Malta has become a credible destination for corporate events over the past decade. The practical reasons are not hard to identify: a Mediterranean climate with reliable weather for outdoor events, direct flights from most major European cities, English as an official language, and a mix of historic architecture and modern conference facilities that most islands of comparable size simply do not have.
For companies evaluating Malta as a corporate event location, the question is rarely whether Malta can host an event. The question is what kind of event it suits, what venues are available at different scales, and what to look for before booking.
This article covers the main corporate event formats that work well in Malta, the type of venue each format requires, and the practical considerations worth knowing before you commit to a date and a space.
Corporate conferences and seminars
Malta has conference infrastructure at both ends of the scale. Large international events, like SiGMA (one of Europe’s biggest iGaming conferences), use dedicated convention facilities. Mid-size company conferences and seminars, typically 40-100 people, have more options available.
For a corporate seminar or conference in the 40-60 person range, purpose-built conference rooms within professional buildings offer a more focused environment than a hotel ballroom. The key requirements for this format are AV equipment (projector or large screen, microphone, webcam for hybrid attendees), reliable high-speed internet, a layout that places the presenter clearly, and breakout space for discussions.
At SOHO The Strand in Gzira, the indoor event space accommodates up to 60 seated or 100 standing, with full AV equipment and catering options. The Savoy Gardens location provides a conference-format space for up to 40, including a built-in retractable screen and projector — a practical setup for presentations and working sessions that does not require bringing in external equipment.
Both venues are in central Malta, accessible for attendees commuting from across the island.
Team-building events
Team-building in Malta benefits from the outdoor setting. The coastline, the climate from April to October, and the relatively compact geography of the island make it practical to combine a morning indoor session with an afternoon outdoor activity.
Outdoor team-building options in Malta include:
- Boat trips and coastal activities: Malta’s waters are calm and clear in summer. A half-day boat trip from Valletta or Sliema works as a team activity, not just a leisure option.
- Valletta city walks: The UNESCO World Heritage capital is walkable and visually interesting. Guided city walks with structured activities can be designed as team challenges.
- Cooking classes: Malta has a strong food culture. Cooking classes with a Maltese chef are a commonly requested team activity and can be run at indoor venues.
- Water sports: Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and diving are all available on the north and south coasts.
For indoor team-building, escape rooms are available in several locations across Malta. Creative workshops and collaborative sessions can be run in any properly equipped event space.
For the indoor component, the key is a space that can be configured flexibly rather than locked into a theatre-style layout. Tables that move, wall space for working, and a room large enough to allow groups to work in parallel without overhearing each other.
Networking events and business dinners
Malta has an active professional community. The iGaming sector contributes a large international professional population in Gzira, St. Julian’s, and Valletta. The startup and SME community is well connected. Events like SiGMA bring several thousand international professionals to the island annually.
For company-hosted networking events, the format that tends to work best is structured rather than open: a speaker or panel discussion for the first 30-45 minutes, followed by an informal reception. The structured opening gives everyone a shared experience and creates natural conversation starters, rather than expecting cold networking to do all the work.
SOHO TALKS follows exactly this format: expert speakers, an open Q&A discussion, and a community of professionals across sectors. It demonstrates what structured professional networking looks like in practice at SOHO’s venues.
For private business dinners, The Strand outdoor terrace at SOHO’s Gzira location provides a distinctive setting: up to 80 guests standing, with a fire pit, BBQ, and views across the waterfront. The outdoor format, combined with in-house catering, suits both informal team celebrations and more formal client entertainment evenings.
Private dining and celebration events
Malta’s architectural character gives private dining venues a quality that generic hotel event spaces do not. Rooftop terraces, stone courtyards, and waterfront locations create an environment that feels specific to Malta rather than interchangeable.
SOHO’s event venues include two outdoor terrace spaces: The Strand outdoor terrace in Gzira (up to 80 standing, fire pit, BBQ) and the St. Julian’s rooftop (up to 50 standing, bar and BBQ). Both suit private corporate dinners, product launch receptions, and company milestone events.
For events that require a seated private dinner with a catering package, SOHO’s in-house catering service provides curated menus designed for the event spaces, without the coordination overhead of bringing in an external caterer. The combination of venue and in-house catering under one roof simplifies event logistics considerably compared to venues that require you to source food service separately.
