Americas
Smart City Expo Draws Urban Leaders to Santiago
The fourth Smart City Expo Santiago de Chile ran July 23 to 25 at the Estación Mapocho Cultural Center. Organizers expected more than 2,500 visitors, over 70 companies and institutions, and more than 50 speakers. The program covered data-driven cities, public safety, sustainable mobility, climate action, and digital ecosystems. In addition, government leaders planned meetings involving Chile’s 16 regional governors and 52 mayors from the Santiago metropolitan area.
World’s Poultry Congress Draws 6,000 to Toronto
The 27th World’s Poultry Congress brought about 6,000 poultry scientists, industry leaders, academics, and students from 50 countries to Toronto. The gathering ran July 13 to 17 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Programming covered poultry health, genetics, nutrition, sustainability, production, and food security. In addition, the event included research presentations and an industry exhibit hall.
YMCA World Council Meets in Toronto
The 21st YMCA World Council ran July 19 to 25 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto. Organizers expected more than 1,000 leaders, employees, volunteers, and partners. The program included governance sessions, more than 45 workshops, an exhibit hall, community excursions, and sustainability programming. The gathering also marked 175 years since the first YMCA opened in Canada.
Toronto Reports 350,000-Plus at FIFA Fan Festival
Toronto hosted six FIFA World Cup matches and 23 days of Fan Festival programming in June and July. About 250,000 fans attended matches at Toronto Stadium, while more than 350,000 visited the Fan Festival. Another 60,600 people watched match broadcasts at Nathan Phillips Square. The city also reported increased pedestrian and cycling activity near the stadium.
Asia-Pacific
Lions Convention Draws 17,000 Delegates to Hong Kong
The 108th Lions International Convention drew about 17,000 delegates to AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from July 3 to 7. The city previously hosted the gathering in 1992 and 2005, making this its third time welcoming the event. Programming included plenary sessions, an exhibit hall, elections, education, and community service discussions. In addition, thousands of attendees joined a group Tai Chi activity during the convention.
Hong Kong Tech Pavilion Showcases 18 Firms at WAIC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) presented 18 artificial intelligence (AI) companies and institutions at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. The July 17 to 20 event featured more than 1,100 companies and over 3,000 products. HKTDC also organized a seminar, business-matching sessions, and networking events. This marked the council’s fourth consecutive year participating in WAIC.
InfoComm Asia Draws 6,638 Attendees to Bangkok
InfoComm Asia 2026 drew 6,638 professional attendees from 77 countries and regions to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok from July 15 to 17. Overseas visitors represented 44.2 percent of attendance. The show connected exhibitors with representatives from about 3,800 organizations and hosted 700 scheduled business-matching meetings. Its invited buyer program included more than 60 participants with nearly $73 million in approved project budgets. Organizers also announced that the show will move to Kuala Lumpur in 2027.
INVEST Fair Draws More Than 15,000 Visitors
INVEST Fair 2026 drew more than 15,000 visitors to the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur July 18 and 19. Organized by ShareInvestor Malaysia, the event featured more than 100 speakers, 40 exhibitors, and over 70 hours of programming. Sessions covered capital markets, stock investing, wealth management, personal finance, and financial technology. New features included Duit Fest, a career area, interactive challenges, and a pickleball competition.
ICC Sydney Opens Accredited Quiet Room
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) opened a permanent Quiet Room accredited by Aspect, also known as Autism Spectrum Australia. The low-stimulation space supports guests experiencing sensory overload, anxiety, or fatigue. Features include soft lighting, comfortable furnishings, chemical-free cleaning, and a four-person capacity. The venue also provides a visual story and sensory maps to help neurodivergent visitors prepare for events.
Xinjiang Heritage Exhibition Expects 200,000 Visits
The 2026 “Xinjiang, A Land of Wonders” exhibition ran July 30 to August 3 at the Shihezi Convention and Exhibition Center in China. Organizers called it the largest edition to date, with more than 650 examples of intangible cultural heritage and an expected 200,000 visits. Programming included traditional music and dance, regional food, digital experiences, educational activities, and a cultural marketplace. A second venue also introduced seven permanent heritage displays.
