Global DMC Partners (GDP), the international network of destination management companies (DMCs) and specialised event service providers, together with its DMC partner Emotionstore, brought together industry leaders to the Epic Sana Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal, for its annual Connection, 8-11 January, 2026. The invitation-only conference united clients and DMC partners for three days of data-driven insights and strategic collaboration.
GDP President and CEO Catherine Chaulet opened Connection 2026 with a keynote examining the major forces shaping the MICE industry and what to expect heading into the year ahead. Her presentation delivered a candid assessment: uncertainty has become the new baseline. Geopolitical shifts, persistent inflation, tariff and visa complexities, and AI disruption are all creating challenges. And yet, she said, the MICE sector remains resilient because business still fundamentally requires human connection.
Key insights from Chaulet’s presentation included: Budgets may appear stable, but buying power has eroded as costs continue to rise, requiring planners to design smarter and to prioritise value ROI measurement must evolve from attendance and satisfaction metrics to demonstrating business impact: pipeline growth, leads generated, and revenue influenced Programme design trends for 2026 include ‘FOMO + Slow-Mo’ agendas featuring more meaningful pacing and destination immersion, often delivering better budget efficiency Short booking windows remain common, with many programmes landing in the four-to-nine-month window Destination selection has grown more complex, balancing safety, visa feasibility, and the appeal of secondary destinations for value and freshness Sustainability and CSR initiatives are shifting toward local impact, supporting communities and economies rather than simply tracking metrics AI adoption is accelerating beyond ChatGPT, with practical applications emerging across the planning process
“The landscape is shifting fast, and planners who rely on fragmented supplier relationships are at a disadvantage,” said Chaulet. “A trusted global DMC network such as GDP offers what they need most right now: trusted local experts worldwide, collective bargaining power, and a community committed to staying ahead of the curve.”
Following Chaulet’s address, GDP’s global sales advisors joined a panel discussion to share real-world perspectives from the field. Panelists addressed regional and sector-specific challenges. The recurring theme throughout the discussion was open communication and trust. DMCs, agencies, and planners need transparency early – on budgets, goals, and constraints – to problem-solve together and deliver despite uncertainty.
Additional event highlights included keynote speaker Tim Hines, who delivered ‘The Attention Algorithm: How to Win Attendee Hearts and Minds in a Distracted World,’ and hands-on, deep-dive AI sessions presented by Sheri Moore of MCC Destination Management and Anne-Marie Enns of the Applied AI Association.
Beyond content and education, attendees discovered Lisbon as an attractive meetings and events destination with hotel and venue site visits, iconic tuk tuk tours, Portuguese cooking classes, Port wine tastings, and cultural walking tours. “We were truly proud to host colleagues and clients from all over the world in Lisbon and to play a role in delivering the great success of Connection 2026,” said Frédéric Frère, co‑founder, Embrace Group/Emotionstore DMC.
Connection also served as an opportunity for GDP to recognise standout partners and planners making an impact across the industry. This year’s GDP Awards winners included: Company of the Year: Morley Companies, Inc. Planners of the Year: Jason Escalante of Elastic and Penny Long, CMP, of Eventlogix, Inc. International DMC Partner of the Year: H&T DMC US DMC Partner of the Year: Destination Concepts Inc. DMC Teamwork Award: TE DMC
The event concluded with the announcement of Sorrento, Italy, as the host destination for 2027.