Córdoba, September 19, 2023 – In an effort to boost the meetings and congress industry in Córdoba, the in-person event Conectando MICE Córdoba took place today. This gathering brought together professionals in the field of Professional Congress Organization, public and private institutions, venues, hotels, catering, hospitality, audiovisual services, cultural offerings, and ancillary services in a bid to share knowledge and strengthen the event industry in the city.
The inaugural event saw the participation of prominent professionals and leaders from the city, including Francisco Gordejo, President of the Association of Congress Organizers of Córdoba (AOC), Antonio Díaz, President of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Córdoba (CECO), Blanca Torrent, President of the Municipal Institute of Economic Development and Employment of Córdoba (IMDEEC), and Daniel García-Ibarrrola, President of the Municipal Tourism Institute of Córdoba (IMTUR). From the tourism department, the importance of this gathering in gaining firsthand insights from attending entrepreneurs about the current state of the sector was emphasized.
According to sector-provided data, the meetings industry generated revenue of €10.4 billion in Spain in 2022, with Andalusia contributing €300 million annually. Faced with these figures, Córdoba aims to position itself as a high-quality MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination and increase overnight stays, an area in which it still competes with neighboring cities such as Seville, Malaga, and Granada.
The event was organized by the AOC and received financial support from the IMDEEC, with collaboration from CECO. Its main objective was to foster collaboration and the creation of synergies among participants for a common goal that benefits all stakeholders in the industry.
A notable feature of the event was its innovative methodology, which involved the formation of six discussion tables covering diverse topics, including promotion, marketing, and acquisition; public-private collaboration; cultural offerings; venues and accommodation; catering and dining; and transportation and travel agencies. Attendees rotated among these tables to engage in constructive discussions. Upon conclusion, the findings from each table were presented, followed by an open debate among all participants. These valuable conclusions will be shared with relevant stakeholders in the city’s tourism and economy, with the expectation of driving the development of the MICE industry in Córdoba.
