A dedicated session with the World Economic Forum (WEF) has been added to the program for the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) 2026 Congress.

Running November 8-11 in Panama City, Panama, the 65th edition of the Congress is expecting more than 1,000 business events professionals from more than 80 countries, alongside more than 100 international association executives. It will introduce a distinctive multi-modal format, bringing together multiple specialized learning experiences within one event – Congresses within a Congress. Designed to move beyond the traditional conference model, the program combines interactive sessions, dedicated workshops, peer exchange and structured networking, giving delegates more ways to engage with ideas and build meaningful professional relationships.

The session with the WEF is one of six cross-sector co-curator organizations participating in the Congress. The others are:

• UN Tourism
• CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
• IEEE
• AC Forum
• United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)

Collectively, their contributions bring perspectives spanning strategic leadership, tourism, development, technology, association management and social sustainability into the Congress program.

“This collaboration represents a landmark moment for ICCA and the global meetings industry. As the first event of its kind, it demonstrates ICCA’s unique ability to connect diverse sectors and stakeholders, reinforcing our role as a global leader and catalyst for innovation, knowledge exchange, and meaningful impact,” said Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA.

The WEF session, focused on strategy and leadership for associations and meeting planners, is a key example of this approach, connecting the challenges facing the association community with wider strategic perspectives.

ICCA has also announced that Ramya Krishnaswamy, head of the WEF’s Center for Experience Economy and Cities, and Charlotte Boutboul, senior manager, Experience Economy, WEF, have joined the Congress’s international line-up of speakers, which is headlined by keynote speaker Erin Brockovich, the internationally recognized environmental activist and consumer advocate.