The Costa Rica Convention Center consolidates its role as the epicenter of meeting tourism in the region

How do you feel about hosting an event of this magnitude at home?

Thank you for the opportunity. It's very important for Costa Rica and for the Convention Center to host FIEXPO, probably the most important event in the region for meetings tourism. It's a very well-designed fair, with specific buyers from the MICE sector, which represents a great opportunity for the business in general.

It was a process that was built quickly, but seeing it full today is incredibly exciting. Since its construction in 2018, the center has allowed us to become a leading player in the international meeting tourism industry. Grupo Heroica's operation has been key, not only because of its expertise in government asset management but also because of the strengthening of the public-private partnership. Thanks to this, we have successfully entered this industry.

What impact does this type of event have in terms of seasonality and economic impact?

This is an excellent point. Personally, I'm not talking about the off-season, but rather about seasonality. This type of fair allows us to balance these cycles, and in addition to the economic benefits, there's a very significant academic contribution. We incorporated sustainability concepts, had students participate in talks, and achieved a connection with various service-providing sectors. We thus contribute to sustainability in all its dimensions, including the environmental, thanks to the center's active programs for events of this category.

What activities are coming up for the second semester?

The peak conference season begins in September. We'll host between 10 and 12 events over a three- or four-month period. We'll also host artistic events, such as concerts, which have their own season, and, of course, corporate events, which are our most frequent activity.

Is a possible expansion of the center being analyzed?

Yes, we're already talking about it. This particular event highlighted the need for more square footage. The idea is to provide a more compact and fluid experience for attendees. It's a topic that's starting to be discussed in a more concrete way.

How do you assess the first half of the year?

We closed out the first half of the year with very positive feelings. We've attended international events in various sectors with effective results. FIEXPO, in particular, has been key and will continue in Costa Rica for at least two more years. This allows us to demonstrate to our colleagues in the region that the country is capable. The integration of knowledge that Grupo Heroica has brought is evident and directly relates to the experience we aim to provide.