Moscow Hosts Meet Global MICE Congress 2025: Expanding Opportunities for International Collaboration

Taking place on December 17–18 at the World Trade Center, the Meet Global MICE Congress 2025 highlights Moscow’s growing role as a global MICE hub. Organized by the Moscow City Tourism Committee, the event is expected to bring together more than 2,500 participants, including 130 exhibitors, 200 Hosted Buyers and over 60 speakers representing BRICS and Global South countries. With 15 thematic sessions, more than 3,000 B2B meetings and an expanded programme featuring initiatives such as Moscow Tea Time and Made in Moscow, MGMC 2025 is set to become one of the key industry events for international cooperation and professional exchange.

To learn more about the goals and new features of this year’s edition, Safari Plus INTALK with Anastasia Popova, Head of Business Tourism Development Department of the Moscow City Tourism Committee.

What is the main mission and key theme of this year’s Meet Global MICE Congress? What new features can participants expect?

The 2025 Congress is held under the theme “Unity through Open Diversity: New Opportunities for Global Growth,” reflecting its mission to enhance cross-regional cooperation and encourage dialogue between emerging and established MICE markets. Рrogram emphasizes the synergy between government and business, exploring how strategic policy, destination marketing and digital innovation can drive the next phase of global MICE development.

What gives Moscow a competitive edge as a destination for global business events?
Moscow has transformed into one of the leading centers for international business events, combining scale, modern infrastructure and a rich cultural environment. The city offers a wide range of venues, including contemporary congress halls, historical estates, art spaces and iconic landmarks, which allows organizers to create formats tailored to their objectives — from major forums to exclusive incentive programmes.

The city’s well-developed English-language infrastructure ensures that international visitors can navigate Moscow with ease. Safety is supported by an advanced smart-security system comprising more than 250,000 cameras and a dedicated Tourist Police unit. With the growing number of international visitors to Moscow, including a significant influx of tourists from India, the city effectively handles maintaining its high level of security. All these measures ensure the safety and comfort of guests.

The city’s cultural and leisure opportunities also enhance its attractiveness for bleisure travel — a trend that continues to shape global MICE demand. Moscow offers more than 1,000 festivals and exhibitions annually, world-class museums and theatres, historical estates suitable for receptions, and a diverse gastronomic scene, including a number of popular Indian restaurants. This combination allows delegates to enrich their business trips with memorable cultural and leisure experiences.

To help event organizers explore the diverse opportunities Moscow offers as a destination, we have launched the Moscow MICE Ambassadors programme. This programme is delivered through a dedicated online learning platform, designed for flexibility and ease of access. It features six comprehensive lessons, each focusing on a key aspect of planning a MICE event in Moscow. Upon successful completion, participants receive the prestigious Moscow MICE Ambassadors certificate.

RUSPASS Business digital platform offers planners access to an extensive catalogue of venues, hotels, service providers, and technical contractors. The platform also provides complimentary photo and video materials, enabling organisers to prepare professional, high-quality presentations for their stakeholders.

How do you see the development of business tourism in Moscow and its role in the global MICE industry?

Business tourism is one of the most dynamic segments of Moscow’s visitor economy. In 2024, the city welcomed approximately 5.1 million business travellers — one in five domestic and one in eight international visitors. By 2030, business tourists are expected to account for around 15 percent of the total visitor flow, while tourism revenues are projected to grow from RUB 235 billion to around RUB 500 billion, contributing to the city’s development and modernization.

Moscow continues to expand its international cooperation through business missions, participation in major global forums and partnership programmes with India, the Middle East and Asia. Over the past two years, these efforts have resulted in more than 2,700 cooperation agreements. The introduction of a fully digital e-visa system, processed within several days, has significantly improved accessibility for international delegates. Alongside investments in sustainable venues, eco-friendly mobility solutions and new facilities such as VDNH Expo, Moscow is strengthening its role as a centre of innovation and responsible growth within the MICE industry.

Why attend MGMC 2025 — what would be your main argument in favor of participating?
MGMC 2025 brings together decision-makers, key market players, trendsetters and opinion leaders who shape the global MICE agenda. The Congress offers participants the opportunity to gain new insights, establish business connections and expand their presence globally.

This year’s edition is expected to welcome more than 350 international delegates from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, the CIS, as well as India and China. The programme features around 3,200 B2B meetings and more than 200 Hosted Buyers. The exhibition area — the largest in the event’s history — will include 115 exhibitors, among them national and regional destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, Hong Kong, Belarus and Armenia, as well as companies from Turkey, Jordan, Mongolia, Morocco, Uzbekistan and other markets. This concentration of global suppliers and buyers will create a highly productive environment for negotiations and partnership development.

Participants will exchange best practices on sustainability, digital transformation and inclusivity, while discovering how Moscow’s combination of efficiency, culture and creativity shapes contemporary MICE experiences. The timing of the event adds a special atmosphere: the Winter in Moscow festival transforms the city with concerts, light installations and holiday markets, creating a festive backdrop for meaningful dialogue and new collaborations.

Learn more about Meet Global MICE Congress 2025 on the Russpass.Business platform.