As it heads into its 18th edition in 2026, Conventa is marking more than a milestone, it’s underlining its status as one of New Europe’s most influential B2B event platforms. Built on a deliberately personal, boutique approach, the trade show has spent nearly two decades shaping how business is done in the region.
The momentum behind the 2026 edition speaks for itself. All 125 exhibitor spots were snapped up a full month ahead of schedule, underscoring Conventa’s strong reputation and the confidence it enjoys among suppliers from across the region and internationally. Interest from hosted buyers is equally strong, with only a handful of international places still available.
In response to the surge in demand, organisers will introduce a limited number of additional exhibitor spaces at the Grand Hotel Union, carefully expanding capacity without diluting Conventa’s quality-first, boutique character. For the team behind the event, this level of interest confirms what Conventa has become over the years: not just a trade show, but a relationship-driven platform where new connections are made, long-term partnerships are built, and existing business ties are strengthened. For 18 years, Conventa has successfully brought together event planners and industry suppliers, while consistently setting benchmarks for the meetings industry in New Europe.
Suppliers attending Conventa represent 18 countries across New Europe, covering all major destinations and service providers stretching from Helsinki to Istanbul, and from Milan to Baku. This geographic and professional diversity has helped Conventa reinforce its position at the very centre of the regional meetings and events ecosystem, positioning the show as a truly holistic platform for the development of the emerging New Europe events industry.
New Europe itself spans the Baltics, Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, Turkey and the South Caucasus, a region increasingly recognised as a fresh and still largely undiscovered destination for international events. Home to 288 million people, a wide spectrum of cultural identities and steadily rising GDP per capita, the region is gaining momentum on the global events map. In this context, Conventa is far more than a one-off trade show. It functions as a strategic meeting point for the region, where new partnerships are created and business opportunities continue to emerge year after year.
Reflecting on the 18th anniversary and the appeal of New Europe, Gorazd Čad, the co-founder of Conventa, commented: “Whoever considers New Europe a flash in the pan is terribly mistaken. The global events industry is recognising New Europe’s awakening and the future path it will take.”
Over the past 18 years, Conventa has brought together 3,989 hosted buyers from 47 countries and 2,211 exhibitors from 19 countries, underlining the consistency and international relevance of the platform. This year’s edition remains firmly aligned with Conventa’s long-standing quality pledge, built on two key principles: at least 70% of hosted buyers are new each year, ensuring constant freshness and relevance, and the supplier-to-buyer ratio is maintained at a minimum of 1:1.5 to guarantee a high number of effective meetings and tangible business outcomes.
In line with this philosophy, the organisers will welcome 190 carefully curated hosted buyers in 2026. Coming from 38 countries, they represent key destination markets within the global events industry, further strengthening Conventa’s international reach and its strategic importance for New Europe. Over the years, the event has evolved into a central business hub, one that delivers measurable results, supports long-term partnerships and consistently adds value for all stakeholders involved.
Conventa is organised by the Slovenian Convention Bureau and the Toleranca marketing event agency, in close cooperation with Ljubljana Tourism, the Slovenian Tourist Board and 20 strategic partners.
