What’s New This May?

Tokyo

IEEE INFOCOM 2026, 18–21 May

The IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications returns to a BestCities destination this month, taking place in Tokyo from 18–21 May. One of the most prestigious conferences in computer networking, it previously took place in BestCities partner city Vancouver in 2024.

Tokyo Meeting Planner’s Guide 2026

Business Events Tokyo has updated its Meeting Planner’s Guide for 2026, offering practical guidance on venues, travel, and local support for associations planning conferences in the city.

The guide is available to download via the Business Events Tokyo resources page.

Meet Business Events Tokyo at IMEX Frankfurt, 19–21 May

The Business Events Tokyo team will be at IMEX Frankfurt at Booth F450, ready to connect with associations and event professionals.

Find out more about their participation at this year’s show.

Melbourne

MCB Secures Over $100 Million in Business Event Incentive Programs

Melbourne continues to attract corporate meetings and incentives from around the world.

Since May 2025, the Melbourne Convention Bureau has secured 138 incentive events, bringing 17,103 delegates to the city and generating an estimated economic impact of $110 million.

Read the full details in the MCB media release on incentive programme results.

MCB China Roadshow

The Melbourne Convention Bureau team connected with more than 200 incentive planners across Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai, showcasing Melbourne and Victoria as world-class business events destinations for the China market.

It was a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships and demonstrate the depth of experience, capability, and partnerships that make Melbourne a trusted, China-ready destination.

The roadshow was supported by Business Events Australia, China Southern Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Air China, and Singapore Airlines.

Madrid

MCB at IMEX Frankfurt, 19-21 May

The Madrid Convention Bureau team heads to Frankfurt for IMEX, joined by 18 member companies at the Turespaña stand, number D350.

MCB New Operational and Promotional Strategy

The Madrid Convention Bureau is launching the first phase of its new operational and promotional strategy, focused on attracting events that bring economic value, knowledge, and development opportunities to the capital.

The reorganisation, to be completed over three years, strengthens MCB’s work with clusters and strategic sectors and aligns its activities with Madrid’s broader international positioning objectives.

Find out more on the Madrid Convention Bureau website.

World Travel Awards 2026: Voting Now Open

Voting is open for the Europe edition of the World Travel Awards, with Madrid once again nominated as Europe’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination.

Dublin

Ireland’s Green Toolkit for Business Events

Failte Ireland has developed a practical guide for event organisers committed to delivering sustainable, low-impact events in Ireland.

Packed with checklists, case studies, and a seven-step sustainable event roadmap, the toolkit supports organisers at every stage of the planning process.

Download Ireland’s Green Toolkit for Business Events

ISCT Annual Meeting 2026, 6–9 May

The Convention Centre Dublin welcomes over 3,000 international delegates for the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy Annual Meeting, held under the theme “The Golden Age of Cell and Gene Therapy.”

Find out more on the ISCT 2026 conference website.

Guadalajara

IGLTA Symposium, 23 April

Guadalajara hosted the IGLTA Symposium “Enhancing the LGBTQ+ Travel Experience,” bringing together tourism professionals for an afternoon of learning, exchange, and networking focused on LGBTQ+ travel.

The event reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to positioning itself as an inclusive and welcoming destination for all visitors.

Berlin

Berlin Celebrates 20 Years as UNESCO City of Design

In 2026, Berlin marks two decades as a UNESCO City of Design, home to more than 30,000 companies across architecture, product design, fashion, and digital innovation.

This anniversary year is anchored by major events including Berlin Design Week in May and the new DesignDays.Berlin in September, alongside more than €3 billion being invested in the city’s cultural infrastructure, including the redevelopment of the Bauhaus Archive.

Find out more about Berlin’s 20 years as a UNESCO City of Design.

Berlin in May: A Packed Events Calendar

May is one of Berlin’s busiest months, with major congresses and conferences running across the city simultaneously.

Highlights include the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress (6–8 May), the 60th anniversary Diabetes Congress, the European Police Congress, re:publica, BiblioCon, and CWIEME Berlin, alongside the DFB Cup Final at the Olympic Stadium and Berlin Design Week.

Browse the full Berlin congress and exhibition calendar for May.

New Hotel Openings and Developments

Berlin’s hotel sector continues to grow, with more than 700 accommodation providers and 56 projects currently in the pipeline.

Among the most significant upcoming additions is the Estrel Tower, set to open at the end of 2026 as Germany’s tallest hotel at 176 metres, adding 522 rooms and extensive event space. Established properties including the Berlin Marriott, Hilton Berlin, and Hotel Bristol are also investing in major upgrades to their meeting infrastructure.

Read the full overview of new hotel openings and developments in Berlin.

Singapore

Singapore Airshow 2026, 10–15 February

The 10th edition of Singapore Airshow drew a record 65,000 trade visitors from over 130 countries, with more than 1,100 companies represented and approximately 1,300 delegate meetings conducted.

