Crown jewel of Sava Center
Delta Holding has completed its comprehensive three-year renovation of Sava Center, one of the region’s most legendary conference centres. According to investors, the revamped meeting centre is now the most technologically advanced in the region. Its mothership, the Blue Hall, will host the most demanding events for up to 4050 attendees. The renovation of the Blue Hall, willed into existence by Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito in 1977, amounted to 40 million EUR.
The entire renovation, first estimated at 70 million EUR, skyrocketed to 120 million EUR over two years. The renovated conference part of the venue, spanning 100,000 square metres, opened to the public in November 2023.
The Vice President of Delta Holding, Angela Nekić, commented on the importance of completing the Blue Hall: “The Blue Hall is the crown jewel of our work over the past three years. We have retained its iconic blue hue and name as a nod to the memories and emotions we experienced here. We increased the maximum holding capacity of the hall by 400 seats, making the number of available seats 4050. We equipped it with state-of-the-art technology so it can compete with similar conference centres.”
The company partnered with leading global firms in acoustics, illumination and technology to provide the ultimate audiovisual experience for guests. The Blue Hall will also double as the region’s largest film venue, fitted with a modern projector and screen. Originally constructed in 1977, the coarse concrete colossus has become an energy-efficient building. Its verdant Winter Garden on its green roof is home to 5000 plants, besides some 900 solar panels. Thus, the revamped venue uses half less energy than its predecessor.
Bright future for congress tourism
Sava Center’s CEO, Kristina Miliničić, outlined the tremendous interest shown in hosting events here. They have 50 events lined up until the end of the year, including concerts by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the world-renowned Catalonian tenor Jose Carreras. The international guests flocking to the centre will also foster multiplicative effects for the hospitality and tourism industry. Crowne Plaza Belgrade, a hotel also owned by the same group, and among the most spacious in the region, will be fully occupied during the high season.
The pompous inauguration of the Blue Hall was opened by Serbian pop singer Zdravko Čolić, who had already hosted nine sold-out concerts in 1998 in the original hall. Up next for the venue is the International Cardiology Congress in Spring 2025.
Learn more about the storied venue here.
