PCMA closes largest Convening EMEA

# tags: Lisbon , Events , Congress , Associations

Convening EMEA closed this week in Lisbon, welcoming 565 in-person participants and reaching 814 total participants across its global digital audience, with 42 countries represented – making it the largest Convening EMEA to date.

This year’s gathering marked the largest Convening EMEA in the event’s history, reflecting the continued growth of PCMA’s community across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO, PCMA and CEMA, announced Seville, Andalucia, Spain will host Convening EMEA 2027, 13–15 September 2027. The return to Seville, Andalucia has an important place within PCMA’s European story. PCMA last brought its European community to Seville in 2018 for the European Influencers Summit which welcomed approximately 150 participants. Convening EMEA 2027 is planned to draw more than 600 participants in person, along with a global digital audience.

The 2027 experience will be delivered in partnership with Andalucia and Seville, bringing PCMA’s growing EMEA community to a region that has identified the business events sector as a strategic priority and is investing in its international reach, sustainability, innovation and long-term development.

“Convening EMEA has evolved significantly since PCMA first brought our European community to Seville in 2018,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President and CEO of PCMA and CEMA. “Returning in 2027 gives us an opportunity to demonstrate just how far that community – and this experience – has come. Andalucia and Seville share our ambition to use business events to create meaningful economic and social progress, and we look forward to working together to create an experience that connects our global community while delivering lasting value for the region.”

Convening EMEA 2027 will take place at FIBES – Seville Conference & Exhibition Centre, with the destination providing the setting for PCMA’s combination of education, connection, experimentation and immersive experiences.

Convening EMEA brings together business event strategists, event marketers, association and corporate leaders, partners and next-generation professionals from across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and PCMA’s wider global community. The 2027 program will continue the evolution of the experience around meaningful connection, relevant learning and active participation, using Seville and Andalusia as part of the experience rather than simply its backdrop.

Regional partners reflect on the announcement

The Second Vice President and Minister of Tourism of Andalucia, Manuel Gavira, expressed his satisfaction with the selection of the region of Andalucia as host destination of Convening EMEA & Convene 4 Climate 2027, a decision that represents “recognition of Andalucia’s leadership as one of the major international tourist destinations and, in particular, the growing strength of our unique offer in the meetings & events industry.”

In this regard, he pointed out that “hosting an event of this importance, bringing together the leading players and professionals of the global MICE industry, will allow us to directly showcase the capacity, professionalism, and diversity of Andalucia as a destination and reinforce our position in a strategic segment due to its ability to generate economic activity and opportunities for our ecosystem of destinations and business suppliers.”

“We are delighted that Seville has been selected to host the upcoming PCMA CEMEA Annual Conference in 2027,” stated Ángel Díaz, President of the Sevilla Congress & Convention Bureau. “This represents an outstanding opportunity to further strengthen our city’s position as a premier international destination for the business events industry, while highlighting the expertise, capability, and talent of our local business sector.”

Angie Moreno, Councillor for Tourism and Culture at Seville City Council stated, “We are very proud that Seville has been chosen to host CEMEA 2027. This is an important recognition of our city’s growing position in the international business events sector and a great opportunity to showcase Seville and FIBES to the global meetings community. We look forward to welcoming the PCMA community and working together to make CEMEA 2027 a great success.”