The MECC in Maastricht has had to fire 20 percent of its staff. That is what director Rob van de Wiel tells L1.
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“These are difficult conversations. Everyone sees that this is the result of corona. We cannot do anything about it,” says Van de Wiel.
The MECC is not the only event hall that has to lay off staff. The Ahoy in Rotterdam announced that it would fire about 40 percent of the staff. The RAI in Amsterdam will cut about 30 percent of all jobs. At the MECC, 20 percent will disappear, which amounts to about 15 of the approximately 75 employees.
Difficult force field
“I always told my club that I would do everything I could to keep the team together. That is not possible in this force field. We have to anticipate what is going on now and the future. I have said to everyone. : when we are back in business, you will be the first one I call “, says Van de Wiel.
M-theater
The news comes on the day that it is announced that the MECC will be transformed into theater. From September to December, the Theater aan het Vrijthof will program various performances in the conference center. Nevertheless, the MECC has not been saved. Many trade fairs were canceled this year. On Friday it was also announced that Jumping Indoor Maastricht has been canceled this year.
“Cultural initiatives are not our core business. This is because we want to offer something beautiful together, we want to get the city moving, we want to design a wonderful initiative for the province, this is not to keep the MECC going in the future. We have to go to international business, we have to get the international visitor to the city. We have to organize conferences and trade fairs. “
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