Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Business and events travel

Congresses and trade shows

The calendar of each profession and sector fills the city for a few days.

Conferences and trade shows bring to a city, for a few days, people from the same profession or sector. For participants, they mean full schedules, badges on display and little free time; for the city, they mean occupied hotels and busy restaurants.

Knowing what each event type is helps plan the trip: when to register, where to stay and how much time to set aside to see the place.

Conference, convention, trade show and exhibition: what differs

A conference brings together professionals or researchers from a field for lectures, panel discussions and presentation of papers. It is usually organized by an association or scientific society, recurs annually or every two years, and often changes city from one edition to another. Participants register and pay a fee.

A convention is a meeting of a company or organization with its own audience: the sales team, franchisees, or members. It is closed to invited attendees, and the organizer chooses the venue and handles the travel arrangements.

At a trade show, companies present products and services in booths, and the goal is to do business. Industry trade shows receive sector professionals, who must be accredited to enter; shows open to the public sell directly to visitors. Many conferences have an exhibitor area next to the meeting rooms.

An exhibition displays products, animals, artworks or collections, with or without sale. The term appears at agricultural fairs and in art and science shows. There are also smaller formats, such as seminars, symposia and forums, which last one or two days and cover a single topic.

How to plan your trip

Registration and accreditation. For conferences, registration usually opens months in advance and has deadlines, and those presenting papers follow a separate submission schedule. For trade shows, accreditation is done beforehand, with the visitor’s professional details. On the first day, the badge is picked up at the desk, and it’s wise to arrive early to avoid lines.

Lodging. During a major event week, accommodations near the venue fill up first, followed quickly by others. Book as soon as the date is announced. Check whether the organizer recommends hotels with transport to the event and what the cancellation policy is, in case plans change.

Transport. Travel tickets also get competitive. Arriving the day before gives leeway for delays and leaves the first morning free for accreditation. In the city, check in advance how to get from your lodging to the convention center: on foot, by public transport or using event shuttle buses.

Schedule. Conferences have simultaneous sessions, and you can’t see everything. Preselect what you can’t miss and leave gaps for corridor conversations, which often matter as much as the talks. At trade shows, study the floor plan and start with the booths that interest you; comfortable shoes and a water bottle make a difference during a full day on your feet.

When they happen

The Brazilian calendar for conferences and trade shows has two strong periods, March to June and August to November. During vacation months—January, February, July and late December—professional meetings are few.

Most events take place on weekdays, which leaves the following weekend available for those who want to stay. Each event announces its own dates, generally a year in advance: confirm before buying travel tickets.

How to enjoy the city

A conference leaves little free time, but it exists: the morning before opening, the evenings, and the day after closing. For evenings, restaurants serving local food solve both dinner and a short outing. For spare hours, choose nearby, time-certain options such as a museum, a market or a walk through the historic center.

Some event host cities make this easier. In Foz do Iguaçu, a visit to the Cataratas do Iguaçu takes half a day or a full day and is often scheduled after the last conference day. In Gramado, in the Serra Gaúcha, downtown restaurants and shops fill the evenings well. In Salvador and Florianópolis, the sea is close to the convention centers.

If the schedule allows, it’s worth staying an extra day or two. Your ticket is already bought, and once the event ends the city returns to its normal pace.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a trade show and an exhibition?

A trade show is business-oriented: companies set up booths to sell or present products and services. An exhibition displays products, animals, artworks or collections, and there may not be sales. In practice, many events combine both features.

What is accreditation for a trade show or conference?

It’s the participant’s registration, which grants the entry badge. It is usually done in advance, and the badge is picked up at the event desk on the first day.

Can anyone enter a trade show?

Not always. Many trade shows are restricted to industry professionals, who must prove their activity during accreditation. Others have public days or areas. Check the event rules before traveling.

Where to stay for a conference or trade show?

The most practical option is to stay within walking distance of the venue, for a short commute. Since these hotels fill first, book as soon as the date is announced.

In which months are there more conferences and trade shows in Brazil?

From March to June and from August to November. January, February, July and late December—vacation months—usually have few professional meetings.

What to bring for a day at a trade show?

Comfortable shoes, water, business cards or digital contact, and a light bag for materials. Having the show floor plan and a list of booths of interest saves time.

Where to go: Congresses and fairs

Pick a region or a state on the map, or type what you are looking for, to see the cities and who offers it in each.

Tap a state or a region to see the cities. Mapa: @svg-maps/brazil, CC BY 4.0

Salvador BA
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Fortaleza CE
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
João Pessoa PB
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Recife PE
Dois centros de convenções na região, em Recife e em Olinda, disputam congressos.
Natal RN
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Brasília DF
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Belo Horizonte MG
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Rio de Janeiro RJ
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Guarujá SP
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
São Paulo SP
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Curitiba PR
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Foz do Iguaçu PR
Terceira cidade brasileira em eventos internacionais no ranking da ICCA.
Porto Alegre RS
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.
Florianópolis SC
Aparece no ranking da ICCA entre as cidades brasileiras que mais recebem congressos internacionais.