Colombia-MICE is part of the Pelecanus Travel Group. We are located in Bogota, Colombia. We are specialized in corporate travel and all services around Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.
Colombia recently saw an opportunity and laid its eyes on the MICE industry, thus developing infrastructure and competitiveness for that in different cities. Currently, the results are starting to come.
“23% of tourism’s economic contribution in Colombia comes from the Meetings Industry”. In addition, only in 2018, the business events hosted in the country generated almost 220,000 jobs and attracted 469,000 international attendees. (ProColombia)
Thanks to the 154 ICCA-type events held here in 2019, Colombia ranks in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)’s top 30 countries with the most international congresses.
Throughout the country, a wide range of exhibitions and trade shows are held dedicated to industries such as tourism, technology, agroindustry, health, beauty, fashion, automotive, literature and culture, among others. All of them attract thousands of travelers from inside and outside Colombia every year.
What are the best cities for exhibitions in Colombia, then? We will tell you right away.
Content
City for exhibitions in Colombia #1: Bogotá
Most business events of the country are held in Bogotá, the capital city, and Cundinamarca – the department where it is located. It is no surprise, of course. This region boasts the largest and most modern infrastructure for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions. And its offer for incentive travel is not left behind.
Also, most large companies – national and international, are based in the capital city. As a result, business opportunities are increased.
Main venue for exhibitions: Corferias
The main venue for exhibitions in Bogotá is actually a private organization whose largest shareholder is the Bogota Chamber of Commerce. The Bogota International Center for Business and Exhibitions –Corferias has been promoting industrial, cultural, and commercial development in the region in the last 66 years and today is one the most important fair organizers-venues in Latin America.
Corferias is a founding member of the Latin American Exhibitions Association (AFIDA), a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and the main Latin American partner of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI).
The fairground holds fairs, exhibitions, events, and conventions of all kinds – and it is even the most attended voting place in the city. The organization offers 3 venues in Bogota for business events:
Corferias: The main venue, a large area with 23 exhibition halls (mostly two-story) interconnected by pedestrian paths, an auditorium, food court and parking lot, and an adjacent Hilton hotel.
Ágora Bogotá: Next to Corferias is this recently-built international convention center of 65,000 m2 with multi-purpose spaces distributed on 5 floors and over 18 meeting rooms. Only the last floor has a capacity for 4,000 people.
Gran Carpa Américas: This is a multi-purpose space, a column-free covered area of 5,000 m2 and 17 meters high. It is located 10 minutes on foot from the fairground.
Venue for exhibitions #2: Bogota Chamber of Commerce
Bogota Chamber of Commerce also offers several spaces to hold meetings, exhibitions, and congresses all over the city. It is a private non-profit organization that seeks to build a sustainable Bogota region through supporting entrepreneurs and improving the business environment.
It has 8 offices in different sectors of the city with event spaces available for rent. The rooms and auditoriums vary in capacity, the auditorium in the Salitre office is the largest since it can host up to 1,000 people.
- Salitre
- Chapinero
- Cedritos
- Kennedy
- Restrepo
- Soacha
- Fusagasugá
- Zipaquirá
Among the most important exhibitions and events held in Bogota are:
- International tourism fair – ANATO
- International Book Fair – FILBO
- Comic–Con Colombia
- Expoartesanías
- World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates – 2017
- One Young World – 2017
- FIEXPO Latin America – 2022
Visit the Bogota page for more information on venues for exhibitions and business meetings.
City for exhibitions in Colombia #2: Medellín
Medellin is another important Colombian city in terms of business and infrastructure. The local chamber of commerce is working in the promotion of the city as a MICE destination while strengthening the synergy between industries and organizations.
The ‘city of eternal spring’ is recognized as a hub for innovation, technology, accessibility, and sustainable development. Plus, it has a complete ‘Bleisure’ offer: business and leisure.
Main venue for exhibitions: Plaza Mayor Medellín
Plaza Mayor is the International Convention and Exhibition Center of Medellin and is located in the Alpujarra sector. Its shareholders are public and private institutions that have the same goal since the 90s, which is to promote Medellin as a business tourism destination.
The venue has hosted national and international events including the OAS General Assembly and the IDB General Assembly.
The convention center has 9 exhibition halls that make up over 13,000 m2, 23 convention rooms, and wide squares for circulation and events too.
Among the most important exhibitions and events held in Medellin are:
- Colombiatex
- Colombiamoda – Colombia’s Fashion Week
- Comic–Con Colombia
- World Business Forum – 2017
- FIEXPO Latin America – 2021
Visit the Medellin page for more information on venues for exhibitions and business meetings.
City for exhibitions in Colombia #3: Cartagena
Cartagena attracts tons of travelers mainly because of its Caribbean magic reflected on the preserved colonial architecture and amazing beaches. Perhaps thanks to this magic, for some time now, the coastal city has also become a preferred destination for MICE activities.
It is just a few positions behind Bogota in the America ICCA ranking of number of meetings per city, ranking 12th.
Main venue for exhibitions: Centro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias
The Cartagena de Indias Convention Center is without a doubt the main place for business-related exhibitions and events of the city. Inaugurated in 1982, it has hosted many important national and international events due to its versatile infrastructure and strategic location – in the heart of the city. And it is worth saying that the historic center of Cartagena is declared a World Heritage Site.
This L-shaped building has many spaces that can be adapted according to the event. Of all, San Francisco plaza with 4000 m², El Gran Salón Barahona, and Claustro de las Animas, both with 1270 m² are the largest and most representative areas. Also, there is an auditorium for 1,462 people and 10 more rooms with different capacities.
Among the most important exhibitions and events held in Cartagena are:
- Gaming & Technology (GAT) Expo
- International Congress of ICT – ANDICOM
- UNWTO Tourism Tech Adventures – 2019
- FIEXPO Latin America – 2020
- ICCA World Congress – 2021
Visit the Cartagena page for more information on venues for exhibitions and business meetings.
These were some of the leading Colombian cities for exhibitions and congresses that you should consider for your MICE travel. But Colombia has a lot more to offer. Contact us for more information and customized support.