Europe
The O2 Belfast Begins 10-Year Naming Rights Deal
Belfast’s Landmark Millennium Project officially became The O2 Belfast on July 1 under a 10-year naming rights agreement between O2 and The Odyssey Trust. The destination includes Northern Ireland’s largest indoor arena, with capacity for up to 11,200 people, along with the W5 Science and Discovery Centre, dining, and leisure attractions. O2 also upgraded mobile connectivity, introduced priority ticket access July 8, and plans to open a new O2 Blueroom in September.
ICC Belfast Executive Joins AIPC Board as Observer
Ciara Davidson, director of transformation and governance at ICC Belfast, was appointed as an observer to the Board of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC). Davidson will contribute an operational and emerging-leader perspective to the global industry group. She will also lead AIPC’s Future Shapers Task Force after previously completing and mentoring teams in the leadership program.
Barcelona Boat Show Adds SeaMotion Area
The 63rd Barcelona International Boat Show will run October 14 to 18 at Port Vell with more than 130 brands confirmed. Organizers will add a covered pavilion at Moll de la Fusta featuring scuba diving, water sports, marinas, and port services. In addition, the new Experience Water area will offer product demonstrations, electric personal watercraft, and dinghy sailing activities. Fira de Barcelona produces the show with the Spanish National Marine Industry Association (ANEN).
EuChemS Chemistry Congress Meets in Antwerp
The 10th European Chemical Society (EuChemS) Chemistry Congress met July 12 to 16 at A Room with a ZOO in Antwerp, Belgium. Hosted by the Royal Flemish Chemical Society (KVCV), the program included plenary lectures, workshops, poster sessions, and activities for early-career scientists. An Industry Day also connected academic research with applications in sustainability, energy, digitalization, and industrial chemistry.
Barcelona Wine Week Reports 90 Percent of Space Reserved
Barcelona Wine Week will return February 8 to 10, 2027, at Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc venue. More than 90 percent of exhibition space was reserved more than six months before the show. Organizers expect 1,300 exhibitors, more than 90 designations of origin and quality labels, and participation from 16 Spanish regions. In addition, the event plans more than 13,500 business meetings, along with tastings, education, and programming focused on aged wines.
Titanic Exhibition Heads to Farnborough
Titanic Exhibition: Farnborough will run October 23 to November 21 at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre. The four-week exhibition will feature authentic artefacts, shipboard recreations, interactive displays, and passenger stories. Highlights include an original Titanic deckchair, cabin fragments, a lifeboat plaque, and part of the aft Grand Staircase. Visitors will also receive the identity of a passenger to follow throughout the experience.
Middle East & Africa
Africa Rail Brings Transport Industry to Johannesburg
Africa Rail 2026 ran July 7 and 8 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Organizers expected more than 5,000 attendees, along with over 120 exhibitors and more than 150 speakers. The program covered passenger and freight rail, urban transit, digital systems, infrastructure, and investment. South African Transport Minister Barbara Creecy delivered a keynote focused on rail reform, private investment, and the country’s goal of moving 250 million tons of freight by rail annually by 2030.
Kigali Convention Centre Marks 10 Years
Kigali Convention Centre marked its 10th anniversary in July after hosting more than 7,000 events and welcoming over 500,000 delegates since opening in 2016. The center forms part of a meetings complex that includes conference and exhibition facilities and an adjoining Radisson Blu hotel. The milestone reflects Kigali’s growth as a destination for international conferences and events.
LEAP Expects More Than 201,000 Attendees
LEAP 2026 will run August 31 to September 3 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham. Organizers expect more than 201,000 attendees, 1,800 technology brands, 600 startups, 1,900 investors, and 1,000 speakers. The program will cover artificial intelligence, financial technology, cybersecurity, gaming, cloud services, investment, and smart technologies.
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