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  3. There’s always huge support for cycling conferences in Flanders

There’s always huge support for cycling conferences in Flanders

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  1. Home
  2. Inspiration
  3. There’s always huge support for cycling conferences in Flanders
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There’s always huge support for cycling conferences in Flanders

Tomas Van Den Spiegel

Tomas Van Den Spiegel - CEO of Flanders Classics

Stimulating cycle tourism in a region does not have to be the sole responsibility of the local government or a tourist office. A commercial enterprise can also contribute. Tomas Van Den Spiegel certainly thinks so. As CEO of Flanders Classics, every year he organizes – in addition to five other renowned spring races – the Tour of Flanders, perhaps the most beautiful cycling classic in the world.

“Flanders is a bucket list destination for recreational cyclists from all over the world. The sport is particularly popular in Anglo-Saxon countries. Many Australians, Americans, and British come to Flanders for the spring classics. Some of them spend 10–12,000 euros on a week-long stay here. These people’s interests go beyond just cycle races. At Flanders Classics, we look at how we can meet that need. We do this by offering content about bicycles and the cycling race that they are coming for.”

From cycling race to World War I

“For example, together with the organizers of Gent-Wevelgem, we have linked this spring classic to the story of Flanders Fields and World War I. We mapped out the course of the race towards the Westhoek region, where the battlefields are. That’s a USP that no other cycling race can offer, and it is a big success with cycling fans from the Commonwealth.

We did the same in Limburg. This Flemish province is a real cycling paradise that still has great international potential. That’s why Flanders Classics now has the Tour of Limburg in its portfolio, too. That’s our formula: we look at the interesting cycling regions in Flanders, and we bridge the gap between professional cycling and cycling for everyone.”

Companies such as Flanders Classics are a natural partner for organizations wanting to arrange a conference about cycling. Van Den Spiegel sees the importance of this collaboration as well.

“That importance is not so much economic, but it is crucial in the field of relationship management. We might like to bring a conference such as Rouleur Classic to Flanders one day. It features all the major cycling brands and, consequently, also the B2B community associated with it. What’s more, Rouleur Classic has a unique look and feel, which can be described as high end. That makes a great match for the assets that Flanders has to offer.”

A broad support base for a high-end conference

“Because Flanders is also high end in the field of cycling. You are in the heartland of cycling here, close to the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Koppenberg. Every cycling enthusiast in the world wants to see this, including participants in a conference about cycling.

This region is also pioneering in the field of scientific research, for example, at KU Leuven and at innovative companies such as Bike Valley. So, you are always assured of a broad support base for a conference about cycling in Flanders, simply because cycling is so popular here.”

De muur van Geraardsbergen

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