AI Projects Honored at EdTech Congress Barcelona 2026
The 2026 edition of EdTech Congress Barcelona 2026 recognized leading innovations in education technology during the EdTech Awards ceremony held at the Palau de Congressos de Montjuïc.
Organizers honored 13 innovative projects, with seven initiatives incorporating artificial intelligence to improve teaching methods and school operations. Among the winners was the “AI that protects” project by Escola Cooperativa Can Patufet, which developed a privacy-focused school-hosted AI system.
Another notable project, “¡TEAmo Mucho!”, created by Escola Palma de Mallorca, focuses on supporting student well-being through inclusive digital tools. Meanwhile, the University of Lleida received recognition for ValoraCare, a generative AI platform designed to simulate nursing interviews for training purposes.
Additional award-winning projects included AI-based learning tools for sixth-grade students and vocational training programs in textile education.
Alimentaria+Hostelco 2026 Introduces New Hospitality Program Zones
The upcoming Alimentaria+Hostelco 2026 exhibition will take place March 23–26 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, bringing several new program areas focused on the hospitality and foodservice sector.
Three new feature zones will debut:
- The Horeca Hub – A 3,000-square-meter space hosting nearly 200 activities, including demonstrations, product showcases, tastings, and expert sessions.
- The Coffee Stage – A platform dedicated to coffee culture, featuring barista competitions and industry discussions.
- The Bakery & Pastry Hub – A specialized area focusing on baking innovations and artisan techniques.
Organizers expect over 600 Horeca and foodservice exhibitors, with about 30% international participation. The event aims to attract approximately 50,000 hospitality professionals and around 1,000 strategic buyers.
The program will also feature the first International Cooking Championship aligned with standards from the World Association of Chefs Societies, alongside competitions such as the Best Bread Award.
Greece Hosts Global Meeting for Congress Organisers
IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly 2026 Opens in Athens
The International Association of Professional Congress Organisers launched its IAPCO Annual Meeting and General Assembly 2026 in Athens, bringing together 200 senior industry leaders from 36 countries.
The event, held February 25–28 at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, began with an opening reception at the Acropolis Museum.
This year’s theme, “The Odyssey Reinvented,” focuses on storytelling, leadership, strategy, and professional development in the global meetings industry.
The meeting is hosted by several Greek event organizations including AFEA Congress, CONVIN, ERA Congresses and Events, and ERASMUS Conferences and Events, with support from This is Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau.
IAPCO also reported that its member organizations delivered 23,245 events worldwide in 2025, highlighting the association’s strong role in the global conference industry.
Germany’s Retail Exhibition Experiments With New Formats
EuroShop 2026 Debuts Experience Zones
Retail industry exhibition EuroShop 2026 took place February 22–26 in Düsseldorf, introducing several new experience zones aimed at showcasing retail design and technology innovations.
One highlight was the Food Service Innovation Hub in Hall 13, which demonstrated smart kitchen tools, robotics, and next-generation foodservice concepts.
The event also introduced a redesigned Designers’ Village in Hall 12, featuring creative studios from Europe, Asia, and North America.
Another attraction, the VM Experience in Hall 10, presented advanced visual merchandising ideas with mannequin displays inspired by sports and fashion retail concepts.
United Kingdom Venues Expand Facilities and Partnerships
Eastside Rooms Targets Sports Team Events
The Eastside Rooms conference venue is positioning itself as a meeting hub for visiting sports teams.
The facility provides spaces for team briefings, video analysis, media interviews, and operational meetings. Past sports clients include teams such as Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion, and Leicester City, along with events connected to UEFA.
BMA House Announces 2026 Event and Catering Plans
Historic London venue BMA House, home of the British Medical Association, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The venue offers 22 event spaces with a maximum capacity of 320 guests. Sustainability continues to be a priority, with the venue maintaining a zero-to-landfill policy.
Recent catering updates include:
- 70% plant-based ingredients in menus
- Removal of red meat options
- 93% of buffet packages using standardized set menus
For 2026, BMA House will introduce seasonal set menus and an Academic Day Delegate Rate, offering 10% savings during key academic holiday periods.
Barbican Centre to Launch New Event Space
The Barbican Centre will open a new event venue called The Lakeside Room in September 2026.
The space will accommodate:
- 120 guests for receptions
- 80 guests for seated dinners
- 60 guests in theatre style
The room includes natural daylight, built-in audiovisual equipment, in-room catering, and full accessibility, making it suitable for meetings, product launches, private dining, and festive events.
Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre Selects Accommodation Partner
The Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre has appointed BCD Meetings & Events as its recommended accommodation provider.
The partnership will support event organizers with hotel sourcing, room block management, rate negotiations, and on-site booking support for conferences and exhibitions hosted at the venue.
British Motor Museum to Add New Hotel
Construction has begun on a 142-room hotel next to the British Motor Museum, which will operate under the Fairfield by Marriott brand.
The project aims for completion in May 2027 and an official opening in June 2027. The museum venue currently offers event capacity for six to 600 delegates, along with 2,255 square meters of exhibition space and 65 acres of outdoor event areas.
Hotel operations will be managed by Cycas Hospitality, with a potential second development phase adding 98 more rooms under consideration.
