Kortrijk Xpo is one of the biggest multi-purpose

indoor arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

s and convention centres in the BENELUX, covering some (2009).Nieuwblad
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/ref> The complex is situated in the city of

Kortrijk Kortrijk ( , ; vls, Kortryk or ''Kortrik''; french: Courtrai ; la, Cortoriacum), sometimes known in English as Courtrai or Courtray ( ), is a Belgian City status in Belgium, city and Municipalities in Belgium, municipality in the Flemish Regio ...

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

and is home to some internationally renowned fairs, like the Kortrijk design fair ''Interieur'' and ''Busworld''.

History

The City of Kortrijk initiated the construction of the first exposition halls in 1966 in Kortrijk-South (Kortrijk-Zuid), close to the highway exit of the plannen E3, the current E17. The 'Kortrijk Halls' were officially inaugurated in April 1967. As a result of the more international approach of the exhibition centre, on 2 December 1999, the name was transformed into Kortrijk Xpo. Whereas the complex covered some of exposition space and of meeting space at the beginning, the complex was later enlarged to , to in 2005, and covers . This makes the complex one of the biggest fair centres in the BENELUX and even Europe. A new multipurpose hall, 'XXL', the so-called 'Black Box', was added in 2009.

Fairs

Among others the following trade fairs are held in Kortrijk: *International Design Fair Interieur *Busworld *Euro Dogg Show *Classics *Kortrijk Winter Carnival *Millionaires Fair *Sea Side Show *Hairstyle Benelux *Architect@Work

Accessibility

The Kortrijk Xpo complex can be reached by the Highway E17, exit 2, and the ringroad R8. The city bus network (operated by

De Lijn Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn (English: Flemish transport company ''De Lijn''), usually known as De Lijn (, "The Line"), is a company run by the Flemish government in Belgium to provide public transportation with about 2240 buses and 399 tr ...

) ensures a direct connection with the

Kortrijk main railway station Kortrijk railway station ( nl, Station Kortrijk, french: Gare de Courtrai), officially Kortrijk, is the main railway station in Kortrijk, West Flanders, Belgium. The station was first inaugurated on 22 September 1839. With around 10,000 passenger ...

. Lines 1, 12 and 13 are directly linked with Kortrijk Xpo.

Notes

External links

Kortrijk Xpo official siteGruzenbergVideo about Kortrijk Xpo
Indoor arenas in Belgium Convention centres in Belgium Tourist attractions in West Flanders Buildings and structures in Kortrijk {{Belgium-sports-venue-stub