What to expect?

The programme centres on four key thematic pillars with an emphasis on dynamic session formats. Moving away from traditional long presentations, the agenda prioritises shorter, interactive sessions, extended networking breaks, member-driven storytelling, and dedicated student engagement. Early outreach to association representatives and panel contributors strengthens the program’s relevance and diversity.

Full programme

The ICCA CEC 2026 programme is designed as a dynamic, experience-driven journey that combines strategic insight, creative thinking, and meaningful networking. It is structured to actively engage participants and challenge conventional approaches within the meetings industry. The event opens with informal networking and business exchange, culminating in the official evening opening, setting a collaborative tone from the outset.

Time Programme
ICCA CEC pre programme, Sunday, 6 September 2026
14:30 – 16:30 Discover Ljubljana Guided city tours
17:00 – 18:00
Track A, City Hotel Networking: Networking Session for ICCA First Timers Facilitated by Efi Koudeli, ICCA
Track B, City Hotel Networking: ICCA Business Exchange Regional networking, knowledge exchange and new business opportunities. Facilitated by Marina Knittel, ICCA CEC
Welcome reception and opening night Sunday, 6 September 2026, Center Rog
19:00 – 22:00 Join fellow delegates for the official opening of ICCA CEC 2026. An evening of networking, celebration and the first spark of the Unicorn Awards, set in one of Ljubljana’s most inspiring creative venues.
Change Your Perspective, day 1 Monday, 7 September 2026, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana
07:00 – 08:00 Activation: Morning in Ljubljana’s Green Heart Start your day with a refreshing walk through Tivoli Park, Ljubljana’s green heart.
08:30 – 09:00 Coffee & networking
09:00 – 09:10 Welcome session: A New Perspective Begins, Welcome to ICCA CEC Chapter Chair: Marina Knittel
Chapter Co Chair: Magdalena Holowinska
09:10 – 09:25 Opening ceremony: Connecting Perspectives Senthil Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer, ICCA
Maja Pak Olaj, Slovenian Tourist Board
Petra Stušek, CEO at Ljubljana Tourism Moderated by Patrick Delaney
09:25 – 10:00 Panel: Changing Perspectives, Leading Through Transformation Senthil Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer, ICCA
Petra Stušek, CEO at Ljubljana Tourism
Fredi Fontanot, CEO at Slovenian Convention Bureau
TBD Moderated by Patrick Delaney
10:00 – 10:15 ICCA update: The Road Ahead Efi Koudeli, Senior Regional Director Europe
10:15 – 10:40 Keynote: How Creativity Makes Events Matter Aris Theophilakis, NOSLEEPTILLBROOKLYIN
10:40 – 11:00 Networking break
11:00 – 11:40 Active panel: What PCOs and Event Agencies Can Learn from Each Other What can PCOs and event agencies learn from each other? Panelists:
Ori Lahav, Kenes
Sissi Lignou, AFEA Congress
Alexandre Meyrieux, KIT Group
TBD Moderated by Gorazd Čad
11:40 – 11:50 Market insight: Connectivity Alone Is Not a Strategy Why air access is only one part of destination competitiveness, by Kongres Magazine.
11:50 – 12:20 Round table: Aviation Reality Check Mateusz Dziudziel, LOT
Jürgen Deischl, Fraport Slovenija
Boško Rupić, Air Serbia
Johannes Müller, Lufthansa Group Moderated by ICCA Aviation Council
12:20 – 12:30 Market insight: What Guests Really Remember? Hidden insights from hotels and convention centres, by Kongres Magazine.
12:30 – 13:00 Round table: Are Venues Ready for What’s Next? TBD, Cankarjev dom
Iztok Bricl, GR
Sven Bossu, AIPC, The International Association of Convention Centres
TBD, Austria Center Vienna
TBD, Krakow Convention Centre Moderated by Magdalena Holowinska
13:00 – 13:05 A short welcome from Cankarjev dom
13:05 – 14:00 Networking lunch in the park
14:00 – 14:15 Activation: Change Your Perspective, Interactive Energiser
14:20 – 15:00
Track A, Club CD Hall Workshop: Building Bridges, The Power of Ambassador Programmes Moderated by Gerald Howard, Lausanne Montreux Congress
Track B, Alma Karlin Hall Fishbowl: Artificial Intelligence, Cutting Through the Noise Stefan Bonsels, Head of Convention Bureau Basel
Oliver Wykes, COO of WindEurope and AC Forum President Moderated by Alexandre Meyrieux, KIT Group
15:00 – 15:20 Networking break
15:20 – 16:05
Track A, Club CD Hall Campfire sessions: Changing Perspectives Moderated by Ivo Franschitz, Enited
Track B, Alma Karlin Hall Competition: Next Gen Challenge Moderated by Ana Robič Zima, Slovenian Convention Bureau Guest: Christoph Tessmar, Barcelona CVB
