Meeting planners should consider the Mexican Caribbean for their events because of Cancún’s extraordinary connectivity, offering flights from major cities around the world, according to Sandra Arellano.

“Another asset for the region is its varied touristic options, where you can not only get almost any hotel type, but also restaurants, tours, transportation and leisure options,” says Arellano, who works in business development for PRIM Events, a MICE agency that has been operating in the tourism industry market for more than 30 years.

PRIM has recently hosted successful events at the Barceló Arena Convention Center at the Barceló Maya Grand Resort, which will be playing host to MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) June 13-15.

“Last November, we successfully operated Cisco Connect, which is the most important IT event in the LATAM region, hosting over 3,500 participants,” she says. “Last March, we also successfully held GISIC, Panduit, another IT company, in which over 650 participants from LATAM gathered. Keynotes, breakout sessions, the expo, lunch and customer appreciation events were all held at the Barcelo Arena, which provides a very convenient setting for events.”

Stefania Ballotta, commercial director for the Barceló Maya Grand Resort, says the resort’s arena convention center has hosted countless events since opening in 2020, from national and international congresses to car shows to concerts featuring artists from around the world. The 269,000-square-foot facility offers 48 meeting spaces, including the Maya Arena, which can accommodate up to 6,000 people; the nearly 36,000-square-foot Grand Meeting Room Akumal, with a buffet area; and a foyer for exhibitions.

“Barceló Maya Riviera is an authentic place. Full of magic and surrounded by beautiful nature, it is impressive that when walking through the corridors of this resort you can breathe tropical air that fills you with energy, but also have the opportunity to enjoy large meeting spaces,” Ballotta says. “Barceló Maya Riviera is one of the most inspiring locations because despite being at a congress, meeting or trade show, you have the opportunity to disconnect and enjoy excellent cuisine, the best beach area and not to mention all the other activities we have around the resort.”

She says that with all the changes the meeting industry has experienced over the last three years, it’s important to create transformative, personalized event experiences that allow attendees to have memorable moments. 

“It is a great opportunity to be part of this important event as a local meeting planner,” said PRIM Eventos CEO Monica De Lozanne, speaking about this year's WEC. “We are proud to represent Mexico as part of the logistics team and to provide the best experience to attendees, partners and organizers.”