Vilnius has appointed Lithuanian architecture studio IMPLMNT Architects to develop the design of its planned Congress Centre, a project intended to expand the city’s capacity to host large international congresses, conventions and high-level political meetings.

The Lithuanian capital has taken another step towards developing its first purpose-built congress centre, following the signing of a design contract with IMPLMNT Architects, whose concept, titled “THREE”, won an international architectural competition earlier this year.

Located between the Lithuanian Parliament and Geležinio Vilko Street, the planned venue will feature a 2,000-seat plenary hall and 17 flexible event spaces. The complex is designed to accommodate up to 4,400 participants across events of different scales, addressing a gap in Vilnius’ meetings infrastructure.

Under the newly signed contract, IMPLMNT Architects will oversee the project’s design development, from detailed design proposals and construction permit applications to the technical design, Building Information Modelling (BIM) model and supervision of implementation. Design work is expected to be completed by mid-2028, with construction scheduled for completion by the end of 2031.

Expanding Vilnius’ international reach

The Congress Centre is intended to strengthen Vilnius’ position in the international business events market, enabling the city to compete for larger association congresses, corporate conventions and government-level gatherings that have previously been difficult to accommodate under one roof.

“Vilnius’ ambition to become a centre for international conferences, business events and the exchange of ideas in the region is becoming increasingly tangible. The Vilnius Congress Centre will create long-term value for the Lithuanian economy, strengthen the international competitiveness of the capital and open up new growth opportunities for the city,” said Valdas Benkunskas, Mayor of Vilnius.

For the local meetings industry, the development is expected to broaden the range and scale of events that Vilnius can attract. The city already hosts a growing number of international conferences, but the absence of a dedicated venue for larger congresses has limited its ability to accommodate some events.

“The new Congress Centre opens a new chapter for Vilnius. It will expand the range of international events we can host, bringing more delegates, knowledge exchange and global connections to the city,” said Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, CEO of Go Vilnius.

The latest project parameters envisage approximately 22,300 sq. m of above-ground space and 15,500 sq. m underground. Halls of different sizes will allow the complex to accommodate events with varying attendance and spatial requirements.

Connecting the city with the Neris riverfront

Beyond its role as an events venue, the Congress Centre is intended to reshape part of the Neris riverfront and improve connections between the surrounding neighbourhoods. Situated next to the Lithuanian Parliament and a planned pedestrian and cycling bridge across the river, the development will form part of a wider network of public spaces linking Naujamiestis with the river and Žvėrynas.

The winning “THREE” concept divides the large complex into several volumes that step down towards the Neris and the Parliament. This approach is intended to integrate the building into its urban surroundings while limiting its visual dominance. The surrounding areas will remain publicly accessible, creating a new section of riverfront for residents, visitors and event delegates.

“This is a truly important project, not only because of Vilnius’ ambition to become a top-level conference and event centre, but also because of its urban and architectural significance,” said Aurimas Syrusas, architect at IMPLMNT Architects. “Through the building and its surroundings, the project connects Naujamiestis with the new pedestrian and cycling bridge and brings the city closer to the river.”

International competition selected the winning design

The architectural competition attracted 28 submissions, of which 17 met all procurement requirements and proceeded to jury evaluation. The winning proposal was developed by the IMPLMNT Architects team comprising Aurimas Syrusas, Greta Brimė, Aurelija Kniukštaitė, Jonė Virbickaitė and Giedrė Jurkuvėnaitė.

Launched in December 2025, the competition had a total prize fund of €100,000. With the design contract now signed, the project moves into a more detailed development phase, with the coming years expected to establish the technical and architectural foundations for construction.

For Vilnius, the planned centre represents both an expansion of its capacity to host international business events and a major urban development project, combining new event infrastructure with improved public access to the Neris riverfront.
 

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

The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok has become the first convention centre in ASEAN to receive ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, strengthening its information security systems ahead of a major period for international events, including the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in October.

The certification applies to QSNCC’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) and covers key elements of the venue’s technology infrastructure, including its Data Center and core IT systems, identity and access management, and wired and wireless internet services provided to customers.

The assessment was carried out by BSI Group (Thailand) Co., Ltd. ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the international standard for information security management and provides a structured framework for protecting information through risk management, control measures and continuous improvement. Its three core principles are confidentiality, integrity and availability of systems and services.

For a convention centre, those requirements increasingly extend into the operational infrastructure underpinning an event. Connectivity, access systems and the availability of digital services can affect how organisers, delegates and suppliers interact with a venue throughout an event, making information security part of the wider event delivery environment.

Surapol Utintu, CEO of Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, said the certification provides confirmation that the venue's underlying systems have been developed according to international standards.

“As ASEAN’s first convention center to receive ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, this is another important confirmation of the readiness of our back-end systems, which have been developed in line with international standards. Technology and digital systems have become an increasingly important part of event operations. This is particularly true for international conferences that rely on IT systems and network connectivity throughout the event. Information security is therefore not simply about preventing data breaches. It also means maintaining data integrity and ensuring that systems and services remain continuously available.”

At QSNCC, the certification encompasses the systems and services supporting its core IT environment, with the centre placing particular emphasis on the confidentiality and integrity of information and the continuous availability of its services.

The venue will put those capabilities to a significant test when it hosts the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings from 12 to 18 October. The international gathering will require reliable IT systems and network connectivity not only for QSNCC's own operations, but also for internet services used by participants throughout the event.

Utintu also stressed that the certification is intended to reflect an organisation-wide approach rather than a purely technical upgrade.

“Strengthening IT systems and data security goes beyond technology. It requires people, processes, technology, and infrastructure to work together as one system. Receiving ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification is part of building a strong IT foundation, ensuring that QSNCC’s systems and services are secure and ready to serve. This enables us to support event organizers across a wide range of event formats, particularly international events and large organizations that require both efficient systems and rigorous data protection,” Surapol added.

The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification adds to a wider portfolio of management and sustainability standards already held by QSNCC. These include ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 22000 for food safety management, ISO 20121 for sustainable event management and ISO 14064-1 Carbon Footprint for Organization (CFO), covering the measurement, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions.

The venue says these standards require regular assessment and continuous improvement, supporting the ongoing development of its IT systems and infrastructure as technology changes. Its wider programme covers management systems, people, technology, data security, service quality, environmental responsibility and sustainability, with the stated objective of meeting the evolving requirements of the MICE industry.

The certification therefore places information security alongside quality, food safety, sustainability and carbon management as part of QSNCC's broader operational framework for hosting international events.
 

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

Fira Barcelona has been named winner of the 2026 UFI Operations & Services Award, with UFI recognising the venue’s ability to maintain safety, efficiency and operational quality while managing increasingly complex event delivery.

Announced on 24 September, this year’s award focused on “Operational Excellence Under Pressure”, highlighting organisations able to plan for demanding delivery conditions, manage resources effectively, coordinate teams, suppliers and stakeholders, and maintain reliable standards during periods of peak pressure.

Fira Barcelona’s winning entry demonstrated how the venue has developed a repeatable operational system to manage increasingly large, back-to-back events. The approach combines planning, collaboration and continuous improvement to maintain consistent delivery across complex event cycles.

Constantí Serrallonga, Fira de Barcelona General Manager, said: “This award is a significant recognition for Fira de Barcelona. It acknowledges our longstanding commitment to operational excellence and developing an operating model capable of meeting the demands and standards of the world’s leading organizers in terms of safety and efficiency.

It also strengthens our international position as a benchmark for world-class venues and services in the trade show and events industry, while inspiring us to continue raising the bar in everything we do.”

For UFI, the strength of the submission lay in its practical application. Stefan Eckert, UFI Operations & Services Working Group Chair, said: “This year, we received a very strong set of entries. Fira Barcelona impressed the jury with its comprehensive and highly practical approach to operational excellence under pressure.

By turning the challenge of increasingly large, back-to-back events into a repeatable operational system, they demonstrated how careful planning, collaboration and continuous improvement can enable a venue to operate more efficiently and safely. As we are always looking for best-practice examples from which the UFI community can learn, we felt this was a particularly strong and relevant case for our industry.”

The jury also named Dubai World Trade Centre and RX France as finalists.

The UFI Operations & Services Award is one of the UFI Awards, which recognise achievements across digital innovation, marketing, sustainable development, operations & services, people & culture, and industry partnerships. Selected projects are subsequently shared through UFI’s Best Practices Library, providing the wider exhibition community with examples of approaches and solutions that can be adapted across markets.

The 2026 UFI Award winners will be formally recognised at the 93rd UFI Global Congress, taking place from 2–5 November 2026 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

For Fira Barcelona, the award highlights an operational model built not simply around successful individual events, but around the ability to deliver consistently when the scale, pace and complexity of exhibition activity increase.
 

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

All photos kindly provided by Signal Space

The Czech Republic’s only event venue with built-in 360° immersive projection brings a new kind of experience to Prague’s MICE market

Prague’s meetings and events market has gained a new venue with an unusual proposition: instead of bringing screens, staging and temporary installations into a conventional event space, organisers can transform the venue itself into an immersive environment.

Signal Space, the Czech Republic’s largest digital art gallery, has officially opened its doors to the B2B events market, bringing its digital art infrastructure and 360° projection technology into conferences, corporate events, product launches and other formats. Located in central Prague, just one minute from Wenceslas Square, it is currently the only event venue in the Czech Republic with built-in 360° immersive projection extending across both walls and floor.

The concept allows organisers to make the physical environment part of the event experience. Brand identities can fill an entire room, product launches can unfold across walls and beneath the audience’s feet, while gala dinners can be staged within fully customised visual environments.

At the centre of the offer is a 300-square-metre Immersive Room, which can accommodate up to 250 guests and has been designed for conferences, product launches, performances, gala dinners and other event formats. Across the wider gallery, Signal Space provides approximately 2,500 square metres of exhibition and event space for up to 500 guests.

The venue also includes a 700-square-metre foyer for up to 400 people, alongside smaller areas that can be used for workshops, breakouts, presentations and networking. The Immersive Room itself can be configured for approximately 120 guests in a banquet format, 120 in a workshop set-up, 158 classroom-style or 250 theatre-style.

For Signal Space, the proposition reflects a shift in what corporate clients expect from event venues.

“Companies are no longer looking for four walls and a stage. They want an experience people will remember and talk about long after the event is over. At Signal Space, the venue itself becomes part of that experience. A brand can literally surround its guests and create an entirely different world for one evening,” says Klára Černá, B2B & Partnership Manager, Signal Space.
 

From digital art to corporate events

Signal Space was created by the team behind Signal Festival, Prague’s internationally recognised festival of digital and creative culture, which attracts approximately 500,000 visitors each year.

The gallery itself welcomed approximately 160,000 visitors during its first year of operation and has already received international recognition, winning the NUMIX Prix 2026 in Montreal and a 2026 Inavation Award. Its visitor experience has also received ratings of 4.9 out of 5 on both Google and Tripadvisor.

The move into the B2B market makes the same technology and creative infrastructure available to corporate clients. Rather than starting with an empty venue that needs to be built up for each event, organisers have access to an environment in which much of the technical and experiential infrastructure is already integrated.

Built-in equipment includes 4K projection, professional audio, microphones and new DJ equipment, alongside extensive digital branding capabilities. The gallery can also remain an active part of the programme throughout an event, allowing organisers to connect the meeting or corporate agenda with an immersive experience.

This approach could also reduce the need for additional entertainment or temporary experiential installations, while providing delegates with an environment that differs from the standard conference venue.

The range of formats extends from conferences and product launches to gala dinners, networking events, workshops, concerts, corporate parties and Christmas events. Several connected zones can be used to create a continuous event journey, moving from registration and welcome drinks through conference sessions and catering to the immersive experience and an evening party.

The venue can also accommodate vehicles inside the gallery, creating an additional option for automotive launches and presentations.

Branding opportunities extend beyond the projection environment. Signal Space offers digital displays, light boxes, digital totems and programmable RGB lighting, allowing visual identity to be carried through different stages of the guest journey rather than being concentrated solely around conventional signage.
 

Testing the concept with Prague’s events community

The venue has already begun introducing its B2B proposition to the local events industry. On 27 August 2026, Signal Space hosted its first Venue Experience Day in cooperation with Meatspace, inviting companies and event agencies to experience the venue and its technology in an event setting.

The event reached full capacity, with attendees able to explore the gallery, test its 360° immersive projection and see how the technology could be adapted for corporate branding and different event formats.

For international MICE planners, location is another element of the proposition. Signal Space is situated one minute on foot from Wenceslas Square and within walking distance of Prague’s Old Town attractions, hotels, restaurants and public transport.

With the opening of its B2B offer, the venue is therefore positioning itself at the intersection of meetings, technology and digital creativity. Its proposition is built around using the environment itself as part of the programme, giving organisers an alternative to the traditional conference hall while retaining the infrastructure required for corporate events.

