Municipal venues are enviable settings for events held in Madrid. In 2014 Madrid Destino rented out its venues for 38 fairs, 27 congresses, 156 corporate events and 73 other gatherings, which were attended by a combined total of 1,150,000 people. 294 organisers chose to hold their events in venues managed by the municipal company, which has become a key player in promoting one of the city's strategic sectors. The company also develops the programmes for municipal cultural institutions.

Madrid Destino, the company resulting from the merger of Macsa and Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau at the end of 2013, took over the property held by Madrid Espacios y Congresos after its dissolution. Today Madrid Destino manages 17 of the capital city's iconic venues.

The venues that in addition to hosting regular programmes can also be rented for special events include the Municipal Conference Centre, the five spaces at the Casa de Campo Trade Fair Park (the Theatre/Auditorium, the Glass Pavilion, the Convention Pavilion and Multipurpose Pavilions I and II), Caja Mágica, the Escenario Puerta del Ángel stage, three of Madrid's main theatres (Teatro Español, Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa and Teatro Circo Price), four of the city's main cultural institutions (Matadero Madrid - including Intermediae, Cineteca, Nave 16 and Naves del Español-, the CentroCentro Cibeles Cultural and Civic Centre, Conde Duque and Medialab-Prado), as well as the Pasaje de Colón underpass and Casa de la Panadería.

Fairs
The 294 events held at venues managed by Madrid Destino in 2014 were attended by 1,150,000 people. Nearly half this figure (493,500 people) was represented by people attracted by last year?s 38 fairs. Particularly noteworthy amongst these ? due to their international importance ? were the two editions of FIMI (the International Children's Fashion Trade Fair) from 24 to 26 January and 4 to 6 July, ClassicAuto (the International Classic Vehicle Show) from 21 to 23 February, Motomadrid from 11 to 13 April, the Arnold Classic Europe from 26 to 28 September, Estampa from 9 to 12 October and Creativa (the European Crafts, Handmade Goods and Fine Arts Fair) from 16 to 19 October.

Congresses
27 congresses were held in venues managed by Madrid Destino last year. 21 of these were national and 6 were international. The most popular site for such gatherings is the Municipal Conference Centre, which has become one of the city's leading venues for congresses. One of the major events held at the Conference Centre each year is Madrid Fusión, a culinary summit featuring the participation of the world's top chefs. In 2014 its theme was ?Inspiration is in the street. Eating in the city?, and this year, 2015, it was ?Global cuisine?.

The annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), the CHEST World Congress, was held from 21 to 24 March 2014. It was attended by roughly 7,600 people who gathered to examine current clinical pulmonology practice alongside experts in the field. The International Deep Water Congress was held from 8 to 10 April. 1,500 participants gathered in the Municipal Conference Centre to debate new technologies for deepwater hydrocarbon-related activities.

Other major congresses hosted last year included ExpoCoaching, an event held from 25 to 27 April devoted to coaching and personal and professional growth, and the Extraordinary Congress organised by AEP (the Spanish Paediatrics Association) from 5 to 7 June, which drew 4,200 participants from Spain and other countries.

Other important congresses included that of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis from 7 to 10 September, attended by 7,200 people, the International Congress for Communications Executives (DIRCOM) from 21 to 23 September, the HORECA Congress organised by AECOC (the Spanish Association of Large Consumer Goods Companies), which drew 400 executives from the hospitality sector, CONAMA (the National Environmental Congress) from 24 to 27 November, and FICOD (the International Digital Content Forum) from 2 to 4 December.

Corporate events
156 corporate events were held at Madrid Destino venues last year. Six of these took place at Caja Mágica. The venue, located near the banks of the Manzanares River, also hosted other events of international interest such as the Madrid Open, which was held from 4 to 11 May. Over 200,000 spectators attended the tournament, which is one of the most prestigious tennis events in the world. It is included in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 series as an event on the ATP men's tour and as a Premier Mandatory event on the Women's Tennis Association tour.

Other events
This year the José María Forqué Awards Ceremony, held on 13 January, was once again a huge celebration devoted to the film industry. It took place at the Municipal Conference Centre and featured shows like Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival, Disney's liveliest production. The ceremony comprised a total of 25 performances and was attended by 86,750 people.

Jazz musician Jamie Cullum and British singer James Blunt presented their latest albums at Teatro Circo Price on 22 and 23 October and 15 November, respectively. The Price also hosted the Veranos de la Villa summer festival?s major concerts from 30 June to 25 July, including performances by artists as renowned as pianist Ludovico Einaudi, Andrés Calamaro and Coque Malla.

Conde Duque Cultural Centre also launched a Summer Cinema series designed to make the most of the summer evenings from July to mid September. In addition to its cultural activities, Madrid Destino also organised an area devoted to gastronomy and leisure, supported by a team of 190,000 people./