HIDDEN GUEST: Brdo Congress Centre

• Opened: 2007
• Halls: 4 convention halls, 8 meeting rooms
• Theater max: 550
• Category: E-Convention Centre

Highest state protocol events, exclusive congresses and conferences, exquisite formal and informal solemnities, and other luxurious happenings take place at Brdo pri Kranju in its natural environment with the beautiful scenery of the mountains.

With almost 500 hectares of surface at the doorstep of the Alps, Brdo estate boasts in rich natural and cultural heritage. There you can admire thousands of vegetable and animal species and their numerous habitats, unique beehive endings, scattered hayracks, former castle stables and orangery, open-air sculpture collection, and last but not least the Brdo Castle as the most prestigious building on the estate.

LOCATION

Thanks to the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union in 2007 an excellent facility was created by the architects Bevk and Perovič. The new centre, and indeed the whole estate, is managed by the public institution Protocol Services of the Republic of Slovenia (JGZ Brdo), which in addition to Brdo is also looking after the Strmol castle, the Villa Podrožnik, government buildings and some other smaller facilities across the country.

ACCESSIBILITY

The heritage of the Brdo Estate consists of 500 hectares of protected natural heritage, the Brdo Renaissance castle, eleven lakes, a castle park with 7,446 exotic plants, two avenues, protected forests, the hotel Kokra, hay racks and hives, all of which is complemented by the most modern convention centre in the country. It is not possible to find a more prestigious location in Slovenia.

COLD APPETIZER – Architecture and Aesthetics

The Brdo Estate is only about 10km away from the Ljubljana Airport and to the capital city on the nearby highway is 30km, with all the other major tourist attractions of Gorenjska nearby. As for air accessibility, Brdo shares the fate of other Slovenian tourist destinations. Especially commendable in terms of transport is the plentiful supply of free and beautifully landscaped parking.

WARM APPETISER – Staff and customer service

Architecturally the convention centre fits beautifully into the existing spaces and even upgrades them. Together with the preserved Zois Pristava a rich spatial unity was formed with a glass facade, giving the centre an open character that blends with the landscape. Through the large glass surfaces are magnificent views of the lakes in the historically protected park. The entire facility allows participants a visual connection with nature and works in a very Zen-like way. The interior spaces shimmer with minimalist design and you will not find better materials, processing and functionality throughout, not even with the direct competition. The architects fully succeeded in creating a distinctive architecture.

MAIN COURSE – Quality of facilities

The interior is designed as a space of open communication – the ground floor allows for the organisation of a variety of events, from receptions to press conferences, meetings and exhibitions. At the centre of the buildingn lies the heart of the convention centre – a large double-height hall. The main feature here is the use of materials, dominated by warm oak panels that make for an exemplary convention working environment. Multimedia, sound and other equipment is first-class and works flawlessly, as is expected from a protocol centre. As a curiosity, the conference halls are named after dragonflies, one of the features of the Brdo estate, which symbolically also reflect the centre’s sustainability.

DESSERT – Catering and additional offer

If not quite perfect, the protocol catering aims to be. Any error is difficult to detect, but therefore also harder to ignore. The bottom line is that at Brdo you will receive one of the best services in the country. An added advantage is the experience with the most demanding events, meaning services close to excellence with an added value in the integrity of the offer. What makes Brdo particularly attractive are the external locations for active incentive programmes, or simply for enjoying the excellent cuisine.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES
Very rarely, although it can happen, is that due to the priority of high protocol visits they close the entire area. In such cases, administrators find you an alternative solution.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES
The solar power plant on the roof of the Brdo Convention Centre, as part of sustainable thinking. Free parking for conference guests.

MAIN FACILITIES

• Elegans Hotel Brdo
• Duck’s island with a log cabin and catering offer »Jezero« (lake) cottage for private celebrations,
• Golf driving range

EXTRAS
Castle Park with 7,446 exotic plants and unique flora and fauna.

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY
What is necessary to appreciate is what is hidden below the minimalist exterior. The centre is different, Zen-like and exudes elegant luxury. If during the construction the government’s decision to invest in it was doubted and even generated some negative reactions, the superior architecture, functionality and successful business have contributed to the positive image. Today the centre is an important player in the field. We rate it as an all-around excellent convention centre, without any serious errors, which at the moment represents the pinnacle in its field.