Cartagena CVB Logo

The stage for
global congresses.

Cartagena de Indias gives PCOs and destination evaluators exactly what they need: AIPC standard infrastructure, a structured Bid Support Program, 250+ association events per year, and a UNESCO World Heritage city that reliably drives delegate attendance.

4

Convention centers

6,200

Max. delegates · CICLA

250+

Association events / year

Free

Bid support

#1

Colombia · Medical congresses

Gold

AIPC Certified · CCCI

#12

Americas · ICCA

ICCA ranking

#12 in the Americas for international association meetings

AIPC Gold · CCCI

Gold Level quality certification for congress infrastructure

Why Cartagena for congresses

A congress destination that earns its place.

Cartagena de Indias has earned its position as Colombia's leading international congress destination and one of Latin America's most recognized, not through marketing, but through consistent delivery. Over 250 association events per year, a track record that includes the ICCA World Congress 2021, FIEXPO Latin America, and successive Northstar summits, and an AIPC Gold certified convention center that meets the technical standards of the world's most demanding associations.

For associations evaluating destinations and for the PCOs who advise them, Cartagena offers something data alone cannot communicate: a city that delegates actively want to travel to. The UNESCO World Heritage setting, the gastronomy recognized as Best International Destination 2026, and the Caribbean environment translate directly into higher registration rates, stronger sponsor engagement, and more memorable post congress evaluations.

The Cartagena CVB provides full, free bid support from candidacy through execution, bid book preparation, site inspection coordination, liaison with city and national authorities, and on site CVB presence during the congress itself.

For PCOs, primary audience

Technical specs, venue capacities, hotel blocks, certified infrastructure, and a CVB team that responds within 24 hours to every site evaluation request. We speak your language.

For associations

Bid support, government liaison, destination impact projections, and a UNESCO Heritage city that your members will travel further to attend.

Five pillars of congress delivery in Cartagena

Everything a world class congress needs. One city.

01

Infrastructure built for international standards

Four convention centers equipped for the full technical complexity of international association congresses, simultaneous translation, digital voting, hybrid streaming, parallel sessions, and exhibition halls. The CCCI is AIPC Gold Level certified, placing it among the most technically qualified convention centers in Latin America.

  • •CICLA, 6,200 pax · 7,000 m² · 8 simultaneous translation booths · 289 exhibition stands · 5 min airport
  • •CCCI, 1,462 pax · UNESCO Walled City · AIPC Gold Certified · digital voting · solar powered roof
  • •Hilton CC, 2,300 pax · 2,410 m² · 13 breakout rooms · beachfront
  • •Estelar, 1,500 pax · Bocagrande · full hotel convention integration

AIPC Gold · 11,462 combined capacity · Hybrid ready

02

Bid support, free from candidacy to execution

The Cartagena CVB runs a structured Bid Support Program for associations seeking to bring their international congress to the city. The service is entirely free to the association and the PCO. No fees, no intermediary costs. The CVB acts as the local partner that makes the bid credible and the congress possible.

  • •Bid book preparation, full dossier with venue options, city data, government letters of support, and economic impact projections
  • •Site inspection coordination, venues, hotels, social program options, and CVB team accompaniment
  • •Government and institutional liaison, national and city government letters, ProColombia coordination, protocol support
  • •On site CVB presence during the congress, dedicated team available throughout the event

100% free · Association & PCO support

03

Scientific & academic legacy

Cartagena is Colombia's #1 destination for international medical and scientific congresses, with the medical and scientific sector representing approximately 40% of its association event market. This critical mass creates a self reinforcing ecosystem: strong PCO networks, experienced AV and technical suppliers, specialist DMCs, and convention infrastructure calibrated to the specific demands of medical, scientific, and academic events.

