The ICCA Annual Congress 2025, held in the vibrant city of Porto, brought together over 1,000 global industry leaders for a powerful four-day exploration into the future of international meetings. Through a city-wide, multi-venue programme, delegates were challenged to reimagine what business events can and should become in an era defined by sustainability, innovation, and human-centred design.
The Congress opened with a powerful address by Professor Greg Clark, a globally recognized urbanist and future cities strategist. He invited delegates to look far ahead, all the way to 2080, and consider how global megatrends will redefine the way people meet, collaborate, and connect.
Future Vision
"The organizations and destinations that lead the transformation, not merely react to it, will remain the most relevant, resilient, and competitive in the decades ahead."
Four Key Megatrends Reshaping Business Events
Professor Clark highlighted how four major forces will fundamentally transform the meetings industry:
Climate Change Transformation
Climate change will fundamentally transform destinations and mobility patterns, requiring new approaches to sustainable event planning and carbon-neutral operations.
Demographic Transitions
Changing population dynamics and generational shifts will influence audience needs, expectations, and participation patterns across global markets.
Urban Design Evolution
Reimagined cities and urban spaces will shape the physical environments where meetings occur, with smart infrastructure and integrated community spaces.
Technological Disruption
AI, virtual reality, and digital platforms will push the industry toward smarter, hybrid, and more inclusive event formats that transcend physical boundaries.
A Transformative Congress Experience
This year's Congress moved beyond traditional conference structures, offering a transformative experience that encouraged attendees to look past short-term challenges and focus on long-term, meaningful change. The programme blended visionary thinking with practical application through:
Visionary Keynotes
Thought-provoking presentations from global futurists and industry innovators
Ministerial Panels
Policy-driven discussions with government leaders and industry stakeholders
Sustainability Workshops
Hands-on sessions on circular economy principles and green event practices
Leadership Dialogues
Executive-level conversations for associations and industry decision-makers
Seven Key Takeaways for Future-Proofing Your Business
The Porto Congress underscored a collective readiness within the business events community to embrace bold ideas, invest in sustainable practices, and rethink traditional models. Here are the essential insights for staying relevant:
Future-proof through long-term vision – Prepare for shifts in climate, demographics, urbanisation, and technology
Sustainability demands action, not just ambition – Embed sustainability as a competitive advantage
Business events are platforms for diplomacy and peace – Design conferences that foster constructive dialogue
Human connection endures technological disruption – Face-to-face meetings remain our greatest asset
Accessibility and inclusion are non-negotiable – Move beyond token gestures to human-centred design
Association leaders must navigate unprecedented uncertainty – Transform traditional models and turn disruption into opportunity
Legacy thinking transforms events into lasting impact – Engage local communities and drive positive social change
The Path Forward
From policy discussions to practical workshops, participants left with renewed clarity on the industry's role in shaping future societies and economies. The message was clear: the meetings industry is undergoing profound shifts, and preparing for the future requires both bold thinking and collective action. The organizations that embrace this transformation today will be the ones shaping the global meetings landscape of 2080.