05 nov GL events invests R$ 48 million in Santos

The investment will be used for the qualification of the Santos Convention Center, technology and for attracting national and international events

GL events, one of the main players in the world events market, will invest R$ 48 million in the new Santos convention center, a space it will manage for the next 24 years. The Santos Convention Center, which is expected to be ready by the end of October 2020, is part of the project to revitalize the Orla da Ponta da Praia and fills a gap that was left about a year ago with the closing of the city’s old events space.

“We have already started the prospection work, to capture events and build a solid agenda for the city. Santos already had a significant events market, but it becomes even more promising with the possibility of privatizing the Port,” says Damien Timperio, CEO of GL events in Brazil.

Being next to the largest port complex in Latin America, the Santos Convention Center promises to be a hub for infrastructure, logistics, maritime and offshore events, as well as corporate and social events, including concerts.

“Our business is focused on the development and valorization of the destinations in which we operate. As we operate in 27 countries, we use our commercial strength, expertise, and network to ‘sell’ the Brazilian destinations in which we operate in the national and international markets and consolidate the country as the potency it definitely represents”, explains Damien Timperio.

In the final phase of construction, the space will have more than 32,000 m² of total area, a 9,000 m² air-conditioned fair and exhibition pavilion, a convention and show room with capacity to receive 3,000 people, and four support auditoriums – which can be subdivided into 8 rooms. With a modernist architectural project, the convention center also has a heliport, dressing rooms, and a 400-space covered parking lot.

The location is strategic: near the port, the national and international companies that operate in the region, and the hotel network, as well as the future Intermodal Station, which promises to concentrate the city’s main transportation modals: ferries, boats to Guarujá, the future LRV station, bicycle lanes, and municipal and intercity bus stations.

The convention center’s facade got a graffiti mural by the renowned muralist from São Paulo Eduardo Kobra. The work Coração Santista highlights four of the city’s passions: Pelé, the Port, the Bolsa do Café, and the tramway. There are 800 square meters of painting, with each of the images inside a wall on the beach.

About GL events

The French multinational company GL events is one of the main events market players in the world. Present in 27 locations on five continents, the company manages 50 venues and is specialized in serving the entire sector chain – from events conception to realization, including production and service provision. Its experience has been built over more than 40 years of operation and currently has an intense and consistent agenda with more than 3,700 events per year. The group has 315 proprietary festivals and fairs.

Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange – the Eurolist Euronext Compartment B – GL events has invoiced €1.173 billion in 2019 and has already invested more than R$1 billion in Brazil. The brand came to the country in 2006 and is present in its three main tourist and business capitals: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. At the peak of its trajectory and maturity, the company still has oxygen for new projects and remains attentive to opportunities.

“Brazil is an extremely important market for GL events because of its potential, both domestically and internationally. Our strategic plan for the country enables the expansion of a series of our activities, such as Santos, where we will take over the management of the city’s new convention center,” says Damien Timperio, CEO of GL events in Brazil.

In Brazil, GL events manages the São Paulo Expo – the main events destination in Latin America -, Riocentro, the most complete events and convention center in Brazil, Jeunesse Arena, the first multipurpose arena in Brazil, and the Salvador Convention Center. It also promotes proprietary business and entertainment events such as the Bienal Internacional do Livro Rio, Mondial de La Bière Rio and São Paulo, Welcome Tomorrow, Rio Matsuri festival, Ceará Kite Pro, Kids Festival, Streetopia, Estétika, Expopostos, and Brasil Brau. The company also has a line of operation specialized in the conception, production, and supply of services and installation of temporary structures for events of all types and sizes.