What’s New This July

Cape Town

Cape Town and Western Cape Incentive Guide Launched

The Cape Town & Western Cape Convention Bureau has launched a new interactive Incentive Guide designed to simplify incentive travel planning across the region.

Organised around themes including luxury, culture and heritage, nature, adventure, and food and wine, the guide helps planners build tailored programmes aligned with client interests.

Planners can browse the full Cape Town and Western Cape Incentive Guide to explore the region’s offering in detail.

Cape Town Reclaims Top Startup Ecosystem Ranking in South Africa

Cape Town has regained its position as South Africa’s leading startup ecosystem in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 from StartupBlink, posting 39% year-on-year growth and climbing 24 places to 114th globally.

It now ranks as the third-highest startup ecosystem in Africa, signalling growing appeal for entrepreneurs, investors and technology companies looking at African and global markets.

Full details are available in Wesgro’s announcement on Cape Town’s startup ecosystem ranking.

UCT Retains Its Position as Africa’s Leading University

The University of Cape Town has held onto its place as the top-ranked university on the continent in the latest QS rankings.

For association planners, this matters: a strong academic base supports stronger bids, deeper local content and better access to subject matter experts for business events hosted in the city.

More context is available in UCT’s update on its QS ranking.

Bids Secured

Cape Town has confirmed a strong run of association wins across research, legal, technology and humanities sectors.

Upcoming events include the 2nd African Transport Research Conference in March 2027, the International Congress for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) in April 2030, the ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) in May 2028, and the International Conference of the Alliance of Digital Humanities Organizations (DHO) in July 2028.

Copenhagen

CopenPay Expands Year-Round and Goes Global

Following a successful pilot that rewarded visitors for sustainable actions, Copenhagen is turning CopenPay into a year-round initiative.

The programme encourages tourists to cycle, take part in clean-ups, and engage with local communities in exchange for small rewards, and it is now drawing interest from destinations looking to adopt a similar model.

Read more about how Copenhagen is taking CopenPay global.

CopenPay Enters the Meetings Space, June 2026

Three international organisations are now weaving CopenPay into their social programmes in Copenhagen, with dedicated plogging activities built in for delegates.

The first two events are the UNLEASH Europe Innovation Lab 2026 and the Annual Meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, both taking place in late June.

Delegates will combine a morning run or walk through the city with litter collection, and local partners will reward participants with coffee and a Danish pastry afterwards.

Copenhagen shines in the 2026 Michelin Guide Nordic Countries

Copenhagen has picked up 31 stars across 21 restaurants in the 2026 Michelin Guide, holding its place as the Nordic region’s culinary heavyweight.

The standout moment was Kadeau’s promotion to three stars, making it the only new three-star restaurant in the region this year.

Three first-time entrants also joined the list, pointing to a healthy pipeline of emerging talent behind the city’s established names.

The ceremony took place at Tivoli Gardens, and you can read the full breakdown in Wonderful Copenhagen’s announcement of the 2026 Michelin results.

Copenhageners Teach Visitors to Cycle Like Locals

Cycling in Copenhagen looks effortless, but there is an unwritten code behind the city’s bike culture.

Locals are now stepping in to share the etiquette and habits that keep the cycle lanes moving, giving visitors a practical way to navigate the city the way residents do.

See how Copenhageners are teaching tourists to cycle like locals.

Melbourne

Indian MICE Planner Famil Across Melbourne and Victoria

Melbourne Convention Bureau, in partnership with Singapore Airlines, hosted a group of Indian MICE planners on a familiarisation programme designed to show how the destination caters to one of its key growth markets.

The itinerary featured leading accommodation and venue partners including Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Crown Melbourne, Showtime Event Group, Pan Pacific Melbourne and The Langham, Melbourne, alongside city experiences spanning the laneways, a welcome at Melbourne Town Hall and visits to the MCG and Australian Sports Museum, where delegates had a chance encounter with cricket legend Adam Gilchrist.

The programme extended along the Great Ocean Road to Geelong and the Bellarine, including a visit to the newly opened Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, demonstrating how Melbourne builds culturally aligned, experience-led itineraries for the Indian market.

