Five good reasons for choosing Parma for your event

Do you have to organize an event or an important project? Do you want everything to be perfect? Well, have you ever thought about Parma, the Ducal City at the heart of the Italian Food Valley? There are at least five good reasons for choosing this marvellous city, symbol of Italian style and  ideal location for the MICE sector, which has recently been awarded the prestigious UNESCO “City of gastronomy” prize.

Why Parma ? The first good reason is that even though Parma is an art city, the reality is that it is a young and culturally lively place, thanks in part to its famous University, which is still firmly attached to its roots; it is the land of Giuseppe Verdi one of the greatest composers in the world and food and wine products which are unique and unrivalled like Parma ham, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and culatello.  Parma has more than its fair share of starred chefs and has recently obtained recognition as a UNESCO “City of gastronomy” thus adding to the Meeting Industry a competitive and functional offer in which the globally famous products of excellence meet modern technology.

The second good reason is that every moment is perfect for visiting the “miniature Paris” as it has been described to underline its affinity to the capital of France, the link to Maria Luigia, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, the fascination of its mysterious corners, the romance of its historical alleys and the infinity of typical restaurants where you can taste the extraordinary wine and food of this tradition, from salame to cappelletti. The city is always ready to welcome visitors who can admire the majesty of the Cathedral and Baptistery, discover the secrets of the St Paul’s room painted by Correggio, admire the vastness of the Farnese Theatre, stroll along the shady avenues of the Ducal Park or relax at a table in one of the Cafés of the main Piazza Garibaldi sipping a coffee while exchanging pleasantries with locals, as always cordial and welcoming with a warm smile. Parma also has much to offer at various times of year, for example the internationally recognized Verdi Festival, the Fiori Musicali organ festival as well as concerts, exhibitions and trade fairs which attract visitors from all over the world: CIBUS, the international food fair, Mercante in Fiera an internationally renowned antiques market, the Salone del Camper  which is the second most important European wide show for caravans, campers and tourism ‘en plein air’ and the Italian Golf  Show which is a unique showplace for all things to do with this elegant sport.

Now for the third good reason:  Parma, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, an Italian region full of art and culture, is easy to get to thanks to its strategic position along the main Milan to Bologna trajectory.  Parma can be reached by car or high speed train in just an hour.  The city also has its own international airport with direct flights to and from London.

The fourth reason to choose Parma is because of the great variety of congress settings, modern or historical. According to the number of places required for the planned event there is ample choice between the Congress Centre of the Parma municipality, the Paganini Concert Hall designed by Renzo Piano and the Sala Ipogea sited in a beautiful park in the middle of the city. The main trade fair centre is sited near the motorway.  Quite recently a quirky new structure has been inaugurated, the Labyrinth of Franco Maria Ricci at Fontanellato, a culture park of over 5,000 sq.m with a precious library and an open space of 2,000 sq.m surrounded by arcades and ample halls which can be used for concerts, receptions, exhibitions and other cultural manifestations.  Another extraordinary space just outside the city is the complex of the Charterhouse of Parma as described by Stendahl in his famous novel and which is now the seat of the CSAC, the centre for studies and archive of communication of the University of Parma; a multifunctional space which collects and conserves original material from visual communication, Italian  artistic and project research dating from the first decades of the XX century. In light of increasing congress demand, our suggestions for an appropriate setting also include historical residences or castles.  The Castle of Felino for example, or the prestigious Regio Theatre in the heart of the city which can host 1092 people in the main area as well as offering the possibility of gala dinners or meetings in the Ridotto, a large space on the first floor of the Theatre which can host 200 people.  There is also the refined and exclusive Teatro Verdi in Busseto which has 300 places available and is ideal for concerts, presentations and meetings.  These locations are ideal for elegant events, to experience excellence at the highest possible level able to satisfy the most demanding client with customized programmes chosen together with the client whose business needs can also be enriched with emotions linked to music, history and culture.  However, for those who prefer something really innovative, we can come up with solutions based on total comfort immersed in uncontaminated nature, where concentration is facilitated and the mind is freed to enjoy a countryside setting which transmits peace and energy and which can include overnight stays in special cabins, excursions in land rovers to discover the bio-diversity of the territory, visit local companies and enjoy business lunches with breathtaking views.

So that leaves us with the fifth reason to choose Parma...and that’s us! Parma Incoming DMC & Tour Operator for Parma can boast 15 years’ experience in incoming and organization.  With 6,000 beds available in hotels throughout the province we have an ample range of services on offer and can guarantee the best in all phases of organization thanks to extensive knowledge of the territory, to constant collaboration with local suppliers and above all to our attention to detail and the extraordinary dedication to customer care which is our hallmark.  What else are you looking for? We could add tailor made concerts, exclusive and elegant costumed events, personalized itineraries and themed initiatives like our famous Gourmet Tours.

For your event put yourself in our hands!!!