The EGOV 2024 conference is hosted in Belgium, in the heart of Europe, by Ghent University and KU Leuven in Belgium. They are both top 100 universities, and two of the major universities in Belgium with over 50.000 students and 15.000 employees. Ghent University was founded in 1817 and KU Leuven in 1425. In addition to all that history, the universities also bring a lot of innovation to their vibrant student’s towns.
PhD colloquium and Junior Faculty School at Ghent University
The PhD colloquium and Junior Faculty School will be organized by the Department of Public Governance and Management, at the Faculty of Business and Economics (Campus Tweekerken) in the historical city center of Ghent. Ghent is a medieval city with 1000-year-old heritage, medieval towers, ancient buildings and romantic canals. Behind all the history is a place that is strongly focused on the future. Ghent is also an offbeat city with a quirky vibe. Ghent University, with its ‘Dare to Think’ credo, is equally openminded, challenging everyone to question conventional views and to dare to take a nuanced stand.
Paper sessions, panels and workshops at KU Leuven
The parallel paper sessions, panels and workshops will be organized by the Public Governance Institute, at the Thermo-technical Institute in the beautiful park of the Arenberg Castle. The Thermo-technical Institute features a unique collection of steam, diesel, jet and several 1935-1945 airplane piston engines. 
Surrounded by these technologies from previous industrial revolutions, and located in what Thomson Reuters ranked as Europe’s most innovative university for several years, we will be in the perfect setting to discuss the impact of current digital technologies on government and society. The city of Leuven, with its pedestrian streets and human scale, will guarantee a cosy stay. Of course, the conference will also be determined by Belgium’s conviviality and gastronomy, where the beer flows and ideas sparkle.
If you want to extend your visit in Belgium beyond the conference participation, the cities of Bruges and Brussels are just a stone’s throw away. For more inspiration, see Flanders (https://www.visitflanders.com/en?country=nl_NL), Brussels (https://www.visit.brussels/en/like-a-local) and Wallonian tourism information (https://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/?cookie_lang=en-gb).
Hotels
Penta Hotel Leuven – Alfons Smetsplein 7, located 2,6 km from the conference location in Leuven. Penta Hotel is perfectly located in the middle of the historical city center and offers something a little different.
Martin’s Klooster Hotel Leuven – O.L.Vrouwstraat 18, located 2,6 km from the conference location in Leuven. Martin’s Klooster is a historical hotel offering an exceptional service and elegant rooms.
Begijnhofhotel Leuven – Tervuursevest 70, located 1,7 km from the conference location in Leuven. Begijnhof Hotel is located on the banks of the Dijle river and overlooks the picturesque Beguinage.
IBIS Leuven Centrum – a cheaper option, situated in the center of Leuven.
For those people attending both the PhD colloquium and Junior Faculty School, we encourage booking a hotel in Ghent and taking a 1-hour train ride to Leuven on the evening of the 2nd of September. People attending the Junior Faculty School but not the PhD colloquium can book a hotel in Leuven for the entire stay and travel back and forth to Ghent on the 2nd of September. All others, attending the paper sessions, panels and workshops but not the PhD colloquium or Junior Faculty School, can also book a hotel in Leuven.
Yalo Hotel Ghent – Brabantdam 33, located 1,1 km from the conference location in Ghent. Yalo Hotel is a unique urban boutique hotel in a trendy neighborhood.
For cheaper options in Ghent, we recommend (1) Ibis Ghent Centrum Opera, or (2) Ibis Ghent Centrum St Baafs Kathedraal.
How to Reach Belgium
Brussels airport is located a 12-minute train ride from Leuven (and a 1 hour train ride from Ghent). A taxi will probably take a lot longer and will be a lot more expensive.
Brussels South train station also has good connections to many European cities.
Travel between Leuven and Ghent
For travelling between Leuven and Ghent, we recommend taking the train. The train ride takes about 1 hour and there are several direct trains per hour.