Ticino Convention Bureau
Ticino
Business moments, a great experience
In Ticino, Swiss precision meets Mediterranean charm, a combination that ensures smooth and reliable event organisation while providing delegates with a welcoming and distinctive environment. Efficiency, predictable logistics, and professional services blend with a mild climate, authentic local culture, and the Italian language to create a setting where conferences and congresses run seamlessly and leave a lasting impression.
Accessibility and mobility
Ticino is easily reachable via the international airports of Milan (Italy) and Zurich. High-speed rail connections and a dense highway network connect the region efficiently, reducing travel time from major hubs. The region also lies on the main northsouth European rail corridor, ensuring straightforward access for international delegates. For those arriving by private vehicle or coach, well-maintained highways connect key cities and venues across the region.
Local mobility
Overnight guests in nearly all hotels benefit from the Ticino Ticket, which provides free access to public transport across the region for the duration of their stay. Transfers between venues, hotels, and nearby attractions are simple and predictable, allowing organisers to plan efficiently and delegates to move independently if needed. Optional social programmes, such as guided city tours, outdoor excursions, or cooking experiences with local products, can be integrated into the schedule without complicating logistics, providing an added value that complements the conference content.
Venues and facilities
Ticino offers a wide selection of venues for mid-size to larger conferences. Options range from convention centres and hotels with fully equipped meeting rooms to unique locations that combine professional facilities with local character. Many venues are centrally located, minimizing transfer times and simplifying coordination of sessions, catering, and accommodations. Experienced local partners provide operational support for audio-visual setups, technical services, catering, and event coordination, allowing organisers to focus on content and attendee engagement.
Local event service partners
Professional local agencies are available to support the planning and execution of conferences and congresses. These MICE partners bring in-depth knowledge of the region, established relationships with venues and suppliers, and hands-on experience in coordinating complex events. By working with these agencies, organisers can streamline operations and ensure reliable service delivery. Social or outdoor activities can be arranged on request and tailored to the specific objectives and format of each conference.
Practical considerations
The Ticino Convention Bureau acts as a single point of contact for event organisers, offering guidance and assistance throughout the planning process. Hotels, venues, and city centres are generally within short distances of one another, facilitating smooth transfers and efficient scheduling. Swiss standards of reliability and service quality ensure reliable delivery across all aspect of the conference.
Lugano: Swiss quality, Mediterranean flair
Monica Besomi
Business Development Manager
at Lugano Convention & Exhibition
What is Lugano Convention & Exhibition and what is its role?
Lugano Convention & Exhibition is the official organisation responsible for promoting Lugano as a destination for congresses, corporate events and exhibitions. Our role is twofold: on one hand, we manage and coordinate the city’s main event venues, including the Palazzo dei Congressi and Villa Ciani; on the other, we actively work on business development and congress acquisition, supporting organisers from the very first idea through to the realisation of their event. We act as a single point of contact, connecting organisers with local partners, institutions and service providers, and ensuring that events held in Lugano meet high standards of quality, sustainability and professionalism.
Venue names like Palazzo dei Congressi conjure up images of grandeur. Can you describe the Palazzo and tell us what makes it special?
The Palazzo dei Congressi is truly a landmark for Lugano. Opened in 1975, it has been at the heart of the city’s cultural and congress life for 50 years. What makes it special is its unique location: directly on the lakeshore, next to Parco Ciani and just a short walk from the city centre. It combines architectural character with functional versatility, offering an amphitheatre for up to 1,130 delegates, multiple breakout rooms and exhibition areas. Beyond the infrastructure, the Palazzo is deeply embedded in the city’s identity — it is both a congress centre and a civic space, a place where international events and local life naturally intersect.
Lugano is undoubtedly a wonderful city nestled between the mountains and the lake, but is there an ideal season for events?
Thanks to our mild climate, excellent infrastructure and cultural offer, Lugano works very well all year-round. That said, we actively promote off-peak and shoulder seasons (November to March) because hosting events outside peak tourist periods supports sustain ability and allows organizers to benefit from greater availability and flexibility.
With strong competition from cities like Zurich, Basel or Geneva, why should organisers choose Ticino – and Lugano in particular?
Lugano offers a distinctive combination that sets it apart from larger Swiss cities. First of all, it provides Swiss quality and efficiency with a Mediterranean flair — a mix that international delegates really appreciate. Secondly, Lugano is compact and walkable: venues, hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions are all close by, creating a seamless delegate experience. From a strategic point of view, we also work very closely with local Ambassadors — respected professionals who help bring national and international congresses to Lugano — and we actively promote the destination at major international B2B trade fairs. Finally, Ticino offers something increasingly important today: a sense of authenticity, quality of life and human scale, without compromising on professionalism.
Sustainability is an essential topic today. What initiatives are in place?
Sustainability is a core pillar of our strategy. Lugano Convention & Exhibition is ISO 20121 certified, which means we apply an internationally recognised standard for sustainable event management. We are also proud partners of Swisstainable, Level III – Leading, reflect ing our commitment to continuous improvement. Concrete measures include renewable source of electricity, waste reduction, local sourcing, sustainable mobility solutions and food waste. At the same time, we created a Sustainability guide (available for free online) which is a practical guideline to help organisers plan more responsible events giving tips and sustainable solutions. For us, sustainability is not a trend, but a shared journey with our partners — and a way to leave a positive legacy for the destination.
On a personal note, tell us a little about yourself and your personal ambitions to make Lugano the go to MICE destination.
In my role as Business Development Manager, my ambition is to contribute concretely to the long-term positioning of Lugano as a competitive and sustainable congress destination. My focus is on strengthening the collaboration among all the stakeholders, working hand in hand with our local Ambassadors and communicating actively the importance of the congress sector for the City of Lugano and the destination as a whole. What makes it even more exciting is the strategic project for the construction of a new Congress Centre in Lugano which is designed to respond to the current and future needs of international congresses and eventually host more than one congress at the same time. The new project represents a key opportunity to overcome existing constraints, strengthen Lugano’s international competitiveness and fully unlock the city’s potential in the global MICE market.