The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has curated a programme for its 2026 congress that will bring delegates through different worlds and perspectives – from personal reflection and professional growth to cross-disciplinary collaboration, diverse communities, and future-focused thinking.
Sharing initial programme structure with TTGmice, Gemmeke De Jongh, senior manager education and impact, ICCA, said the programme “will once again be unique and distinctly different from previous editions”.
Three key themes of collaboration, competitiveness, and creativity will guide the formation of the the 65th ICCA Annual Congress programme, added De Jongh.
Also new to the congress in Panama City is the introduction of organisations and companies from outside the meetings and events industry to bring fresh knowledge, expertise, and perspectives to the ICCA community.
De Jongh cited the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers as one example.
“We will also invite a number of mayors to discuss how, on a city level, we can move the needle for business events and use the industry as a driver for investment, scientific advancement, and innovation in a destination,” she elaborated.
A dedicated CEO session will return to the 2026 congress, where ICCA and an educational institution will present a platform to answer the learning needs of C-level members.
Meanwhile, insights obtained from last year’s ICCA Annual Congress in Porto, Portugal will also be used to shape this year’s selection of speakers and event formats.
De Jongh added that the Sharing Hub concept will continue to evolve this year, “with intentional networking becoming a central pillar of the experience”. Congress attendees will be able to choose from a variety of practical and region-focused activities that are designed to facilitate meaningful networking and genuine connection among members.
“The goal is to create intersections between perspectives and encourage deeper peer-to-peer learning. We also want to intentionally connect similar stakeholder groups – for example, venues with venues – so that delegates can exchange experiences, benchmark ideas, and learn directly from one another,” she explained.
“We believe that true innovation and opportunity emerge at these intersections,” she remarked, expressing hopes that congress attendees will go home with “fresh inspiration, new ideas, practical tools, and insights that support both their professional development and their work within the industry”.
