September 13th – Wednesday
16h15 – 17h00 – Optional Tour of City Hall (Address: Belfast City Hall, BT1 5GS map)
For those wishing to join us on an informal tour of City Hall before the reception drinks, please meet at reception. The tour will last around 30-45 minutes.
17h00 – 18h00 – Reception Drinks at City Hall (Address: Belfast City Hall, BT1 5GS map)
A Welcome from the Deputy Lord Mayor and Civic Reception in the Rotunda at City Hall. For those of you not joining the optional tour, the venue is a 10 minute walk from the hotel.
18h00 – 20h00 – Cities with Rivers (Address: Ahoy Belfast, BT1 3NG map)
Join us on a Boat Trip along the Lagan River for some Wine Tasting and Local Cheese. All those attending the City Hall reception will travel together to the Lagan. All others are invited to join us directly at the boat.
20h00 – late – Trad and Trademarket (Address: Trademarket, BT2 7HB map)
A visit to Belfast’s newest outdoor market followed by a trip to local pubs for some pints and Irish Trad music. * Please note all food and drink bought at Trademarket will be at the expense of attendees.
September 14th – Thursday
*Note: Please remember that we will be going to the beach for a stroll and sea swim later in the day so bring your swimming gear and towel with you in the morning – if you’re willing to take the plunge!
08h30 – 09h00 – Transfer to Banana Block (Address: Banana Block, BT4 1HE map)
Attendees are asked to make their own way to Banana Block. The Glider Service G1 stops at Custom House Square ( map ), which is a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Please buy a ticket at the machine (approx. £2) and take the G1 to Connswater ( map ). It should only take about 10 minutes. The Glider is a purple bus-tram hybrid so you shouldn’t miss it!
09h00 – 09h30 – Arrivals and Coffee
09h30 – 10h00 – Banana Block & Culture Next Hellos
Words from the Belfast USI hosts and the Culture Next management team including presentation of the meeting’s agenda and objectives, and a round of hellos from the cities.
10h00 – 11h30 – Culture Next Updates & City Pitches
Updates and discussions on internal projects and network development. We will also hear 10 pitches of 5 minutes each from partners wishing to present projects they are developing or plan to develop in the future and are interested in finding international partners. * Please note if you wish to present during this slot please register your interest here.
11h30 – 12h00 – Coffee Break
12h00 – 13h00 – Cristina Farinha: Skin in the Game of Culture
A keynote speech from our guest Cristina Farina on engaging stakeholders through culture and the SDGs. Cristina Farinha is a renowned freelance policy expert, lecturer, and researcher specialising in heritage, culture, and the creative industries sector. Her interests lie in strengthening the role of culture and creativity in governance and development, promoting international cooperation and mobility, and building capacity, advocacy, and entrepreneurship within the sector.
13h00 – 14h00 – Bodega Lunch
14h00 – 14h30 – People of Portview
A walk and talk with Gareth Neill of Portview Trade Centre on the past, present, and future of one of Belfast’s most cherished spinning mills.
14h30 – 16h00 – The 18th SDG: Polyloop x CN Showcase
A showcase of the work undertaken by Polyloop in collaboration with Culture Next regarding best practice evaluation and SDG alignment with some creative workshopping and platform onboarding.
16h00 – 16h30 – Coffee Break and Traybakes
16h30 – 17h00 – Day 1 Reflections
17h00 – 19h30 The Big CN Sea Swim (Address: Helen’s Bay, BT20 9AS map)
An opportunity to dip your toe in the Irish Sea after a long day of conference activity – we promise it’s not that cold! We will be taking a private bus to the beach which will pick us up from Banana Block and return us to the hotel for a quick freshen up. The bus will then wait on all attendees and return to Banana Block for our Korean BBQ Supper Club. *Note: Don’t forget to bring your swimming gear and towel!
19h30 – 21h30 – Korean BBQ Supper Club (Address: Banana Block, BT4 1HE map)
Join us at Banana Block for our fan favourite Korean BBQ Supper Club curated by local pop-up Gogi.
21h30 – late – The CN House Party and Karaoke
Later in the evening we will be treated to a dj-set and karaoke night from our in-house musician Conleth Forde… so grab yourself a drink and the mic!
September 15th – Friday
08h45 – 09h00 – Stroll to No. 2 Royal Avenue (Address: 2 Royal Avenue, BT1 1DA map)
For those of you recovering from ‘the night before’, you will be glad to know that our wonderful venue for Friday is just a short walk from the hotel in the city centre.
09h00 – 09h30 – Arrivals and Coffee
09h30 – 10h00 – Belfast City Council Welcome
Words from our Belfast City Council hosts.
10h00 – 10h30 – Belfast 2024 Showcase
Belfast 2024 is an ambitious cultural celebration led by Belfast City Council for our city. It will present a wide ranging programme of creative local projects, events and city initiatives in 2024 – made by the people of Belfast for the people of Belfast. Hear all about it from Erika Clark and Lesley-Ann O’Donnell from the Senior Culture Team who will be spearheading what promises to be an incredible year.