For a market in which venues are increasingly expected to contribute to the overall experience rather than simply provide a physical setting, Signal Space is betting that immersive technology can become part of the event architecture itself.

At Signal Space, companies do not just book a hall. They create a world around their guests.
 

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

With more than sixty major trade fairs and congresses scheduled across the final four months of 2026, Fira de Barcelona is entering the closing stretch of the year with a programme that reflects the breadth of the institution’s role in the international events economy. Health and technology will provide two of its strongest thematic threads, alongside food, mobility, urban innovation, culture and professional services, with activity spread across Montjuïc, Gran Via, the CCIB and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The scale of the programme reinforces Fira’s position not simply as a venue operator, but as a platform for business, knowledge exchange and internationalisation – and as a significant economic force for Barcelona and Catalonia.

September opens with one of the year’s largest medical gatherings, the ERS Congress, the International Congress of the European Respiratory Society, which is expected to bring more than 20,000 delegates to the Gran Via venue. The medical focus continues through the autumn, with EACTS Annual Meeting, a global reference point in cardiothoracic surgery, and UEG Week, the European gastroenterology congress, among the highlights of October.

Technology, meanwhile, runs through the calendar at several levels. Battery ES Tech Europe will make its debut in September, focusing on advanced batteries and energy storage, while Fabcon’s technology conference – described by Fira as the most important Microsoft conference in Europe – will bring the technology community together later in the month.

The publishing industry will also take centre stage in September with Liber, the largest international trade fair for books in Spanish, demonstrating the breadth of sectors served by Fira’s portfolio.

October brings a mixture of established names and new launches. The Barcelona Boat Show will once again transform Port Vell into a showcase for the latest developments in boating, while the new Saló del Comerç will be held alongside the Saló de l’Ocupació. Saga Barcelona Games Fest will add another dimension to the month, bringing the video games sector into the programme.

The closing weeks of October will also see the Ocasión show, focused on pre-owned vehicles, alongside the major medical congresses. Together, they illustrate a calendar designed to span both highly specialised professional communities and large-scale consumer-facing events.

November represents perhaps the most concentrated expression of Fira’s international business-events profile. Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) returns to Gran Via as the anchor event in a cluster devoted to urban transformation, mobility, the blue economy and digital security. It will once again be accompanied by Tomorrow.Mobility, Tomorrow.Blue Economy and Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress.

The SCEWC framework will also provide the setting for the launch of the Housing World Summit HOWS, a new international congress dedicated to housing. At the CCIB, meanwhile, Gartner IT Symposium/XPO will bring together analysts and professionals for another edition of the technology multinational’s international meeting.

Food will claim its own place in the November programme through Gastronomic Forum Barcelona, which brings together professionals from across the gastronomy sector. The health agenda will remain prominent, with the EORTC-NCI-AAR bringing cancer-treatment specialists to the CCIB and the AVEPA-SEVC Congress addressing the veterinary clinical community.

November will also see the return of IBTM World, one of the international business events industry’s key gatherings. Its presence in Barcelona further strengthens the city’s position as both a host destination and a meeting point for the global meetings sector.

For Constantí Serrallonga, general manager of Fira de Barcelona, the breadth of the programme is significant in its own right. He argues that "the 2026 calendar, both in terms of the volume of events and their quality and the topics covered, consolidates Fira as a benchmark in its sector at European level".

Serrallonga also underlines the wider role played by exhibitions and congresses, describing them "as a real economic and social engine for the cities and countries that host them".

That contribution is particularly evident in the economic footprint of Fira’s activity. A recent study by the University of Barcelona puts the annual economic impact generated by its trade-fair activity at more than €6.1 billion. The activity is equivalent to 1% of Catalonia’s GDP in Gross Value Added terms and supports more than 49,000 jobs.

The organisation’s autumn programme therefore sits within a much larger annual picture. Fira de Barcelona is expected to close 2026 having hosted more than 300 events across its venues, following a first part of the year that has already included some of the most significant names in the international exhibition and congress calendar.

Among them were Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), MWC Barcelona, Fespa, Barcelona Wine Week, B-Travel and Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, alongside the Goya Awards ceremonies. Alimentaria & Hostelco, Expoquimia and Equiplast, Vitafoods Europe, Seafood Expo Global and the International Congress of Architecture have also contributed to the year’s programme.

The motor sport calendar has added another layer of international visibility, with the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP and the Formula 1 MSC Cruises GP de Barcelona-Catalunya among the major sporting events already held.
 

 
Beyond Barcelona

Fira’s international reach is also becoming an important component of its operating model. Through its activity abroad, the organisation will stage eleven events during 2026, extending its expertise and event brands into markets across Latin America, North America and Asia.

The first half of the year included editions of Smart City Expo in Curitiba, Santiago del Estero, Chile and Mexico, as well as Tomorrow.City in the United States. The international programme now moves into another active final quarter, with the launch of Argentina Alimenta in Buenos Aires and Smart City Expo in Santiago de Cali, Colombia.

Further editions of Tomorrow.City are planned for Shanghai, alongside Mexico Hospitality Expo and Tomorrow.Blue Economy Niterói in Brazil.

This international portfolio complements Fira’s domestic programme by extending its expertise in areas where Barcelona has established particular international credentials, notably urban innovation, technology and the future of cities.
 

Fira de Barcelona Generates €6.1 Billion Annual Impact and Over 49,000 Jobs in Catalonia

A broader event ecosystem

The final months of 2026 will also take activity beyond the exhibition halls. At the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, managed by Fira de Barcelona company Fira Circuit, the programme will include the FIA World Endurance Championship – 6h of Barcelona for the first time. The prestigious endurance-racing competition will be joined by the Ferrari Finali Mondiali, the grand final of the Ferrari Challenge championship, as well as the Barcelona Festival of Speed – GT World Challenge Europe.

Motoring, sport, corporate activity and cultural programming will collectively bring the Circuit’s year towards its conclusion, adding yet another dimension to Fira’s portfolio.

The year itself will close with two of Barcelona’s established leisure and cultural fixtures: Manga Barcelona and the Children’s Show.

Taken together, the programme offers a picture of an organisation whose reach extends well beyond the conventional boundaries of the trade-fair calendar. Medical science, technology, mobility, gastronomy, publishing, urban innovation, sport and culture will all find their place across Fira’s venues, while an expanding international programme takes its event expertise into new markets.

The underlying proposition is consequently larger than the number of events on the calendar. Fira de Barcelona’s scale allows it to function simultaneously as an exhibition platform, a congress destination, an internationalisation partner and an economic catalyst – linking Barcelona’s global reputation as a meetings destination with the commercial and intellectual activity generated by the events themselves.

As the 2026 calendar enters its busiest phase, that combination of scale, sectoral diversity and international reach is set to provide one of the clearest demonstrations yet of Fira’s role in Barcelona’s business-events ecosystem.
 

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

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has appointed industry veteran Monica Rizzi as General Manager, Operations, creating a new senior role to lead its largest and busiest division as the venue enters its next phase of growth.

Rizzi brings more than 20 years of operational and commercial leadership experience across Australia’s events and hire industries to the newly created position. She will oversee MCEC’s Operations department and more than 1,000 casual and permanent employees, with a remit centred on operational excellence, innovation and customer experience.

Her appointment comes as MCEC looks to build on its position as one of Australia’s leading business events venues and support its ambition to become the world’s trusted partner for delivering impactful events.

“Monica is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of delivering exceptional operational outcomes and leading high-performing teams,” said Lauren Milsop, Chief Operating Officer of the Victorian Convention and Event Trust (VCET). “As we continue to grow, Monica's extensive industry experience and customer focus will be invaluable in helping us deliver exceptional experiences for our customers and visitors.”

“I’m delighted to be joining MCEC and look forward to working with our talented Operations team and senior leaders to build on the venue’s strong reputation for delivering world-class events,” said Monica Rizzi, General Manager, Operations.

Rizzi most recently served as General Manager of Events at Harry the Hirer, having previously held senior leadership positions with some of Australia’s best-known hospitality and events organisations, including Crown Ltd, Atlantic Group and Dann Event Hire.

As Rizzi takes up the new position, Milsop will continue as a key member of the venue’s leadership team, providing executive oversight of operations across both MCEC and the newly opened Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, which are operated by VCET.
 

Expanding the business development team

MCEC is also expanding its Business Development team, with the aim of strengthening its domestic market position while pursuing new opportunities in priority international markets, including India and China.

Sandra Lady has been appointed Head of Business Development, leading a team comprising James Gilham, Rose Ryan Earles, Nicoleta Giurgiu and Pinky Brown. Collectively, the team brings more than 150 years of industry experience to the business.

“We are focused on creating new opportunities, strengthening partnerships and delivering value for our customers while showcasing Victoria’s exceptional business events capabilities across two world-class venues,” said Sandra Lady, Head of Business Development.

The expansion gives the venue a strengthened commercial platform at a significant moment for Victoria’s business events proposition. VCET, which operates MCEC, has now extended its footprint beyond Melbourne following the opening of Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre in July 2026.

With two major convention and event venues now under its operation, VCET is positioning the expanded network to attract more events and deliver positive outcomes for customers, communities and the Victorian economy.

The scale of MCEC’s existing contribution provides a measure of what is at stake. In the last financial year, events held at the venue generated more than $700 million in economic impact for Victoria.

“In the last financial year, our events at MCEC generated more than $700 million in economic impact for Victoria. I’m incredibly proud of how we contribute – from supporting the businesses we work with directly to driving broader economic benefits for the state,” said Natalie O’Brien AM, Chief Executive of VCET.

The appointments therefore arrive at a moment when the organisation is simultaneously strengthening operational leadership at its flagship Melbourne venue, expanding its business development capabilities and extending its reach into regional Victoria, giving VCET a broader platform from which to grow the state’s business events economy.
 

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

From left to right: VIECON Managing Directors Martina Candillo and Katharina Weishaupt, Linda Laimer and Uli Zeisel from Concept Solutions

From 1 January 2027, VIECON – Vienna Congress & Convention Center will rely on two strong partners, Concept Solutions and STEINERLIVE, for audiovisual services, following a comprehensive public selection process.

The expanded preferred partner model will strengthen VIECON’s service offering while giving event organisers greater choice, flexibility and access to comprehensive technical expertise. The move is designed to meet the growing demands of modern event formats with a broader range of services and consistently high standards of quality and sustainability.

Two partners, one commitment: the highest quality of service

Technological innovation, digital formats, increasing expectations for event production, and a broader understanding of sustainability require specialised solutions and trusted partners.

“We want to always offer our clients the best possible technical support for their events. With Concept Solutions and STEINERLIVE, we have two companies on board that stand for quality, reliability, and innovation and that will help us meet our high standards for service and customer experience in the long term,” says Katharina Weishaupt, Managing Director of VIECON.

The selection of preferred partners was based on a comprehensive set of criteria. In addition to technical expertise, innovation, service quality and modern technical infrastructure, the evaluation considered the teams’ qualifications and their ability to ensure the highest levels of event and operational safety, even for demanding event formats.

“Green events” were also a high priority. Environmental certifications, resource-efficient processes, sustainable logistics concepts and the organisation of green meetings were factored into the evaluation, alongside a long-term commitment to the responsible further development of the services offered.

Combined expertise for conferences and corporate events

STEINERLIVE has been a partner of the venue since its opening in 2004 and has extensive experience providing technical support for international conferences. The company specialises in integrated solutions in conference production, presentation management, streaming and digital services.

“Today, conferences are much more than traditional in-person events. They combine face-to-face interactions with content production, international networking, and digital services. Our goal is to provide organisers with the best possible support through well-thought-out technical solutions and to deliver a ‘Smart Congress’,” explains Thomas Wasshuber (first on the right), Managing Director of STEINERLIVE.

With Concept Solutions, VIECON gains an experienced partner with particular expertise in the design and execution of corporate events and brand presentations. The company brings many years of experience, together with extensive technical and human resources, to a wide variety of event formats.

“Corporate events create space for connections, brand messages, and experiences. We look forward to contributing our experience and creativity even more at the VIECON location in the future and working together to develop tailored solutions for event organisers,” said Florian Weber, Managing Director of Concept Solutions.

More options for event organisers

Under the preferred partner model, both companies will contribute their respective core competencies. While Concept Solutions has particular strengths in the corporate segment, STEINERLIVE specialises in the conference sector. Going forward, clients will have access to the expertise of both partners across event formats.

“The market is evolving rapidly, and event formats are becoming more diverse and customised. With this new partnership structure, we’re creating additional flexibility and can meet our clients’ varying needs even more effectively. At the same time, we’re strengthening our location’s capacity for innovation,” says Martina Candillo, Managing Director of VIECON, summarising the strategic move.

