The Russian Convention Bureau has entered the new business season, summing up its activities since the beginning of the year.

Commenting on the Association's activities, Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, noted: 

"Currently, the convention and exhibition industry plays a vital role in fostering dialogue aimed at shaping a sustainable, equitable, and harmonious future. Economic growth, expanding cooperation with BRICS countries, and growing regional potential are driving increased demand for business events and are driving the growth of the event industry. The Russian Convention Bureau, acting as an institution for industry and regional development in the field of convention, exhibition, and business tourism, unites event industry leaders who provide a strong communications foundation at all levels—from international and federal projects to local forums."

As part of the Association's industry activities, it was noted for its work on the development of legislative initiatives and industry support measures in specialized committees, expert councils, and working groups under the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. Together with representatives of leading industry associations and unions, and with the participation of the Roscongress Foundation, extensive work was carried out within the framework of the Action Plan ("roadmap") for the implementation of measures to support and strategically develop exhibition, fair, and convention activities until 2030, approved by Russian Government Order No. 869-r of April 10, 2024. This included proposals for measures aimed at developing business tourism in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, developing a system of indicators for assessing the effectiveness of exhibition, fair, and convention events, digitalization and technological transformation of convention and exhibition activities, and other initiatives to ensure favorable development of the industry.

Since the beginning of the year, the Russian Convention Bureau has signed strategic cooperation agreements with regional offices and companies at leading business platforms and forums, including the Kherson Oblast government, Roskachestvo, MTS Live (part of the MTS Media holding company), the event automation and management service IVENTUM (Operator Gazprom ID LLC), the bema! International Festival of Event Marketing and Communications, the Baltic Weekend Forum, and the Be Brand People communications agency - in support of the development of the TOP50HR National HR Project Award.

Sagid Zaremukov, CEO of the Russian Convention Bureau, noted: 

"As an industry association, the Russian Convention Bureau constantly faces new challenges, both present and future. We address both current industry issues and future challenges, exploring new areas of activity and fostering cross-industry collaboration. For example, this year we began active collaboration with the HR industry and are co-organizing the leading independent all-Russian award for HR specialists and brands, TOP50HR. Close ties with event industry companies, as well as working within the strategic vision for the industry's development, help build a bridge to the future."

This year, the Russian Convention Bureau participated in the business programs of 18 Russian industry- and business-specific events, highlighting the industry's challenges and prospects. These included the major event, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which was attended by a delegation of representatives from RCB member companies.

One of the Russian Convention Bureau's key initiatives has been developing the event potential of regions that recently joined the Russian Federation. For example, as part of World Exhibition Day, the "Growing with Events" Summit of Historic Regions was held at the Rossiya National Center with the support of the Russian Convention Bureau (RCB). The Kherson Oblast served as the Summit's partner region. Participants assessed the potential of these regions for hosting events, including industry exhibitions and congresses, festivals, and fairs. They discussed current challenges and potential growth opportunities, taking into account the economic characteristics and strategic development vectors of these regions. The Russian Convention Bureau continues to highlight the inclusion of the events industry as a working tool in the overall regional development plan for historic regions.

As part of its regional agenda, the Russian Convention Bureau continued to actively engage with its partner regions. In July 2025, the RCB participated in the strategic session "Development of Event Tourism in the Samara Region," which focused on developing proposals for creating iconic, recognizable events and developing event tourism in the region. At the II International Forum of Creative Industries "Created in the Far East: From Creativity to Economy" in Yakutsk, the RCB participated in the panel session "Event Transformation in the Far East: From Local Events to Economic Impact." In the Sverdlovsk Region, the RCB, together with the Ural Convention Bureau, organized a business breakfast "Presence Effect: Infrastructure and Support for Business Event Organizers in the Region," which aimed to develop effective solutions for intensifying the process of attracting events to the region. The HR Forum Big Fish also hosted the "Event Communications" track, which covered topics at the intersection of the events industry and HR. An informational tour of venues in the Sverdlovsk region was conducted for representatives of the event industry.

In September 2024, the 15th Russian School of Colorectal Surgery (RSCSS) International Conference was held with the support of the Russian Convention Bureau. More than 1,670 practicing physicians from 208 Russian cities and 28 countries participated.

The Congress Consulting consortium, established within the RCB, initiated a number of promising projects with regions to develop event infrastructure.

The RCB Association currently includes 98 companies from 17 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Since the beginning of the year, such major players in the event market as ANO National Exhibition Operator, CONCERT VENUES LLC (the federal network of MTS Live Hall venues), TNF Forum, VIPFORUM, Dart Expo, a leading player in the exhibition construction market, and Information Technologies. Security, Projects - a comprehensive integrator of security systems for the event industry, SPN Communications - one of the oldest and largest communications agencies in Eastern Europe, the comprehensive no-code service IVENTUM; and one of the leading companies in the Russian exhibition business, the Exponenta Group have joined the Association.

At the Summer General Meeting of the Russian Convention Bureau (RCB), held at the Roscongress Foundation Multimedia Center, an awards ceremony was held for the winners of the Russian Event Industry Navigator, based on the results of an assessment of companies' activities and their best practices. (A joint project of the Market Research Company (VNIC) R&C ith the support of the Roscongress Foundation.) The Event Industry Navigator project serves as a benchmark for event market participants, using verified data to identify industry leaders. Its primary goal is to promote the development of a professional environment and effectively identify reliable partners. The assessment covers a wide range of companies, including event organizers, conference and exhibition venues, as well as organizations providing technical support for projects and promoting territories. Based on the evaluation results, the leaders in the categories were (top 3):

Venues

1. ExpoForum International (EXPOFORUM) (St. Petersburg).

2. World Trade Center (Congress Center) (Moscow).

3. Abrau-Dyurso Wine Tourism Center (Krasnodar Krai).

Event Management

1. Business Dialogue (Moscow).

2. Be Brand People (Ekaterinburg).

3. EXPOCENTRE (Moscow).

Services

1. DART (Dart Expo) (Moscow).

2. Main Division (St. Petersburg).

3. Information Technology. Security. Projects (ITBS) (St. Petersburg).

Destination Marketing and Non-Profit Organizations

1. Convention Bureau of the Republic of Tatarstan (Republic of Tatarstan).

2. Ural Convention Bureau of the Sverdlovsk Region Investment Promotion Agency (Sverdlovsk Region).

3. Kamchatka Exhibition and Tourism Center (Kamchatka Krai).

The full results of the Event Industry Navigator are available on the National Convention Bureau website.

Since the beginning of the year, the RCB has organized several networking events for representatives of member companies, creating an atmosphere of trust, unity, and genuine interaction. Informal house parties are held as part of business events. Since the beginning of the year, the RCB Club has conducted a site inspection in Abrau-Dyurso and a business mission to the Republic of Belarus.