International briefs this month track planner-facing updates across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East. Venues and organizers moved on three fronts: new in-house services, sustainability reporting, and forward bookings tied to delegate volume and room nights. The mix includes a Hong Kong delegation heading to Mobile World Congress and 4 Years From Now in Barcelona, a UFI sponsorship and 2027 congress host announcement in Mexico, a 2026 cybersecurity forum booking in Ottawa, and 2026 summit and conference moves across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Australia
ICC Sydney Launches Connect Create Content Service
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) launched Connect Create, an in-house content creation service for event clients. The service supports content across the venue’s LED, projection, and digital display network. Deliverables include 3D animation, motion graphics, and room signage. Packages also cover on-site video capture and editing for social clips and longer videos. ICC Sydney listed services including storyboarding, PowerPoint design, multi-camera shoots, and same-day edits for use during events.
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Wins Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre received Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award for Exceptional Achievement in Environmental Performance on February 9, 2026. The venue signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge in 2022 and published a Net Zero Carbon Pathway in 2023 with targets and timelines. It runs on renewable energy. It composts 100 percent of organic waste. It reported more than 75 percent waste diversion from landfill, above its 70 percent target. The venue also reported 70 percent local sourcing across food and beverage and 100 percent certified sustainable packaging in use.
New Zealand
Te Pae Christchurch Reports 2025 International Convention Volume and Net Carbon Zero Recertification
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre hosted multiple large-scale international conventions in 2025. It listed a pipeline of international conventions for 2026 and beyond. The venue has operated for almost four years. Te Pae Christchurch also reported recertification as a Toitū Net Carbon Zero organization. It tied the status to ongoing reductions in operational emissions and alignment with climate standards. It referenced work in waste reduction and sustainable procurement. The venue did not publish event counts, delegate totals, or booked room nights.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Trade Development Council to Lead 21-Company Delegation to MWC 2026, 4YFN in Barcelona
Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation will lead a delegation of 21 Hong Kong tech companies and institutions to Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 and 4 Years From Now (4YFN) 2026 on March 2–5 in Barcelona. The delegation will exhibit at Fira Gran Via in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Organizers listed the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at MWC Booth 6E44 in Hall 6.
LATIN AMERICA
Mexico
Expo Guadalajara Becomes UFI Diamond Sponsor
Expo Guadalajara has joined UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, as a Diamond Sponsor, marking the first Diamond Sponsor from Latin America. UFI and Expo Guadalajara announced the multi-year agreement on February 5. UFI confirmed Expo Guadalajara will host the 94th UFI Global Congress in 2027.
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
Ottawa to Host INCYBER Forum Canada 2026 at Rogers Centre Ottawa
INCYBER Forum Canada will run December 1–3, 2026, in Ottawa at Rogers Centre Ottawa, with pre-events in Gatineau. Organizers project about 4,000 delegates and more than 5,000 total room nights. The bid estimated $5.4 million in economic impact for the Ottawa region. Planned elements include a trade show, panels, workshops, tabletop exercises, and live technical demonstrations.
Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa Outline Bid Support Using Destination Canada ICAF
Ottawa Tourism and Invest Ottawa outlined bid support through the Think Ottawa program and Destination Canada’s International Convention Attraction Fund (ICAF). The partners listed bid development, venue and hotel coordination, stakeholder introductions, and funding support. They aligned the pipeline with Ottawa sectors including aerospace, defence and security, cybersecurity, and applied AI. The partners also tied the approach to the 2026 INCYBER Forum Canada booking at Rogers Centre Ottawa.
MIDDLE EAST
United Arab Emirates
IFES Sets 2026 World Summit in Dubai at Dubai World Trade Centre
The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) will hold its 2026 World Summit in Dubai at Dubai World Trade Centre. IFES set the theme as “Beyond Boundaries.” The Summit will run three days and is open to non-members. Planned formats include workshops, panels, keynotes, and networking sessions. Dubai World Trade Centre hosts more than 500 events annually.
United Arab Emirates
SITE Global Conference 2026 Closes in Abu Dhabi, Vancouver Set for 2027
SITE closed its 2026 SITE Global Conference in Abu Dhabi after a four-day program. Sessions covered measurement, risk and security, and return on investment. The Crystal Awards Gala took place February 13 at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. SITE confirmed the 2027 SITE Global Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, March 1–4, 2027. Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal supported the 2026 conference. IMEX Group sponsors the Crystal Awards.
Image Caption: Dancers perform onstage at SITE Global Conference 2026 in Abu Dhabi, which closed after a four-day program and confirmed Vancouver, British Columbia, as the host city for 2027.