The collaboration with Concept Solutions and STEINERLIVE underscores VIECON’s commitment to offering event organisers a high-performance network of experienced partners, high-quality service and forward-looking solutions for conferences, corporate events and major international events.

VIECON – Vienna Congress & Convention Center is Austria’s largest event venue and has been part of Wien Holding. Located in the heart of Vienna, it offers 73,000 m² of flexible space, state-of-the-art technical infrastructure and a comprehensive sustainability concept, serving national and international organisers across trade fairs, congresses and product presentations.
 

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

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has reached the highest level of EarthCheck certification, with Master Certification recognising 15 consecutive years of independently audited environmental and social performance.

The milestone marks a long-term approach to sustainability at the Brisbane venue, rather than a single initiative or recent programme. Managed by Legends Global, BCEC underwent rigorous third-party assessment covering operational systems, resource management, waste reduction, energy efficiency, cultural inclusion and staff training.

EarthCheck Certified is a science-based benchmarking and certification programme used internationally by tourism and hospitality operators to measure and verify sustainability performance against evidence-based standards. Its Master level recognises organisations that demonstrate enduring leadership in environmental and social responsibility across operations, culture and decision-making.

For BCEC, the assessment identified four areas of best practice: circular economy culture, cultural inclusion, continuous improvement, and staff awareness and training.

Stewart Moore, CEO and Founder of EarthCheck, said the achievement reflected the length and consistency of the Centre's commitment.

“Achieving EarthCheck Master Certification is not simply about reaching a milestone. It represents 15 years of leadership, discipline and continuous improvement. BCEC has demonstrated that sustainability is embedded into how the organisation operates, how its people make decisions and how it continues to invest in better outcomes for the future.”
 

Sustainability as an Operational Practice

Today, BCEC's sustainability activity extends across resource recovery, food waste reduction, energy efficiency, cultural inclusion, community partnerships and staff engagement. Together, these initiatives form a whole-of-business approach, with sustainability integrated into operational processes rather than treated as a separate programme.

The Centre's Corporate Social Responsibility Team provides strategic direction, champions initiatives and identifies opportunities for further improvement, while sustainability outcomes depend on teams across the organisation translating those priorities into everyday practice.

Sustainability & Community Engagement Coordinator Jodie Summers has played a key role in advancing the Centre's environmental and social initiatives, working with teams to implement best practice, develop community partnerships and identify opportunities for positive impact.

For Summers, the significance of the Master Certification lies precisely in that integration.

"Strong sustainability outcomes are built through embedding environmental and social responsibility into systems and everyday decision-making," Ms Summers said.

"This recognition reflects a sustained centre-wide effort to embed environmental and social responsibility into every aspect of our operations. The strongest outcomes are achieved when it's woven into everyday decision-making rather than treated as an additional consideration."

That distinction is increasingly relevant to venues operating in a market where organisers are assessing not only what a venue offers, but how it operates. BCEC's approach connects resource efficiency and environmental performance with social considerations, staff engagement and community relationships.
 

A Collective Achievement

General Manager Kym Guesdon attributed the certification to the contribution of the wider BCEC team and its long-standing commitment to improvement.

"Master Certification is something we are extremely proud to achieve. It recognises the dedication our teams have demonstrated through years of independent assessment and continual improvement. Our ability to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact while supporting a growing events business highlights the commitment, innovation and leadership of Team BCEC. Environmental and social outcomes are increasingly important considerations for event organisers and this recognition reinforces our ability to support clients in delivering events that meet both business and sustainability goals."

The certification also acknowledges the contribution of employees, past and present, who have helped shape BCEC's approach over the 15-year period. The continuity of the programme has created a foundation on which subsequent initiatives and improvements can be built.

As EarthCheck's highest level of certification, Master status places BCEC among a select group of convention centres globally recognised at this level. More significantly, it provides an external validation of a sustainability strategy that has been subject to independent assessment year after year.

The timing also gives the achievement a wider context. With Brisbane preparing to welcome the world for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, BCEC is entering a period in which the city's events infrastructure will face heightened international attention.

The Centre's 15-year sustainability trajectory provides a foundation for that future: one built on continuous measurement, operational integration and the collective effort of the people responsible for turning environmental and social commitments into practice.
 

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© Centre Congres Quebec

The Québec City Convention Centre has renewed its AIPC Quality Standards Gold Level Certification following a comprehensive external audit conducted as part of the AIPC Quality Standards Programme.

The recertification places the Centre among an elite group of more than 30 AIPC centres worldwide to have attained and maintained the programme’s highest level of international management standards.

Developed specifically for the convention centre industry, the AIPC Quality Standards Programme provides an independent assessment of management performance across key operational and strategic areas. It remains the only certification programme designed exclusively for convention and exhibition centres.

The Québec City Convention Centre’s Gold Level recertification reflects its continued focus on quality, operational excellence and continuous improvement. The external audit confirmed that the Centre continues to meet the standards required for requalification, supported by a comprehensive, well-documented submission, clear evidence and robust management processes.

The audit assesses performance across eleven key management areas, including customer service, facilities and operations, employee relations, health, safety and security, financial integrity, environmental responsibility, community relations, industry relations, inclusivity and supplier relations.

For participating centres, the audit process serves not only as an independent validation of existing practices but also as an opportunity to identify areas for further improvement and strengthen team engagement.

AIPC President Julianne Jammers congratulated the Québec City Convention Centre on its achievement: "Successfully renewing AIPC Gold Certification demonstrates an ongoing commitment to excellence, continuous improvement and international best practice. We congratulate the Québec City Convention Centre on maintaining this important industry benchmark and its dedication to delivering outstanding performance for clients, partners and the wider community."

Caroline Lepage, CEO of the Québec City Convention Centre, said: “For our clients and partners, this Gold certification is a tangible guarantee: when they choose the Québec City Convention Centre, they can trust they're working with a team held to the highest international standards. That trust is something we work to earn with every event we host.”

By renewing its Gold Level Certification, the Québec City Convention Centre reinforces its commitment to quality, accountability and continuous improvement, while strengthening its position as one of Canada’s leading convention centres and a trusted destination for international business events.
 

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Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre has welcomed more than 12,200 attendees across 15 events during its first month of operation, signalling a strong opening for the new regional business events venue.

The newly opened Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre has welcomed more than 12,200 visitors across 15 events during its first month, combining major conferences and business gatherings with community celebrations and exhibitions.

Throughout July, the Geelong venue hosted a varied programme that included the Community Open Day, Geelong Careers Expo, Barwon Health Foundation Gala Ball, Business Managers Victoria Annual Leadership Conference, Associations Forum National Conference and the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative NAIDOC Ball.

The mix of events has provided an early demonstration of the venue’s intended role in the region: serving the local community while attracting national conferences and visitors to Geelong.

A strong first month

Nyaal Banyul General Manager Rick Aylett said the venue had made a strong start since opening and was quickly establishing itself among Australia’s leading regional events venues.

"We're thrilled with how well the first month has gone. We've welcomed more than 12,000 people through the venue and successfully hosted everything from major conferences and gala events to community celebrations and expos," Mr Aylett said.

He added that the response from organisers, delegates and the local community had provided a strong platform for the venue's next phase. "The response from organisers, delegates and the local community has been overwhelmingly positive, and it's a great foundation to build on."

The first month’s programme has also highlighted the dual role Nyaal Banyul is expected to play within the region, bringing together local and national audiences under the same roof. "One week we're welcoming thousands of local residents through the doors, the next we're hosting a national conference. That's exactly what Nyaal Banyul was designed to do," he said.

Beyond the venue itself, the events are also contributing to the wider visitor economy by bringing delegates and event attendees into the city and surrounding region. "These events support local hotels, restaurants, suppliers and businesses, while helping showcase Geelong as a destination for major events.”
 

Connecting conferences with the visitor economy

The early business events activity is already translating into wider visitor flows, according to Tracy Carter, Executive Director of Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine. With national conferences bringing delegates into Geelong, the impact extends beyond the conference centre itself, supporting accommodation, hospitality and cultural experiences across the destination.

“It's been particularly pleasing to welcome delegates for large national conferences who have filled hotel rooms across the city, found their way into hospitality and cultural precincts, and toured further afield before and after their events."

The venue’s opening is also being positioned as a development for the wider regional Victorian business events market. Natalie Suleyman, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, said the successful delivery of the first month’s events had helped establish Nyaal Banyul as a key business events venue for Geelong and regional Victoria. “Nyaal Banyul is already providing a major boost for regional Victoria, drawing strong interest, and helping grow the region’s visitor economy,”

She highlighted the early economic benefits being generated by increased visitation. “This early success has delivered real benefits for local small businesses and workers, with more people staying overnight and spending in local hotels, cafés, restaurants, shops and local suppliers across the region.”

A new platform for Geelong

The venue’s first month therefore provides an early indication of how Nyaal Banyul could contribute to Geelong’s ambitions as a regional events destination — combining community access with the capacity to host larger national conferences and business events.

Christine Couzens MP, Member for Geelong, also highlighted the broader local significance of the new centre, saying: “Nyaal Banyul belongs to the people of Geelong to share with the rest of the world, all delivered by a Labor government.”

With more than 12,200 attendees already passing through its doors in its opening month, Nyaal Banyul now enters its next phase with an established first-event portfolio and an early indication of its potential to connect Geelong’s community, visitor economy and business events sector.
 

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For conventions of 1,500 to 2,000 delegates, Ottawa’s Rogers Centre is converting as a venue where scale, exclusivity and citywide visibility can converge.

There is a particular convention sweet spot in which an event is large enough to make an impression on an entire city, yet compact enough for organisers to retain a sense of ownership over the experience. For Rogers Centre Ottawa, that sweet spot sits between 1,500 and 2,000 delegates.

The Canadian capital’s convention centre is seeing strong momentum in this segment, where the scale of the venue and the characteristics of the destination combine to offer organisers a proposition that goes beyond meeting-room capacity.

At this level, associations can take over the building, maximise branding and sponsorship visibility, and create an event identity that extends from arrival points and public spaces to escalators and delegate circulation areas. At the same time, the convention can become a visible presence across downtown Ottawa, with delegates contributing to the energy of the city’s restaurants, hotels and public spaces.

Recent wins illustrate the potential of the model. Among them is Healing Our Spirit Worldwide 2028, an international gathering bringing together Indigenous Peoples and allies from Canada and around the world. Its selection of Ottawa reflects the destination’s position as Canada’s capital, its international accessibility and its established Indigenous, healthcare, research and community networks.

The event joins other significant association business secured by Rogers Centre Ottawa, including Plant Biology 2026 and the International District Energy Association Annual Conference & Trade Show 2026.

For the venue, the attraction of the 1,500–2,000-delegate segment lies partly in the level of exclusivity it can offer. Instead of competing for attention within a much larger convention programme, an organiser can make the building feel distinctly its own, with extensive branding opportunities, prominent sponsor visibility and a more immersive delegate journey.

That sense of ownership can also extend beyond the convention centre. Ottawa’s walkability and compact downtown make it possible for a convention of this scale to become a visible part of the wider city experience, while collaboration between Rogers Centre Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism and local partners helps connect the venue experience with the destination.

“Ottawa is exceptionally strong for conventions in this range because organisers get the scale and visibility they want, while also becoming a real priority for the venue and the city. At Rogers Centre Ottawa, that can mean full-building exclusivity, standout branding opportunities and a destination experience that feels highly connected from the moment delegates arrive.

“Healing Our Spirit Worldwide is a strong example of how the right event, the right venue and the right city partnerships can come together to create something that reaches far beyond the meeting rooms themselves,” said Carly Grace, Vice-President of Sales, Rogers Centre Ottawa.

The organisers of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide 2028 point to both the destination and venue as decisive factors in the selection. Nicole Semenoff and Sally Clelford, Event Planning Leads for the 2028 edition, said:

“Ottawa was selected for its significance as Canada’s capital and its accessibility for delegates from around the world. The city’s strong Indigenous, healthcare, research and community networks provide an ideal environment for advancing conversations on Indigenous health, wellness and reconciliation.”

They added: “Rogers Centre Ottawa was chosen for its world-class facilities, central location, accessibility and proven ability to host large international gatherings. Its integrated meeting spaces and proximity to accommodations, cultural attractions and government institutions will enhance the overall delegate experience."

The Healing Our Spirit Worldwide win therefore provides a useful illustration of the broader proposition Rogers Centre Ottawa is pursuing: a convention can have the profile and economic presence of a major international gathering without losing the intimacy, accessibility and destination connection that can become harder to achieve at considerably larger scale.

For organisers, that combination can translate into a convention that feels substantial without becoming anonymous — one with enough delegates to create a visible footprint, while retaining the practical advantages of a venue and destination that can make the event feel like a priority.

