With its strong economy, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and deep commitment to sustainability, Madrid offers event organisers a destination that blends innovation, accessibility, and environmental responsibility
Brought to you by Madrid Convention Bureau
Home to world-class museums, rich culinary scene and architectural marvels, the cosmopolitan city of Madrid has long been a popular tourist destination.
It has also been repeatedly recognised for its excellence in meetings and conferences, named the World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination for six consecutive years and ranked second in Europe in the 2025 AMEX Global Meetings & Events Forecast.
Today, it stands out not only as an accessible and vibrant city, but also as a city with the infrastructure and commitment to sustainability that many planners today expect.
Cosmopolitan and connected
Key to its accessibility are its 218 direct flight connections to destinations around the world, making it one of Europe’s most accessible capitals. Its highly developed public transport network, pleasant Mediterranean climate, and diverse range of hotels, venues, and attractions ensure that events run smoothly and are highly enjoyable.
With modern convention centres, reimagined heritage buildings, and abundant green urban spaces, Madrid provides versatile settings for meetings of every scale.
Thriving economy
The Spanish capital is also one of the top five economies in the region – it has the fifth-highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the European Union and is Europe’s second-largest hub for cross-border greenfield investment projects. This economic strength translates into a solid foundation for hosting international conferences, exhibitions, and business events.
The city hosts the headquarters of more than 200 multinational companies, including several Fortune 500 firms, and major institutions such as UN Tourism. Its start-up scene is equally thriving with more than 3,500 startups and a growing tech ecosystem in sectors like fintech, digital health, mobility, energy, cybersecurity, video games, and big data reflecting a dynamic, innovation-driven landscape.
This dynamic ecosystem not only drives innovation but also positions Madrid as a hot spot for MICE in these sectors.
Green metropolis for sustainable growth
While Madrid thrives as a business capital, it is equally committed to protecting the environment and enhancing urban life.
This vision is reflected in its 360 Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy, approved in 2019. The plan sets out comprehensive measures to help the city adapt to climate change, promote renewable energy and efficiency, manage water resources, reduce emissions and waste, and encourage sustainable transport. It also focuses on expanding green infrastructure and supporting low-carbon urban renewal, positioning Madrid as a model for responsible urban development.
The green streets of the city are evident of its commitment, as is its status as a Tree City of the World by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation.
More than 55 per cent of Madrid’s streets are tree-lined, with nearly 300,000 trees helping to improve the capital’s air quality, making Madrid home to the world’s second-leafiest streets. It is also home to more than 200 parks, gardens, and natural spaces covering almost 6,400 hectares, offering serene nature to enjoy.
Sustainable meeting tools
In keeping with the city’s commitment to environmental protection, the Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) developed the MICE Sustainability Guide, as a guide for companies in the industry to integrate environmental, economic and social sustainability elements in their processes, and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Spain’s Strategic Guide for sustainable tourism for 2030.
Another initiative is PLUS, a digital platform designed for event organisers to manage the social and environmental footprint of their events.
Users can generate sustainability reports for each meeting and see pre-event recommendations to minimise environmental and social impact. Post-event, the platform calculates the meeting’s carbon footprint and is able to classify emissions by scope from Scope 1 to 3 for greater precision and accountability.
PLUS also connects organisers with a catalogue of local social organisations in Madrid, enabling them to integrate positive-impact activities into their programmes.
Through such initiatives, the MCB continues to provide the resources and support needed to make it easy for planners to meet their goals. Organise your next meeting in Madrid now by visiting Madrid Convention Bureau or contacting info.mcb@esmadrid.com.
