Located in the Western Colombian Andes, Medellin is the second-most economically developed and populated city in the country. Thanks to its elevation and geographic location, the city enjoys a spring-like climate all year long.
Medellín is recognized as a resilient city, and it is applauded for its social transformation and innovation. The city’s inhabitants have a vocation for service and are always willing to make visitors feel at home. Business visitors travelling to Medellin can utilize two airports: Medellin José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro (30 minutes from the city), and Enrique Olaya Herrera in Medellín, which operates domestic and international (non-commercial) flights.
Business Events are Welcome in Medellin’s Innovation District
Today’s Medellín has remade itself into one of the most innovative, livable and tourist-friendly cities anywhere. It’s a perfect destination for business events, both as an intellectual center and full-service location offering group amenities and downtime entertainment options.
The Medellin Innovation District, in the north of the city, is an outcome of the social, urban, and economic transformation process. It’s an innovation ecosystem where entrepreneurs, companies and institutions make Medellin the “Innovation Capital of Latin America.”
Enjoy fresh-air events at the Orquideorama in the Botanical Garden.Event planners should note that the Innovation District is comprised of:
• Ruta N, the innovation and business center of Medellin.
• The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, whose purpose is the development of Industry 4.0 technologies.
• The Botanical Garden, which houses more than 20 indoor and outdoor spaces for events, including one of the most important non-traditional venues in the city: The Orchid Square or Orquideorama, with a capacity for 1,500 attendees auditorium-style. It’s one of the few botanical gardens with spaces for events surrounded by nature.
• Universidad de Antioquia, the leading academic institution in the region.
• MOVA – Centro de Innovacion del Maestro, an infrastructure of more than 86,000 square feet, with 14 spaces for events.
• The Explora Park, Medellin’s science and technology park. Its auditorium has the capacity for 300 people and the park can be used for social events.
The Plaza Mayor Medellin is the city's largest convention and exhibition venue.Major Venues for International Meetings and Events
Internationalization has been part of the city’s transformation. Colombia’s economic opening process led cities such as Medellin to open its doors and become known in international markets by attracting major events. Here are some of the largest venues citywide:
• Plaza Mayor: This is Medellín’s main convention center featuring 27 halls, five pavilions, and two open spaces.
• InterContinental Hotel: One of the most traditional hotels in the city, the property offers an onsite convention center. The largest hall has capacity for 1,200 attendees.
• El Tesoro Event Center (CET). It has a hall with a capacity for 1,200 people, which can be divided into three. It also offers a dual set-up with an auditorium and space for exhibitions for up to 600 attendees.
• El Poblado Business Center — Medellin-Antioquia Chamber of Commerce: Inaugurated in 2018, this facility has a main hall capacity of 600 guests, with more than ten additional rooms.
Medellin is a full-service business tourism destination.Academic Event Venues
• Universidad Eafit: EAFIT is one of the top universities in Medellin. Its largest event center is the Fundadores auditorium, with a capacity for 634 people and a 22-feet-deep stage.
• Universidad De Medellín Theater: This is the theater with the highest capacity in the city: 1,702 seats, including 34 seats for persons with reduced mobility.
• Upb Forum: This 23,600-square-foot conference hall, with a capacity for 800 people, is part of the new innovation, technology, and science center of Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana.
Non-Traditional Mice Venues
• El Castillo Museum: The museum features European and Colombian art exhibitions, and has three outdoor spaces including a large garden, and five indoor spaces with capacity for 400.
• Botero Plaza: This iconic location contains the world’s largest collection of works by the renowned artist Fernando Botero. The plaza can host banquets for up to 250 people and cocktail parties for up to 500 people.
• Museum Of Modern Art of Medellin – Mamm: The museum features a terrace with a view of the city and capacity for 180 people, a theater with capacity for 256, and a small square for cultural and social events.
• Aquarium (Explora Park): Banquets with up to 50 people people can be hosted at Explora Park, an interactive museum and aquarium.
Independent and Chain Hotels in Medellin
The city has more than 300 hotels and 15,000 rooms. Three main hotel zones are Laureles in the west (three-star and four-star hotels), Poblado in the south (four-star and five-star hotels), and the downtown area (three-star hotels).
Large international chains have opened in the city in recent years, including City Express, Dann Carlton, Estelar, Four Points by Sheraton, Hampton by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Ibis, Movich Intercontinental, Marriot, NH Collection, Novotel and Tryp.
Additionally, in the city and its surroundings, there’s a wide offering of Colombian or boutique hotels for small gatherings and incentive groups.
Take a cultural graffiti tour through Medellin's Comuna 13 neighborhood.A Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene
Medellín was the first city of Colombia to be a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Here are some expressions of its culture.
• Silleteros' Farms: There are 13 silleteros’ farms where visitors can live the rural experience any time of the year.
• Medellin Exudes Salsa: Thanks to the opening of bars, academies, and contests dedicated exclusively to salsa, the city is one of Colombia’s salsa centers. Salsa lessons and dance shows are an option for incentive travelers or social events.
• Museum of Antioquia: This museum houses a collection of more than 5,000 pieces including several that are part of the archeological heritage of Colombia.
• Arvi Park: The Comfama Parque Arví Convention Center is located here, surrounded bt an ecological nature preserve. It is a 40,900-square-foot venue, ideal for private events and celebrations.
For more information and event planning services in Medellin, contact the Greater Medellin Convention & Visitors Bureau here or email for more information.