Insightful. Intentional. Actionable.
Convening EMEA is a leadership forum for the business events industry — designed to help you navigate complexity, design better events, and deliver real impact.
2026 PROGRAMME THEMES
A clear focus for what matters now.
Connection
Designing events and experiences that turn connection into community and measurable value in a hybrid, cross-cultural, and multi-generational world.
Integrity
Navigating moments where expectations, pressures, and values are at odds — while building trust, credibility, and long-term value.
Future
Insight to
Decision.”
Turning trends and uncertainty into confident, informed decisions that shape future-ready events and communities.
PROGRAMME ARCHITECTURE
Our programme architecture supports our overall themes while giving you the freedom to curate your own, very personal experience—based on your challenges, experience level, and personal or professional growth goals. Whether you’re focused on developing yourself, your team, or your organisation, the journey is yours to shape.
CALL FOR CASE STUDIES
Convening EMEA is built on an audience-first ethos which is why we are inviting you to contribute to our Insight Series. Whether you have an innovative success story, a fresh perspective on event tech, or a bold approach to integrating sustainability across an event lifecycle, we encourage you to submit a proposal. No concept or proposal is off limits!
This is your chance to:
- Shape the Conversation
- Collaborate with Peers
- Connect and Elevate your Network
Join us in co-creating a dynamic, solution-focused programme that resonates across borders, sectors, and experience levels.
Submit your case study by Thursday, 30th April 2026.
2026 PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
| DAY 1: Sunday 13th September | ||
| TIMINGS | DETAILS | |
| 09:30 – 15:00 | Destinations International European Workshop | |
| 13:00 – 18:00 | Registration | |
| 15:30 – 18:30 | Lisbon Exploration Tours (Various Options) | |
| 18:30 – 21:30 | Welcome Party | |
| DAY 2: Monday 14th September | ||
| TIMINGS | DETAILS | |
| 07:00 – 08:00 | Morning Escapism Activities | |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Registration & Networking | |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Opening – Welcome & Main Stage Keynote | |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Refreshment Break – Networking & Exploration | |
| 11:15 – 12:30 | Level Workshops | |
| 12:30 – 13:45 | Networking Lunch & Exploration | |
| 13:45 – 14:45 | Main Stage Keynote | |
| 14:45 – 15:30 | Insights Series | |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Refreshment Break – Networking & Exploration | |
| 16:00 – 16:45 | Connection Starter | |
| 16:45 – 17:30 | Mix & Mingle | |
| 19:30 – Late | Social Evening | |
| DAY 3: Tuesday 15th September | ||
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Networking & Exploration | |
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Day 3 Opening Main Stage | |
| 10:00 – 10:45 | Refreshment Break – Networking & Exploration | |
| 10:45 – 12:15 | Micro Labs | |
| 12:15 – 13:30 | Main Stage Keynote & Event Close | |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Farewell Lunch | |
EXPLORATION TOURS
Lisbon as a Living Laboratory for Creativity and Collaboration
This curated series of Exploration Tours invites you to experience Lisbon not as a destination, but as a living, evolving ecosystem — one where heritage, creativity, sustainability, and innovation intersect to shape meaningful event experiences.
Across five distinct yet interconnected explorations, you will move through transformation, identity, creativity, collaboration, and future-thinking, gaining inspiration for how cities — and events — can evolve with intention. Select one Exploration Tour to kick off your journey of inspiration and exploration in Lisbon at Convening EMEA 2026!
*Exploration Tours on Sunday 13th September to depart from FIL. Places are limited, we would therefore recommend you select your preference during the registration process to avoid disappointment.
EVENING NETWORKING EVENTS
When the sessions wrap up, the conversations continue. Join us for evenings designed to bring the Convening EMEA community together through networking, great food, local culture, and memorable experiences across Lisbon.
Welcome Reception at Patio de Gale
Lisbon Shared.
Your Convening EMEA journey has begun. Now, let’s come together.
After an afternoon spent discovering Lisbon from different perspectives, join the Convening EMEA community at the historic Pátio da Galé for our first evening together.
This is your chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet someone new and share the moments that caught your attention along the way.
See the day’s adventures come to life around you, watch the evening unfold through live art, discover touches of Lisbon’s character and culture, and enjoy Portuguese-inspired food and drinks as conversations begin to flow.
There is no agenda tonight. Just good food, new perspectives and the opportunity to turn shared experiences into new connections.
DATE: Sunday 13 September
TIME: 18:30-21:30
LOCATION: Patio de Gale
DRESS CODE: Lisbon Casual — with a splash of colour.
Come as you are from your afternoon in the city. Comfortable, relaxed and ready to connect. We simply invite you to add a little colour.
Dinner at LX Factory
Lisbon Together.
One day of ideas, conversations and new connections behind us. One Lisbon night ahead.
Join the Convening EMEA community at LX Factory as we come back together for an evening designed around great food, shared experiences and a few surprises along the way.
Settle in around the table, explore the spaces, follow the music and see where the evening takes you. This is a night to continue the conversations that started during the day, make some new ones, and celebrate the people and connections that make this community what it is.
Expect music. Expect movement. Expect the unexpected.
Most importantly, come ready to enjoy being together.
DATE: Monday 14 September
TIME: 19:30 – until late
LOCATION: LX Factory
DRESS CODE: Lisbon After Dark — colourful, confident, you.
