Porto Alegre |
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community, bringing regeneration and life to a former industrial district. Founder members include Oracle, Schneider and City Hall.
A diverse portfolio Porto Alegre’ s economy is characterised by a mix of digital and traditional industries. Petrochemical, textiles and agriculture are all important sectors, making it one of Brazil’ s fastest growing economies.
For meetings, there’ s a wide choice of venues. AMRIGS, seat of the Medical Association of Rio Grande do Sul, houses a 700-seater theatre and 270-seater auditorium. The venue’ s blueprints were created by renowned Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer. The venue is available to its 5,000 + member base, and external organisers alike.
FIERGS, the city’ s main convention centre, hosts over 340 large-scale events per year. Fixed calendar shows include Expoagas and Brazilian Retail Fair, FBV. The vast complex, in the northeast of the city, comprises 24,567sqm of space, Exhibition Centre, auditorium and multiple breakout rooms. It also has extensive outdoor space and parking for 3,000.
Another venue, Park Assis, is home to Expointer, the largest openair Agricole Expo in Latin America, which attracted a record-breaking one million visitors in 2025.
The region has a tradition of agricultural fairs, dating back to 1901. The theme, however, remains constant, innovation in agricultural machinery and livestock auctions. Rio Grande do Sul is home to the Gaucho, the cowboys of the plains of South America, whose traditions and culture are very much alive today.
The annual Festival, Farroupilha week, in September, celebrates all things Gaucho. Brought together by event organiser, Grupo Austral, it draws a million visitors with its programme of music, dance, and BBQ. Meat is serious business here. The region is home to
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South Summit
the Churrasco and has been named the official BBQ Capital of the World.
The Mercosul trade bloc, which comprises five main LATAM members, including Brazil, and seven associate members was formed to generate business and investment opportunities for its members and, for international companies, Porto Alegre is a gateway into this complex but lucrative marketplace and its 624m consumers. Add to this good air connectivity, a solid road network and proven safety record, and understand why multinational companies are choosing Porto Alegre.
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Creature comforts and a multiverse of leisure options In terms of accommodation, there’ s a good selection of 4-star national and international brands in the city. These include the Hilton Moinhos and Doubletree by Hilton, overlooking the river Guaíba. Manhattan Porto Alegre by Mercure is another.
For group dining, Embarcadero Pier offer good food with panoramic views of the water. Also 360 Restaurant closeby. Artisanal eatery, Capincho, in Moinhos serves up traditional dishes with a modern twist and a good selection of regional Brazilian wines. And let’ s not forget the‘ Churasscos’, over 100 of them.
Event organisers are increasingly seeking“ undiscovered” locations that combine high standards with unique
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FIERGS
Convention Centre
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character. This creates significant opportunities for emerging destinations which offer modern infrastructure, flexibility, and the ability to combine business with culture and innovation
After a day of deals and innovation, delegates can explore what the city and region have to offer. Moinhos, the upscale neighbourhood, has many lively bars with some of the best craft breweries in Brazil. Or sip on the local drink, Chimarrão. Experience the city’ s historical heritage on a bus tour, or nautical activities on Lake Guaíba. Football enthusiasts can visit famous Brazilian clubs, Grêmio and Sports Club Internacional.
A short drive from the city, visitors can find traditional bodegas, local wineries and olive oil farms, ideal for a group activity.
If time permits, journey into the Serra Gaucha, and picturesque towns of Gramado and Canela. A two-hour drive brings you to Brazil’ s Switzerland. German colonial architecture set against mountains, pine forests, and crystal-clear streams. With all-year-round festivals, quirky museums, and themed attractions, it is ideal for a group activity. Local experts, Brocker Tourism can create bespoke programmes for groups.
Upwards and upwards The theme of South Summit 2025 was aptly named‘ Beyond Resilience’. When harsh floods hit the region in 2024, its response, a RS30m campaign to highlight everything the destination has to offer.
In the words of state governor Eduardo Leite,“ Rio Grande do Sul has a plan, it has a future, it’ s about making the state stronger, more resilient, and increasingly innovative.” By all accounts, it’ s doing it. n
n Embratur is the official Brazilian Tourist Board. Meeting planners who want to learn more about MICE opportunities in Brazil can register with Brazil Travel Specialist, the official online training platform.
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