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Marks Global Exhibitions Day

MCB partner Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre marked Global Exhibitions Day with a look at how exhibitions come to life in the city and the impact they deliver for industries, attendees and the wider Melbourne economy.

You can see MCEC’s Global Exhibitions Day feature for the full story and video.

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Officially Opens, 21 June

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is officially open, adding significant new capacity for conferences, exhibitions and business events across regional Victoria.

The venue combines flexible event spaces, a 1,000-seat theatre and industry-leading AV technology with an adjoining 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel on a single site.

It is the first convention centre in Australia designed in partnership with Traditional Owners from inception, developed in collaboration with the Wadawurrung People, whose cultural narrative is woven through the architecture and the venue’s name, meaning “Open your eyes to the hills.”

Planners can submit enquiries through the Nyaal Banyul event enquiry page.

Berlin

Berlin wins EULAR 2027 Congress, 9–12 June 2027

Berlin has secured the annual congress of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, with around 14,000 specialists expected at Messe Berlin.

The win, jointly delivered by visitBerlin’s Berlin Convention Office and Messe Berlin, adds one of the most significant gatherings in rheumatology to the city’s medical and scientific calendar.

The programme will convene clinicians, researchers, patient representatives and industry, with the handover from London confirmed at this year’s congress in early June. Full details are in visitBerlin’s announcement of the EULAR 2027 bid win.

Leadership Change at visitBerlin

Dr. Jürgen Amann has joined visitBerlin’s executive board, succeeding Burkhard Kieker, who is stepping down after 17 years leading the organisation and reaching statutory retirement age.

Amann took office on 1 June and will share leadership with Sabine Wendt, managing director since January 2024, continuing visitBerlin’s dual leadership structure.

Kieker’s tenure since 2009 shaped Berlin’s rise as one of Europe’s leading city destinations, as set out in visitBerlin’s statement on the leadership transition.

Dublin

Ireland Assumes EU Council Presidency, July–December 2026

Dublin steps into the European spotlight this summer as Ireland takes on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months.

The Presidency will bring international policymakers, industry leaders and decision-makers to the city across a packed programme of meetings and high-level gatherings.

Dublin Convention Bureau Shortlisted at the M&IT Awards 2026

Dublin Convention Bureau has been named a finalist for Best Overseas Convention Bureau at the M&IT Awards 2026, one of the most closely watched honours in the European meetings and events industry.

The awards are voted on by event organisers themselves, making the shortlist a genuine peer endorsement.

The winner will be announced at the ceremony at Grosvenor House in London in September 2026.

International Neuropsychological Society Mid-Year Meeting, 22–24 July 2026

Around 800 international delegates will gather at Trinity College Dublin for the INS Mid-Year Meeting.

The event is co-hosted by the International Neuropsychological Society, the Psychological Society of Ireland’s Division of Neuropsychology, and the British Psychological Society’s Division of Neuropsychology.

ICON-S Annual Conference, 29 June–1 July 2026

More than 2,000 scholars, judges, practitioners and academics are expected at University College Dublin for the ICON-S Annual Conference.

It is set to be the largest public law conference ever held in Ireland, with sessions focused on the most pressing questions in constitutional, administrative and international law.

Guadalajara

15th International Congress on Human Genetics, 1–5 March 2027

RELAGH, the Latin American Network of Human Genetics, is actively promoting its flagship congress across the European market ahead of its arrival in Guadalajara.

The event will be held at Expo Guadalajara, bringing the global human genetics community to one of Mexico’s largest purpose-built venues.

11th International Congress of Couple and Family Psychoanalysis, 22–25 July 2026

Guadalajara has secured hosting rights for the AIPPF congress, which is expected to draw around 200 international experts, researchers, and practitioners.

The win reflects close collaboration between the Guadalajara Convention & Visitors Bureau and the local academic community, and adds to the city’s growing track record as a hub for scientific exchange in Latin America.