And the strategy extends beyond individual bookings. Rogers Centre Ottawa expects demand for this segment to continue as associations seek destinations capable not only of delivering the logistical requirements of a major convention, but also of giving organisers a stronger sense of ownership over the complete event experience.

Located on the Rideau Canal in downtown Ottawa, Canada’s capital, Rogers Centre Ottawa describes itself as “Canada’s Meeting Place”. The internationally recognised convention centre features a naturally lit interior and views over the city, and hosts conventions, conferences, meetings and exhibitions of varying scales.

Since opening in 2011, the centre has hosted thousands of events, generating millions of dollars in economic impact for Ottawa and the province of Ontario. In 2020, it was named the world’s best convention centre by the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC).

For the 1,500–2,000-delegate market, however, the proposition is less about how large a convention centre can become and more about how much of the destination an event can make its own.
 

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As sustainability becomes a deciding factor in venue selection, Austria Center Vienna is investing in renewable energy to strengthen both its environmental performance and long-term competitiveness. The venue's new photovoltaic system, its largest sustainability investment to date, forms part of a broader infrastructure strategy designed to meet the evolving expectations of international congress organisers.

Austria Center Vienna (ACV) has taken another step in its long-term transformation strategy with the commissioning of a new photovoltaic system designed to generate renewable electricity on site, reducing the venue's dependence on external energy sources while reinforcing its position in an increasingly sustainability-driven international meetings market. The project represents the largest single investment undertaken to date as part of the congress centre's ongoing modernisation programme.

The investment reflects a broader shift in the business events industry, where international congress centres are expected to demonstrate not only technical excellence but also credible, measurable approaches to resource efficiency and future-ready operations. According to Austria Center Vienna, organisers are increasingly evaluating venues on their sustainability credentials alongside their event infrastructure, prompting targeted investments in buildings, technology and energy efficiency.

Susanne Baumann-Söllner, Spokesperson of the Management Board and Board Member for Congress Management at Austria Center Vienna, said: "Sustainability is increasingly shaping competition for international congresses and conventions. Today, organisers expect tangible measures rather than declarations of intent. With this photovoltaic system, we are investing in the long-term competitiveness of Austria Center Vienna while reinforcing Vienna's position as one of the world's leading congress destinations."

The new installation comprises approximately 1,340 photovoltaic modules spread across 2,700 square metres of roof space, providing a total installed capacity of 603 kWp. Once fully operational, the system is expected to generate around 575,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity each year—enough to meet approximately 8.5% of the venue's annual electricity demand.

Rather than exporting electricity to the grid, the energy produced will be consumed directly on site, significantly reducing Austria Center Vienna's reliance on externally sourced power while contributing to greater operational resilience. Project planning and local construction supervision were carried out by ALLPLAN Gesellschaft m.b.H.

Dr Michael Rotter, Board Member for Building and Property Management at Austria Center Vienna, said: "Future-ready venues depend on the seamless integration of building systems, event technology and energy infrastructure. The photovoltaic installation is therefore not a stand-alone measure but an integral part of our long-term infrastructure strategy to enhance efficiency, energy security and resilience."

The photovoltaic project forms part of a wider transformation programme aimed at combining sustainability with technological innovation across the venue's operations. Austria Center Vienna notes that the solar installation is its largest individual sustainability measure to date, but it builds on several initiatives already introduced to improve environmental performance while strengthening the venue's long-term competitiveness.

Among these is the venue's partnership with Wien Energie, launched in 2021, through which waste heat generated by Austria Center Vienna's cooling systems is fed into Vienna's district heating network. As Austria's first Green Conference Centre, the venue says these initiatives collectively contribute to an infrastructure designed to support both environmental objectives and operational efficiency.

According to Austria Center Vienna, the new photovoltaic system will generate enough renewable electricity each year to supply approximately 160 Vienna households. The installation consists of approximately 1,340 solar panels with an installed capacity of 603 kWp, covering around 2,700 square metres of roof area and producing an estimated 575,000 kilowatt-hours annually.

Operated by IAKW-AG, Austria Center Vienna is Austria's largest congress centre, offering 21 halls, 134 meeting rooms and approximately 26,000 square metres of exhibition space. Alongside maintaining the Vienna International Centre, the organisation continues to invest in infrastructure intended to support the evolving requirements of international congresses and conventions. 
 

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The British Motor Museum is positioning its changing exhibition programme as a way for event organisers to overcome venue fatigue, offering returning delegates new experiences while maintaining the consistency of an established conference venue.

Rather than relying solely on physical refurbishments, the Museum treats each major exhibition as an opportunity to transform part of its event offering. New displays introduce different stories, themes and immersive environments that can be incorporated into conferences, receptions and networking events, ensuring repeat visitors encounter something different with each visit.

Its latest exhibition, Spoiler Alert: The Hot Hatch Story, celebrates the iconic hot hatch era of the 1980s and 1990s through eight landmark vehicles, interactive installations, retro video games, period music and a setting inspired by classic car meets and motoring magazines.

For event planners, these rotating exhibitions create additional opportunities for delegate engagement, from networking spaces and drinks receptions to private tours and informal experiences between conference sessions.

The exhibition follows the launch of Forza Horizon 6: The Experience, which explores the intersection of automotive engineering and digital culture through vehicles, creative content and insights into the development of one of the world's best-known racing game franchises.

Toby Batchelor, Head of Commerce at the British Motor Museum, said: "For the Museum, a major new exhibition changes how part of the building looks and feels, introduces new stories and gives people another reason to explore.

"The difference is that this evolution happens frequently. Organisers can return to conference spaces they already know work well, while giving delegates a wider experience that may have changed significantly since their previous visit.

"That balance is important. Our clients can trust the fundamentals: the same flexible meeting spaces, experienced team, practical delivery, catering and access. Around that dependable core, however, the Museum continues to evolve."

According to the Museum, this approach helps organisations return to a proven venue without making the delegate experience feel repetitive, while also allowing exhibitions to reinforce event themes.

Spoiler Alert: The Hot Hatch Story explores topics including youth culture, identity, community, consumer behaviour and product innovation, while Forza Horizon 6: The Experience examines the relationship between automotive engineering, gaming, digital design and technology.

Cat Boxall, Museum Curator at the British Motor Museum, added: "Every exhibition allows us to look at automotive history from a different perspective. That might be through design, popular culture, technology, music, gaming or the relationship people have with particular vehicles.

"For event organisers, those changing perspectives create new opportunities. The exhibition can simply provide an enjoyable experience for delegates, or we can work with the organiser to connect its themes more directly with their programme and audience."

Concluding, Batchelor said: "Choosing a familiar venue should not mean delivering a familiar event. Our conference offer provides the consistency planners need, while the changing Museum gives them new content, settings and conversations to work with each time they return."

Located in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the British Motor Museum offers meeting and event spaces for up to 600 delegates alongside access to the world's largest collection of historic British cars. In addition to conferences and exhibitions, organisers can incorporate private Museum access, guided tours and vehicle displays into their programmes, while revenue from business events helps support the Museum's charitable work preserving Britain's automotive heritage.
 

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Prague Event Hub has broadened its integrated offering with the addition of two Form Factory fitness clubs, giving organisers new opportunities to incorporate movement, wellbeing and team engagement into meetings and corporate gatherings.

The arrival of Form Factory Pankrác and Form Factory The Gym Cubex further strengthens the destination's all-in-one concept, where conference facilities, accommodation, dining, retail and now fitness experiences are brought together within a single, easily accessible district of Prague.

Form Factory Pankrác features an extensive programme of group classes, a dedicated Reformer Pilates studio and a wellness area complete with sauna, making it well suited to recovery sessions, informal networking or team-building activities. Meanwhile, The Gym Cubex, located within the same building as Cubex Centre Prague and Conference Centre City, specialises in strength and functional training. Its spacious fitness zone provides an ideal setting for workshops, circuit training, fitness challenges and other active group experiences.

Whether incorporated as a dedicated team-building activity, a side programme or simply an energising break between conference sessions, each activity can be tailored to suit different group sizes, fitness levels and event schedules.

"Corporate events are no longer defined solely by what happens on stage or inside the conference room. Organisers are increasingly looking for ways to energise participants, encourage natural interaction and create a more balanced experience. This is exactly what Form Factory brings to Prague Event Hub," says Eva Wade-Keszey, CMO of Cubex Centre Prague.

As part of the partnership, delegates attending events at Cubex Centre Prague can also benefit from up to 43% off single-entry passes to either Form Factory club, offering the opportunity to fit a workout, wellness session or moment of relaxation into their stay. 
 

An integrated destination for business events

Located in Prague 4, Prague Event Hub brings together five complementary partners across six venues, creating a compact ecosystem designed to simplify event planning while enhancing the delegate experience.

At its heart is Cubex Centre Prague, providing flexible spaces for conferences, congresses, exhibitions, gala dinners and hybrid events, supported by advanced event technology, extensive branding possibilities and professional catering services.

Directly connected to Cubex, Conference Centre City expands the capacity with additional auditoriums and meeting rooms, allowing both venues to operate as one integrated complex for larger or multi-stream events.

Within walking distance, Panorama by Verdi Hotels provides accommodation alongside additional meeting facilities, offering a convenient solution for international delegates and multi-day programmes.

The surrounding Arkady Shopping Mall complements the destination with restaurants, cafés, retail outlets and spaces suitable for indoor activations and outdoor brand experiences.

Completing the ecosystem, Form Factory Pankrác and The Gym Cubex introduce a new wellbeing dimension, combining group fitness, functional training, Pilates, recovery facilities and sports-inspired activities that respond to growing demand for healthier, more engaging event experiences.
 

"Joining Prague Event Hub allows us to bring movement closer to companies that might not otherwise plan a standalone sports event. An active session can be short, accessible and enjoyable for everyone, while still adding real energy and a fresh dimension to the overall experience," adds Sandra Präsensová, Senior Trade Marketing Consultant at Form Factory.

By bringing together venues, accommodation, hospitality, retail and wellbeing within one connected destination, Prague Event Hub enables organisers to deliver seamless programmes with minimal transfers and greater flexibility. The addition of Form Factory reinforces that vision, reflecting the industry's growing focus on experiences that support both business objectives and participant wellbeing.
 

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© Kanal-Centre Pompidou

Brussels will add a major new cultural landmark to its portfolio when KANAL officially opens to the public on 28 November 2026, completing the transformation of the city's landmark former Citroën garage into one of Europe's largest museums dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

Developed as a flagship cultural project for the Belgian capital, KANAL will house the Centre Pompidou collections, alongside architecture and design exhibitions, performance spaces, educational facilities and public areas designed to encourage interaction throughout the year.

Beyond its cultural significance, the opening is expected to enhance Brussels' attractiveness as an international meetings destination by adding a distinctive venue capable of hosting conferences, receptions, talks, networking events and other business gatherings within a landmark setting.

Occupying more than 40,000 square metres along the Brussels Canal, the venue has been conceived as a multifunctional destination rather than a traditional museum. Visitors will have access to exhibition galleries, auditoriums, event spaces, workshops, a library, restaurants and panoramic public areas, creating opportunities for both cultural programming and corporate events.

The opening forms part of a broader transformation of Brussels' cultural landscape, reinforcing the city's growing portfolio of internationally recognised venues. Alongside institutions such as Bozar, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Train World and the recently restored Palace of Charles of Lorraine, KANAL further strengthens the capital's appeal for delegates seeking memorable off-site experiences and event organisers looking for unique venues that combine heritage, creativity and contemporary architecture.

Its location also complements Brussels' established convention infrastructure, sitting within easy reach of the city's European Quarter, major hotels and international transport links.

According to the museum, KANAL has been designed as an open civic space where art, architecture and urban life intersect. In addition to its permanent collections, the venue will host temporary exhibitions, performances, debates, workshops and public programmes, positioning it as a year-round destination for both residents and international visitors.

For the meetings industry, the arrival of KANAL represents another example of how investment in cultural infrastructure can contribute to destination competitiveness. Increasingly, congress organisers and associations are seeking venues that offer authentic local experiences and opportunities to connect delegates with the creative identity of a destination.

With its combination of iconic architecture, flexible public spaces and international cultural programming, KANAL is expected to become one of Brussels' defining landmarks while broadening the city's offering for business events, incentive programmes and social functions.

KANAL will officially open its doors on 28 November 2026, marking one of the most significant cultural openings in Europe this year and adding a new dimension to Brussels' proposition as both a cultural capital and a leading international meetings destination.
 

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The Austria Center Vienna has been awarded the Austrian Tourism Innovation Award (ÖIT) in the category of event venues for more than 1,000 participants. The distinction recognises Austria's largest congress and event centre for its continued investment in modernisation, digitalisation and innovation, further strengthening Vienna's position as one of Europe's leading meeting destinations.

