Venezuela and More Countries Prepare to Attend ICCA Congress 2026 in Panama City

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Venezuela and more countries prepare to attend ICCA Congress 2026 in Panama City, as international organisations and tourism industry leaders gather for the global business events forum. Scheduled from 8 to 11 November, the congress will bring together association executives, convention organisers and destination representatives to strengthen international collaboration.

Switzerland, Spain and more countries join Panama’s ICCA Congress 2026 through leading international organisations contributing to the global meetings industry. Scheduled from 8 to 11 November in Panama City, the congress will bring together tourism authorities, association executives and business events professionals to explore collaboration, innovation and future opportunities.

ICCA Congress 2026 Brings International Meetings Industry to Panama

Panama City is preparing to host the 65th International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress from 8 to 11 November 2026, strengthening the country’s position within the global meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.

The four-day gathering at the Panama Convention Center is expected to welcome more than 1,000 business events professionals from over 80 countries, alongside representatives of more than 100 international associations.

Organised under the theme CrossWorlds, the congress will examine how international partnerships, emerging technologies and sustainable development can influence the future of business events.

Countries participating or represented

ICCA has confirmed an expected international audience from more than 80 countries. However, a complete country-by-country attendance or exhibitor list is not available in the accessible official announcements.

The following countries can be identified through named programme organisations, partners, hosts or publicly documented industry involvement.

Switzerland, Spain and Other Countries Contribute to the Programme

Switzerland and Spain are among the countries connected to the congress through participating international organisations.

The Switzerland-based World Economic Forum and United Nations Research Institute for Social Development will contribute expertise in strategic leadership and social sustainability. Spain-based UN Tourism will bring an international tourism development perspective.

Other programme collaborators include the United States-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Belgium-based AC Forum and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, headquartered in Venezuela.

These organisations are programme contributors rather than confirmed national exhibitors, reflecting the congress’s emphasis on professional knowledge exchange.

International Companies and Industry Organisations Strengthen Participation

The ICCA Congress will connect convention bureaux, professional congress organisers, hotels, destination management organisations and technology providers.

Among the named organisations involved are Visit Panama, the destination host, and Turkish Airlines, ICCA’s official airline partner.

The congress programme also identifies JW Marriott Panama as an accommodation partner for association delegates, while Meet in Angola, the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry and I amsterdam are connected with dedicated networking activities.

These partnerships illustrate the event’s international reach across aviation, hospitality, destination marketing and association management.

However, ICCA has not publicly established a complete country-by-country exhibitor roster for the event.

Panama Convention Center Provides a Major International Venue

The Panama Convention Center, situated along the Amador Causeway, will serve as the main venue.

The facility provides more than 33,500 square metres of flexible meeting space, including a 15,400-square-metre exhibition hall, a 4,000-square-metre ballroom and 16 modular meeting rooms.

Its location offers delegates access to Panama City’s hospitality infrastructure, waterfront attractions and the Panama Canal.

For Panama, the congress provides an opportunity to demonstrate its ability to accommodate international conventions while introducing visiting industry leaders to the country’s tourism products. ICCA Congress 2026

Innovation, Sustainability and Networking Shape the Agenda

The 2026 programme introduces a format described as Congresses within a Congress, combining specialist discussions, interactive workshops and networking opportunities.

Approximately 60% of the congress experience will focus on professional connections and peer exchange.

Discussions will address collaboration between destinations and associations, competitiveness in international event bidding, technological innovation and sustainable development.

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is among the announced keynote speakers, alongside contributors from the World Economic Forum.

The programme aims to help destinations and event organisers respond to changing expectations across the international meetings market.

Tourism and Hospitality Businesses Could Benefit

The arrival of international delegates could generate additional demand for hotels, restaurants, airport transfers and local tourism services during the congress.

Beyond immediate visitor spending, Panama’s tourism authorities will have opportunities to establish relationships with organisations responsible for selecting future conference destinations.

Such connections could support convention bids, international partnerships and longer-term business tourism development.

Panama’s strategic location between North and South America, combined with international air connectivity through Tocumen International Airport, remains an important advantage.

The congress will also allow international delegates to explore Panama’s cultural heritage, natural attractions and visitor experiences.

Switzerland, Spain and more countries join Panama’s ICCA Congress 2026 through international organisations supporting its programme. The gathering will highlight Panama City’s growing relevance to business tourism while encouraging partnerships across the global meetings industry. Its lasting value will depend on new collaborations, investment opportunities and future international events.