  • •#1 in Colombia for international medical congresses, established track record across medical specialties
  • •Medical / Scientific sector = 40% of the association events market
  • •Certified PCO network experienced in CME requirements, abstract management, and international medical protocols
  • •Colombia's alternate seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, protocol infrastructure for high level international gatherings

#1 Colombia medical congresses · 40% scientific sector

04

Destination pull, delegates travel further to come

For associations, the destination is a registration driver. Cartagena's combination of UNESCO World Heritage status, award winning gastronomy, Caribbean setting, and cultural authenticity creates a destination pull that content alone cannot generate. Delegates register earlier, attendance rates are higher, and post congress evaluations cite the destination as a key satisfaction driver.

  • •Best International Destination 2026, Travel and Food Awards · beating London, Berlin and Paris
  • •UNESCO World Heritage Walled City, post congress tours and gala dinners no European congress city can replicate in the Caribbean
  • •Author gastronomy ranked among world's best, social program and pre/post extensions are major attendance incentives
  • •Year round destination, no weather risk, no off season. Congress dates flexible across 12 months

Higher attendance · Stronger retention · Better evaluations

05

Sustainability & congress legacy

International associations increasingly require destinations that align with their sustainability commitments and can demonstrate a congress legacy beyond the event itself. The CCCI operates with a solar powered roof and AIPC Gold environmental certification. The CVB offers community based legacy programs that connect congress delegates with local communities, artisans, and environmental initiatives.

  • •CCCI, AIPC Gold Level certified · solar powered infrastructure · environmental management system
  • •Community legacy programs, artisan workshops, environmental projects, and educational initiatives for congress delegates
  • •CVB Sustainability Policy, aligned with international association ESG reporting requirements
  • •Regenerative tourism framework, Cartagena CVB signatory of responsible tourism principles

AIPC Gold · Solar-powered · Community legacy

Technical specifications

Four convention centers. Every congress format covered.

Quick reference for site evaluation. Contact the CVB for complete technical riders and availability.

Las Américas Convention Center (CICLA)

North Zone · 5 min airport
Largest CC in the Colombian Caribbean

The region's largest congress facility. Modular design enables concurrent plenary and parallel sessions. Direct connection to 530 hotel rooms. Ideal for large international congresses, national conventions, and trade shows with exhibition components.

6,200

Auditorium pax

7,000

Total m²

289+

Exhibition stands

8

Translation booths

Modular divisible hallsInteractive wall panels530 hotel rooms adjacent5 min international airport

Centro de Convenciones Cartagena de Indias (CCCI)

UNESCO Walled City
AIPC Gold Level Certified, Only in Colombia

The only AIPC Gold certified convention center in Colombia, inside the UNESCO Walled City. World-class technical certification combined with a 17th-century heritage setting. Solar roof and environmental management system meet leading association sustainability requirements.

1,462

Auditorium pax

4,000+

Esplanade m²

10+

Meeting rooms

8

Translation booths

AIPC Gold · Only in ColombiaDigital voting systemSolar-powered roofUNESCO settingOutdoor esplanade 4,000 m²

Hilton Cartagena Convention Center

Bocagrande · Beachfront

Fully integrated with the Hilton Cartagena hotel. 13 breakout rooms and a main hall of 2,300 pax. Leading choice for congresses requiring full hotel-convention integration and 341 rooms under one roof. Hilton international standards throughout.

2,300

Max. pax

2,410

m²

13

Breakout rooms

341

Hotel rooms

Hilton international standardsCaribbean beachfrontFull AV integrated

Sarmiento Angulo, Hotel Estelar

Bocagrande · Hotel district

Integrated convention center connected to Hotel Estelar with 339 rooms. Ideal for mid-size international congresses (500 to 1,500 delegates) requiring complete hotel-venue integration and cost-effective full-service delivery.

1,500

Max. pax

339

Hotel rooms

Full

AV / Tech

Bocagrande

Location

Hotel-integratedFull corporate facilitiesBocagrande district

4

Convention centers

6,200

Max. single-venue pax

11,462

Combined capacity

32+

Meeting rooms total

Need the full technical rider? Contact the CVB for complete venue specifications, floor plans, AV equipment lists, and current availability for your congress dates.

Track record

A proven stage for the world's leading events.

Selected international congresses and summits held in Cartagena de Indias.