Jalisco Named Best International Destination 2026

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler Spain have voted Jalisco the Best International Destination for 2026.

The recognition points to the region’s mix of cultural traditions, Magical Towns, coastline, and the urban pull of Guadalajara itself, all of which strengthen its appeal for international association events.

Washington, DC

Washington, DC Named a Top 10 Best Conference City for 2026–2027

Washington, DC has landed a Top 10 spot in U.S. News & World Report’s inaugural Best Conference Cities ranking, with judges pointing to the city’s strong connectivity, walkable convention district and wealth of free attractions.

DC also posted the highest sustainability score of any city in the ranking, helped by its LEED-certified hotel stock and extensive green spaces.

The full list is available in the U.S. News Best Conference Cities ranking.

Meeting Market Demand for Sustainability

Destination DC convened member hotels alongside the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Green Key Global for a working session on the business case for sustainability in the meetings sector.

Discussion focused on practical tools, funding routes and certification pathways that help hotels respond to the sustainability criteria now appearing in most RFPs.

The session is part of a wider push by Destination DC to give its hotel partners the resources they need to stay competitive with environmentally conscious planners.

National Geographic Museum of Exploration Opens

The National Geographic Museum of Exploration has opened its doors in Washington, DC, adding a major new cultural venue to the city’s offer for visiting delegates.

Founded in DC in 1888, the National Geographic Society has spent more than a century funding expeditions and storytelling around science and discovery.

The new museum builds on that history with exhibits exploring the people, places and ideas shaping the world today.

Dubai

Dubai Establishes Longevity Authority to Lead Future of Advanced Healthcare

Dubai has launched the Dubai Longevity Authority to position the emirate as a global hub for longevity, wellness and advanced healthcare.

The new body is tasked with building a science-driven regulatory framework for longevity-related therapies and innovations, with the aim of improving quality of life and healthy life expectancy.

Further detail is available in the law establishing the Dubai Longevity Authority.

Emirates Sets New Global Benchmark in Travel Insurance

Dubai’s flagship carrier has become the first airline worldwide to roll out a fully comprehensive travel insurance product, strengthening the city’s standing in aviation innovation.

The cover includes conflict-related medical protection, airline-managed hotel stays during disruption, complimentary rebooking on other carriers, and a free 30-day trip extension.

For planners routing delegates through Dubai, the move raises the bar on duty of care, as outlined in the Emirates announcement on its new travel insurance product.

DWTC Drives Record AED25 Billion Economic Impact from Business Events in 2025

Dubai World Trade Centre delivered a record AED25 billion in economic output in 2025, hosting 108 large-scale exhibitions, conventions and conferences across the year.

The result confirms the growing weight of the business events sector in attracting international delegates, investment and enterprise to the city.

The full breakdown is set out in the DWTC 2025 economic output report.

Dubai Retains Global No.1 Ranking for Greenfield FDI for Fifth Consecutive Year

Dubai has ranked first globally for greenfield foreign direct investment projects for the fifth year running in 2025, according to Financial Times fDi Markets data.

The city recorded 1,253 announced projects, a 10.5% increase year on year, and captured a record 7% share of global greenfield FDI.

The performance, one of the strongest in a decade, is detailed in the Dubai FDI 2025 results.

Tokyo

New Additions to Tokyo Unique Venues

Tokyo’s roster of unique venues now spans 85 spaces, from a world-class sports stadium to a historic Japanese street and a selection of theme parks, all available for receptions and social programmes.

The latest additions include TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, Nihonbashi Naka-dori, the Kaminato Port Passenger Lounge, Tokyo JOYPOLIS, and livedoor URBAN SPORTS PARK.

Planners can browse the full directory on the Tokyo Unique Venues website to match a space to their event brief.

TOKYO MICE Technology Guidelines Updated for 2026

Tokyo has refreshed its MICE Technology Guidelines for 2026, setting out practical tools designed to streamline the planning and delivery of exhibitions and international conferences.

The guidelines cover smart solutions that organisers can apply directly to their next event, with full details available in the 2026 TOKYO MICE Technology Guidelines.