EXPO EVENT INDUSTRY (EEI 2026) organisers reported a successful debut at Sofia Event Center, at the end of January. The new event, an inaugural gathering of Bulgaria’s meetings and events industry leaders in a single national format, was organised by the Bulgarian Convention Bureau, which conceived the two-day forum as an event from the industry, for the industry. The event combined an exhibition, conference programme and networking.
Deputy minister of tourism Irena Georgieva attended the opening of the expo and underlined the importance of close co-operation between public authorities and the business community as a key condition for strengthening Bulgaria’s visibility and competitiveness on the global MICE map. She emphasised that effective partnership with industry stakeholders was essential for positioning Bulgaria as a credible destination for international meetings and events.
Visit Sofia, as strategic destination partner, was also represented and among the 420 attendees. An exhibition showcased 34 exhibitors, and there were 17 sessions delivered at the two-day conference, involving 46 speakers from Bulgaria and abroad.
Bulgaria’s meetings and events sector has been developing its infrastructure, venues and growing professional capacity over the past decade. Until now, however, the industry lacked a unified national forum connecting destinations, venues, organisers, suppliers, institutions and educators. EEI 2026 aims to meet this need, creating a space for open professional dialogue, knowledge exchange and partnership-building, while also opening discussion on the future development of the sector in the 2027–2028 period.
Speakers and panellists repeatedly highlighted the need for strong destination leadership, coordinated promotion and a single, credible interface between the city of Sofia, in particular, and the industry and international markets. The first Event Organisers’ Guide for Sofia was presented during the event, offering up-to-date information to support international planners in navigating venues, services and local partners.
The Industry Talks format, consisting of 20-minute presentations, enabled destinations, venues and solution providers to present concrete tools, projects and case studies. There were presentations on AI, event tech and gamification among other topics.
Another key pillar of the programme was talent development and education, widely recognised as critical for the long-term competitiveness of the sector.
EEI 2026 delivered a clear message to the international market: Bulgaria – and Sofia in particular – is ready to host international meetings, conferences and events at the highest professional level.
For further information: https://expoeventindustry.com
The dates for EEI 2027 will be announced soon.