2021

ICCA World Congress

International Congress and Convention Association

1,000+

Delegates

80+

Countries

2021

FIEXPO Latin America

Latin America's leading MICE trade event

Regional

Scope

MICE

Industry

2022

Virtuoso Travel Forum

Virtuoso luxury travel network

Global

Scope

Luxury

Sector

2018 · 2026

Northstar Meetings Summit

Northstar Travel Group · International Meetings Edition

2×

Editions

US market

Focus

2012

Summit of the Americas

Heads of State · OAS · 35 countries

35

Countries

Heads of State

Level

Recurring

250+ Association Events / Year

Medical · Scientific · Business · Academic · Government

250+

Annual events

10+

Years ICCA ranked

Confirmed 2026: Global MICE Forum · Meetings CTG LATAM (Oct 26 to 30) · Meetings Associative (Nov 25 to 27) · Northstar International Meetings Summit

2026 Calendar

CVB Bid Support program

We support your candidacy from first contact to final vote.

The Cartagena CVB runs a structured, formalized Bid Support Program for international associations and their PCOs seeking to bring congresses to the city. The service is completely free, the CVB acts as the local partner that gives your candidacy the credibility and the local expertise to compete at the highest international level.

01

Initial consultation & destination assessment

CVB evaluates fit between the association's requirements and Cartagena's capabilities. Venue pre-selection, preliminary capacity analysis, and rough cost comparison delivered within 48 hours of first contact.

02

Site inspection coordination

Full site inspection program for association representatives and PCOs, venues, hotels, social program venues, and city orientation. CVB team accompaniment throughout. Travel support available via ProColombia.

03

Bid book preparation

CVB contributes to the official bid document: city data, venue specifications, hotel accommodation blocks, government letters of support, economic impact projections, and sustainability commitments.

04

Government & institutional support

Coordination with city government, national government (MinCiencias, MinComercio, ProColombia), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for letters of support, diplomatic facilitation, and VIP protocol.

05

Congress delivery & on-site support

CVB team present on-site throughout the congress, participant welcome desk, logistical coordination, emergency support, and post-congress legacy program delivery.

What the CVB guarantees

  • ✓Response to initial inquiry within 24 hours
  • ✓100% free service, no fees, no commissions, no hidden costs
  • ✓Dedicated bid manager assigned to your candidacy
  • ✓Government letters of support from city and national level
  • ✓Site inspection program coordinated within 2 weeks of request
  • ✓Economic impact report for your association's board
  • ✓ProColombia coordination for national promotion support
  • ✓Full AIPC-standard technical specifications for any venue
  • ✓On-site CVB team presence during the congress
  • ✓Post-congress legacy program aligned with your association's values

Disciplines & sectors

Associations that hold their congresses in Cartagena.

Medical & Scientific· 40% of the market

  • Cardiology
  • Oncology
  • Infectious disease
  • Pediatrics
  • Surgery & surgical specialties
  • Dermatology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neurology
  • Public health
  • Pharmacy & life sciences

Business & Economics

  • Financial services & banking
  • Trade & investment
  • Tourism & hospitality
  • Energy & extractive industries
  • Technology & innovation
  • Agribusiness
  • Logistics & supply chain
  • Real estate & infrastructure

Academic & Government

  • International law & diplomacy
  • Political science & governance
  • Environment & climate
  • Social sciences
  • History & cultural heritage
  • Education & pedagogy
  • Architecture & urban planning
  • Human rights & international development

Ready to bring your congress to Cartagena?

Let's start your candidacy today.

PCOs: the CVB is your local partner for every site evaluation, bid, and delivery. We respond within 24 hours, provide full technical specs, coordinate government support, and stay on-site through execution, at zero cost to you or your client association.

PCOs, start here

Submit a venue RFP

Tell us your congress size, dates, and technical requirements. We respond within 24 hours with venue options, hotel blocks, and a destination proposal.

For associations

Request bid support

Contact our Bid Support team to discuss your candidacy. We'll outline the support available, site inspection, bid book, government letters, and assign a dedicated manager.

100% free CVB support
Response within 24 hours
50 to 6,200 delegates
Request bid support