Not only Moscow: top 5 Russian cities for conferences
Moscow's exhibition areas are occupied for months to come, and prices for rent and accommodation in the city are rising. More and more organizers are paying attention to the regions: modern congress halls are being built here, hotels of international chains are opening, and there is government support. This makes regional cities a convenient alternative to the capital.
Why major events take place not only in Moscow
The capital has obvious limitations: expensive venues, high hotel occupancy during the season, and traffic jams. Prices are more affordable in the regions and there are more opportunities to surprise participants.
When choosing a city, the organizers look at four criteria:
- transport accessibility — direct flights or high-speed trains;
- modern exhibition centers and conference halls;
- international hotel base;
- cultural program.
Let's look at five cities that have already become popular on the business tourism map.
Sochi: sea, technology and federal sites
The Olympic legacy has made Sochi a year-round hub for business travel. The infrastructure is well developed here: congress centers and a media center in the territory of the Sirius Federal District, the Adler Arena sports complex, the Galaktika Congress Hall and the Gazprom resort grounds in Krasnaya Polyana.
The city attracts with its mild climate, direct flights from dozens of cities and the opportunity to combine a business program with a vacation at sea and in the mountains. An additional advantage is government support: Sirius, with its special status, regularly hosts major events.
The optimal time for professional tourism is the off—season, when prices are lower and the tourist flow is smaller.
Where the event can be held and participants can be accommodated:
- Novotel Resort Krasnaya Polyana — meeting rooms and meeting rooms for up to 150 people. It is suitable for strategic sessions, corporate meetings and field events in the mountains.
Yekaterinburg: the heart of the Urals
Yekaterinburg is one of the largest industrial centers in Russia and an important transport hub. The Yekaterinburg-EXPO Convention and Exhibition Complex is one of the largest exhibition centers in Russia, which makes the city a convenient venue for industrial forums and exhibitions.
Koltsovo Airport provides direct connections to dozens of Russian cities and a number of foreign destinations. There are large factories nearby, so conferences are often complemented by technical visits. The city is chosen for exhibitions, B2B forums and corporate meetings - the main formats of modern business tourism.
Where the event can be held and participants can be accommodated:
- Novotel Yekaterinburg Center — the hotel has 6 conference rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 180 participants. Suitable for corporate meetings and small conferences.
Nizhny Novgorod: the business capital of the Volga region with a European atmosphere
After the 2018 World Cup, the city received an updated infrastructure, and it is often chosen for business events and forums. The Nizhny Novgorod Fair with modern pavilions is operating here, and it is planned to build a new expocenter near Strigino Airport.
It's easy to get here from Moscow: The Lastochka takes 3.5 hours, and the flight takes just over an hour. Thanks to the attractions, it is easy to organize an interesting cultural program after the business part. Nizhny Novgorod is convenient to use for short business tours: in a couple of days you can work and get to know the city.
Where the event can be held and participants can be accommodated:
- The Mercure Nizhny Novgorod Center is a modern hotel near the Kremlin. There is a 105 m2 hall for 60 people with basic technical equipment and various seating options.
St. Petersburg: Imperial scale and intellectual environment for science and business
St. Petersburg is one of Russia's main business centers and a popular destination for international events. There are large exhibition complexes here: Expoforum and Lenexpo. The Northern capital is internationally renowned, hosting the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), international symposiums and dozens of industry conferences.
The city is convenient for delegations: it is easily accessible by high-speed trains and international flights, and the hotel base allows you to accommodate participants of any level. Cultural opportunities make any business trip here vivid and memorable.
Where the event can be held and participants can be accommodated:
- Novotel Saint Petersburg Center — 10 conference halls, spacious lobby for guests to socialize, convenient location in the heart of the city.
- SO/St. Petersburg — stylish design spaces for presentations and business meetings in the historic city center next to St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Yaroslavl: accessibility and atmosphere for chamber conferences
Yaroslavl is convenient for medium-scale events and chamber meetings. The city has large venues for forums and exhibitions, such as Arena 2000 — Lokomotiv, the Millennium Concert and Entertainment center, and the Voznesensky Cultural and Sports complex.
You can get from Moscow in three hours by train. The cost of events here is lower than in the capital, and the business program can easily be supplemented with walks through museums, the Volga embankment and the historical center. The combination of these opportunities makes it attractive for economic tourism and comfortable holidays.
Where to hold a small event and accommodate participants:
- ibis Yaroslavl Center — two halls with an area of 17 and 66 m2, with a capacity of up to 70 participants.
Conclusion
Regional cities are increasingly developing infrastructure and becoming a full-fledged alternative to the capital for business events. Wherever your conference takes place, Accor hotels will become a reliable base for work and leisure. We will help you organize everything you need on a turnkey basis: from the selection of a hall and technical equipment to transfers and a cultural program.
