PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
“To participate in any FIEXPO activity, you must pre-register as a buyer, exhibitor, visitor or press. If you are already registered and wish to register for any activity that requires pre-registration, please access your profile and select the ‘Educational Session Registration’ option to complete your registration.”
SATURDAY JUNE 7 | Real InterContinental
09:00am – 5:30pm
Event with cost and prior registration
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Laurel
SITE CIS CERTIFICATION
Facilitator: Norma Domínguez, CIS, CMP Regional Sales Director Amstar
SUNDAY JUNE 8 | Real InterContinental
09:00am – 5:30pm
Paid event with prior registration
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Laurel
SITE CIS CERTIFICATION
Facilitator: Norma Domínguez, CIS, CMP Regional Sales Director Amstar
09:00am – 1:00pm
Paid event with prior registration
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Roble 2
ICCA AI ADVANTAGE CERTIFICATION
It is an innovative program designed for meetings industry professionals seeking to leverage the potential of artificial intelligence in event planning and management. Through this certification, participants gain key knowledge on the strategic use of AI for process optimization, experience personalization, and data-driven decision-making, strengthening their competitive advantage in an ever-evolving environment.
Facilitators: Juliano Lissoni Managing Director MCI Group Canada; Gemmeke De Jongh ICCA Senior Manager Education and Impact
09:00am – 12:00pm
Event with prior registration
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Roble 1
Event Impact Forum: People & Planet powered by MPI
The Event Impact Forum 2025, FIEXPO’s new summit, will focus on generating a positive impact on people and the planet. In this first edition, it will address best practices in neuroinclusion, food waste prevention, and peer connection. Through three dynamic conversations, it will offer ideas, strategies, and innovative solutions to design more inclusive and sustainable events, highlighting the transformative power of meetings.
Facilitator: Jessie States, Vice President, MPI Consulting
MONDAY, JUNE 9 | Real InterContinental
08:00am – 6:00pm
ACCREDITATIONS
08:30am – 10:30pm
Requires FIEXPO registration
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Real
Opening Session – SustAInability Workshop
The SustAInability Workshop by ICCA at FIEXPO Latin America 2025 is not just another session: it’s a think lab that connects sustainability, artificial intelligence, and business events. If you’re interested in how events can be part of the solution to the planet’s major challenges, this space is for you. Real cases, collaborative dynamics, and technological tools come together to create tangible impact. Save the date. Transform the way you see the industry.
Facilitators: Andrés Escandón (Colombia) ICCA Regional Director; Juliano Lissoni (Canada) Managing Director MCI Group Canada; Gemmeke De Jongh (Netherlands) ICCA Senior Manager Education and Impact; Senthil Gopinath (Netherlands) CEO ICCA World; Santiago González (Uruguay) Director of Development and Business FIEXPO Exhibitions Group
11:30am – 01:00pm
Business Development Workshop
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Roble
ICCA Latin America & Caribbean Chapter Meeting
03:00pm – 06:00pm
Exclusive activity for Convention Bureaus and Public Tourism Organizations
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Roble
CONVENTION BUREAU CHALLENGE
The “Convention Bureau Challenge” will be a key meeting point for industry leaders, where the main challenges faced by destination managers will be identified and addressed. This exclusive space for DMOs, CVBs, Ministries of Tourism, City Halls, and tourism promotion offices will set the stage for concrete solutions, leveraging the power of peer collaboration across diverse experiences and realities. With the support of international experts, it will foster a think tank focused on innovation and the joint advancement of the sector.
Facilitators: Juan José García (Spain) Chief Sales & Marketing Officer BCO Congresos
Special Guests: Gemmeke de Jongh (Netherlands) ICCA Senior Manager Education and Impact; Anna Bueno Association Meetings Manager at Barcelona Convention Bureau (Spain); Loren Christie (Canada) Managing Director, BestCities Global Alliance; Martin Boyle (United Kingdom) CEO IAPCO; Eduardo Chaillo Maritz Global General Manager; Guy Bigwood GDS Movement (United Kingdom); Michel Wohlmuth President of the Mexican Council for the Meetings Industry – COMIR.
