing stand of 126 m2 for 200, and an 85 m2 exhibition area with 150 seats. The 2,000 m2 Sala de Festes i Congresses at Encamp is equipped with the latest generation technology and can accommodate 1,200.

In addition to its conference centres, the country has many hotels with especially adapted rooms and companies specialising in organising conferences and fairs. In order to boost and guarantee the quality of the hotel establishments, the government promotes a special seal for business and meetings, and a seal for conferences amongst professionals in Andorra.

In Andorra there are 19 hotels accredited with the special business and meetings seal. These are top quality hotels which meet the necessary requirements demanded by the accreditation. The following requirements are of most interest: a meetings rooms that is at least 30 m2; a supplementary and independent room that is at least 14 m2, and equipping 20% of the bedrooms with a writing desk with telephone connection, fax and computer connections, telephone with direct outside line and electrical sockets, other technologies such as an overhead projector, slide projector, colour television, sound equipment, printer and photocopier.

As well as the requirements corresponding to the special business and meetings seal, the hotel establishments which wish to obtain the special conference seal should meet three basic requirements. They should have a room that is at least 300 m2 and a main conference hall with capacity for 150 people, equipped with the very latest technology: professional video camera, recording team and simultaneous translation, video projector and secretarial services.