Global Business Travel Explodes Across Brazil as Rio and São Paulo Transform Big into MICE Powerhouses

In fact, Brazil is increasing its influence in international conferences, incentives, conventions and exhibitions as it continues to host world-class business events in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Brazil’s MICE industry is ending the last few months of 2026 with a busy international schedule covering technology, energy, science, health care, sustainable development and business. Business events have been prioritised by Embratur in an effort to increase the number of conferences and corporate events through international trade shows, destination marketing and collaboration with industry organisations. Available evidence cannot substantiate the precise figure that Brazil has acquired 42 technology and green-energy summits for the period from 2026 to 2028. Similarly, the reported 48-hour wait time for importation of exhibition materials to Rio and São Paulo airports could not be confirmed to be a systemic issue.

Embratur Puts MICE at the Centre of Tourism Strategy

Embratur’s 2026 strategy places business events among the most important segments of international tourism promotion.

The agency says Brazil remained Latin America’s leading destination for international events, with events taking place across 42 Brazilian cities.

Scientific and medical congresses continue to represent more than 60% of the events being captured by Brazil, while climate, sustainability, energy and health events account for some of the largest gatherings.

The strategy also includes dedicated MICE promotion through international trade shows such as IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America, IBTM World and FIEXPO Latin America.

Embratur has also strengthened its relationships with international industry organisations including ICCA, PCMA, SITE, UFI and UIA.

Rio Builds a Major Technology and Energy Calendar

Rio de Janeiro is particularly active in technology, innovation and energy events.

The city’s 2026 calendar includes Web Summit Rio, Rio Innovation Week, Smart Summit, Energy Summit and ROG.e, alongside major conferences covering technology, business and sustainability.

One of the largest events is ROG.e 2026, held at Riocentro from September 21 to 24.

The energy event was expected to attract around 75,000 participants and 650 exhibiting companies, with an exhibition area of approximately 22,000 square metres.

An economic impact study by the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels and Fundação Getulio Vargas estimated that ROG.e would generate approximately R$593 million for Rio de Janeiro’s economy and more than 10,000 jobs when direct, indirect and induced effects were included.

The event demonstrates why energy and sustainability are becoming increasingly important parts of Brazil’s MICE economy.

Technology Events Add Another Layer

Rio is also strengthening its position in technology and digital industries.

Web Summit Rio remains one of the city’s flagship international technology gatherings, while Rio Innovation Week brings together companies, investors, researchers and technology professionals.

The city government lists these events alongside international business gatherings as part of Rio’s growing position as a major global-events destination.

The combination of technology, energy and sustainability gives Rio a broader MICE proposition than traditional tourism alone.

For corporate travellers, that means business events can increasingly be built around sectors where Brazil has significant commercial and research activity.

São Paulo Remains Brazil’s Business Gateway

São Paulo continues to provide the country’s largest corporate and financial ecosystem.

The city has an extensive hotel network, major convention venues, international air connections and a large concentration of multinational companies.

São Paulo Expo and other major venues host exhibitions and conferences throughout the year across industries including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, finance, food, retail and energy.

São Paulo’s importance also comes from its airport infrastructure.

Guarulhos International Airport is Brazil’s principal international aviation gateway and handles a large share of the country’s international passenger traffic and air cargo.

That makes the city particularly important for international exhibitors and companies bringing equipment, products and technical teams into Brazil.

Cargo Logistics Require Careful Planning

The claim of systematic 48-hour delays for heavy exhibition equipment should not be published as a verified national statistic.

Brazil does, however, operate complex customs and import procedures for international cargo.

The Federal Revenue Service maintains formal procedures covering temporary admission, customs clearance and imported goods. Event organisers bringing exhibition equipment into Brazil therefore need to plan documentation and customs arrangements carefully.

The Federal Revenue Service also conducts official Time Release Studies measuring the time required for imported goods to move through Brazil’s customs system.

The data cover air, maritime and road imports and are designed to identify bottlenecks and improve customs efficiency.

For major exhibitions, organisers typically work with specialist freight forwarders and customs brokers to manage temporary imports and event-related equipment.

Brazil’s International Visitor Market Remains Strong

The MICE expansion is taking place alongside a powerful recovery in international tourism.

Brazil received approximately 6.45 million international visitors between January and August 2026, according to data compiled by Embratur, the Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Police.

The total remained close to the record level reached during the same period of 2025.

São Paulo received approximately 1.89 million international visitors, while Rio de Janeiro recorded around 1.67 million, making them the country’s two largest destinations for international arrivals during the period.

That creates a substantial base of international air connectivity and hospitality capacity for business-event tourism.

Brazil Visa Rules Matter for Business Travellers

Visa requirements remain important for companies planning international events in Brazil.

Citizens of Australia, Canada and the United States currently require an electronic visitor visa for tourism and business travel.

Brazil reinstated those visa requirements on April 10, 2025.

The current eVisa fee listed by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry is US$80.90, and the electronic visa can be used for stays of up to 90 days, subject to the applicable conditions.

Business travellers should distinguish between attending meetings, conferences or company activities and undertaking paid employment or technical work in Brazil.

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry states that some business activities can be covered by a visitor visa, while activities involving technical assistance or salaried work may require an appropriate temporary work visa.

Other nationalities benefit from visa exemptions or different arrangements depending on bilateral agreements and passport type.

Brazil Builds a Broader MICE Network

Brazil’s current MICE story is thus based on actual developments, not unverified 42-event and 48-hour numbers. Embratur is actively promoting international congresses and business events, while Rio and São Paulo continue to be the two main global business gateways of the country. Rio has been creating a very noticeable schedule in relation to technology, innovation, energy and sustainability, while São Paulo has continued to dominate large corporate and exhibition events. The increasing number of international visitors to the country is another positive factor. For the event organisers, Brazil provides large convention facilities, international airports, plenty of hotel rooms and a growing list of technology, energy and sustainability events. The key factors are still practical, such as visa requirements, customs paperwork, cargo and early coordination with venues and local suppliers. As Brazil continues to develop its international MICE market, Rio and São Paulo will continue to be the main gateways of the country for global conferences, exhibitions and corporate events.