03:00pm – 06:00pm
Exclusive activity for young industry professionals
under 30 years old
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Cedro
NEXT GENERATION SUMMIT
Designed to empower the future leaders of the MICE industry, this space is aimed at young professionals and students interested in events and meetings tourism. It provides essential tools, knowledge, and connections for participants to develop their skills and understand emerging trends. Through interactive dynamics, mentorships, and the innovative concept of reverse mentorship, it will foster a unique exchange where experts and young professionals collaborate and learn from each other, combining experience with fresh perspectives. Attendees will gain deep insight into the transformative potential of this industry and their role in building a more innovative and sustainable future.
Facilitators: Santiago González (Uruguay) Director of Development and Business FIEXPO Exhibitions Group (Uruguay); Sina Bünte (Germany) Founder of DigitalMind.events; Leonel Bonilla (Costa Rica) MICExperiences
Special Guests: Álvaro Rojas (Costa Rica) General Manager, Costa Rica Convention Center; Tatiana Orozco (Costa Rica) Executive Director, Costa Rica CVB; Susan Ayala (Colombia) Business Development LATAM, PCMA; Leticia Serrano (Argentina) ICCA Regional Manager LATAM; Linda Garzón Rocha (Colombia) Meet4Impact; Charisse Slight (Mexico) Founder, Grupo Mesarosa; José Alberto Quan (Honduras) Eventia; Andrés Escandón (Colombia) ICCA Regional Director
03:00pm – 06:00pm
Exclusive activity for SITE members
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Laurel
SITE Iberoamerica Meet
03:00pm – 06:00pm
Exclusive activity for business owners
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Laurel
Business Owners Conclave
Business Owners Conclave is an exclusive gathering specifically designed for business owners in the MICE industry. In this private space, entrepreneurs discuss key strategies and make decisions that will shape the future of the sector. With a focus on leadership, innovation, and sustainability, the conclave encourages the exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives on current challenges and opportunities in the global market. More than just an event, it is a collaborative platform where business owners chart the path for the growth and evolution of the industry.
Facilitator: Eric Rozenberg (USA) Event Business Formula
TUESDAY JUNE 10 | Real InterContinental - Marriot Hacienda Belen
08:00am – 06:00pm
Hotel Real InterContinental Costa Rica – Hotel Marriott Hacienda Belén
Acreditations
09:00am – 10:00am
Invitation-only event for MPI Members
Hotel Real InterContinental San José, Costa Rica
Room: Laurel
MPI Membership Summit
08:30am – 10:30am
Invitation-only event for ICCA Members
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Laurel
ICCA Business Intelligence & Exchange
10:30am – 11:30am
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Cedro
FIEXPO CONNECTING MINDS
“No Giving Up: Mental and Strategic Keys to Lead and Grow with Purpose” In a competitive and ever-changing environment like the MICE industry, resilience and strategic mindset make all the difference. This inspiring session, led by Kike Ramírez — life and business strategist, author of the bestseller *No Giving Up* — will help you reconnect with your purpose, strengthen your leadership, and activate your personal brand as a driver of growth. Through experiential dynamics and real-life examples, you’ll discover how to turn challenges into opportunities, boost your entrepreneurial energy, and build a path of impact without losing personal balance. Here, giving up is not an option: it’s time to lead with focus, passion, and action.
Facilitator: Kike Ramírez (Colombia) – Estratega de Vida y Negocios | Autor | Speaker Internacional
11:30am – 12:30pm
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Cedro
With Their Own Voice: Women Who Inspire, Decide, and Transform
This space is for us. To speak without filters, share what no one sees behind success, and celebrate the fundamental role we play in an industry that couldn’t move forward without the talent, vision, and strength of women. We’re not here to ask for a seat — we’re here to claim it with everything we are. If you’re part of the industry, this panel is for you. Because together we don’t just make history — we transform it.
