Joint bid by Porto and North of Portugal Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tourism of Portugal wins ICCA's endorsement. Event scheduled for November 9-12 at Alfândega do Porto.
Porto has been chosen to host the 64th ICCA World Congress (International Congress and Convention Association) in 2025, an event that will bring together around 1,300 key players in the global meetings industry.
The award winning Alfândega do Porto Congress Center will be the venue for the event, which will take place from November 9 to 12. The success of this bid is due to the joint efforts of Porto and North of Portugal Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tourism of Portugal, in collaboration with the Porto City Council, the Alfândega do Porto Congress Center and the ICCA Iberian Chapter.
For Luís Pedro Martins, President of Porto and North of Portugal Tourism, this "is a strategic achievement that consolidates Porto and North as a reference destination for congresses, conferences, and meetings."
This segment has been recognized as a priority even before the pandemic, with local tourism officials making a very serious commitment to promoting the destination within this market. Securing this event is a culmination of these efforts, "which also opens new opportunities for other cities in the North, which are well-positioned to thrive in this market, emphasizes Luís Pedro Martins.
"We are building a future where excellence and sustainability go hand in hand, and we are confident that, together, we will continue to elevate our region to new heights of international recognition," he adds, noting that the congress "will welcome around 1,300 participants, all key players, including significant participation from leading international congress and conference organizers."
In a statement, Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, emphasised the quality and ambition of Porto's bid. "ICCA is thrilled to hold the world's leading event for the meetings and events industry in Porto, a world-class city that shares ICCA's vision for a dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking business events industry."
Currently, Porto ranks 23rd globally and 18th in Europe among cities hosting congresses, being the second most attractive non-capital European city for event tourism. With Portugal ranked ninth globally and Lisbon third, ICCA's choice highlights the country's attractiveness for this sector.
For Carlos Abade, President of Turism of Portugal, "our country is increasingly sought after to host major events and congresses and this evidence is living testimony to our commitment to quality and to strategies to encourage and attract events to Portugal. Events leave a positive legacy in the territories that host them and help boost their economic dynamism."
The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Porto and North of Portugal Convention & Visitors Bureau, founded in 1995 under the brand Porto Convention Bureau, to promote the destination in the MICE segment. This will mark the congress's return to Europe after editions in Thailand (2023) and Abu Dhabi (2024).
ICCA is the most prestigious association in the congress and convention sector, representing leading professionals involved in the organization, transportation, and venues of international events. It serves as a global platform for networking, education, professional development, and providing data and statistics on the sector.