What’s New This February?

Vancouver

Hastings Park Stadium and Entertainment District MOU

The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Whitecaps FC have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the creation of a new stadium and entertainment district at Hastings Park. This ambitious development promises to generate new jobs, invigorate the local economy, and deliver a dynamic new venue for both residents and visitors, while ensuring the Whitecaps’ continued home in Vancouver.

Melbourne

World Conference on Lung Cancer, 2029

Melbourne will host the 2029 World Conference on Lung Cancer, the world’s largest event focused on lung cancer research and care. More than 6,500 delegates from over 100 countries will gather at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, reinforcing the city’s leadership in cancer research, innovation, and global collaboration.

Meet Melbourne at AIME 2026, February 9–11

AIME 2026 returns to Melbourne this February, bringing together global business event decision-makers. Attendees can connect with the Melbourne Convention Bureau at Stand C55 B to discover the city’s wide range of venues, creative experiences, and incentive options.

Australian Debut: Data Center World and The AI Summit, September 2026

Melbourne will welcome the inaugural Australian edition of Data Center World and The AI Summit in September 2026. The event will draw over 1,000 delegates to MCEC and spotlight Melbourne’s growing influence in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence.

IADR 2027 Dental Research Congress

Melbourne will host the 2027 General Session of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), welcoming thousands of specialists to MCEC for the first time. The bid was secured with strong support from the Victorian Government and Club Melbourne Ambassadors.

Guadalajara

Art Weekend Guadalajara, 29 January – 1 February

Guadalajara hosts ART WKND GDL, a citywide celebration of contemporary art and design. The programme includes open galleries, public installations, and a video mapping projection on the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Serie del Caribe 2026, 1–7 February

Zapopan, Jalisco welcomes the top professional baseball teams from Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Panama for the Serie del Caribe at Estadio Panamericano.

Guadalajara at FITUR 2026

Guadalajara was on show at FITUR, where Mexico is the Country of Honor. The event provides a key platform to strengthen tourism and trade connections with global industry leaders.

Washington, DC

America’s 250th Anniversary in DC

At PCMA Convening Leaders, Destination DC highlighted 2026 as a milestone year to align meetings with the U.S. Semiquincentennial — a year-long celebration of history, culture, and storytelling.

DEI Business Fellowship Program

DDC continues to support 28 small, minority-owned tourism businesses through its DEI Fellowship initiative, offering complimentary membership and visibility.

6th Annual Sustainability Roundtable

Destination DC convened 50 member businesses and stakeholders for a morning of guided discussion on real-world sustainability practices in hospitality. Led by DDC leaders and an expert from Eaton DC, the session explored challenges and communication strategies tied to the Sustainability District and encouraged investment in people, purpose, and place.

AVMA & WVA Congress

The combined American Veterinary Medical Association Convention and the 40th World Veterinary Association Congress welcomed over 7,800 delegates to DC, generating $11.5 million in direct economic impact and earned AVMA’s highest satisfaction and Net Promoter Scores in two decades; credit to both the destination and the strength of the program.

Dublin

Dublin Nights Mapped

Dublin City Council has launched an interactive Google Map highlighting nearly 100 evening and night-time spots across the city, from late-night cafés to free cultural spaces. Dublin Nights Mapped brings together the best of the capital’s after-dark experiences in one place.

Congress European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders 2026, 3–6 February

The EAHAD 2026 Congress will take place at the Convention Centre Dublin, welcoming approximately 2,500 delegates to advance care and collaboration for haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

Berlin

Estrel Berlin Achieves Leader Level Sustainability Certification

Estrel Berlin has reached Leader Level in the Sustainable Berlin program, recognising its outstanding performance in climate protection, resource efficiency, and social responsibility. As Europe’s largest hotel, congress, and entertainment complex, Estrel is advancing Berlin’s position as a top sustainable meetings destination.

Messe Berlin 2026 Programme Announced

Messe Berlin’s 2026 programme includes major trade shows and four milestone anniversaries, including 100 years of Grüne Woche and the Funkturm Berlin, 60 years of ITB, and 30 years of InnoTrans. The line-up features global events across agriculture, travel, technology, and healthcare, making Berlin a strategic hub for business events.

New Berlin Convention Website Launched

The Berlin Convention Office’s new website introduces a digital upgrade for event planners, with enhanced venue search tools, sustainability filters, and an AI-powered “Berlin Convention Finder” to streamline access to nearly 400 MICE providers.

Madrid

Recognition Night, 5 February

Madrid Convention Bureau will honour 19 new Ambassadors at its annual Recognition Night, acknowledging their contributions to high-impact conferences coming to the city in 2025. This year’s ceremony also recognises the SEMFYC 2025 Congress for outstanding sustainability efforts.

OPC Spain Congress, 19–21 February

MCB will support the OPC Spain Congress, a long-standing national gathering for Spanish PCOs, reinforcing collaboration within the local meetings industry.