"I am very proud that our venue – and by extension our team – has been honoured with the Austrian Tourism Innovation Award. This shows that our approach of always thinking ahead for our guests, anticipating trends and focusing on digitalisation and sustainability was the right one. We also see this reflected in the feedback from our guests, who have rated us with an average of 4.6 stars across more than 10,000 Google reviews and given us a Net Promoter Score of 75. This is an excellent top score, as a score of 70 or above is already indicative of exceptionally high customer satisfaction, strong customer loyalty and many enthusiastic customers who actively recommend a brand to others. This shows how event organisers and participants actually experience the Austria Center Vienna," says Susanne Baumann-Söllner, Executive Director of Congress Management and Spokesperson for the Executive Board of the Austria Center Vienna.

Innovation driving competitiveness

The award reflects the venue's long-term strategy of investing ahead of market demand through digital transformation, technological innovation and flexible event infrastructure.

"We bring people together, inspire and drive innovation and modernisation. The kinetic world first, polySTAGE, comprises 52 individually controllable LED elements that enable spectacular staging and transformation in the entrance hall, whilst the more than 500 m² of LED surfaces and over 100 screens throughout our venue create, for example, seamless and immersive event experiences. It is precisely the interactive gamification features – such as check-in with a personalized welcome message, selfie sharing, panoramic selfie spots, message sharing, word clouds and live voting – that make polySTAGE an unforgettable interactive experience which our customers really do enjoy using extensively," emphasises Baumann-Söllner.

Alongside these digital features, the venue has completed the full refurbishment of Level -2, introducing brighter, more versatile meeting spaces, outdoor terraces and greater operational flexibility.

"The completely modernised Level -2 also impresses with bright, welcoming and highly versatile halls and rooms, as well as green terraces. Our most important hall on this level, Hall D, can be divided into three separate halls in no time at all, each with its own climate control system and fully soundproofed," emphasises Michael Rotter, Director of Building and Property Management.

The Austria Center Vienna is also working with partner companies to further digitalise operational processes and online shop solutions, creating tailored event experiences while strengthening its competitive position in the international meetings market.
 

A significant economic contribution

Beyond hosting international events, the Austria Center Vienna continues to deliver substantial economic benefits for Austria. According to a recent study by Eco Austria, the venue generated a GDP impact of €445 million in 2025 – equivalent to around 0.1% of Austria's total GDP. It also created €398 million in gross value added and supported or secured 3,950 full-time jobs.

"The domestic tourism and leisure sector benefits particularly strongly, accounting for some 21.8 per cent. Every euro that flows into our centre has a multiplier effect on local businesses – from the hotel and catering sectors through to retail and scientific networks," said Baumann-Söllner. "In 2025, for example, one in three international conference guests in Vienna stayed at the Austria Center Vienna."

A shared success for Vienna's meetings ecosystem

For Baumann-Söllner, the award also recognises the strength of collaboration across Vienna's meetings industry.

"For me, the Austrian Tourism Innovation Award is both a mark of recognition and an incentive – for a team that works every day to turn events into unforgettable experiences. The fact that our commitment and innovation are now also so highly valued at a national level therefore means a great deal to me personally," the board member continued.

"For me, the award is also a sign of how well our organization and the destination of Vienna pull together, develop visions and work on innovations, because the decision on a venue is usually only made after the decision on the destination has been taken. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank the team at WienTourismus, the Vienna Convention Bureau and all our partners for their many years of excellent collaboration; they are all part of our recipe for success. Only by working together can we achieve great things and create unique worlds of experience for our customers and participants," emphasized Baumann-Söllner.

About the Austrian Tourism Innovation Award (ÖIT) and IAKW-AG

The Austrian Tourism Innovation Award (ÖIT) is presented every two years by the Austrian Ministry of Economic Affairs in collaboration with the federal states. The award recognises outstanding innovation across the tourism sector and, in 2026, honours event venues for congresses and conferences as catalysts for destination and location development.

IAKW-AG (Internationales Amtssitz- und Konferenzzentrum Wien, Aktiengesellschaft) is responsible for maintaining the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and operating the Austria Center Vienna. With 21 halls, 134 meeting rooms and approximately 26,000 m² of exhibition space, the Austria Center Vienna is Austria's largest conference centre and one of the leading venues in the international meetings industry.
 

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The new Geelong Convention and Event Centre begins operations with more than 80 events already confirmed, positioning regional Victoria to attract new conferences, exhibitions and business events in the years ahead.

A new chapter for Victoria's business events industry officially began today with the opening of Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, a waterfront venue expected to strengthen the state's capacity to host conferences, exhibitions and corporate events beyond Melbourne.

Operated by the Victorian Convention and Event Trust (VCET), which also manages the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the venue launches with more than 80 confirmed events and a pipeline of over 250 proposed events, expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Geelong over the coming years.

VCET Chief Executive Natalie O'Brien AM described the opening as a landmark moment for both Geelong and Victoria's business events sector. "For VCET, this is the beginning of our journey operating a regional venue in Victoria's second largest city that is right-sized, distinctive, and embedded in its community," said O'Brien.

Drawing on more than three decades of experience operating MCEC, VCET has been responsible for developing not only the venue's operational model but also its long-term event strategy.

"Drawing on our experience at MCEC, we've shaped not only the physical spaces but how this venue will operate - delivering events that will bring more people to Geelong and its surrounding regions, support local businesses and create lasting impact."

Nyaal Banyul features a 1,000-seat theatre, exhibition halls, conference facilities, meeting rooms, flexible event spaces, food and beverage outlets and a public outdoor plaza. The development was delivered in partnership with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, ensuring local Indigenous stories and cultural heritage are embedded throughout the architecture and visitor experience.

"Nyaal Banyul reflects the cultural significance of this place and the stories connected to it, while also creating a contemporary venue that welcomes visitors from across Australia and beyond," O'Brien added.

The venue is expected to broaden Victoria's business events offering by complementing MCEC with a regional facility capable of hosting conferences and events of varying size and format.

Its event calendar already reflects that ambition, ranging from community events such as the Geelong Careers Expo to major gala dinners and national association conferences. The venue will host its inaugural major event, the Barwon Health Foundation Gala Ball, on 3 July, followed later this year by the Professional Conference Organisers Association Conference and the Australian Tourism Awards in February 2027.

According to O'Brien, the venue's impact will extend well beyond the conference halls: "Nyaal Banyul will play a critical role in bringing new audiences to Geelong - delegates, organisers and industry leaders coming from all over Australia, many of whom will be visiting the region for the first time."

"The flow-on effects are significant - increased tourism, stronger local supply chains, and new opportunities for businesses across hospitality, services and the broader visitor economy, in Geelong and the surrounding areas in the Bellarine and Great Ocean Road."

The centre is also expected to deliver local economic benefits through employment and procurement, with most of its workforce recruited from the Barwon South West region and more than 50 regional businesses engaged across catering, venue services and operations.

Nyaal Banyul General Manager Rick Aylett said preparations are complete ahead of the venue's first event.

"The Geelong community has backed Nyaal Banyul from day one, and now it's our turn to deliver. Our team is ready to get started, working alongside local partners to create exceptional experiences that not only showcase this venue, but position Geelong as a global destination."
 

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The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) has unveiled a new Bonded Warehouse service, becoming the first exhibition and convention venue in central Bangkok to offer the facility and further strengthening Thailand’s position as a leading destination for international exhibitions and business events.

The new service is designed to simplify the temporary import process for exhibitors and organisers participating in international events, reducing administrative burdens while streamlining logistics operations.

A Bonded Warehouse is a customs-controlled facility that allows imported goods to be stored and used for exhibitions and events without the need for import duty guarantees or ATA Carnet documentation. The system significantly reduces paperwork and customs procedures, enabling exhibitors to move products more efficiently while lowering operational complexity.

The launch represents another step in QSNCC’s strategy to develop a fully integrated event ecosystem, combining venue infrastructure with specialist logistics services and international event support.

Strengthening event logistics in Bangkok

To manage the facility, QSNCC has appointed APT Showfreight (Thailand) Ltd., part of the APT Showfreight & Logistics Group, one of Asia’s leading exhibition and event logistics providers.

With almost two decades of experience supporting international exhibitions and events, the company operates across multiple Asian markets, including Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and China, where it maintains offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen and Shenzhen.

As Bonded Warehouse Manager, APT will oversee customs clearance, import and export handling, storage and direct delivery of goods to exhibition halls, providing exhibitors with a single logistics solution.

The addition of the service is expected to be particularly valuable for international organisers seeking efficient access to a venue located in the heart of Bangkok's business district, with direct connections to hotels, transport networks and commercial facilities.
 

Supporting Thailand’s competitiveness

According to QSNCC, the introduction of the Bonded Warehouse responds to growing demand from organisers for destinations that can offer not only world-class venues but also robust supporting infrastructure.

Surapol Utintu, Chief Executive Officer of Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, said, “The Bonded Warehouse is more than just a new service for organisers and exhibitors. It is an important piece of Thailand’s international exhibition and event ecosystem. Today, organisers are looking not only at venue quality but also at the strength of the supporting infrastructure that enables smooth and efficient event operations.”

“We believe this development will further strengthen Thailand’s ability to host international exhibitions and events while enhancing confidence among organisers and exhibitors worldwide who choose Thailand as their event destination.”

The initiative is expected to strengthen Thailand's competitiveness in attracting large-scale international exhibitions, particularly those requiring complex logistics operations and temporary imports.

Major events already set to benefit

Industry demand for the new service is already evident, with several major exhibitions planning to utilise the Bonded Warehouse over the coming months.

These include Asia Sustainable Energy Week 2026 and Thai Water 2026 in July, CPHI Southeast Asia 2026, Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026, the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair and Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2027.

Suthichai Techanarungroj, Regional Director of APT Showfreight & Logistics Group, said, “We are honored to be entrusted as the Bonded Warehouse Manager for QSNCC. Through our extensive experience in exhibition and event logistics, we have seen that organisers increasingly value both venue quality and reliable logistics support.”

“The Bonded Warehouse is a key component in improving logistics efficiency for international exhibitions and events. Several major events are already planning to utilise the service, including Asia Sustainable Energy Week 2026 and Thai Water 2026 (July 1–3, 2026), CPHI Southeast Asia 2026 (July 8–10, 2026), Food & Hospitality Thailand 2026 (August 19–22, 2026), Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (September 8–12, 2026), and Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok 2027 (May 17–20, 2027). This reflects the growing demand for support systems that help streamline operations and improve flexibility for event organisers.”
 

Building a complete events ecosystem

The launch of the Bonded Warehouse forms part of a broader effort by QSNCC to create a comprehensive support infrastructure for international exhibitions and conventions.

By integrating venue facilities, logistics services and specialist event support within a single ecosystem, QSNCC aims to make Bangkok an even more attractive proposition for global organisers and exhibitors.

As competition between destinations intensifies across the Asia-Pacific meetings and exhibitions market, investments in logistics and operational efficiency are increasingly becoming key differentiators. With the introduction of the Bonded Warehouse, QSNCC is positioning itself at the forefront of that trend while reinforcing Thailand’s ambitions as a leading global MICE destination.
 

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

Prague Congress Centre (PCC) has officially launched one of the most significant development projects in its 45-year history, breaking ground on a new Exhibition Hall that will substantially increase the venue's capacity and strengthen Prague's position among the world's leading congress destinations.

The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone brought together PCC leadership, representatives of the City of Prague, project partners and architects behind the ambitious development. Once completed in 2028, the new facility will add 5,000 square metres of flexible exhibition space, enabling Prague to host major international congresses that have previously exceeded the venue's capacity.

The project represents an investment of approximately CZK 1.35 billion and is designed to meet growing demand from international associations and event organisers seeking larger, more integrated congress facilities.

New capacity for world-class events

The new Exhibition Hall will be fully integrated into the existing PCC campus, adding 5,000 m² of net exhibition space that can be divided into five independent sections. Combined with the venue's existing network of 70 halls and meeting rooms, the development will create a comprehensive congress campus capable of hosting large-scale international events entirely under one roof.

Upon completion, the total exhibition capacity of Prague Congress Centre will increase to 21,000 m², allowing organisers to combine scientific programmes, exhibitions, networking events and gala dinners within a single venue.

"International congresses today are looking for much more than adequate capacity. Organisers expect flexible spaces, cutting-edge technology, sustainability and a strong destination experience. That is precisely what our new hall delivers. And the demand is not hypothetical. PCC already has enquiries from approximately fifteen world-class congresses, particularly in the field of medicine, whose organisation is directly contingent on the completion of the hall," says Lenka Žlebková, Chair of the Board and CEO of Prague Congress Centre
 

Investment backed by PCC and the City of Prague

The majority of the project's funding will come directly from PCC's own resources, with the venue allocating more than CZK 1 billion towards the development.

