What’s New This September?

Singapore

SECB Global Partnerships

The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) has signed two strategic agreements that reinforce Singapore’s role as a hub for association growth. At the American Society of Association Executives Meeting 2025, SECB, ASAE, and the Singapore Business Federation formalised a partnership to strengthen global association leadership and cross-cultural knowledge exchange. In addition, a collaboration with Talley Management Group will highlight Singapore’s business event capabilities to US-based associations in STEM and medical sectors.

World Sleep 2025, September 5–10, 2025

Suntec Singapore will host World Sleep 2025, marking the first time this prestigious congress comes to Southeast Asia. With participants from over 70 countries, the event has already exceeded expectations with oversubscribed symposia submissions. A highlight will be a 5K Fun Run, raising funds for the Guilleminault Fund to support young investigators at World Sleep 2027.

Singapore Food Festival, September 4–24, 2025

The Singapore Food Festival returns for its 32nd edition, featuring more than 15 events that celebrate the people and stories behind the nation’s culinary culture. For delegates visiting Singapore, the festival offers an authentic opportunity to experience the city’s vibrant food heritage alongside business events.

Guadalajara

Grand Prix de Judo, October 2025

Guadalajara will host the Grand Prix de Judo as part of the World Judo Tour, welcoming top athletes and fans of the sport to the city. This prestigious event highlights Guadalajara’s growing role as a destination for major international competitions. Learn more about the event.

World Media Economics and Management Conference 2027

Looking ahead, Guadalajara will be the host city for the World Media Economics and Management Conference (WMEMC) in 2027. The event will bring together global leaders in communication and media to share research and explore the future of the industry. Read more about WMEMC 2027.

IBTM Americas 2025

At IBTM Americas this August, Guadalajara—together with Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta—showcased its strengths in the meetings and incentives market. The joint promotion highlighted the region’s diverse offerings and ability to host events of all sizes.

Cape Town

World GI Endoscopy Congress 2026

Cape Town has secured the World GI Endoscopy Congress, which will convene leading experts and healthcare professionals to share innovations and shape the future of patient care. The event reinforces the city’s position as a destination for major international medical congresses.

International Society for Autism Research Annual Meeting 2027

In 2027, Cape Town will host the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting, a global forum that unites scientists, clinicians, educators, and self-advocates. The meeting is set to advance autism research and foster collaboration across disciplines.

International Conference on Information Systems 2028

Cape Town has also been selected as the host city for the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS) 2028, the world’s leading gathering for information systems scholars and practitioners. The conference will explore emerging technologies and the transformative impact of digital innovation.

New Hotels and Openings

Cape Town is adding exciting new hotels to its portfolio of event-ready venues. The iconic Table Bay Hotel will reopen as the InterContinental Table Bay, blending luxury with world-class meeting spaces. Mama Shelter Cape Town is set to bring a creative edge with co-working areas, meeting rooms, and a rooftop pool deck. In Camps Bay, Morea House, Autograph Collection, will offer boutique-style accommodation, wellness experiences, and stunning ocean views for executive gatherings.

Melbourne

September Conferences at MCEC

Melbourne is hosting a packed line-up of international events this month, with thousands of delegates set to gather at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Highlights include:

• Progress 2030 Summit (September 2–3)
• World Chambers Congress (September 2–4)
• APAC Wind Energy Summit (September 16–18)
• and the World Congress of Gastroenterology (September 19–22).

Together, these conferences showcase Melbourne’s role as a premier destination for large-scale business events. Read the full media release here.

Women Deliver 2026 Preparations

Momentum is building for the Women Deliver 2026 Conference, taking place in Melbourne from April 27–31, 2026. Organisers recently visited the city to advance planning, meeting with government stakeholders and key suppliers to prepare for this globally significant event on gender equality and women’s rights. With registrations now open, Women Deliver 2026 is set to create a lasting legacy for both Melbourne and the global community. Register here.

Madrid

Upcoming Congresses and City Events

Following the close of the ESC Congress, Madrid welcomes 3,000 delegates to the SICOT Orthopaedic World Congress at IFEMA.

September also features two flagship events: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid and Fruit Attraction, now established as the world’s leading trade fair for the fruit and vegetable industry.

Culinary culture takes the spotlight as the 10th Hotel Tapa Tour (September 22) transforms hotels across the city into stages for Spanish gastronomy.

Sustainability Forums Across Madrid

This month, Madrid underscores its commitment to transformation and sustainability by hosting several key forums, including

• ESG Spain 2025 Corporate Sustainability Forum (September 16)
• VEM 2025 Electric Vehicle Fair (September 19–21)
• 13th AECOC Meeting Against Food Waste (September 23)
• Sustainable Energy Storage Days (September 22–26)
• and EXPANSIÓN GreenWorld & Sustainability (September 25–26).

MCB Networking and Social Impact Initiatives

The Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) is active on multiple fronts this September, from hosting Indian incentive and wedding agencies (September 8–14) to joining Spanish destinations in Jerez to meet with Polish MICE agencies.

Two standout initiatives include the annual Networking Event (September 23), coinciding with the reopening of the Madrid Marriott Hotel Princesa Plaza, and a Day with Social Organizations (September 13) in partnership with Foro MICE.

