Greater Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau

Greater Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau: tourism and meetings promotion for Medellín and Antioquia

The Greater Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting Medellín and Antioquia, in Colombia, as tourist destinations and event venues in both the national and international markets. Its activity is structured around three pillars: meetings marketing, destination marketing, and cultural promotion.

Areas of work

• Meetings marketing: attracting and supporting international congresses, conventions, and trade fairs.
• Destination marketing: promoting Medellín and Antioquia as a tourist destination.
• Cultural promotion: boosting the cultural offerings of the city and the region.

The organization also develops its own initiatives and offers companies the possibility of joining as Bureau members or licensing the City Brand.

The destination it promotes

Medellín is presented as Colombia's industrial, technological, and sports capital, with a geostrategic location and event services infrastructure that make it a destination for meetings tourism. The city is recognized for its transformation and its focus on innovation, with distinctions such as innovative city of Latin America, and it has direct air connectivity to and from North America, Europe, and Latin America, which consolidates it as a hub for international congresses and events.

In the cultural sphere, Medellín hosts emblematic events such as the Feria de las Flores and the International Tango Festival, as well as a diverse culinary offering. For large events, it has venues such as Plaza Mayor and the Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex, among other event centers. The city is also working on sustainability projects aimed at ensuring that each event leaves a legacy.

City recognitions

The site compiles awards and distinctions obtained by Medellín, including:

• World Travel Awards: Leading MICE Tourism Destination in Latin America (2014), Best Emerging Destination in South America (2022), and Best Getaway Destination (2021).
• TripAdvisor: ranking of best cities to visit and live in (2023).
• UNESCO: Creative City of Music (2017) and Netexplo Smart Cities Award (2020).
• Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize (2016).
• TimeOut magazine: coolest neighborhood in the world (2024).
• Forbes: second coolest city in Latin America (2018).
• The Wall Street Journal and the Urban Land Institute: most innovative city in the world (2013).
• Organization of Ibero-American States: Ibero-American Award for Educational Innovation (2017).
• Hickey & Associates: Top 10 Cities to do business in Latin America (2017).

Content and news

The Bureau maintains a specialized blog in which it addresses global tourism trends, Medellín's international positioning in meetings tourism, event and sports tourism, as well as initiatives such as the Legacy Program. Among the topics published are the Feria de las Flores, Colombiamoda, the Medellín Marathon, and the 'Gig Tripping' phenomenon linked to major concerts.

Voluntary contributions

The organization accepts voluntary contributions through a form in which the donor can select an amount (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 USD, or another amount), provide personal and document details, choose an associated hotel, and request a contribution certificate. Among the hotels listed as options are Poblado Plaza, Fairfield By Marriott Poblado, Alejandría, Diez Hotel, Dann Carlton, Dann Carlton Belfort, and San Fernando Plaza.

Location and contact

Calle 41 # 55 - 80 Office 306 North Wing Plaza Mayor Medellín · Phone: (604) 2616060 · Email: analistacomunicaciones@bureaumedellin.com