Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world’s largest global meeting and event industry association, will convene senior-level meetings and events professionals from across Europe and beyond for its 37th European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC), taking place 21-24 February 2026, at the SLS Barcelona.
EMEC is MPI’s signature European conference, intentionally designed as a global gathering for Europeans, by Europeans. EMEC delivers education, peer connection, and destination-driven experiences tailored to the unique realities of the European meetings and events landscape. EMEC Barcelona continues this legacy with a highly curated program that blends strategic education, immersive learning, and meaningful networking in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities.
Progressive Learning Experience for Meeting Planners
EMEC Barcelona offers a progressive learning experience designed for European professionals navigating increasing complexity, pressure, and change in their roles. Rather than traditional session hopping, the conference emphasises a progressive learning experience that builds insight over time. This includes more than 18 breakout sessions and three general sessions that explore leadership, influence and innovation, such as:
The Power of Choice: Exploring the Neuroscience of Influence and Experience: An interactive plenary where participants shape the session in real time, exploring executive presence, authority, and the brain science behind memorable experiences.
Make AI Work for You: A practical, no-hype session focused on how event teams are using AI today to improve workflows without losing creativity or humanity.
When the World Was Watching: Inside the NATO Summit in The Hague: A rare case study examining trust, security, and decision-making under global pressure, from both government and venue perspectives.
Tech Meets Tourism: Barcelona as a Launchpad for MICE Innovation: Featuring insights from Barcelona’s digital and innovation leaders on how technology is reshaping destination strategy and event impact.
Learning Journeys: Education Beyond the Conference Room
A defining feature of EMEC Barcelona is its Learning Journeys, which are immersive educational experiences that take attendees out of the conference room and into Barcelona, transforming the city into a living classroom. These curated journeys are intentionally limited in size and designed to foster reflection, dialogue, and hands-on learning, including:
Casa Bellesguard: Art, History & Hands-On Creativity: Hosted at Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Bellesguard, blending architectural exploration with a mosaic workshop inspired by Gaudí’s trencadís technique.
Barcelona Marina: Innovation, Blue Economy & Waterfront Regeneration: A real-world case study of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and cross-sector collaboration along Barcelona’s waterfront.
22@ Innovation District Architecture Tour: Exploring how urban design, public space, and architecture influence creativity, collaboration, and attendee experience.
Alta Alella Winery: Leadership, Place & Sustainable Stewardship: A reflective learning experience set within a Mediterranean vineyard, connecting leadership, sustainability, and sense of place.
Unforgettable Networking and Cultural Experiences
EMEC Barcelona places a strong emphasis on relationship-building through thoughtfully designed networking experiences. Highlights include the Opening Reception on Sunday, welcoming attendees to Barcelona, and Club ‘Vous on Monday evening, a signature networking event benefiting the MPI Foundation. Since its inception in 1984, the MPI Foundation (MPIF) has distributed more than $14.8 million to the industry, every MPI chapter and more than 25,000 individual members.
EMEC Barcelona also offers an elevated Hosted Buyer Programme, fostering powerful business connections between event planners and global suppliers.
Learn more about the event and register here.
