• January 20, 2026

GDP Connection 2026: Highlights & Pics

GDP Connection 2026: Highlights & Pics

GDP Connection 2026: Highlights & Pics 1024 683 micebook.

Global DMC Partners (GDP) returned for its annual Connection event from 8–11 January 2026, bringing industry leaders to Lisbon for four days of focused meetings, insight-led sessions and relationship-driven networking. Hosted at EPIC SANA Lisboa and delivered by local DMC Emotionstore, the gathering brought together buyers and DMC partners from across the global GDP community, including a strong UK buyer contingent.

Catherine Chaulet’s opening keynote on global MICE trends set the scene, addressing the reality planners are currently navigating: ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty alongside the continued strength of live events. The conversation moved quickly beyond scale, focusing instead on outcomes, impact and relevance, with meetings and incentives positioned as strategic tools rather than discretionary spend. This thinking carried through into broader discussions around the current state of the industry, with an emphasis on collaboration, trust and long-term value between buyers and DMC partners.

AI was another recurring theme throughout the event, approached in a notably practical way. Sessions focused on how planners are already using tools to support research, destination comparison and content development, alongside open discussion around efficiencies, limitations and where human expertise still matters most. Rather than future-facing speculation, the focus remained firmly on what is genuinely useful right now.

Creativity was also brought into focus through Tim Hines’ Attention Algorithm keynote, which tackled a challenge many planners recognise all too well: how to capture and hold attention in an increasingly noisy digital landscape. The session explored the psychology behind distraction and attention, highlighting how emotion, storytelling and smarter messaging can help events resonate and stay memorable beyond the moment.

Destination choice formed another key theme, with discussions centred around the growing interest in lesser-known MICE destinations, and how secondary locations can deliver originality, cultural depth and strong value, while still meeting expectations around infrastructure, professionalism and delivery. For buyers, this reflected a broader shift towards smarter risk management and more confident, distinctive programme design.

Away from the conference rooms, Lisbon shaped much of the experience. Walkable and easy to navigate, it created a relaxed setting where conversations didn’t stop when sessions ended. Evenings focused on the city’s food scene, with a dinner at Bairro do Avillez and a final night at SUD Lisboa Hall, pairing river views with a lively, informal atmosphere.

Delegates were also given the opportunity to explore Lisbon more fully through a range of experiences, from discovering the city in tuk-tuk style and joining a food tour, to a traditional Portuguese cooking class, a Porto wine tasting at Taylor’s, a historical shopping walking tour and an Alfama and São Vicente Monastery walk. These moments offered a more immersive introduction to the destination, while keeping conversations flowing outside the formal programme.

GDP Connection 2026 struck a confident balance between insight, connection and destination immersion, reinforcing the value of bringing the global DMC community together in a focused, thoughtful environment. The annual gathering closed with the announcement of the next edition, with GDP Connection set to head to Sorrento from 23–26 March 2027, offering another opportunity for the network to reconnect, share insight and continue shaping the future of global meetings and incentives.

Join Our Community

Join our community and receive the latest trending industry news in our weekly Departure Lounge and exclusive invites to events





    WordPress Ads