Bogotá, capital of Colombia, emerged in recent years as one of Latin America’s main epicenters of the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions industry. Due to the city’s ability to host events of different types and formats, its business-friendly environment and its fascinating and colorful neighborhoods, Bogotá enjoys popularity as a destination among both business and leisure travelers.

With El Dorado International Airport located just 5.5 miles (about 15 minutes) from the city’s major MICE venues and hotels, and with more than 80 direct flights, of which 50 percent are international, air travel to Bogotá proves easy to book, with many air carriers offering frequent departures. Last year alone, BOG efficiently handled 40 million passengers.

PHOTO: © PRO COLOMBIA

Among the 29,000 hotel rooms in the city, the 410 guestrooms at Hilton Bogota Corferias remain some of the best in the city, with a modern and luxurious infrastructure; eight state-of-the-art in-house meeting rooms; and a location within the city’s largest event venue, Corferias International Business and Exhibition Center. The largest such center in the country, boasting 22 pavilions and outdoor exhibition areas; a capacity of 15,000; and a location next to Ágora Bogotá Convention Center, another MICE venue opened in 2017, the Corferias complex offers everything a business visitor may need. All three venues combined provide 1.7 million square feet; 68 meeting rooms; and capacity for up to 24,000 spectators for artistic and cultural events.

During business breaks, one can easily grab a taxi to visit leisure spots like the vibrant and historical La Candelaria district, Bogotá’s oldest neighborhood and historic quarter. Located in the city center, this district of steep, cobbled streets lined with Spanish colonial mansions stretches toward the green, forested foothills of the Andes. Fulanitos, a Colombian restaurant in La Candelaria, sits within an old colonial home complete with a Spanish-style courtyard, balcony and stunning views of the rest of the city. Other interesting attractions nearby include Botero Museum and Gold Museum. You’ll also find plenty of dance and music clubs in La Candelaria to enjoy at night.

In 2023 Bogotá was selected as the host city for Smart City Expo Bogotá, one of the most important international events in the field of smart cities. Because of its success hosting this 15,000-attendee event last year, Bogotá will host the same event in 2024 (Sept. 25–27).

PHOTO: © PRO COLOMBIA

Bogotá expects to establish a Science, Technology and Innovation District by 2026, an ambitious urban project planned to reuse 610 acres and adapt the space for 5G laboratories and innovation and collaborative projects to help grow science, technology and startups. Bogota’s Economic Development Secretariat, the Chamber of Commerce and Corferias are the local entities responsible for the district, while the Mazzanti–Gensler Federation will design the project, led by architect Giancarlo Mazzanti and the global architecture, design and planning firm Gensler.

Americans were the most active investors in startup companies in the Bogotá region in 2022. By the third quarter they had invested in 44 transactions, with Colombian investors the second-most active group, participating in 15 transactions, followed by investors from Mexico (11), Brazil (11), Switzerland (23) and Germany (eight).

UNIQUE VENUES
Focusing on learning and strengthening the ties between science, technology and innovation, Maloka Interactive Center west of Bogotá offers venues for corporate events, especially ideal for any science- or tech- related events and meetings. The main dome space (309-person capacity) features a space age-themed theater room. Meeting planners can also choose among other meeting areas as well as a restaurant and more intimate workshop spaces for 10 people. The center provides audiovisual equipment and free parking.
maloka.org

Consider booking a cultural outing for your group at Museum of Art Miguel Urrutia (also known as Museum of Art of the Bank of the Republic), part of the bank’s extensive collection and available as a meeting venue. It showcases not only pieces from Colombia but also from the rest of Latin America and the world. Its permanent collection comprises artwork from the 16th century to the present, with rotating contemporary exhibitions. It is connected to Museo de la Moneda, another museum which houses the first gold coins of Latin America.
banrepcultural.org

Just 25 minutes north of La Candelaria, José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden, Colombia’s largest, showcases the diversity of ecosystems in the Bogotá region and includes greenhouses and an arboretum. Event space can accommodate up to 600 people.
jbb.gov.co