A SIMPLE AND BRILLIANT IDEA
Danish Conference Venues (DKBS) was founded back in 1990 on a simple yet brilliant idea: to collaborate instead of compete — while creating better opportunities for both meeting planners and conference venues.
The collaboration began when two hotel directors chose to help each other’s clients find alternative venues when capacity was limited. In doing so, they also helped a competing venue make use of quieter periods.
At the time, sharing inquiries with competitors was unusual and required a high level of openness and trust. It soon became clear that others shared the same approach. Within a short period, a board of seven members was established. In 1990, the association was formally founded. It was built on mutual trust in the quality of each other’s venues and a shared commitment to good service. Referring clients to one another became a natural part of the collaboration.
The association also marked the beginning of the booking community known as Danish Conference Venues — in Danish, Danske Konferencecentres Booking Service (DKBS).
But it soon became clear that the two directors were not alone in their ambitions. Within a short time, a board of seven members was formed. In 1990, an association emerged — built on mutual trust in the quality of each other’s venues and a shared commitment to excellent service — where members referred clients to one another as part of a truly unique collaboration.
The creation of the association also marked the beginning of the booking community, Danish Conference Venues or in Danish Danske Konferencecentres Booking Service (DKBS).
In 2006, Danish Conference Venues reached 100 member venues for the first time. Two years later, the association handled 7,300 inquiries and generated a turnover of DKK 166 million for its member venues.
After a period marked by declining revenue, member withdrawals, and financial losses, the association appointed Marlene H. Sylvester-Hvid as CEO.
A new strategic direction was established, with a focus on rebuilding the membership base alongside continued customer engagement. Efforts were directed towards strengthening partner relations, gaining deeper insight into the venues, expanding the client base, and modernizing the IT infrastructure, including the development of a new booking system.
These initiatives laid the foundation for a renewed and sustainable organization.
The initiatives introduced in the preceding years led to a gradual and sustained improvement. By 2018, revenue had returned to more than DKK 80 million. In 2019, Danish Conference Venues received a Gazelle Award in recognition of this development.
With more than 30 years of experience, we have developed into a “free chain” and an active association with a strong professional network. Within the association, we work closely together as colleagues across venues and disciplines.
We operate as a not-for-profit association, where any surplus is reinvested for the benefit of our members. The funds are used to promote member venues through digital channels, support knowledge sharing within the industry, and offer development activities and courses.
Each year, we also host Inspiration Day — a professional networking event where meeting planners and venues come together.
In 2025, we launched our new visual identity, which includes a new logo and a completely redesigned website.
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