Additional support comes from the City of Prague, which approved a CZK 600 million capital contribution at the end of 2025. The funding package extends beyond the new Exhibition Hall and includes improvements to surrounding public spaces, upgrades to stage technology, energy-efficiency projects and the redevelopment of the southern car park.

"The City of Prague is investing in PCC's development with a clear objective: to strengthen Prague's long-term position as one of the world's leading congress destinations. Major congresses bring the city prestige, expertise, business connections and significant public revenue. The new hall is therefore not just an investment in PCC, but in the economy and reputation of Prague as a whole," says Zdeněk Kovářík, Prague City Councillor for Finance.

Construction is scheduled to begin in July, with the building structure expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and final delivery planned for September 2028.

Landmark architecture and sustainability focus

The project is being delivered by Czech construction company GEMO a.s., selected through an anonymous tender process.

Designed by Barcelona-based OCA Architects in collaboration with Prague's CMC Architects, the building emerged from an international architectural competition and aims to balance contemporary expansion with respect for the original architecture of the congress centre and its surrounding urban environment.

One of the project's defining features will be its striking architectural form — a suspended structure stretching almost 177 metres in length.

"The construction of the new Prague Congress Centre Exhibition Hall is of extraordinary importance to us. The hall has been designed in an unconventional form as a levitating tube nearly 177 metres long, which means the construction process requires careful coordination among all those involved. We are delighted to be part of a project that will expand the capabilities of Prague Congress Centre and create a new, high-quality public space for the residents and visitors of the capital," says Jaromír Uhýrek, founder, owner and CEO of GEMO a.s.

Sustainability has also been embedded into the project from the outset. The new hall is targeting LEED Gold certification and will incorporate rainwater harvesting systems, expanded green areas and a range of environmental measures designed to reduce the venue's long-term impact.
 

Benefits beyond the congress sector

The development will also reshape the surrounding public realm. Following completion of the Exhibition Hall, the northern terrace overlooking Prague Castle will be transformed into a new public space featuring a café, outdoor seating, a viewing platform and step-free access connecting directly to Vyšehrad metro station.

The improvements are intended to benefit not only congress delegates but also Prague residents and visitors.

"Congress tourism is of extraordinary importance for Prague. It is not only about economic benefit, but also about knowledge exchange, innovation and international connections. Congresses bring leading specialists from around the world to Prague and strengthen ties between Czech and international academic and business communities," says Bohuslav Svoboda, Mayor of the City of Prague.

Supporting Prague's global congress ambitions

The expansion comes as Prague continues to strengthen its position in the international meetings market. According to the latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings, the Czech capital is now the sixth most popular congress destination in the world, ahead of cities including London, Copenhagen and Tokyo.

The new Exhibition Hall is expected to play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing that position. PCC has already identified multiple international congress opportunities that currently cannot be accommodated due to space limitations.

Beyond the meetings industry itself, the project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the wider city. Congress delegates typically spend considerably more than leisure visitors, supporting hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions, transport providers and local businesses throughout Prague.

With construction now underway, PCC's expansion marks a major investment not only in the future of the venue but also in Prague's continued growth as one of Europe's premier destinations for international congresses and business events.
 

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

Rogers Centre Ottawa is building on a strong year of conference growth, with a rising number of first-time events choosing the venue and helping to strengthen its position across key industry sectors.

The venue’s 2026 conference calendar reflects a balanced mix of new business and returning events, underlining both market confidence and long-term client retention. Among the upcoming conferences are the International District Energy Association Conference, International District Energy, Plant Biology 2026, the International Conference on Residency Education, and the recently confirmed CNA2026.

Much of the venue’s recent momentum has been driven by sectors where successful events have generated follow-on opportunities. Indigenous-led and Indigenous-focused events have emerged as a particularly strong area of growth following the hosting of WAVES 2025 last summer. Since then, organisers have increasingly looked to Rogers Centre Ottawa for its ability to accommodate cultural protocols while delivering a more thoughtful and community-focused delegate experience.

The venue has worked closely with organisers on elements such as smudging ceremonies, drum circles, Indigenous culinary experiences, and culturally relevant menu offerings — helping events feel authentic and representative of the communities they serve.

Engineering and technology conferences are also gaining traction. Recent IEEE events have highlighted Ottawa’s strengths in research, innovation, and technical expertise, while reinforcing the value of specialised account management and sector-focused relationship building. According to the venue, this targeted approach is helping deepen trust with organisers and opening new opportunities in industries where the destination already has established credentials.

The rise in first-time business is also contributing to a busier year-round calendar, with early summer dates now attracting particularly strong demand. Periods once viewed as more flexible are increasingly being booked by organisers seeking a capital city destination that combines accessibility, walkability, and value without compromising on profile or delegate experience.

“Rogers Centre Ottawa is seeing real momentum from conferences that may never have considered Ottawa before, alongside organisers who arrive for one event and leave seeing the city as the right fit for another,” said Carly Grace, Vice-President of Sales at Rogers Centre Ottawa. “When a sector sees that the venue, destination and local expertise all align, that success tends to build on itself. That is exactly what we are seeing now.”

Working in partnership with Ottawa Tourism, hotel partners, and stakeholders across the city, Rogers Centre Ottawa continues to convert growing interest into long-term relationships that support both the venue and the wider visitor economy.

As more organisers look beyond traditional gateway cities in search of availability, value, and a more connected delegate experience, Rogers Centre Ottawa appears increasingly well positioned to capitalise on that shift — combining flexibility, collaboration, and destination appeal to help emerging sectors grow.
 

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

The opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, in February 2026 marks a turning point in the way international business events are hosted in Aotearoa New Zealand. After more than a decade in development, this venue brings together scale, cultural identity and urban integration on a single site, enabling the country to host larger and more complex congresses while incorporating New Zealand’s unique identity into the design of events and delegate experience. HQ was on site for the opening, reporting from within the NZICC as it began operations.

Government and industry leaders used the opening to frame NZICC within New Zealand’s economic strategy for business events, with demand secured and public investment tied to long-term returns. “Tourism is Aotearoa New Zealand’s second largest export industry, and business events are a key part of that growth. Multi-day conferences contributed $925 million (approx. €510 million) in economic productivity in 2025, and with 120 events already confirmed, the NZICC is expected to bring 33,000 additional international visitors,” said Louise Upston, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality at the opening celebration. The figures place NZICC within a segment defined by high-yield delegates and multi-day stays, with a projected annual impact of around NZD 90 million (approx. €50 million) in new visitor spend.

 

That approach is reinforced in how the venue presents itself to clients. “NZICC is distinctly Aotearoa, with a design that reflects the land and its people, expressed through its art, locally sourced food, and the diversity of the team operating the venue,” said Jason Walbridge, Chief Executive Officer of SkyCity Entertainment Group, the owner and operator of NZICC in partnership with the New Zealand government. The statement frames the venue as a space where design, operations and service express a clear sense of place.

 

 

The opening celebration offered an early indication of how this positioning translates into practice. Guests entered through Ariki Hall, passing beneath Helios, a six-metre sun installation by British artist Luke Jerram, establishing the venue’s scale and visual identity from the outset. The programme moved across the building, featuring formal speeches, a kapa haka performance (a traditional Māori art form combining group song, chant and movement), a choral performance by the Auckland Youth Choir, and a live set by Six60, delivering the venue’s first concert. The range of formats demonstrated NZICC’s ability to support live entertainment, cultural programming and formal content within a single event space.

 

  

The following day, during an exclusive site inspection, Prue Daly, General Manager of NZICC, highlighted the venue’s cultural identity. “I do not want people to walk in and feel they could be in any convention centre in the world. I want them to feel they are in New Zealand,” she said.

 

The venue works in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, whose involvement extends beyond the opening ceremony. They sit on the advisory group and have shaped how the building is presented to clients, including gifting the name Te Tumu, meaning ‘the foundation’. For organisers, this provides structured support when incorporating Māori elements into programmes, from language and protocol to storytelling and welcome.

 

Daly described this as a practical need. Many organisers want to include cultural elements but lack clarity on how to do so appropriately. NZICC positions itself as an intermediary, guiding these decisions while maintaining alignment with local expectations. Cultural integration becomes part of event delivery, not an optional addition.

 

This could be applied to events of any size. However, Daly framed the venue in terms of usability and flexibility and not just scale. “Ariki Hall can accommodate around 400 exhibition booths or seat more than 3,000 people for dinner, but it can also be divided into smaller, more usable spaces. That allows us to host multiple events at once while maintaining flow through front-of-house and back-of-house areas,” she said.

 

Ariki Hall spans 6,708 square metres and can support large exhibitions or plenary sessions, while the 33 meeting and breakout rooms enable different event formats to run concurrently.

 

Flexibility and New Zealand’s identity are also reflected in the venue’s food philosophy. The venue recruited Executive Chef Rob Cullen from a restaurant background to raise the baseline for large-scale catering. “We did not want someone who would simply take conventional conference food and try to elevate it. We wanted a chef with more of a restaurant background, and then we would work out how to deliver that quality at scale,” Daly said. The result is an approach where local produce and New Zealand wine are integrated into the standard offer.

 

Food waste and sustainability are addressed through operational decisions. NZICC has achieved Qualmark Gold certification and is working towards additional benchmarks, including EarthCheck and Green Star. Daly identified procurement and daily practices as the main drivers, from eliminating single-use plastics to selecting compostable materials and working with local suppliers that support employment within their communities.

 

From its opening phase, NZICC engaged directly with the international meetings ecosystem. The venue hosted the AIPC Emerging Leaders Academy, the first time the event has been held in New Zealand, within its first week of operations, and welcomed IAPCO EDGE Auckland, focused on education and leadership. It also brought together Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) and will host MEETINGS 2026 in June, the country’s flagship trade show for business events. These events position NZICC within the global network of convention centres and association planners at an early stage, allowing the venue to be assessed by industry peers while building demand. Daly emphasised the value of peer feedback. “There is real benefit in having peers come through the venue and give feedback at an early stage. If you want to be the best, you have to be open to that,” she said. “People return to the places where they have had the best experience. That is the standard we are setting for ourselves.”

 

NZICC enables multi-stream conferences, exhibitions and performances within a single integrated venue, supported by a walkable central city environment. It defines a hosting model linking event delivery with economic impact, cultural identity and long-term sector development. The venue also strengthens the national convention network, enabling larger congresses in Auckland while connecting to programmes and experiences across other regions. This encourages longer stays and broader engagement with Aotearoa New Zealand.

Read HQ’s Auckland coverage to see how the city connects business events with culture, community and destination strategy.

HQ team with BCEC, BEDA and Professor Trent Munro in Brisbane

For most organisations, an anniversary is an opportunity to look back. At the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC), the 30-year mark is used to examine how the role of convention centres is evolving, and how venues align more closely with the sectors behind their events.

To explore more about Brisbane and Australia’s meetings landscape, read HQ’s Australia Destination Report, our feature on how Brisbane integrates research, infrastructure and events across the city, and our wider coverage of Brisbane’s evolving event pipeline and long-term development strategy.

 

For more info, explore bcec.com.au
 

The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) has released its third annual Impact Report, marking a significant milestone as the first edition to combine environmental, societal and economic performance into a single, fully integrated assessment.

The report reflects the venue’s long-standing commitment to responsible business and positions EICC at the forefront of a broader industry shift — one that recognises events not only as economic drivers, but as platforms for positive environmental and social change.

Strong Economic Contribution and Measurable Environmental Progress

In 2025, EICC hosted 175 events, generating 173,000 delegate days and contributing £76 million to the local economy. Since opening in 1995, the venue has delivered more than £1 billion in economic impact to Edinburgh through jobs, investment and wider commercial opportunities linked to its events programme.

Alongside this growth, the report highlights significant progress in emissions reduction. Total emissions for 2025 stood at 996.5 tonnes of CO₂e — an average of 5.7 tonnes per event. This compares favourably with the current industry average of 7.61 tonnes per event, meaning EICC events generate around 25% fewer emissions than the benchmark identified by isla’s Temperature Check.

This performance contributes to a 62.8% reduction in emissions since 2013, achieved through sustained investment in energy efficiency, waste management, procurement and catering practices — all while the venue has effectively doubled its annual event volume.

Embedding Impact Across Communities and Knowledge Networks

Beyond environmental performance, the report outlines a series of initiatives designed to extend the value of events into the wider community.

Launched in March 2025, the EICC Impact Network enables organisers to connect their events with local stakeholders, including schools, universities, charities and businesses. Aligned with the five pillars of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the network already includes more than 30 collaborators, with further expansion planned for 2026.

