2024 Annual Report

EUSKALDUNA BILBAO EXCEEDS 8.6 MILLION IN REVENUES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY

Euskalduna Bilbao closed 2024 with revenues exceeding 8.6 million euros. In the year of its 25th anniversary, the Conference Center and Concert Hall has reached this milestone for the first time in its history and has also achieved its best results in such relevant headings as revenue and the number of international conferences. Its contribution to the economic impact in the Basque Country also stands out, which is well over 100 million euros (108,476,326.60), with a tax collection of 11.392 million and the maintenance of 1,524 sustainable jobs. These data confirm the good state of the MICE business at local and international level and consolidate the leadership of Euskalduna Bilbao in this sector.

In 2024, the Bilbao Conference Center and Concert Hall received more than 400,000 attendees, increasing this figure by 11%. The number of events held has also grown, reaching 719, with an occupancy rate of 90%. These are some of the factors that have made it possible to surpass the already historic record of 2023 in terms of revenue by 8%. In addition, in the months of October, November and December the barrier of one million euros in revenues was surpassed consecutively, the first time this has happened in three consecutive months. This makes it the best quarter in the history of Euskalduna Bilbao.

2024, new Meetings and Events turnover record

The Meetings and Events activity has generated a record income of 4,135,118 euros, improving the best record achieved to date, that of last year, and exceeding four million euros for the first time. This figure shows that Euskalduna Bilbao is a reference in the MICE sector and its impact is also evident at international level. Of the 364 events hosted in the M&E sector, 26 are international. The latter have grown with respect to previous years and have an important weight in terms of turnover, accounting for 34% of this year’s turnover.

Euskalduna Bilbao has once again demonstrated its versatility as a host and has hosted events of different natures and sizes, reaching over a thousand attendees in six congresses. Among the generating sectors, corporate, institutional and association events are in the majority. With regard to nature, health, technological, sustainability, dissemination events have been organized, among many other types of events.

Cultural activity

On this 25th anniversary, cultural events have also increased compared to 2023, hosting 355 performances, seven more than the previous year. These have accounted for 33% of the total turnover, reaching almost three million euros in revenue, an increase of almost 10% compared to the previous year.

Euskalduna Bilbao continues with its commitment to in-house production and in 2024 produced 44 events of different types. In that sense, it is worth mentioning the children’s activities in Basque carried out both in Aste Nagusia and Gabonak, the cycle of organ concerts, one of them with choirs from Bizkaia; the open space for the ‘tardeo’ ‘Euskalduna Klub’, the theatricalized and free guided tours, carried out with local artists and students of performing arts from Bizkaia; among others.

However, the most outstanding self-produced event of 2024 was the Bake Soinuak Gala held for the 25th anniversary of Euskalduna Bilbao with the participation of the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa, the Bilbao Choral Society, Asier Etxeandia, Izaro and the Hortzmuga theater company and under the direction of Iker Sánchez. The gala had the objective of celebrating the silver jubilee of the Palacio de Congresos y de la Música, but at the same time, aware of the current international situation, wanted to send a message for peace.

Values of Euskalduna Bilbao

Euskalduna Bilbao is committed to bringing culture closer to all citizens. Among other actions, it has provided free ticket packages to groups in vulnerable situations and who normally do not have the possibility of accessing cultural performances. In addition, it reinforces its commitment to guarantee accessibility for all attendees so that they can enjoy the programmed events.

In the area of sustainability, Euskalduna Bilbao continues to implement measures in the building that contribute to energy saving. The most outstanding of all is the installation of 711 photovoltaic panels on the roof, which will save an estimated annual production of 437,535.73 kWh/year. This initiative is linked to the strategy carried out by the Conference and Music Hall when promoting renewable energies and seeking greater energy efficiency, thus aligning itself with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly.

Euskalduna Bilbao stands out for the satisfaction index transmitted by both organizers and attendees. The 2024 results report includes data from the survey carried out by the company IKERFEL on the satisfaction index of the public and attendees, clientele and promoter companies, which concludes that the average score in the MICE and culture and shows area is 4.53 points out of a maximum of 5. These results are reinforced by the good reception of the cultural events, since 94% of the public values the shows “positively” or “very positively” and 95% would recommend going to Euskalduna Bilbao.