10h30 – 11h30 – Culture Next Network Plan
Updates and discussions on membership, internal communications, upcoming conferences, and the Culture Next mobility programme from Bruno Inácio, Ștefan Teișanu, and Andras Farkas.
11h30 – 12h30 – Thematic Working Groups
Some light discussion and workshopping with Andras Farkas around our thematic working groups.
12h30 – 13h15 – Yallaa Lunch
13h15 – 14h30 – Belfast Stories (Address: 92 Royal Avenue, BT1 2GU map)
A visit to one of Belfast’s finest Art Deco buildings soon to be an iconic culture and film venue for the people of Belfast and our visitors that want to know more about our story.
14h30 – 16h00 – Conference Reflections (Address: 2 Royal Avenue, BT1 1DA map)
16h00 – 16h30 – Coffee Break
16h30 – 18h00 – Cities with Street Art
A telling of the story around Belfast’s history of murals and its thriving street art scene.
18h00 – late – Port City Pub Crawl (Address: The American Bar, BT5 1LF map)
For those of you still with us, join us along the Lagan for some dinner and drinks at the American bar followed by the famous Belfast Pub Crawl.
Thanks for joining us!
Practical information
Important Information
● You will need a PASSPORT to enter Northern Ireland. This information is valid whether you enter through any of the airports in Belfast (Northern Ireland) or through the Republic of Ireland (e.g. via Dublin).
● Only hotel rooms on the 13th and 14th of September will be paid for by Belfast and Culture Next. If you wish to extend your stay beyond these dates we ask that you book your accommodation directly with the Ramada Hotel, St Annes Square at sales@ramadabelfasthotel.com or organise alternative accommodation.
● All meals during the conference will be provided except for the evening of the 13th where attendees will cover their own costs.
What to Bring With You
You should bring comfortable clothes, shoes, and a light rain coat because you never know! The weather is set to be sunny and warm so don’t forget your swimming suit for our Big CN Swim in the Irish Sea as well! As above, please remember to travel with a valid passport regardless of whether you arrive in
Belfast or Dublin.
Getting from the airport to the Hotel
Hotel Info:
Ramada by Wyndham Belfast City Centre
20 Talbot St,
Belfast BT1 2LD
028 9026 1800
From Belfast City Airport (George Best) (BHD):
Belfast City Airport is located 4.8km from the Ramada by Wyndam hotel in Belfast City Centre and is easily accessible by public transport or a taxi. The Translink Airport Express 600 Bus Service (timetable here and is approx. £2.50 one way or £4.00 return) runs every 20 minutes and is located just outside
the terminal. Your bus journey will take around 15 minutes. The Hotel is then a short 15 minute walk from the Europa Bus Centre (Glengall Street) where your bus will arrive. If you wish to take a taxi instead please refer to the taxi details in the next section.
From Belfast International Airport (BFS):
Belfast International Airport is located 28km from the Ramada by Wyndam hotel in Belfast City Centre and is easily accessible by public transport or a taxi. The Translink Airport Express 300 Bus Service (timetable here and is approx. £8.00 one way and £12.50 return) runs every 20 minutes and is located just outside the terminal. Your bus journey will take around 40 minutes. The Hotel is then a short 15 minute walk from the Europa Bus Centre (Glengall Street) where your bus will arrive. If you wish to take a taxi instead please refer to the taxi details in the next section.
From Dublin Airport (DUB):
Dublin Airport is located 160km from the Ramada by Wyndam hotel in Belfast City Centre and is easily accessible by public transport. There are two bus companies that operate from Dublin International airport to the city of Belfast; there is the Aircoach connection or the Translink Goldline bus both located just outside the terminal. The Aircoach 705X departs from the airport every hour 24/7 (timetable here). The bus trip takes around 2 hours and an adult one-way ticket costs €17. Your other bus option is to take the Translink bus line X1 (timetable here); this also operates 24/7 and takes just under 2 hours to get to Belfast city with an adult one-way costing €15. The Hotel is then a short 15 minute walk from the Europa Bus Centre (Glengall Street) where both buses will arrive.
Taxis in Belfast
Fonacabs: 028 9033 3333
Valuecabs: 028 9080 9080
Eastside Taxis: 028 9073 2211
*Alternatively feel free to use Uber through your mobile device.
Point of Contact
Should you require any assistance please contact:
Dean Black, Conference Coordinator
dean@urbanscaleinterventions.com | M: +447738614362
If you wish to make any Culture Next related enquiries contact:
Ștefan Teișanu, CN Secretary General
stefan@cccluj.ro | M: +40746 177 441
*Note: There will be a whatsapp group created for all attendees.
Other useful info from our partners at Visit Belfast
For those of you wishing to extend your stay please avail of all information below including delegate offers.
Things To See & Do
Places To Eat & Drink
Ideas and Inspiration
Sustainable Belfast
What’s On
Essential Information
Brochures and Downloads (incl. City Guide & city Map)
Delegate Special Offers
