This Tuesday, Porto and the North of Portugal took a major step towards 2025! At the Hilton Porto Gaia, we hosted the session "ICCA World Congress 2025: Opportunities for Porto and the North as a Global Destination", coinciding with the ICCA inspection visit to Porto that took place from December 2 to 5.

We had over 150 participants joining us for the session, reflecting the immense interest and excitement for the ICCA World Congress coming to Porto in 2025. The event featured:

• Opening remarks by Luís Pedro Martins, President of Visit Porto and North of Portugal
• Moderation by Mariana Sousa Pavão, International Promotion Coordinator at Visit Porto and North of Portugal
• A panel of outstanding experts, including ICCA representatives Alfonso Regalado (Global Events Director), Efi Koudeli (Regional Director Europe) and Gemmeke De Jongh (Education and Impact Director) and also Madalena Miranda (AIM Country Manager Portugal).

The discussions were inspiring, packed with valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of hosting an event of this scale. The ICCA Congress will undoubtedly be one of the most significant events for Porto and the North in 2025, bringing lasting benefits to the destination.

A special thank you to Hilton Porto Gaia, NEW Audiovisuais, and BTRUST. Events for their essential support and, of course, to all the participants who joined us for this session and the networking moment that followed. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with key partners and reflect on how we can collaborate to make this event a resounding success.

We encourage all our partners to actively engage and make the most of the opportunities ahead. Share your ideas, lend your expertise, and let’s work together to ensure the ICCA Congress is not just memorable but transformative!