16:05 – 16:45 Keynote: Designing Emotions, The Most Powerful Lever for Behavior Change and Impact Pigalle Tavakkoli, School of Experience Design
16:45 – 17:00 Closing session: Reflections and Closing of Day 1 Moderated by Marina Knittel and Magdalena Holowinska
17:00 – 17:45 Site inspection: Cankarjev dom, CD Congress Centre Ljubljana
A night in the City Museum Monday, 7 September 2026, City Museum
19:30 – 22:00 Step into the historic City Museum for an evening of meaningful connections, local flavours and relaxed networking. Celebrate the spirit of ICCA CEC while discovering the stories and heritage of Ljubljana.
Change Your Perspective, day 2 Tuesday, 8 September 2026, GR Ljubljana, Congress & Convention Centre
08:30 – 09:00 Coffee & networking
09:00 – 09:05 Welcome from GR Ljubljana, Congress & Convention Centre Anja Mijatovič, GR Ljubljana
09:05 – 09:15 Start the day together: ICCA CEC Bingo The start of the day Moderated by Marina Knittel and Magdalena Holowinska
09:15 – 09:40 Keynote: Creating Moments the World Remembers Maria Laura Iascone, Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies Director, Milano Cortina 2026
09:40 – 10:00 Student Challenge: Winning Team Presentation Moderator: TBD
10:00 – 10:15 ICCA Fire Talks: ICCA CEC Member Spotlight Four three minute lightning updates from ICCA CEC members, sharing new initiatives, success stories and opportunities. First come, first served. Fire talk 1: Leopold Korytkowski, Szczecin Convention Bureau
Fire talk 2: TBD
Fire talk 3: TBD
Fire talk 4: TBD
10:15 – 10:45 Networking break
10:45 – 11:45 Workshop: Association Perspectives & Smarter Bidding, Building Stronger Partnerships Between Associations and Destinations Anouk Buergisser Marti
Denis Schultz Moderated by TBD
11:45 – 12:15 Keynote: Staying Human in the Age of AI Dan Podjed, anthropologist & associate professor
12:15 – 12:30 Closing session: The Journey Continues
  • Conference reflections & key takeaways
  • Recognition of hosts and partners
  • Announcement of the next ICCA CEC host destination
Moderated by Marina Knittel and Magdalena Holowinska
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch in a park
13:30 – 14:00 Site inspection: GR Ljubljana, Congress & Convention Centre
13:45 – 14:00 Transfer to Ljubljana Castle to continue with the Unicorn Events afternoon programme
Do you believe in unicorns? Change Your Perspective Again Tuesday, 8 September 2026, Ljubljana Castle
14:20 – 14:40 Centre Stage: Opening Ceremony of Milano Cortina Fire Talk 4: TBD
14:40 – 15:00 Centre Stage: Closing Ceremony of Milano Cortina Fire Talk 5: Adriano Martella, Filmmaster
15:00 – 15:15 Olympic F*ck Ups: The Things We Got Wrong
15:15 – 15:30 Networking break
15:30 – 16:15 Festival Founders Forum, From Festival to Movement Lessons from the region’s biggest live platforms: TBD
16:15 – 16:40 Joker Out: Behind the Scenes of a Historic Event A television style conversation with the core team behind the Joker Out event, exploring the concept, execution and crisis management of one of the most talked about projects of the year.
16:40 – 17:00 Centre Stage: How Creativity Makes Events Matter Fire Talk 6: TBD
17:00 – 17:15 The Unicorn Manifesto: What Should Never Change in Live Events? A fast paced closing session bringing together the day’s key speakers for one final reflection on the future of live events.
Unicorn Awards winners ceremony: A Castle Night of Celebration Tuesday, 8 September 2026, Ljubljana Castle
20:00 – 23:00 Celebrate the pinnacle of the Unicorn Awards at Ljubljana Castle, where innovation, excellence and inspiration take centre stage. Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration and panoramic views over the city.

Extra option: the Unicorn Awards' winners ceremony

Founded in 2012, the competition, formerly known as the Conventa Best Event Award, sought to unearth Europe’s most impressive events. Since then, the competition has become a benchmark for leading industry events across the Baltics, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans. The competition aspires to showcase something scarce – unicorns – events that leave a lasting imprint, create communities and push the envelope.

You will have the chance to see the leading events across Europe as they win their much-deserved Unicorn trophies at Ljubljana Castle on 8 September 2026. Moreover, you will have the chance to meet event managers, creative heads, marketing experts, event organisers, providers of meeting services, representatives from companies, agencies, associations, and everyone else co-crafting the events and the advertising and marketing landscape.

Explore more