Panama has been selected to host the World Congress of the International Association of Congresses and Conventions (ICCA), which will be held from November 8 to 11, 2026. This event will represent a crucial opportunity to reaffirm Panama’s positioning as an ideal destination in the meeting industry and increase its competitiveness in this sector.
The ICCA World Congress is an annual event that brings together more than 1,000 members from five continents, 120 international associations, 1,400 buyers, government authorities, specialized press and tourism guilds. This congress is an educational and networking space that drives the transformation and growth of the meeting and convention industry.
“We are delighted to announce that our flagship event, the ICCA Congress, will return to Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026. We will head to Panama City, a place that shares ICCA’s vision of a dynamic and innovative meeting industry. Panama’s candidacy presented a unique understanding of the values of ICCA and the future of the business events sector,” said Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA.
The celebration of the ICCA Congress in Panama will be a catalyst for economic development and social impact both for the country and for the region and the world. “We especially want to thank our partners, PROMTUR Panama, for their leadership and commitment to our industry, and we hope to see you all in Panama City in 2026,” Gopinath concluded.
Fernando Fondevila, CEO of PROMTUR Panama, said: “Panama carries out an ambitious strategy to consolidate itself as an ideal destination for international meetings and congresses. Creating synergies with ICCA has been essential, which has allowed us to become its only partner in Latin America and host its next Regional Office at the Panama Association Hub.”
Eugenia Powell, Director of Business Development of PROMTUR Panama, said: “We thank ICCA for trusting Panama to host its most important congress. This is an incredible opportunity to strengthen our position as a meeting destination and highlight the transformative power of this industry in the socio-economics of our countries.”
With this designation, Panama is positioned as a key epicenter in the global meeting and convention industry, opening new opportunities for economic growth, social development, and innovation through tourism.