The edition also saw major investment commitments from leading aerospace players including Thales, GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, RTX, and ST Engineering, spanning MRO, aerospace manufacturing, and R&D. The inaugural Space Summit 2026 added a new dimension, positioning Singapore as a focal point for high-level dialogue in the Asia-Pacific space sector.

Singapore Airshow returns from 15 to 20 February 2028.

Singapore at IMEX Frankfurt 2026, 20–22 May

Team Singapore returns to IMEX Frankfurt this May at booth E400, alongside 33 industry partners.

Book an appointment with the Singapore team at IMEX ahead of the show.

Food and Hospitality Asia 2026, 21–24 April

Food and Hospitality Asia 2026 opened at Singapore EXPO, welcoming over 2,750 exhibitors from across the globe, 80% of whom were international participants, and drawing 80,000 attendees from more than 115 countries.

The edition reaffirmed Singapore’s position as a leading hub for the global food and hospitality industry.

Washington, DC

American Public Health Association Annual Meeting

Washington, DC welcomed the world’s largest public health conference to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting bringing together researchers, policymakers and advocates.

The programme extended beyond the venue into the city’s public health community and national civic spaces, connecting research, policy and action under the rallying theme “Making the Public’s Health a National Priority.”

Read the full Meeting Moment for a closer look.

YOTEL Washington DC Earns Autism Friendly Designation

YOTEL Washington DC has become the first hotel in the United States to receive an Autism Friendly designation from Autism Speaks, the country’s largest advocacy organisation for people with autism.

The recognition reinforces the property’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion and exceptional guest experiences for every visitor.

Museum of Exploration Opens, June 2026

The National Geographic Society will open its new Museum of Exploration in Washington, DC, anchoring the organisation’s global headquarters where it has been based for more than a century.

Visitors can expect state-of-the-art theatres, hands-on exhibits and explorer-led programming, alongside distinctive event spaces designed to bring discovery and storytelling to life.

It’s an exciting addition to the city’s offering for meeting planners seeking unique venues with a sense of wonder.

Earth Day and Year-Round Sustainability Action

Washington, DC marked Earth Day with a series of events reflecting its year-round commitment to sustainability.

Destination DC’s Sustainability Summit, held with the District Department of Energy & Environment, brought industry leaders together to drive collaboration, while DC Climate Week  convened citywide partners for programming and dialogue.

These efforts continue to deliver measurable progress across the tourism and meetings industry alongside ongoing work to shape strategy and engage future leaders at George Washington University.

Dubai

Emirates Completes More Than 40 Travel Rehearsals for Youth with Autism Globally

Emirates has completed more than 40 Travel Rehearsals across six continents over the past year, supporting over 250 families and helping children and young adults with autism prepare for the airport journey with greater confidence.

The programme grew out of successful pilots in Dubai and is now formalised across the airline’s network, backed by more than 35,000 trained staff.

Inclusive travel initiatives like this strengthen Dubai’s accessibility credentials and reinforce confidence for organisers seeking welcoming event destinations.

Read more about the Emirates autism travel rehearsals programme.

DWTC Welcomes Nearly 3 Million Participants in 2025

Dubai World Trade Centre welcomed close to 3 million participants in 2025, hosting 401 events across its venues and marking 6% year-on-year growth.

The result reflects the continued strength of Dubai’s events calendar and DWTC’s capacity to convene global industries at scale.

It also reinforces the city’s wider appeal for exhibitions, conferences and international business gatherings.

See the full DWTC 2025 performance update.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen to Host Health Innovation Week for the First Time, Alongside HIMSS and LSX Nordic Congresses

From 18–21 May, Copenhagen will host Copenhagen Health Innovation Week for the first time, bringing global healthcare innovation into sharp focus. With HIMSS and the LSX Nordic Congress taking place the same week, the city becomes a key meeting point for decision-makers, innovators, investors, and healthcare leaders shaping the future of health. Curated events and strategic gatherings will showcase Copenhagen’s health innovation ecosystem, backed by leading Danish and international partners.

More on Copenhagen Health Innovation Week, HIMSS, and LSX Nordic Congress

More on upcoming congresses in Copenhagen here

Launching Copenhagen Risk Navigator: International Strategies and Tools for Business Events at IMEX Frankfurt on May 20

This May, Copenhagen Convention Bureau will launch the ‘Copenhagen Risk Navigator – International Strategies and Tools for Business Events’ initiative during IMEX Frankfurt.

The Risk Navigator initiative responds to growing complexity and risk in the global meetings and events industry, aiming to strengthen resilience across the sector – and is building on Copenhagen’s well-received 2023 Risk Assessment White Paper. Moving from awareness to action, offering event professionals practical tools, shared frameworks, and collaborative strategies to manage modern risks, the initiative is developed in partnership with FERMA and RIMS, and thus backed by leading international risk experts to underlines its global relevance and credibility.

