Porto proudly hosted the 64th ICCA Congress, bringing together the global meetings industry for a milestone event defined by collaboration, innovation, and legacy. The congress and its legacy were also featured in a recent issue of HQ Magazine, reflecting its importance for both Porto and the wider meetings community.
Portugal continues to affirm its status as one of the world’s preferred destinations for conferences and conventions, ranking 9th globally and 7th in Europe according to the latest ICCA Business Analytics 2024 Country & City Rankings. Among the driving forces behind this success is Porto, the charismatic northern powerhouse that has become one of Europe’s most admired second-tier destinations for meetings and events. In November 2025, Porto proudly hosted the 64th ICCA Congress, welcoming over a thousand participants from across the globe.
A Congress Rooted in Collaboration and Legacy
Known as a cidade invicta (“the undefeated city”), Porto demonstrated its strength once again, this time in delivering an event that set a new benchmark for positive impact. Under the leadership of Visit Porto and North of Portugal CVB, the congress spanned nine venues across Greater Porto, offering a diverse programme infused with artistic curatorship, local engagement and forward-thinking design.
From the Alfândega Congress Centre to Super Bock Arena, Casa da Música, Palácio da Bolsa, and the World of Wine district, participants experienced a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation. The congress celebrated 30 years of Porto CVB, symbolising the city’s evolution into a destination that combines strong local identity with global ambition.
For Luís Pedro Martins, President of Visit Porto and North of Portugal CVB, hosting the ICCA Congress was both a culmination and a new beginning:
“Winning the ICCA Congress was a reflection of international confidence in our ability to deliver. More importantly, it was an opportunity to express Portuguese hospitality through caring for people, improving community wellbeing and empowering our destination for the future.”
Beyond the Event: Measuring Impact and Building a Legacy
True to Porto’s long-term vision, the congress went far beyond tourism and logistics. The destination implemented an Impact and Legacy Project in partnership with #Meet4Impact, measuring how delegates and activities contributed to the city’s social, cultural and environmental fabric. This initiative resulted in a Guide to Best Practices for Events, now serving as a reference for future congress organisers.
A Social Sustainability Protocol was also signed during the congress, focusing on employability and inclusion for people with fewer opportunities – a tangible legacy reinforcing Porto’s leadership in community-driven event management.
The EU CVB Network: Stronger Together
This year’s ICCA Congress was particularly special because it was hosted in Porto, one of the member cities of the EU CVB Network. Collaboration among partner destinations was clearly reflected throughout the event, and the Network’s presentation at Hilton Porto Gaia became one of its key highlights. The session attracted an impressive audience of more than 80 association representatives, offering valuable insights into cooperation among European destinations and their shared commitment to sustainability and legacy-driven events.
“Through this network, we work in partnership with cities with which we sometimes compete. However, this dynamic strengthens our commitment to green, digital and social transitions. We actively participate in collaborative bids, influence European policies and learn from the best practices of destinations that lead the sector,” concludes Martins.
A Model for the Future of Events
Porto’s success at the 64th ICCA Congress underscored the power of collaboration – locally, nationally and across Europe. With its 2024–2030 strategy anchored in innovation, inclusion and sustainable growth, the destination has proven that meaningful events can deliver value well beyond their closing sessions.
For the EU CVB Network, Porto’s achievement exemplifies what happens when shared values translate into shared progress, when destinations join forces to shape a more connected, responsible and resilient meetings industry.
Read more about the EU CVB Network’s participation at the ICCA Congress in Porto here.
