Thursday, 4 december 2025 |
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This December's edition brings you fresh updates and insights from Leiden's vibrant conference and knowledge ecosystem. As always, we are committed to helping you discover the full potential of our City of Science and supporting your future events here.
From recent scientific developments, such as the arrival of one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies in Leiden, to city news, including a wonderful article about Leiden in The New York Times, and partner updates: be inspired by everything that is happening in our city.
Kind regards,
Team Leiden Convention Bureau |
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Looking back on FAM trip 2025 |
On 4 November 2025, national and international event planners discovered Leiden in a new way during our annual FAM trip. Through the Leiden Game, developed by Bizon Events, the city became a playground for exploration, offering an engaging experience of Leiden’s character, energy, and hospitality, a day where curiosity turned into connection. |
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Leiden shines in the New York Times |
Leiden received significant international attention in recent weeks. The New York Times devoted an extensive article to our city, describing Leiden as “the Oxford of the Netherlands”, a place where science, history and creativity come together. The piece highlights how Leiden’s unique blend of academic excellence and cultural heritage shapes the city’s character. Leiden has also been featured by The New York Times Travel, which can be found here. |
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Looking back at IBTM 2025 |
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In November 2025, Miranda and Yara from the Leiden Convention Bureau attended IBTM World 2025. IBTM (Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings) is one of the world’s leading trade fairs in the MICE industry. The annual event in Barcelona brings together event and conference professionals and the business travel industry to network, discover new trends and build valuable partnerships.
Together with 31 Dutch partners, we joined forces with NBTC at the Netherlands stand in Barcelona. This year’s theme focused on connectivity! |
Invitation for the Event Summit 2026 |
Leiden Convention Bureau will be present at Event Summit at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht on January 22nd, and we are bringing our partners along!
Visit us at the exhibition floor and stroll through our own Leiden street, where we together with our Leiden partners will show you what our city has to offer. Meet Rembrandt in person and enjoy authentic Leiden entertainment.
Be sure to stop by! |
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Meet the team: our Manager |
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With over 15 years of experience in international meetings and conventions, I’ve built my career at the intersection of hospitality, knowledge exchange, and city positioning.
After roles at Amsterdam Partners and the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC), I returned to my hometown to lead the Leiden Convention Bureau, where my team and I attract scientific conferences that reinforce Leiden’s position as the City of Science. |
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Leiden Booking Service: takes the pressure off organisers, convenient for participants. |
Leiden Convention Bureau created Leiden Booking Service to give conference organisers an easy and affordable way to arrange hotel stays for their participants. This service, specifically designed for multi-day international conferences, offers a transparent and reliable platform that allows conference participants to easily book their stay. |
What's new in the City of Science? |
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Hilton Garden Inn Leiden shines like never before after a thorough renovation! |
With this renovation, we aimed not only to modernize our facilities but also to create an environment that inspires connection and experience. The Helium Bar is the perfect example: a vibrant space where stories, flavors, and people meet. The atmosphere is relaxed and contemporary: exactly what today’s travelers seek. |
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Pieterskerk Leiden Benefit Gala raises €46,000 |
During the Pieterskerk Leiden Benefit Gala on 10 November, €46,000 was raised. This generous support strengthens the ongoing maintenance of the Pieterskerk and enables phase 2 of the Pilgrim Museum. The evening was further elevated by a special performance by Ruth Jacott and meaningful cheque presentations. Read the full report on our website. |
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New exhibition Plants & Planets |
The Old Observatory, the oldest still-operating observatory in the world, is hosting the multi-year exhibition “Plants & Planets,” a new presentation in which you can marvel at what science, art and nature reveal about the origins of life. This exhibition is a collaboration between the Hortus botanicus and Leiden Observatory. |
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Congress by Design strengthens Leiden’s conference profile |
Leiden is increasingly establishing itself as a leading conference city, driven by the strength of science and medical innovation. Here, research, education and international collaboration come together naturally. As the local PCO, Congress by Design organises impactful conferences and works in partnership with the Leiden Convention Bureau to further strengthen the region’s position and visibility.
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LUMC develops potentially resistance-free antibiotic: promising for now |
A research group at the Leiden Institute of Biology (IBL) has developed a new antibiotic against the pathogenic intestinal bacterium Clostridioides difficile. |
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Collaborations in the field of breast cancer with LUMC and Alrijne |
The LUMC and Alrijne are joining forces to strengthen breast cancer care in the region, with the aim of helping patients faster, more efficiently and with the highest quality. |
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Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is constructing a new factory in Katwijk. |
Eli Lilly, one of the world’s most innovative pharmaceutical companies, is establishing itself in Katwijk with a new factory near Leiden Bio Science Park. |
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Prototype prevents brain damage and reduces workload at LUMC |
The LUMC has developed a device for babies in the NICU who experience apnoea. Apnoea is a brief interruption in breathing, which can have dangerous consequences such as brain damage. |
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Stay informed on science from Leiden |
Want to keep up with the latest discoveries, breakthroughs and research updates from Leiden? Explore our City of Science stories and see why more and more medical and scientific associations choose Leiden for their events. |
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Tuesday Talk - Microscopy reinvented |
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Leiden University Museum Lab Conference |
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Dutch Reproducibility Network - Annual Symposium 2026 |
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Stationsweg 26
2312 AV
Leiden |
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info@leidenconventionbureau.nl |
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