UK Buyers Forum in Madrid

In partnership with Turespaña and Spain Convention Bureau, Madrid will host selected UK buyers for a late-February forum showcasing Spain’s MICE sector and destination strengths.

MCB Collaborating Entities Page Launch

MCB has launched a new subsection highlighting its network of Collaborating Entities — associations and foundations that support legacy initiatives — now featured within the Directory of Social Organisations on the MCB website.

CNIS 2026, 25–26 February

The 16th National Congress on Innovation and Public Services will bring 1,500 delegates to La Nave, one of Madrid’s most emblematic venues for entrepreneurship and public innovation.

Madrid Carnival, 14–18 February

Madrid celebrates Carnival with parades and cultural programming that culminates in the traditional “Burial of the Sardine” — a family-friendly send-off to the season.

Tokyo

Tokyo Unique Venues Showcase – KidZania Tokyo

A recent showcase at KidZania Tokyo highlighted the city’s creative venue options. Originally designed as a 2/3-scale immersive city for children, KidZania also offers an imaginative and hands-on environment for unique business events — part of Tokyo’s growing network of over 80 unconventional venues.

Meet the Tokyo Team at AIME, 9–11 February

Business Events Tokyo will exhibit at AIME in Melbourne at booth A2, alongside expert suppliers. The team will spotlight Tokyo’s dynamic event infrastructure and global appeal for international meetings and conventions.

Dubai

Dubai Secures 504 Successful Bids for Global Business Events in 2025

Dubai strengthened its position as a global hub for business events by securing 504 successful bids in 2025—a 15% increase compared to the previous year. The city hosted 481 Dubai Business Events-supported meetings and conferences, while total bid submissions reached 747. The results demonstrate Dubai’s expanding influence across association, corporate and incentive sectors, reinforcing momentum under the D33 economic agenda.

71 Events at DWTC in H1 2026 Drive Growth Across Business, Trade and Global Investment

The Dubai World Trade Centre announced a dynamic H1 2026 calendar comprising 71 major international exhibitions and conferences. Covering key sectors from healthcare and mobility to energy and culture, the line-up highlights Dubai’s stature as a meeting point for global business and investment leaders. The breadth of events reflects the city’s commitment to supporting diverse industries through knowledge exchange and collaboration.

DEWA Makes Significant Progress in Clean Energy Transition, Adding 1,000MW in 2025

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority achieved a major clean energy milestone by adding 1,000MW of renewable capacity in 2025 as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park’s sixth phase. This progress underscores Dubai’s accelerated energy transition, aligning with both the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. With continued expansion, Dubai is advancing toward its goal of generating all energy capacity from clean sources by mid-century.

Houston

Sustainability Gets a Spotlight Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Houston Host Committee has launched New Year, New Hou, a sustainability initiative aimed at local hospitality businesses in the lead-up to the tournament. Running through February 28, the program invites hotels and restaurants to adopt actions around waste, energy, and resource management. Participants earn sustainability badges – Yellow, Blue, or Green Leaf – and will be featured in a sustainable tourism guide for World Cup visitors.

2026 Set to Be Houston’s Biggest Year Yet

With global events and major infrastructure projects on the horizon, 2026 will be a milestone year for Houston. Seven FIFA World Cup matches are scheduled, alongside events like the World Baseball Classic, NCAA Sweet 16, and Fleet Week Houston. New openings include the reimagined Greenleigh hotel (formerly Hotel Derek), a JW Marriott expansion, and Eataly Houston, while the Emancipation Park Cultural Center and Main Street Promenade will enhance the city’s cultural and community landscape.

Positioning Houston as a Global Gateway

Houston First Corporation CEO Michael Heckman recently shared how travel, culture, and global events are strengthening Houston’s brand identity and expanding its appeal as a welcoming, world-class destination. The conversation touched on airport upgrades, the rise of luxury hospitality, and the city’s “World in a City” marketing campaign

Singapore

Robust Pipeline of Business Events Through 2026

Singapore’s position as a leading regional MICE destination is further cemented by a strong pipeline of international events already confirmed for 2026. Organisers are booking two to three years ahead, citing the city’s exclusive venues, innovative event design, and strategic connectivity as key differentiators. Business events continue to play a critical role in driving tourism and economic growth across the city-state.

New Strategic MICE Agreement with China

In a move to deepen regional exhibition industry ties, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding. This first-of-its-kind MoU is designed to support platforms for Chinese enterprises across Asia Pacific, leveraging Singapore’s infrastructure and China’s vast market presence.

Airline Collaboration Enhances Connectivity with India

Singapore Airlines and Air India have formalised a commercial cooperation framework to expand connectivity between the two countries. The partnership will enhance schedules, strengthen corporate travel programs, and offer improved frequent flyer benefits, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a regional aviation hub.