Both activities highlight MCB’s focus on strengthening industry ties while promoting social and environmental impact.

Click here to download the guide.

Berlin

United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week, October 4–7, 2025

UEG Week returns to Berlin for the third time, drawing around 10,000 experts to the world’s largest congress in gastroenterology. The gathering will once again position the city as a hub for scientific dialogue and collaboration.

European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, October 17–21, 2025

Later in the month, Berlin will host the influential ESMO Congress, bringing together 30,000 oncology specialists to share the latest research and innovations in cancer care. The scale of the event underlines Berlin’s capacity to deliver world-class congresses.

Find out why Berlin is the Centre of Science.

Berlin Meeting Campus Expansion

The Berlin Convention Office is expanding its “Meeting Campus” concept with new venues across the city, including Chausseestraße in the centre and a merger of the Schöneberg and Tiergarten campuses. Together with hotels, theatres, and industrial spaces, the nine campuses offer planners a versatile mix of venues for events of 500 or more.

More about the Berlin Meeting Campus.

Sustainable Hotels and Venues

Berlin continues to strengthen its sustainable event offering, with 227 hotels now holding sustainability certifications — a 29% increase in one year. In addition, 70% of congress hotels and venues have integrated sustainability into their policies, giving planners reliable, responsible options for international meetings.

Explore Berlin Hotels and Event Locations.

Dublin

NFL Regular Season Game, September 28, 2025

Croke Park will host Dublin’s first-ever NFL regular season game, with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Minnesota Vikings in front of 82,500 fans. The historic match will be accompanied by official NFL activations and events across the city, highlighting the sport’s growing Irish fanbase.

Aer Lingus College Football Classic, August 23, 2025

Last month, Aviva Stadium welcomed Iowa State and Kansas State for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic — the first time two Big 12 Conference teams faced each other in Dublin. Iowa State clinched a 24–21 victory, and anticipation is already building for next year’s edition, which will see Texas Christian University play the University of North Carolina.

citizenM Dublin Opening

Ireland’s first citizenM hotel has opened in Dublin, offering 245 stylish bedrooms directly opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The hotel integrates bold design and a collaboration with the Irish Museum of Modern Art, bringing art to the forefront of the guest experience.

Tokyo

Tokyo Unique Venues Expansion

Tokyo has expanded its portfolio of more than 80 distinctive venues for business events, now including:

• Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
• Japan National Stadium
• Tokyo National Museum
• National Museum of Nature and Science

From museums and temples to theme parks, these settings provide unforgettable backdrops for receptions and social events.

Explore the full list here.

Spotlight on Shibuya

As the city’s epicenter of fashion and entertainment, Shibuya combines youthful energy with cutting-edge infrastructure. Home to the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the district is also a hub for startups and creative industries, making it an ideal destination for meetings aiming to engage younger audiences.

Learn more about Shibuya and other Tokyo MICE Hubs on the official Tokyo MICE Hubs website.

©TCVB

Copenhagen

CopenPay Initiative Expands in 2025

Copenhagen’s CopenPay initiative has returned for a second year, rewarding tourists for sustainable actions such as biking, taking public transport, and picking up litter. In 2025, the programme tripled in size, ran twice as long, and was integrated into the social programmes of selected congresses.

More than 100 destinations have since expressed interest, with cities including Berlin, Bremen, and Helsinki now developing their own versions.

Read the full story here.

Copenhagen Sprint 2025 Legacy Video

A new video case study highlights Copenhagen Sprint 2025, held June 20–21 alongside the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum. The legacy programme focused on accessibility and social inclusion through cycling, reinforcing Copenhagen’s commitment to long-term positive impact from international events.

Get more details at: Copenhagen Legacy Lab – cases from events or contact their Legacy team

Meet Copenhagen at IMEX America

Copenhagen Convention Bureau will be present at IMEX America at the Nordic Stand (Booth E1504). Partners on-site include Tivoli Congress Center, Tivoli Gardens, Ovation Denmark, Bella Center Copenhagen, Horizons by Tour Partner Group, and Scandic Hotels.

For enquiries, contact Cathrine Seidel Tvede.

Dubai

Dubai Visitor Arrivals Up 6%

Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international overnight visitors in the first half of 2025, a 6% year-on-year increase. Hotel occupancy reached 80.6%, with revenue per available room rising by 7%. The strong results are credited to major marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and MICE growth, all aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

flydubai Expands Fleet in 2025

Dubai’s flydubai has taken delivery of 12 new aircraft this year, expanding its fleet to more than 95. Serving over 135 destinations across 57 countries, the expansion enhances connectivity, opens underserved markets, and supports Dubai’s role as a hub for trade, tourism, and business events. Read more here.

Washington, DC

Destination DC Marketing Outlook Meeting

At its annual Marketing Outlook Meeting in August, Destination DC unveiled sales and marketing strategies for 2026, focused on shaping perception and countering negative rhetoric. Building on the success of the award-winning “Only One DC” campaign, the new “We the People DC” series highlights local residents to humanize the city and showcase its diversity. Creative assets, developed with Zuri Productions, have already proven effective in shifting perceptions among target audiences. Complementing this effort, Destination DC continues to amplify positive sentiment through initiatives like the “Love Letter to DC” video campaign, which has reached more than 1.3 million impressions.