Easyfairs, organiser of trade fairs and events and operator of 4 event halls in Belgium, including the Nekkerhal in Mechelen, is surprised to learn from the press that the Nekkerhal site would be given a different purpose from 2032. No longer as an event location, but as a residential area. Easyfairs regrets not having been informed of this, not least for its loyal organisers and other stakeholders who help build the success of the Nekkerhal.
Feedback on motives for repurposing
Easyfairs is also surprised about the reasons given for this repurposing. According to mayor Bart Somers, the events hall is said in the press to be “empty for most of the time”. Easyfairs regrets this statement because Nekkerhal Mechelen can be considered one of the busiest multi-format events halls in Flanders since it was managed by Easyfairs. Alain D'Haese, COO and Head of Venues of Easyfairs Belgium testifies: “Since we entered, the number of events has more than tripled, the number of visitors has grown strongly and the site has clearly become more professional. Today, the Nekkerhal is a well-functioning infrastructure with a high occupancy rate, strong customer loyalty and demonstrable economic added value for the city and the region.”
It is also stated that the Nekkerhal is “worn out”. The concrete rot in question is planned to be addressed next summer anyway and has never posed a safety problem. After this renovation, the building will be ready for decades of use again. Easyfairs also pays a considerable annual rent to the City of Mechelen and in this way makes an important contribution to the city budget. These statements are therefore not only factually incorrect, but also damage the reputation of Easyfairs and its customers.
Investments and local impact
In recent years, many millions have been invested in the hall: including a professional event black box, HVAC installations, LED lighting, digital signage, charging and parking infrastructure, etc.
All these efforts have a positive economic and social impact on the City. A city like Mechelen, with its ambitions in terms of culture, events and congresses, has everything to gain from a high-performance event location. The Nekkerhal stimulates this cultural dynamic, economic activity and social cohesion.
This is also bad news for the mainly local and loyal organisers of events in the Nekkerhal. This also applies to a prestigious event such as Jumping Mechelen. Gunter Van Lent, organiser of Jumping Mechelen, agrees: "It is difficult to understand that a city like Mechelen indirectly questions the future of an international top event such as Jumping Mechelen by opting for a redevelopment of the Nekkerhal site. Jumping Mechelen has been an established value for more than 40 years with an enormous appeal, not only in equestrian sports but also in terms of city marketing, tourism and economic impact for the region. It is a pity that Mechelen will become one of the few cities where a large event hall will be missing. Other cities at home and abroad have such facilities and would/will welcome our event with open arms. Of course we would like to continue organising in Mechelen. It would be a missed opportunity if Mechelen were to simply let this go."
Easyfairs remains committed to the future
Easyfairs acknowledges that the possibility of ending the collaboration in 2032 was never ruled out. With this policy note, the City of Mechelen now formally indicates that it wants to investigate this option. It goes without saying that Easyfairs would have preferred to hear this information earlier than through the press.
Easyfairs will of course monitor the process closely and check whether the adjustment of the RUP receives sufficient support from opposition parties, local residents and other stakeholders. 2032 is still a long way off and anything can still happen. What is certain is that Easyfairs will continue to work on its current momentum and continue to organise many great events in the Nekkerhal and to attract them to the Nekkerhal with a positive impact for the City. Alain D'Haese concludes: “We will continue to surprise our customers and visitors with our service and professionalism”.




Evenementen zijn niet belangrijk in België denkt onze overheid. Het PopUp Theater van Studio100 was zo'n prachtige zaal met wereldprimeurs op technologisch vlak maar het is deze week moeten stoppen. Nu de Nekkerhallen die ze willen laten verdwijnen. De overheid weet niet hoeveel ...
Wat een gemiste kans voor Mechelen mocht dit inderdaad de strategie worden!
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"Ceci n'est pas une Salle"
Easyfairs Belgium