Bogotá consolidates its regional leadership in meeting tourism with social impact
Within the framework of FIEXPO Latin America 2025, Luz Aida Salcedo, Senior Officer of the Invest in Bogotá Convention Bureau, shared the city's progress in the MICE segment, highlighting the focus on the social legacy of events and its growing international projection
How do you evaluate Invest in Bogotá's participation in FIEXPO Latin America 2025?
FIEXPO is an essential event for us. Bogotá is increasingly working to position itself as a leading destination for meetings tourism, and this fair allowed us to connect not only with Latin America but also with markets in Europe and the United States. The networking and training sessions were enriching, and we are very satisfied with the results. Furthermore, Costa Rica's hospitality was excellent, which contributed to the positive atmosphere of the fair.
We're halfway through the year. What have been the most important milestones for Bogotá in terms of meeting tourism?
This has been a very dynamic year. One of the key events was the Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology, which brought together nearly 5,000 people. But the most valuable aspect was its social impact: free eye screening sessions were held for more than 140 children and 200 adults from recycling families in Bogotá. This reflects the city's focus on attracting events not only for their economic value, but also for their capacity for social transformation.
Another important point is that Bogotá continues to position itself as a venue for major international events. This year, for example, we will host the World Congress on Reproductive Medicine and Health, which is being held for the first time in the Americas.
What strategies are you developing to strengthen the city's international promotion?
We are working on a joint strategy with ProColombia and other national players. Bogotá currently presides over the Colombian National Bureaux Network, which brings together 11 convention bureaus. Our goal is to share Bogotá's know-how to strengthen event acquisition across the country.
Furthermore, we were recognized this year by ICCA as Researcher of the Year, an achievement that demonstrates the growing professionalism of our team. This also demonstrates that Latin American destinations are at the level of international standards in terms of event management and meeting tourism.