Facilitator: Carolina Adano (Uruguay) FIEXPO EXHIBITIONS GROUP – Marcela Torres (Mexico) PCMA LATAM
02:30pm – 06:00pm
Invitation-only event
Hotel Real InterContinental San José Costa Rica
Room: Real
12th LATIN AMERICAN POLITICAL FORUM on Meetings Tourism
The Political Forum of the Industry provides a space to discuss developments and share individual experiences, fostering debates that influence the future direction of events and addressing key topics such as policy formulation and strategic destination management.
08:00pm
Invitation-only event
Dress Code: Cocktail
WELCOME COCKTAIL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 | Costa Rica Convention Center
09:00am – 06:00pm
Acreditations
10:00am
Dress Code – Smart Casual/Semi-formal
FIEXPO LATIN AMERICA – Business Roundtable
11:00am – 12:00pm
OFFICIAL OPENING FIEXPO LATIN AMERICA 2025
Education Hub A
01:40pm – 02:40pm
Event open to all registered attendees of the trade show
Innovation
We will explore the impact of artificial intelligence, automation, and new technologies on event management. Discover how personalization and digital optimization are transforming the way we design experiences and generate value.
What If Your Events Could Speak? The Future of Real-Time Content Is Already Here
Discover how artificial intelligence can capture, summarize, and transform everything said at your events in real time. Learn how to turn each session into actionable data and strategic value for organizers, attendees, and destinations.
Speaker: Vamshi Velmajala (Singapore) Managing Director, Snapsight
Associations in Evolution: From Survival to Real Growth
In an environment where associations face low engagement, unstable income, and increasingly demanding members, this session will show you how to overcome the silent threats holding back your growth. Discover the key pillars of a modern association, how to use technology to personalize the member experience, and how to make data-driven decisions to achieve real sustainability and relevance.
Speaker: Karina Delmonte (República Dominicana) Turenlaces
Education Hub B
01:40pm – 02:40pm
Event open to all registered attendees of the trade show
Connection
Boost your Return on Relationships (ROR) with effective networking strategies and value generation through events. Learn how to build strategic and sustainable relationships that drive long-term success.
In a world where an image can define a travel decision, this session will show you how destinations can harness the power of visual content, social media, and artificial intelligence to connect with global audiences. Discover the most effective strategies to transform real experiences into content that inspires, engages, and drives results.
Speaker: Sina Bünte (Alemania) Founder of DigitalMind.events
Impactful LinkedIn: Boost Your Profile and Connect with Real Opportunities
Your LinkedIn profile is not just a digital resume — it’s your professional introduction to the world. In this session, you’ll learn how to build a profile that not only looks good but attracts opportunities, strategic connections, and real visibility in your industry. From optimizing your headline to creating relevant content, you’ll discover how to become an influential voice in your field.
Speaker: José Alberto Quan (Honduras) Eventia
Education Hub C
01:40pm – 02:40pm
Event open to all registered attendees of the trade show
Sustainability
Social and environmental responsibility in the MICE industry is key. We will address sustainable practices, accessibility, and the positive impact of events on communities, ensuring a lasting legacy for the sector.
Events That Leave a Mark: Excellence and Sustainability in Action
This case study showcases how operational excellence, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability can converge to transform the impact of events in Latin America. We will explore the pioneering experiences of the 56th FELABAN Assembly in Guatemala 2022 and the 58th FELABAN Assembly in Paraguay 2024—both certified under the EIC standard at the bronze level—as concrete examples of how aligning events with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is not only possible, but necessary.
Speaker: Alisson Batres (Guatemala) Organizacion S.A.
CarbonClear Events: Measurable Sustainability, Transformative Impact
Taking care of the planet is non-negotiable, and measuring the environmental impact of our events is the first step toward responsible action. This session presents the CarbonClear Events methodology, a tool designed to help event venues and organizers quantify, mitigate, and offset their carbon footprint clearly and effectively. Aligned with the pillars of prevention, mitigation, and compensation, this methodology enables data-driven decision-making and allows environmental commitments to be communicated with transparency and credibility.
