Since its opening in 2021, the Panama Convention Center (PCC) has become a central element in Panama’s strategic effort to establish itself as a leading international hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). The venue has rapidly shifted from a new infrastructure project to a key driver of the country’s events industry, hosting 335 events and welcoming over 750,000 visitors in under five years.
Situated on the Amador Causeway, the PCC benefits from its location within a rapidly developing district that integrates business, tourism, culture, and hospitality. This evolving ecosystem includes museums, a cruise terminal, hotels, and diverse gastronomic offerings, collectively enhancing the visitor experience and supporting broader urban and economic growth.
The center spans 33,500 square meters of event space, including a 15,400-square-meter exhibition hall and a ballroom capable of accommodating up to 4,000 people. This capacity marks a significant expansion of Panama’s ability to host large-scale international events, enabling the country to compete for congresses and exhibitions requiring flexibility and size previously unavailable in the region.
The PCC’s development has been closely coordinated with national tourism agencies, chiefly the Autoridad de Turismo de Panamá (ATP) and PROMTUR Panamá. This partnership has crafted a unified international positioning that aligns infrastructure, promotional efforts, and supportive policies to attract high-value global events. An incentive program administered by PROMTUR Panamá offers qualifying international organizers complimentary venue days based on the number of hotel room nights their events generate, helping reduce costs for large congresses and incentive travel groups.
Further enhancing its competitive edge, the Panama Convention Center operates under a tax-free regime exempting services such as venue rental, setup, and catering from the standard ITBMS tax. These measures are designed to lower operational barriers and make Panama more attractive in the global meetings market.
Javier Araque, Senior Sales Manager at the PCC, emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in advancing Panama’s global event ambitions. “The alignment between public and private sectors is what allows Panama to compete at a higher level,” he said, noting the shared efforts behind building the destination’s reputation. Management and operational oversight are handled by the international firm Legends Global, ensuring consistent execution of the country’s global positioning strategy.
Flagship events such as Expocomer, now expanded into a multi-expo platform, and the Latin Tire Expo—which draws over 15,000 participants—highlight the center’s capacity and market reach. Upcoming international gatherings like the World of Coffee are expected to further elevate Panama’s profile worldwide, while also stimulating significant economic activity across hospitality, transportation, and tourism sectors.
Panama’s rising prominence in the global MICE industry is also reflected in its international rankings. The country consistently places among the top five destinations in Latin America for international meetings, hosting 47 qualifying events in the latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) assessment. The Panama Convention Center itself has been named one of the Top 100 Convention Centers globally for 2026, underscoring its infrastructure quality and operational standards.
Looking ahead, the PCC and its partners aim to scale their impact by continuing to attract high-profile events and positioning Panama as a world-class destination for meetings and conventions. With a solid foundation and comprehensive support structure, the center remains a vital asset in the country’s broader economic and tourism strategy.