The Exchange Initiative, EICC’s academic advisory group, strengthens links between the city’s research community and the business events sector. By facilitating knowledge exchange, it allows conferences to contribute more directly to innovation and opportunity across Edinburgh. In October 2025, the first three Fellowship recipients attended the SIU Congress with fully funded participation, with a further 80 fellowships currently in development.

In parallel, EICC has also advanced inclusivity within event design. In February 2025, the venue partnered with Welcome Brain and ABPCO to launch the Neurodiversity in Events checklist — a practical tool to help planners embed inclusive practices from the outset. The framework was successfully trialled by NatWest during its Internal Audit Academy event in May 2025.

Driving Public Engagement and Reducing Waste

The venue continues to leverage its platform to engage broader audiences through its EICC Live programme, delivering six free-to-attend events in 2025. These sessions addressed key societal topics, from the circular economy and technology access to future-focused innovation, ensuring accessibility while fostering public dialogue.

Operationally, the report highlights strong progress in waste reduction. Food waste decreased by 33% compared with 2024, supported by enhanced separation and measurement systems that enable more effective purchasing, portion control and menu design. Food preparation waste also declined by 7.5%, driven by a root-to-tip approach in the kitchen, alongside carbon-labelled menus and a focus on locally sourced ingredients.

Leadership Perspective

Amanda Wrathall, Chief Executive Officer of the EICC, said: “At EICC, sustainability has shaped how we operate since opening in 1995 and continues to guide our approach today. What began as a focus on reducing our direct environmental impact has evolved into a broader commitment to supporting communities while protecting the natural world.

“This report reflects the progress we have made and the work still ahead. As Edinburgh’s largest purpose built conference centre, we recognise our responsibility to lead by example. As a city owned venue we remain committed to measuring, managing and reducing event-related emissions, while working in partnership with organisers and stakeholders to create meaningful, lasting value through every event we host.”

EICC’s latest Impact Report can be accessed here
 

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

Cairns Convention Centre

Scientific meetings in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef take place alongside active research and fieldwork, while event outcomes are defined well before programme design begins. Marine science and tropical diseases are studied and treated through regional healthcare networks, and rainforest environments are managed through conservation programmes and biodiversity research. At the same time, environmental factors, procurement pathways and local partnerships are established by Cairns Convention Centre (Centre), shaping delivery from the outset. Destination strategy and venue operations are closely aligned with the region’s science, health and environmental systems.

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef: Scientific Meetings in Real-World Environments

Moving the congress’ location shifted its scientific centre of gravity. Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef are recognised for infectious disease research and environmental microbiology, placing delegates in a region where these fields are actively studied and applied. Early-career researchers delivered 41% of presentations, strengthening participation in global scientific exchange while expanding the next generation of researchers in the field.

Cairns Convention Centre Structures Event Impact at Venue Level

Environmental performance at the Centre is managed through procurement and operations. Catering draws from regional producers, with supply chains linked to local agriculture and fisheries standards. The building’s façade is calibrated to solar exposure, reducing heat gain and energy demand before events begin. Waste is processed on site, with kitchen outputs converted into compost. Water use is reduced through capture and reuse systems supporting irrigation, while energy consumption is regulated through integrated controls for lighting, cooling and ventilation. These decisions are embedded in daily operations and apply consistently across events.

 

Recognition at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, where the Centre received Silver for Business Events Venue, reflects this operating model. The assessment covers venue capability, business innovations, delivery performance and sustainability integration, positioning the Centre within a competitive national framework rather than as a standalone facility, features that define the operating conditions under which events are delivered.

 

The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Annual Scientific Meeting (ANZCA ASM) placed a major medical congress in a regional setting for only the third time. More than 1,900 delegates and over 260 contributors delivered a programme shaped in part by local clinicians and Cairns Hospital. The event extended access to medical research and training beyond metropolitan centres, while positioning regional healthcare systems within national and international exchange.

 

  

 

Environmental performance followed the Centre’s operational model, including the removal of single-use serviceware, eliminating more than 21,000 items. Waste audits tracked materials across all phases, reducing output to 0.84 kilograms per delegate per day. Surplus catering was redirected to a local organisation, linking event delivery with community use.

 

The CAPA Airline Leader Summit convened 360 aviation executives from 26 airlines in Cairns, shifting a global industry forum beyond its usual capital city context. Cairns Airport led a year-long engagement with airline stakeholders, using the Summit to examine route viability, aircraft range and regional connectivity in situ. Discussions were grounded in operating conditions, linking the region directly to network planning across Asia-Pacific markets.

 

Environmental initiatives, including the Reforest programme, restored 540 square metres of rainforest and removed 23.4 tonnes of carbon, connecting the event to local ecological systems without defining its primary impact.

 

Sustainability at the Centre extends beyond environmental performance to governance frameworks that shape long-term social and economic impact. The Centre’s new Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026–2028, the second phase in the reconciliation process, introduces a governance layer at organisational level. Developed in consultation with Gimuy Walubarra Yidinji Elder Professor Henrietta Marrie and endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the framework defines 17 actions and 82 deliverables across employment, procurement and operational practice, supported by oversight structures that track implementation.

 

First Nations businesses enter supply chains through targeted procurement. Employment pathways and cultural training inform workforce development. Programme design draws on co-developed content, including First Nations-led food concepts and storytelling within delegate programmes.

 

Likewise, Tropical North Queensland also shows a strong commitment to First Nations engagement through a structured framework that includes a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, the Deeper into Dreaming handbook, and a dedicated Indigenous Experiences Cluster Group supported by a Steering Committee. Together, these initiatives guide the development of a region-wide First Nations Tourism Action Plan, shaped through extensive consultation with over 300 stakeholders and Indigenous voices to ensure cultural integrity and sustainable tourism practices.

 

The forward calendar includes meetings in marine science, soil ecology and bioelectromagnetics, each aligned with research activity taking place in the region. Selection is driven by disciplinary relevance and access to field conditions, reinforcing Cairns as a location where subject matter and setting are closely aligned. Within this context, the role of venue infrastructure becomes critical in translating research proximity into measurable outcomes for associations.

 

Explore more on cairnsconvention.com.au

  

 

Performance also strengthened significantly in odd-numbered years, with revenue rising 22% compared with 2023 — a directly comparable year due to the calendar cycle of its biennial trade fairs. Net profit increased by 165.8%, while EBITDA climbed 56.8% to €42.8 million.

The strong results were driven by the performance of IFEMA MADRID’s flagship events, particularly FITUR and FRUIT ATTRACTION, within an exceptionally active 2025 calendar that included more than 700 events.

Madrid, 27 April 2026. IFEMA MADRID has announced its 2025 financial results following approval by its Governing Board, reporting revenues of €216.8 million and a net profit of €18.7 million. The figures confirm a strong upward trajectory for the organisation, with revenues increasing 22% compared with the previous odd-numbered year (2023), net profit surging by 165.8%, and EBITDA reaching €42.8 million — up 56.8%.

Growth was largely fuelled by the continued expansion of IFEMA MADRID’s flagship trade fairs and a sharp increase in exhibition space sales. In 2025, net exhibition space grew by 28% compared with 2023, reaching 1,371,990 square metres. The year’s programme brought together 27,670 exhibiting companies, with international exhibitors accounting for more than 22% of the total. Overall, the 2025 calendar featured 75 trade fairs — 24 of them also offered in digital format — alongside 14 congresses, four international fairs held abroad, 46 large-scale leisure events and 566 conventions, among other activities.

In the words of the President of IFEMA MADRID’s Executive Committee, José Vicente de los Mozos, these figures “confirm the excellent progress of the business, strengthen Madrid’s position as a global reference for fairs, congresses and conventions, and support the organisation to tackle major projects such as F1”.

Trade Fair Business Growth

2025 consolidated IFEMA MADRID’s leadership in Spain’s trade fair market, where it now represents 24% of national activity — ahead of both domestic competitors and major private operators.

Among the year’s standout events was FITUR 2025, which welcomed 9,500 companies from 156 countries and recorded 255,000 visitors, marking a 10% increase on 2024. ARCOmadrid 2025 maintained its position as a leading contemporary art fair, bringing together 214 galleries from 36 countries and attracting 95,000 attendees.

FRUIT ATTRACTION 2025 further reinforced its international profile, hosting 2,485 exhibiting companies from 64 countries and more than 120,000 visitors — a 13% increase over the previous edition. Equally notable was the International Week of Electrification and Decarbonisation (SIED), which combined the GENERA and MATELEC fairs and welcomed 800 exhibitors and more than 57,000 visitors from 76 countries, representing growth of 46% over 2024.

MOTORTEC 2025, focused on the automotive aftermarket sector, featured 710 exhibitors and more than 65,500 visitors from 80 countries, up 47% compared with the 2022 edition.

One of the year’s most significant launches was PRIVEL, Spain’s first trade fair dedicated to the private-label and own-brand industry, organised in partnership with Alimarket. The inaugural edition attracted 4,873 professionals from 46 countries and featured 269 exhibiting companies.

According to IFEMA MADRID’s financial report, the organisation’s event portfolio remains evenly balanced between capital goods fairs, which account for 44% of activity, and consumer events at 45%, while services-related events represent 11%. Close to 90% of total revenue continues to come from the core trade fair and congress business.

Digital activity also continued to expand through LiveConnect, IFEMA MADRID’s proprietary platform designed to extend the reach of its events and facilitate year-round business opportunities. In 2025, the organisation staged 24 digital events, building a professional community of more than 370,657 users — a 27.4% increase compared with 2023.

Internationalisation

International operations also recorded significant growth in 2025. A major milestone was the second edition of FRUIT ATTRACTION SÃO PAULO, organised in partnership with Fiera Milano Brasil, which expanded exhibition space by 66% compared with its debut edition.

In May, ARCOlisboa held its eighth edition, further consolidating its place within the international contemporary art circuit. June saw the fourth edition of MOTORTEC CHILE, organised with GL-FISA Events, while the international calendar concluded in August in Colombia with ESS+ powered by SICUR, delivered in collaboration with local partners PAFYC and Corferias.

International participation at Madrid-hosted events remained highly diversified. Visitors from the European Union represented 48% of the total, followed by Central and South America with 20%. North America accounted for 9%, while Asia and the rest of Europe each represented 8%, and Africa 7%.

Supporting this international growth was the expansion of IFEMA MADRID’s global delegation network, which now spans 47 countries, up from 30 previously, alongside the opening of new offices across India, the Middle East, Scandinavia and Southeast Asia.

Congresses and Conventions

IFEMA MADRID further reinforced its position in the international meetings industry during 2025, hosting 14 congresses that attracted more than 63,000 professionals from around the world.

Among the most prominent events were the European Urology Congress, which returned to Madrid for the third time and gathered 10,000 participants, and the World Congress of Cardiology, which welcomed nearly 30,000 specialists globally. Other major gatherings included SAP SAPPHIRE, SAP’s flagship event with 7,000 attendees, and the Amazon Web Services Summit, which drew 9,000 delegates.

Sustainability

Sustainability remained a central pillar of IFEMA MADRID’s strategy in 2025, with investments totalling €49.6 million directed towards major projects including photovoltaic infrastructure, lighting modernisation, additional lorry parking capacity and upgrades to catering facilities.

As part of its environmental strategy, IFEMA MADRID carried out a comprehensive carbon footprint assessment covering direct emissions, indirect emissions from energy consumption, and other indirect sources such as transport, travel and outsourced services. The analysis covered nearly half of all events hosted during the year, including flagship fairs such as FITUR, FRUIT ATTRACTION and ARCOmadrid.

According to the study, IFEMA MADRID has achieved a 90% reduction in carbon emissions over the past nine years.

Additional sustainability measures included recycling 88.76% of total waste, supplying 100% certified green electricity across all facilities and introducing fully recyclable carpets at trade fairs.

These initiatives build on substantial long-term reductions in resource consumption, including paper usage (-85.13%), carpeting (-54.88%), electricity (-38.13%), natural gas (-42.55%), water (-40.65%) and overall waste generation (-58.89%).

In parallel, IFEMA MADRID strengthened its information security standards in 2025 through the implementation and certification of ISO 27001 and Spain’s National Security Scheme (ENS).
 

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

Darwin Convention Centre (DCC) is located on the land of the Larrakia people, the Traditional Custodians of the Darwin region in Australia’s Northern Territory. The tropical city, known for its First Nations cultures, natural beauty and warm hospitality, provides a world-class destination to develop meaningful connections. The Centre hosts business events working closely through established cultural partnerships, which is reflected across its programme design, supplier networks and delegate experiences.

More information on www.darwinconvention.com.au

    

Hosting more than 1,000 MICE-related events each year, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center has established itself as a premier, year-round destination for exhibitions and entertainment while setting new standards in eco-conscious event management across Asia.