Speaker: Álvaro Rojas (Costa Rica) Grupo Heroica
02:40pm
FIEXPO LATIN AMERICA – Business Roundtable
08:00pm
Exclusive invitation-only event
Dress Code – Black Tie/Gala
Limited capacity
FIEXPO GALA DINNER
THURSDAY, JUNE 12 : Costa Rica Convention Center
09:00am – 04:00pm
Acreditations
10:00am
Dress Code – Smart Casual/Semi-formal
FIEXPO LATIN AMERICA – Business Roundtable
Education Hub A
01:40pm – 02:40pm
Event open to all registered attendees of the trade show
Innovation
We will explore the impact of artificial intelligence, automation, and new technologies on event management. Discover how personalization and digital optimization are transforming the way we design experiences and create value.
Connect, Automate, and Grow: Digital Solutions for the Associations of the Future
Today’s associations can’t operate with yesterday’s tools. This talk will show you how digital solutions can transform your daily operations, strengthen member relationships, and free up time for what really matters: growing with purpose. We’ll explore how platforms like In Contacto enable you to automate communications, centralize your database, manage events, measure results, and make smarter decisions.
Speaker: Santiago Barrientos Botero (Colombia) Director INCONTACTO
Behind the Code: AI Solutions Transforming the Events Industry
In an environment where associations face low engagement, unstable income, and increasingly demanding membership, this session will show you how to overcome the silent threats holding back your growth. Discover the key pillars of a modern association, how to use technology to personalize the member experience, and how to make data-driven decisions to achieve real sustainability and relevance.
Speaker: Vamshi Velmajala (Singapur) Managing Director Snapsigth
Education Hub B
01:40pm – 02:40pm
Event open to all registered attendees of the trade show
Connection
Boost your Return on Relationships (ROR) with effective networking strategies and value creation through events. Learn how to build strategic and sustainable relationships that drive long-term success.
Maximizing Event Impact: Pre- and Post-Engagement Strategies That Really Work
The success of an event doesn’t begin or end on the day it takes place. In this session, we’ll explore proven strategies to generate value before, during, and after the event—maximizing attendee engagement, improving content retention, and extending the impact far beyond the closing. Discover how to build meaningful connections in the lead-up phase, spark key conversations during the event, and maintain relationships over time with smart post-event actions.
Speaker: Sina Bünte (Alemania) Founder of DigitalMind.events
Impactful LinkedIn: Boost Your Profile and Connect with Real Opportunities
Your LinkedIn profile is not just a digital resume — it’s your introduction to the professional world. In this session, you’ll learn how to build a profile that not only looks good but attracts opportunities, strategic connections, and real visibility in your industry. From optimizing your headline to generating relevant content, you’ll discover how to become an influential voice in your field.
Speaker: José Alberto Quan (Honduras) Eventia
Education Hub C
01:40pm – 02:40pm
Event open to all registered attendees of the trade show
Sustainability
Social and environmental responsibility in the MICE industry is key. We will address sustainable practices, accessibility, and the positive impact of events on communities, ensuring a lasting legacy for the sector.
Artificial Intelligence at the Service of Destinations: Strategic Measurement of Event Impact
Learn how artificial intelligence enables destinations to measure the real impact of their events in real time—beyond basic figures. From perceptions to trends, discover how to transform each gathering into strategic data that strengthens your positioning and decision-making.
Speaker: Linda Garzón Rocha (Colombia) Meet4Impact
GDS-Index Lite: The First Step Toward a Sustainable and Competitive Destination
The GDS-Index Lite is an accessible and strategic tool designed to help emerging destinations begin their sustainability journey with a solid foundation. In this session, you’ll discover how this program allows destinations to evaluate their sustainability performance, engage key stakeholders, and activate concrete improvements—without requiring a complex investment.
Speaker: Guy Bigwood GDS Movement (United Kingdom)
04:30pm
CLOSING CEREMONY
02:40pm
FIEXPO LATIN AMERICA – Business Roundtable
10:00pm – 01:00am
Paid event. Purchase your ticket (USD 50) in advance on the FIEXPO website.
Limited capacity.
The funds raised will support the efforts of the MPI Foundation to provide scholarships, grants, and research across the industry, in support of the global meetings and events sector. Together we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Eventos Latinoamericanos, official sponsor of MPI Rendezvous.
Do you have any questions?
Contact our sales team for more information.