Held at the Lagoa Congress Centre, the congress further enhanced the municipality's visibility as a destination for international conferences and professional events.

Organised by the Association of Association Executives (AAE) and coordinated locally by CPL Events & Consultancy, the event brought together association leaders, executives and managers from numerous countries. Throughout the three-day programme, participants exchanged knowledge, shared experiences and explored best practices shaping the future of the sector.

Portugal's Secretary of State for Tourism, Pedro Machado, attended the opening ceremony, joining delegates from across the world for the start of the three-day event.

A central theme of this year's congress was the growing impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on associations and professional organisations. Discussions focused on developing AI policies, increasing member engagement, improving organisational performance, enhancing communication and digital marketing strategies, fostering collaboration through networks, and preparing associations for an increasingly technology-driven future.

Delegates participated in a varied programme that included keynote presentations, panel discussions, thematic forums, workshops and case studies. These sessions encouraged dialogue on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities currently facing associations worldwide.

The congress also gave international delegates the chance to discover Lagoa and the Algarve firsthand. Alongside attending sessions and meetings, visitors were able to experience the region's hospitality, explore local attractions and gain a better understanding of what the area has to offer as a destination for conferences, events and tourism.

According to Lagoa Mayor Luís Encarnação, hosting the congress represents an important recognition of the municipality's ability to attract and successfully organise large-scale international events. He emphasised that business tourism plays a key role in diversifying the local economy, reducing seasonal fluctuations and increasing Lagoa's profile in global markets.

The successful staging of the Associations World Congress 2026 also strengthens the reputation of the Lagoa Congress Centre as a premier venue for national and international conferences, meetings and professional events.