Workshops and training days
Workshops and training days have specific space requirements that differ from conferences and networking events. The room needs to support active participation, not passive watching: writable walls or whiteboards, tables that rearrange, enough space for groups to work independently without disturbing each other, and natural light if possible.
For small workshops of 6-10 people, a boardroom-style meeting room is often more practical than a large event space. SOHO’s meeting rooms across all three locations accommodate up to 10 people with AV, whiteboards, and soundproofed walls. For larger workshop groups up to 40, the Savoy Gardens event space offers a flexible layout in conference style.
Catering matters on a full-day training format. Coffee during arrival, a working lunch, and afternoon refreshments keep energy levels consistent and reduce the logistical burden on the organiser. This is worth building into your venue brief rather than treating as optional.
For hybrid workshops (some participants in the room, others joining remotely), a reliable video conferencing setup is non-negotiable. Ask specifically about webcam quality, screen sharing setup, and internet upload speed before confirming a hybrid-format booking.
What to look for when booking an event venue in Malta
Whether the event is a board dinner or a three-day company conference, the checklist for evaluating a venue is largely the same:
- Capacity: Both seated and standing. A room that seats 60 comfortably might stand 60 or 100 depending on layout. Know your format before comparing venues.
- AV equipment: Screen or projector, microphone, webcam for hybrid attendees, HDMI connectivity. Ask whether the venue’s AV operates reliably or requires a technician on site.
- Catering options: In-house, approved external caterers, or fully open? In-house catering is simpler to coordinate.
- Indoor/outdoor split: For Malta specifically, outdoor space is often a differentiator. A venue with indoor and outdoor areas gives you a weather backup and a natural space for drinks or breaks.
- Parking and transport access: For groups coming from different parts of Malta, proximity to public transport and availability of nearby parking affects attendance.
- Layout flexibility: Can the room be configured in different ways? Theatre-style, boardroom, and workshop layouts serve different purposes.
- Technical support: Is someone on site during the event to handle AV issues? This matters more than it sounds during a live presentation.
Hotels offer a turnkey event solution but at a premium, and often with a formal structure that does not suit every company culture. Flexible venues within professional buildings can match the quality of setup at lower cost and with a working environment that feels more appropriate for business events specifically.
Event venues at SOHO Malta
SOHO operates event spaces across three Malta locations, covering different capacities and formats:
| Venue | Capacity | Format options |
|---|---|---|
| The Strand indoor (Gzira) | 60 seated / 100 standing | Conference, networking reception, product launch |
| The Strand outdoor (Gzira) | 80 standing | Private dinner, BBQ, casual corporate reception |
| Savoy Gardens (Gzira) | 40 standing / conference | Workshop, seminar, corporate conference |
| St. Julian’s rooftop | 50 standing | Private dinner, networking reception, team celebration |
All SOHO event venues include AV equipment, catering options, and staff support. The venues are available for single-day and multi-day bookings, and in-house catering is available for events requiring food service.
Frequently asked questions
What size events can be hosted in Malta?
Malta can host events at almost any scale. International conferences such as SiGMA attract several thousand attendees using dedicated convention facilities. For mid-size corporate events of 40-100 people, flexible venues like SOHO’s event spaces provide professional setups without the overhead of a convention centre booking. Smaller workshops and private dinners suit the boardroom and terrace formats at SOHO’s three locations.
Does SOHO Malta have event space?
Yes. SOHO operates event venues at three Malta locations: The Strand in Gzira (indoor up to 60 seated / 100 standing; outdoor up to 80 standing), Savoy Gardens in Gzira (up to 40 in conference format), and St. Julian’s (rooftop, up to 50 standing). All venues include AV equipment and catering options. See the event space page for details.
Can I host a corporate dinner at SOHO?
Yes. Both The Strand outdoor terrace (fire pit, BBQ, up to 80 standing) and the St. Julian’s rooftop (bar, BBQ, up to 50 standing) are suited to corporate dinners, client entertainment, and team celebration events. In-house catering is available at both locations.
Is catering available?
Yes. SOHO offers in-house catering through its catering service, with menus designed for corporate meetings, networking events, and private dining. Catering can be included as part of an event space booking.