Conventa 2026 with Numerous Innovations and an Upgraded Sustainability Approach

This year’s edition highlights the concept of The Art of Meetings, combining a business marketplace, content formats, experiential networking and sustainable practices. As the first event of its kind in the world, Conventa is introducing sustainability reporting in accordance with the European CSRD directive. The Slovenian Tourist Board (STB) has been a partner of the trade show since its very beginning.

As a strategic partner, the STB is also participating in this year’s Conventa business trade show, which has established itself as one of the key and most important events in the meetings industry in Slovenia and the wider region.

MSc. Maja Pak Olaj, Director of the STB, emphasised: "The Slovenian Tourist Board has been a partner of the Conventa business trade show since its inception. The meetings industry is one of the key tourism products of Slovenian tourism, characterised by high guest spending, a pronounced multiplier effect and a significant contribution to deseasonalisation, the dispersal of tourist flows and the sustainable development of tourism. At the STB, we will therefore continue to devote special attention to the meetings industry in the future, together with the Slovenian Convention Bureau and key partners, also within the framework of implementing the new Slovenian Meetings Industry Strategy for 2025–2030. Our activities are carried out with the goal of positioning Slovenia by 2030 as an inspiring European destination for medium-sized, regenerative events that leave destinations in a better state than before the event and in balance with society, the environment and participants. We will inspire organisers with connectivity, creativity, reliable partners, innovative infrastructure and measurable added value."

As part of Conventa, a press conference was held, where MSc. Karmen Novarlič, Head of the Corporate Communications Department at the STB, stressed: "The Conventa business trade show continues to set new standards in sustainable event organisation and confirms that sustainability remains one of the central orientations of the meetings industry. Educational sessions, business discussions and the exchange of numerous best practices have opened important debates about the future of responsible event development. Conventa 2026 places the theme of The Art of Meetings at the forefront, highlighting the art of connecting people, ideas and spaces. At a time when many business events are losing their identity and human touch, Conventa encourages the creation of thoughtful, authentic experiences in which business is intertwined with art and creativity. Through numerous fam trips across Slovenia, the key objectives of the new meetings industry development strategy are being realised – a more balanced development of destinations, with a stronger focus on the eastern part of the country. International event organisers will be able to experience first-hand the diversity and quality of unique venues and experiences that offer exceptional potential for hosting top international business events in Slovenia."

As part of Conventa, a press trip for foreign journalists, supported by the STB, takes place in Ljubljana from 10 to 12 February. Eight specialised international media outlets will participate in the study trip: Think MICE (Poland), Travel Daily Media (United Kingdom), Event Point International (Portugal), Turizmus Kft. (Hungary), CIM (Germany), EventoPlus / Sports & Events World (Spain), Place2Go (Croatia) and Media Marketing (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The itinerary includes participation in the conference, networking with stakeholders of the Slovenian meetings industry and discovering Ljubljana as a sustainable meetings destination.

Ljubljana Once Again the Central Venue

The first day of the trade show (10 February) focused on education and networking within the framework of the Switch conference. With more than 100 participants, the conference reinforced sustainable event organisation as one of the central priorities of the meetings industry, fostering in-depth discussions, knowledge exchange and the sharing of forward-looking practices.

The afternoon programme of the first day continued with The Conventa Trend Bar 2026, held under the title Marketing Across Generations in the Event Industry, which sparked a forward-looking dialogue on the evolution of event marketing. The dynamic and interactive panel brought together representatives of three generations, offering diverse perspectives and illustrating how creativity, accumulated experience and strategic insight intersect and complement one another in shaping contemporary event marketing approaches.

The official opening reception and the Conventa Awards ceremony took place yesterday at Ljubljana Castle, providing a distinguished setting to celebrate excellence in the meetings industry. The awards honoured individuals and projects that have made a lasting and significant impact on the sector. This year, the Conventa Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sonja and Franci Jezeršek, the founders of Jezeršek Catering, the Conventa Hall of Fame recognition was awarded to MSc. Petra Stušek of Ljubljana Tourism and the title of Conventa Ambassador was bestowed upon Mirjana Resner of the Croatian Convention Bureau.

Conventa Experience Crawl 

A notable new addition to this year’s business trade show is the Conventa Experience Crawl, an exciting programme unfolding across six distinctive venues in Ljubljana. Designed as an experiential extension of the marketplace, it will create fresh opportunities for meaningful networking and in-depth destination discovery. Over the course of two days, participants will explore six carefully selected venues in the heart of the city, where art, hospitality and curated business encounters blend into a cohesive and inspiring experience. The Conventa Experience Crawl venues include Atrij Pošte, Nebotičnik, Nebo Restaurant, the Bankarium Money Museum, Muza Gallery and Breg 369.

Conventa 2026 with an Even Stronger Commitment to Sustainability

This year’s Conventa once again applies a comprehensive approach to measuring the event’s overall impact and further strengthens its commitment to sustainable organisation across five key pillars: carbon footprint management, regulatory compliance, impact assessment, carbon offsetting, and transparent communication and stakeholder engagement. Following the event, a detailed sustainability report will be prepared, providing a transparent overview of the results achieved and the progress made. With reporting aligned to the European CSRD directive, Conventa ranks among the very few events worldwide to implement sustainability reporting at this level of rigour and accountability.

Later this afternoon, the Congress Star Awards 2026 ceremony will take place at Cankarjev dom, where the leading destinations, venues and individuals in the meetings industry will be announced. In line with the established Congress Star selection methodology, the following day will, for the first time, bring a dedicated evaluation of the best venues. The independent assessment covers historical, purpose-built and natural venues, placing particular emphasis on overall experience, spatial quality, sustainability performance and the uniqueness of their context.

Conventa in numbers

Since its launch in 2009, Conventa has developed into a leading regional platform for the meetings industry. Over the years, the organisers have hosted 3,989 invited hosted buyers and 2,211 exhibitors, facilitating an impressive 56,813 pre-arranged business meetings. In addition, 146 site inspections have been organised within the framework of the trade show, enabling decision-makers to experience destinations and venues first-hand and strengthening long-term business cooperation.

Conventa is organised by the Slovenian Convention Bureau and the Toleranca Marketing agency, in close cooperation with Tourism Ljubljana, the Slovenian Tourist Board and 21 strategic partners, whose joint efforts contribute to the event’s continued growth, international relevance and high professional standards.

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