Follow us and stay tuned for more exciting updates and findings before IMEX on our Copenhagen CVBs LinkedIn profile.

Copenhagen Marathon: Join the rest of Copenhagen as we cheer on the 23.000 runners participating in the @cphmarathon, where Copenhagen and Frederiksberg will provide a beautiful and atmospheric backdrop for the route. The hugely popular race starts on May 10^th.

Mikkeller Beer Celebration: One of the most well-kept secrets is that Copenhagen is flooded for one week in May by some of the best breweries in the world. What started as a birthday celebration for the first @mikkellerbeer bar has transformed into one of the most iconic beer festivals in the world, and if you’re curious to taste what the craft beer world has to offer, this is a great entry point. The festival runs from May 22^nd-23^rd.

Tivoli Food Festival: Celebrate the joy of food and indulge in a vibrant journey of flavours and aromas @tivolicph Food Festival. Sample local specialities and take part in hands-on workshops, tastings, communal dinners, and more. ⁠The festivities run from May 23-31st.

This year’s Nordic MICHELIN Guide Ceremony also takes place at Tivoli Gardens. Being much more than just an amusement park, Tivoli offers a wide range of distinctive venues and draws on 181 years of history. Celebrating culture, creativity, and culinary innovation, Tivoli provides the perfect setting for hosting this international event on June 1.

More about top food events in the Danish capital, including the Nordic MICHELIN Guide Ceremony, atCopenhagen’s top food events in 2026 | Wonderful Copenhagen and
more on upcoming events in Copenhagenhere.

Bloom Festival: Fill your head with something other than pastries by attending @bloom.festival, the biggest science and nature festival in Copenhagen. Entrance is free, and the festival seeks to bring science and ideas out of the laboratories and auditoriums to the tree canopy of Søndermarken from May 29^th-31^st.

Houston

George R. Brown Convention Center Expansion Fully Funded

The City of Houston and Houston First Corporation have secured approximately $1.38 billion in Hotel Occupancy Tax and Special Revenue Bonds to fully fund the first phase of the Convention District Transformation Project.

The first phase includes GRB South, a new 700,000-square-foot building connecting directly to the existing George R. Brown Convention Center, as well as a new 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza linking the facility to Toyota Center. The expansion is on schedule to open in May 2028.

Read the full announcement on the Houston First website.

Houston Hotels Post Strong March Performance

March was an exceptional month for Houston’s hotel market, with overall occupancy reaching 70%, up 3% year on year, and revenue growing 12.5%.

The Downtown submarket led the way at 81% occupancy, driven by major events at the George R. Brown Convention Center including CERAWeek and the NCA All Star National Championship.

Read the full breakdown in Houston First’s March hotel performance report.

Houston Airports Earn Global Honours

Houston Airports received multiple recognitions at the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards, with William P. Hobby Airport named the cleanest airport in North America and George Bush Intercontinental Airport placing among the world’s top 10 for airport dining.

The airport system also retained the title of World’s Best Airport Art for the fourth consecutive year, while more than 62 million passengers travelled through Houston’s airports in 2025.

Read the full story on the Houston Airports newsroom.

Houston and the FIFA World Cup 2026

With Houston set to host seven World Cup matches at NRG Stadium this June, the city is already seeing strong booking momentum across hotels, short-term rentals, and air travel, with Downtown hotel booking pace up 66% in June and 83% in July compared to the same period last year.

The impact is being felt across the meetings and conventions sector too. The International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA), which brings together around 4,500 professionals at the George R. Brown Convention Center from 15–17 June, chose to embrace the moment rather than compete with it, building a soccer-themed pavilion on its trade show floor and weaving live match coverage into the attendee experience.

Track the latest booking data on the Houston First World Cup Travel Tracker, and read more about how associations are adapting in this Skift Meetings article on ILTA’s World Cup strategy.

Vancouver

Destination Vancouver Welcomes Alison Best, CDME as Director, US Association

Destination Vancouver is pleased to welcome Alison Best, CDME, as our new Director, US Association. Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Alison will lead engagement across one of Vancouver’s priority markets, working closely with the Vancouver Convention Centre and our convention hotel partners. 

Alison brings more than 25 years of experience in destination leadership, association strategy, and business events. Her background includes senior roles with Destinations International, Visit Oakland, and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. Having grown up in Vancouver, she brings both deep industry expertise and a personal connection to the destination. 

In this role, Alison will lead Destination Vancouver’s US association strategy, strengthening relationships across key markets including Washington, DC and New York. She will also deepen partnerships with leading industry organizations such as PCMA, ASAE, and AMCI, as we continue to welcome US association business events to Vancouver.