Meet in Reykjavík Puts Focus on Sustainable MICE Features

All photos © Visit Reykjavik

Iceland's Convention Bureau, Meet in Reykjavík, will once again be represented at this year's IMEX in Frankfurt with its own stand and invites interested trade visitors to find out about news from the MICE industry in Iceland as well as sustainable event solutions and discover the advantages of a venue that is characterised by environmental awareness, economic responsibility and social sustainability.

Numerous conferences with a sustainable focus, such as the Arctic Circle Conference, which will take place in Reykjavík this year, emphasise the sustainable work of the Icelandic Convention Bureau. 

This year, the leading Icelandic Destination Management Companies (DMCs) Atlantik, Discover True North, g-events and Iceland Travel, the Harpa Conference Centre, Icelandair and representatives of the renowned hotel chains Iceland Hotel Collection by Berjaya and Islandshotel will be taking part. Guðrún Ósk Kristinsdóttir and Hildur Björg Bæringsdóttir from Meet in Reykjavík will be on site to talk to interested trade visitors and guide them through daily presentations on Iceland as a MICE destination. 
 

The sustainable pillars of Meet in Reykjavík 

Meet in Reykjavík's sustainability strategy is based on a holistic approach that takes equal account of the environment, economy and society. Reykjavík plays a pioneering role in the ecological field: The city is supplied with 100 per cent renewable energy from geothermal and hydropower. This strong foundation is complemented by the ambitious goal of being completely climate-neutral by 2040.

Reykjavík is also committed to economic sustainability: through responsible fishing, environmentally conscious tourism and the international exchange of knowledge in the fields of energy innovation and environmental technology. Socially, Iceland is characterised by a high degree of equality, inclusion and social responsibility - values that are firmly anchored not only in everyday life, but also in event planning.

These three interlinked pillars make Reykjavík an international role model for sustainable event design and provide event organisers with a credible and effective basis for highlighting their own sustainability goals. 
 

Sustainability conferences in the focus of 2025 

The fact that Reykjavik is an internationally sought-after location for conferences with a focus on sustainability is impressively demonstrated by the international events that will take place there in 2025. For example, the renowned Arctic Circle Assembly will return to Reykjavik in October. The annual conference brings together leading voices from science, politics, industry and civil society to discuss the future of the Arctic - a topic that is closely linked to issues of climate change, sustainable development and geopolitical dynamics. The choice of Reykjavik as the venue is directly linked to Iceland's pioneering role in the use of renewable energies and its central geostrategic location in the North Atlantic. 

The IGEC - AEF 2025, organised by the Arctic Portal, will also take place in Reykjavik from 12 to 15 October 2025 in close proximity to the Arctic Circle Assembly. This international conference is dedicated to the challenges and opportunities surrounding green energy, energy efficiency and sustainable technologies in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. The thematic focus emphasises the urgency of global cooperation for a sustainable energy future - and makes Reykjavik with its technological innovation power the ideal host. 
 

Harpa Convention Centre

The IDRA Reykjavik Summit on Water & Climate Change will also be held in October, from the 12th to the 14th. The event will focus on the interface between water management and climate adaptation. International experts will discuss solutions for overcoming the global water crisis and strengthening climate resilience. Here too, Iceland's commitment to the responsible use of natural resources plays a central role in the choice of venue. 

The Wellbeing Economy Forum will also take place in Reykjavik in May. This conference brings together political decision-makers, economic experts, scientists and civil society actors with the aim of fundamentally rethinking the economy - beyond growth figures towards a holistic, wellbeing-orientated economy. Reykjavik, with its social cohesion, focus on quality of life and access to green energy, is exemplary for a ‘wellbeing economy’ and offers the perfect setting for this. 

These high-calibre events underline the importance of Reykjavik as a sustainable venue. They reflect how closely Iceland's environmental strategy, sense of economic responsibility and social values are linked to global issues of the future - and how Reykjavik thus plays a central role in the international event landscape. 
 

Tourism innovations for the MICE industry - high-quality openings and expansions in 2024/2025 

A lot has happened in Iceland's tourism infrastructure in recent months, and many of the new developments are also of interest to the MICE industry. Iceland has seen new openings, renovations and expansions, particularly in the thermal spa and hotel sectors. 

A new Árböðin thermal spa in Laugarás on the banks of the river Hvítá in South Iceland, Laugarás Lagoon, is currently in the planning stage. Construction work has already begun and the opening is scheduled for summer 2025. The new recreational oasis comprises several levels with hot and cold pools, saunas, relaxation areas and restaurants. A small waterfall between the upper and lower pools will allow bathers to move back and forth between the pools. The spa blends in with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Árböðin is a great place to relax after an exciting tour, as it is close to the famous Golden Circle and other natural landmarks in Iceland. 

The visit is rounded off with an exclusive culinary experience at Ylja Restaurant, run by renowned Icelandic chef Gísli Matt, who is best known for his acclaimed restaurant Slippurinn. Ylja's seasonal menu emphasises ingredients sourced from Icelandic farms, fisheries and the village's greenhouses. 

The Sky Lagoon has added a ‘juice’ step to its wellness ritual and opened a second sauna ‘Ylur’. 
 

Several new hotel projects under renowned brands are planned in Reykjavík for 2026, which will expand the offer for business travellers and event organisers and further strengthen the city as an attractive location for MICE events. At the moment 6,500 hotel rooms are available in Reykjavik. 

One outstanding project is the new Hilton hotel in Brietartún, close to the historic Masonic Temple and the lively Hlemmur neighbourhood. A 170-room hotel is planned under a Hilton lifestyle brand that places particular emphasis on sustainable architecture and natural materials. The hotel is expected to open in spring 2026 and will offer a modern, urban atmosphere that is ideal for conferences, seminars and exclusive events. 

Accor is also planning a new hotel in the capital, the ibis Styles Reykjavík, which is due to open in February 2025. The hotel will be fully renovated in 2026 and will offer modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, breakfast and accessible rooms. With its central location and modern design, it is an attractive option for business travellers and groups looking for comfortable and stylish accommodation. 

Other brands such as Hyatt Centric (expected to open in 2026) and Radisson Red have also announced projects in Reykjavík that will expand the offering for business travellers and event organisers. These new hotels offer modern amenities and flexible event spaces that are ideal for conferences, seminars and other business events. 

With these new hotel projects, Reykjavík continues to position itself as an attractive location for MICE events, offering a variety of modern and well-equipped accommodation for business travellers and event organisers. 
 

Published by Meeting Media Group, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.