Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions
Print 
Tell a friend 
Bookmark and share History
The Netherlands Conventions Bureau (NCB) was established in 1980 at the initiative of the Dutch conventions industry and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The NCB merged with the Netherlands Tourism and Recreation Board (TRN) on 1st July 2001. Since then it has operated as a single centre of expertise for the Netherlands as a destination for tourism and conventions. The organisation was renamed the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) at the start of 2004.
Present
Co-financed by the Dutch government, the Netherlands Board for Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) is an independent organization, with no commercial axe to grind. We have many years' experience plus extensive knowledge of the Dutch conventions and conferences industry. The NBTC is an objective, comprehensive source of information for association, corporate and independent meeting planners and gives you impartial and independent advice.
Vision
NBTC is the leading destination marketing organisation for the promotion of leisure and business travel to and within Holland through the brands ‘Holland’ (international promotions) and ‘Lekker weg in eigen land’ (national promotions).
Mission
NBTC is the matchmaker between suppliers in the tourism and convention sectors, and supports them through its knowledge, network and marketing activities, within Holland and abroad. This allows us and our partners to be more effective, to have more authority and to get better results.
Marketing strategy
Within our marketing strategy, we use the endorsed branding, Product Market Partner Combinations, the segmentation model and the participation model mechanisms.
Partnerships
The NBTC specialists employ their expertise worldwide to increase the promotional power of the brand Holland and the Dutch tourism product. Matching people and organisations in the tourism and convetions sectors is the focus of our attention. NBTC actively seeks partnerships with relevant parties to carry out its marketing activities.
Network
The NBTC head office is located in Leidschendam. NBTC targets the countries with the highest volumes of travellers to Holland. NBTC is active in Europe, Asia and North America. Staff in the ws worldwide network of eleven offices and one representative office promote the brand ‘Holland’ abroad to tourists and trade & industry. The marketing office in Holland itself markets Holland to the domestic market through the brand ‘Lekker weg in eigen land’.
Financing
NBTC receives grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. This Ministery has commissioned NBTC to promote the destination Holland. EUR 16.5 million was awarded for 2009. State Secretary Frank Heemskerk is responsible for the tourism portfolio.
NBTC receives additional income from partners who take part in joint campaigns and from services it supplies to participants in its marketing activities.
Platform within the Dutch meetings and conventions industry
The NBTC has an excellent platform to support anybody who wants to organise international meetings in the Netherlands. Co-operation between the NBTC and the conventions industry makes it possible for the Dutch conventions industry to respond efficiently to the wishes of convention organisers in the Netherlands and other countries. At least, the NBTC exists to help you find the facilities and companies best able to meet your wishes and requirements.
So, what can the NBTC do for you?
We provide advice on all aspects of organising an international conference in every phase of the organisational process.
We put you in touch with the right partners in the Netherlands: with your counterpart, convention facilities, PCOs and service providers like audiovisual companies. We will be pleased to arrange a curtain-raising visit for you if the Netherlands is a serious option as a venue for your event.
We give you tips about the Dutch way of doing business and about matters like the national culture, infrastructure and economy.
We provide financial advice about the Prefinancing & Guarantee Fund of the Dutch conventions industry. We will explain in detail how VAT works in the Netherlands.
We organise a range of activities abroad so that you can get to know us and form an initial impression of the Netherlands. We are represented at major international trade fairs.
We keep accurate records of when and where international conventions are being held in the Netherlands. You will find this information on the website or in our International Conventions Calendar.
We will be pleased to answer your questions on any subject ? about small or large meetings and conventions, guest speakers and multimedia facilities.
Contact us
For easy contact and fast service for people in other countries, we have offices in London, New York, Paris, Brussels, Stockholm, Milan, Madrid, Cologne and Tokyo. Our national office staff speak the local language fluently and are familiar with national culture and customs.