Aligned with the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System, IMPACT is redefining operational practices through a locally driven “farm-to-function” supply chain and a robust circular economy approach, positioning itself at the forefront of environmental stewardship in the region.

“At IMPACT, we champion environmental stewardship across our operations, and our sustainability strategy focuses on three core pillars: Local Sourcing, Waste Circularity, and Community Empowerment,” said CEO of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd Paul Kanjanapas (on the right).
 

Pillar 1: The 'Farm-to-Function' Supply Chain

Moving beyond traditional venue models, IMPACT has taken direct control of its supply chain through Anant FARM and IMPACT FARM, operated by its parent company, Bangkok Land Public Company Limited. Acting as a fair-trade buyer, the organisation carefully selects high-quality, seasonal produce and seafood, while providing local farmers with direct access to market opportunities.

In partnership with the Nonthaburi Chamber of Commerce, IMPACT prioritises locally sourced ingredients, significantly reducing food miles and associated carbon emissions. Complementing this approach, the venue now offers premium plant-based menus using seasonal, organic produce, all while maintaining strict ISO 22000 food safety standards.
 

Pillar 2: Zero-Waste Management

Addressing one of the MICE industry’s most pressing challenges, IMPACT has implemented a comprehensive and actionable zero-waste system:

• Surplus Redistribution: Edible surplus food is donated to local non-profits, supporting food security within surrounding communities.
• Waste-to-Resource: Inedible waste, including organic scraps and peels, is transformed into high-quality organic fertiliser used to maintain green spaces and on-site farms within Muang Thong Thani.

• Plastic Elimination: The venue has transitioned to 100% compostable disposables, including biodegradable bags and utensils, sourced from environmentally responsible partners.
   

Pillar 3: Community Empowerment

IMPACT’s sustainability strategy extends beyond environmental action to social impact. Through capacity-building workshops, support for local SMEs and vendors, and the creation of flexible employment opportunities, the centre actively contributes to the long-term resilience of its surrounding communities.
 

CEO’s Vision: Discipline Meets Sustainability

“Sustainability at IMPACT is not just a policy; it is operational discipline. Through careful planning and responsible procurement, we can operate in harmony with the environment. We empower organizers and event planners to host their events sustainably. Eco-friendly events are not just possible, but preferable,” concluded Paul.

As the largest venue in Thailand and Southeast Asia, IMPACT offers more than 140,000 square metres of indoor event space across five multi-purpose buildings: IMPACT Arena, IMPACT Exhibition Centre, IMPACT Forum, IMPACT Challenger and The Portal Lifestyle Complex. The venue also features 55 meeting rooms, three ballrooms, two banquet halls and extensive outdoor spaces exceeding 170,000 square metres.

Supporting this infrastructure is a comprehensive hospitality offering, including two on-site hotels (Novotel Bangkok IMPACT and ibis Bangkok IMPACT), 13 restaurants, 30 food and beverage outlets, and parking facilities for over 15,000 vehicles, ensuring seamless delivery for events of every scale.
 

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

The Barbican has reinforced its status as one of the UK’s leading meetings and events venues, securing MIA Gold accreditation for the fifth time.

Awarded by the Meetings Industry Association, MIA Gold represents the highest level within its accreditation framework, recognising excellence in operations, service delivery, compliance and overall event experience.

Following a new independent assessment, the Barbican once again achieved Gold status with an outstanding overall score of 146 out of 150 (97%), alongside a venue facilities score of 90 out of 100. Assessors highlighted the venue’s strong internal communication, robust training culture, and clear reporting processes, as well as its continued investment in maintenance, upgrades and long-term sustainability—describing its performance as “outstanding”.

Lee Dobson, Head of Event Management at the Barbican, said: “Securing MIA Gold for the fifth time is a fantastic achievement for the Barbican and a real credit to the teams who work so hard to deliver exceptional experiences for our clients and delegates every day. It reflects the consistency, professionalism and care that goes into every stage of the customer journey, from initial enquiry through to event delivery.”

“This reaccreditation is particularly meaningful as we continue to invest in our people, spaces and processes for the future. It gives clients added confidence that when they choose the Barbican, they are choosing a venue with proven standards, strong values and a genuine commitment to quality.”

The MIA accreditation process involves a comprehensive review by independent assessors, covering areas such as legal compliance, accessibility, service delivery, ethical practice and quality management. Gold status is reserved for venues that demonstrate excellence across all aspects of the business and client journey.

The latest assessment also underlined the strength of the Barbican’s event spaces, the expertise of its team, and its ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. Assessors noted a strong internal culture, high staff engagement and a clear ambition to keep raising standards.

Shonali Devereaux, Chief Executive of the MIA, said: “We’re delighted that the Barbican has new secured MIA Gold accreditation for the fifth time. The iconic status is one of the sectors highest accolades and goes a long way in demonstrating excellence to prospects, clients and employees. This achievement is no mean feat, and we offer our sincere congratulations to the Barbican for such a remarkable achievement over many years.”

For organisers seeking a central London venue combining operational excellence, high-quality facilities and an experienced team, the Barbican’s fifth MIA Gold accreditation offers a strong endorsement of its consistency and performance.
 

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

Estrel Tower © Estrel Berlin

As a new tower rises above Berlin and new large-scale facilities take shape, Estrel Berlin is at the forefront of a new, fully integrated and multifunctional model for global business events. In the following paragraphs, we spoke to the Estrel’s COO about how scale, architecture and experience come together in a single ecosystem

For decades, large-scale international events have been shaped by fragmentation. Accommodation, conference spaces, production facilities and networking environments were often spread across multiple venues, adding layers of logistical complexity and diluting the overall participant experience.

Increasingly, however, organisers are seeking a different model – one that reduces friction, integrates functions and allows events to unfold as cohesive, immersive experiences. It is precisely this shift that Estrel Berlin is now addressing. Through a combination of new infrastructure, brand repositioning and technological integration, the venue is evolving into one of Europe’s most comprehensive event campuses, and, arguably, a blueprint for the future of the MICE industry.
 

Estrel Tower: Infrastructure as Statement

At the centre of this transformation stands the Estrel Tower. Rising to 176 metres, it is not only a major addition to Berlin’s skyline but a deliberate architectural statement about scale, ambition and visibility. The tower was designed by the Berlin-based architecture firm Barkow Leibinger, founded by the architects Frank Barkow and Regine Leibinger, whose work has been widely recognised internationally for its integration of design, function and urban context. As Leibinger explains, “the Estrel Tower sends a signal from almost everywhere in the city and also to guests arriving at Berlin Brandenburg Airport: this is Neukölln, this is Sonnenallee, this is Germany's largest hotel and Berlin's tallest skyscraper with equally high architectural standards.”

Beyond its visual impact, the tower introduces a fundamentally new layer of functionality. Designed as a mixed-use environment, it brings together hotel rooms and suites, meeting and conference spaces, co-working areas and public-facing amenities within a single structure. The result is not simply additional capacity, but a more flexible and permeable environment where different uses intersect. This flexibility is central to how events can be conceived. As Heike Mahmoud (pictured on the right side), Chief Operating Officer of Estrel Berlin, notes: “With the addition of the Estrel Tower and future event spaces, organisers can host significantly larger and more complex formats without the logistical fragmentation typically associated with multi-venue events. This enables highly efficient planning, reduced transport needs, and a more cohesive participant experience, particularly for global congresses.” In this sense, the tower is not just an expansion; it is a structural response to one of the industry’s most persistent challenges.
 

From Architecture to Identity: “Everything in one place”

The physical evolution of the Estrel complex is matched by a parallel shift in its brand architecture. Rather than operating as a collection of individual assets, the venue is now structured around five clearly defined pillars: hotel, convention centre, tower, shows and art. This reorganisation reflects a broader ambition to move beyond the traditional definition of a venue and towards a more holistic, experience-driven proposition. The guiding principle is encapsulated in a simple but powerful idea: “Everything in one place.” What is particularly striking is how closely this brand logic aligns with the architectural concept itself. As Barkow describes it, the tower and its surrounding structures are conceived as “an interplay of individual elements” forming part of a larger ensemble.

This convergence between design and identity is not incidental. It reinforces a model in which different functions – accommodation, meetings, production, culture – are not only co-located, but intentionally interconnected. The result is a more coherent environment for both organisers and participants, where transitions between different moments of an event feel seamless rather than segmented.
 

(Left: Frank Barkow; right: Regine Leibinger © Estrel Berlin / Corinne Rose and Elke Selzle)

Multipurpose Hall: Unlocking True Large-scale Integration

If the Estrel Tower introduces flexibility and vertical integration, the planned multipurpose hall takes scale to another level. With a capacity of up to 10,000 people, the new venue will enable the Estrel complex to host significantly larger formats within a single, unified environment. Once completed, the entire campus is expected to accommodate up to 25,000 participants across more than 50,000 square metres of event space. This expansion directly addresses the growing demand for large-scale, fully integrated events, particularly in the association sector, where congresses increasingly combine plenary sessions, exhibitions, networking and broadcast elements.

As Mahmoud highlights: “The scale also supports innovative hybrid formats, where live, digital, and broadcast elements can be fully integrated on-site with state-of-the-art infrastructure. At Estrel Berlin, this creates a unique environment where all elements of an event – from accommodation to production – are seamlessly connected. Ultimately, organisers can think more holistically and deliver immersive, scalable event experiences.” Here, scale is not just about capacity. It becomes an enabler of new formats, especially hybrid and production-heavy events that require both physical space and technical integration.

Technology and Sustainability: From Features to Decision Criteria

Alongside expansion and integration, the Estrel project reflects a broader shift in how venues are evaluated at an international level. Integrated technology, flexible architecture and measurable sustainability are no longer secondary considerations. They are increasingly decisive factors in the selection process for global associations and corporate organisers. The Estrel Tower, for example, is being developed with a highly interconnected technological infrastructure, including centralised media control systems and fully networked event spaces. These systems enable seamless transitions between formats and support complex hybrid and broadcast-ready productions.

At the same time, sustainability is embedded at a structural level. The tower is aiming for LEED Platinum certification, while the future multipurpose hall will incorporate photovoltaic systems and green roofing solutions. “Integrated technology, flexible architecture, and measurable sustainability are rapidly becoming decisive factors in how international associations and corporations select venues and destinations. At projects like the Estrel Tower, these elements enable more efficient operations, adaptable event formats, and transparent ESG performance, which are increasingly expected by global organisers. Certifications such as LEED Platinum provide credible proof of sustainability, influencing decision-making at the highest level,” Mahmoud explains. In this context, sustainability and technology are not simply added value; they are part of the core infrastructure required to compete globally.
 

Estrel Congress Center Berlin © Estrel Berlin
 

A Campus Model for the Future

Taken together, the Estrel Hotel, Convention Centre, Tower and future multipurpose hall form something closer to a self-contained urban system than a traditional venue. As Barkow notes, the complexity of the project lies precisely in creating “a complex building, which functions almost like a small city.” This idea of a “city within a city” captures the essence of the Estrel’s transformation. It is no longer just a place where events happen, but an environment designed to host every dimension of an event, from arrival and accommodation to content delivery, networking and production.

This positioning will be brought to the international stage at IMEX Frankfurt 2026, where the fully integrated vision of the Estrel complex will be presented to global organisers at a pivotal moment in its development. At IMEX 2026, we will highlight how the fully integrated ecosystem of Estrel Berlin, the Estrel Tower and the new event hall enables a new generation of large-scale, seamless event experiences. The focus will be on the combination of expanded event spaces, fully connected infrastructure, and the ability to host congresses, accommodation, networking, and production within one campus. We will also showcase flexible event formats and how our experienced teams ensure reliability and adaptability for complex, large-scale events and will demonstrate clear advantages for organisers. Altogether, this positions Berlin as home to one of Europe’s most comprehensive and future-ready event campuses,” Mahmoud continues.
 

Beyond Berlin: a New Competitive Paradigm

The transformation of Estrel Berlin reflects a broader evolution within the global MICE landscape. As expectations shift towards integration, scalability and sustainability, the competitive benchmark is no longer defined by individual venues alone. Instead, it is increasingly shaped by the ability to offer complete, interconnected environments. “Our goal is to consistently develop the Estrel world into a vibrant overall experience where visions can take shape, partnerships can be formed, and events of all sizes can be realised professionally, flexibly, and with a view to the future,” Mahmoud concludes.

In that sense, Estrel Berlin is not simply expanding. It is redefining the parameters of competition, moving from venue to platform, and from infrastructure to ecosystem. And in doing so, it raises a fundamental question for destinations across Europe: in a market that is rapidly consolidating around integrated models, how long can fragmentation remain viable?
 

Estrel Tower Sky Space © Estrel Berlin
 

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