The General Meeting of the members of the Russian Convention Bureau (RCB), where the key performance indicators for the Association for 2025 were approved, was traditionally held at the Eurasian Event Forum (EFEA) (5 Lodeynopolskaya St., PetroCongress Congress Center, St. Petersburg).

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

"Congress and exhibition activities are a key mechanism for the country's macroeconomic and investment policy, as well as a link between domestic and international markets. As an infrastructure sector for economic development and an effective tool for promoting the country's economic interests, they not only facilitate the establishment of business contacts, attract investors, and foster innovation, but also serve as a means of implementing state priorities in industry, IT, science, the agro-industrial complex, creative industries, exports, and investment. The Russian Convention Bureau, acting as an institution for industry and regional development in the field of convention and exhibition activities and business tourism, on the one hand, develops initiatives based on specific industry needs, and on the other, unites professionals and leaders in the event industry, whose experience and activity help the state achieve its strategic goals.

The Association's industry activities included participation 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 in developing legislative initiatives and industry support measures. The Association's work included work on documents such as the draft federal law "On Exhibition, Fair, and Congress Activities in the Russian Federation" and the action plan ("roadmap") for the implementation of support measures and strategic development of exhibition, fair, and congress activities until 2030, approved by Russian Government Decree No. 869-r of April 10, 2024. Work is also underway on projects to develop an industry standard for personal data processing in the congress and exhibition industry and to certify event industry enterprises.

Throughout 2025, the Russian Convention Bureau actively participated in key events and shared its expertise at leading industry venues across the country, contributing to the development of the professional community and enhancing the competence of market participants. Significant events included those at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the National Center "Russia," sessions and roundtables on industry and regional development, and collaboration with scientific associations and related fields. Thanks to this active participation, the Russian Convention Bureau has strengthened its reputation as a leading industry association and a reliable partner for government officials, the business community, and academia.

Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Convention Bureau and the Roscongress Foundation and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, noted: 

"The convention and exhibition industry bears a significant responsibility for facilitating the achievement of the most important economic objectives facing the country. This is why joint work, partnership, pooling efforts, and coordinating the actions of market participants are particularly important. These principles underlie the activities of the Russian Convention Bureau Association and its members. They consolidate expertise, create synergies impossible through individual efforts, and build reputational capital for both individual companies and the industry as a whole.

The Russian Convention Bureau and the R&C Market Research Company, with the support of RUDN University, the Russian Geographical Society, the Eurasian Rating Agency, and the Sustainable Tourism Consortium, developed the Methodological Recommendations "Sustainable Development of the Congress and Exhibition Industry and ESG Transformation of the Industry." The document was presented to event industry representatives at the Eurasian Event Forum (EFEA) and will subsequently be distributed to more than 400 companies and organizations in the Russian congress and exhibition industry.

Throughout 2025, the RCB signed strategic cooperation agreements with regional offices and public organizations at leading business venues and forums, including the Kherson Region 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 connection with the development of the TOP50HR national award.

Active work is already underway under these agreements. For example, the Kherson Region partnered with the 1st and 2nd Historical Regions Summits, which assessed the territories' event potential, current challenges, and potential growth opportunities, taking into account the economic characteristics and strategic development vectors of the newly annexed territories. Covering the event agendas of the regions that recently joined the Russian Federation has become one of the Russian Convention Bureau's key initiatives.

Together with the Be Brand People agency, the Russian Convention Bureau organized the first independent all-Russian award for HR specialists and brands, TOP50HR. The event was held with the support of the Roscongress Foundation, the All-Russian Occupational Safety and Health Week, and under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. The award aims to identify and scale up the most advanced human resource management practices and recognizes not only the professional achievements of individual specialists and teams but also helps build a professional community of effective HR practitioners. The final events took place in Moscow at the Lomonosov cluster, with over 450 participants. Member companies of the Russian Convention Bureau participated in the preparations.

A special place in the RCB's industry agenda is occupied by the "Russian Event Industry Navigator" project, developed based on an assessment of companies' performance and best practices (a joint project of the Russian Convention Bureau and the R&C Market Research Company, with 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 and, above all, aims to promote the development of a professional environment and effectively identify reliable partners.

In September, the RCB supported the International Conference "Russian School of Colorectal Surgery," which was attended by over 1,600 practicing physicians from 20 countries. The event potential of the country, regions, and companies participating in the industry was also showcased at the Meet Global MICE Congress, a significant industry event that attracted a large number of international guests.

In 2025, the RCB continued its active work with the regions to promote the industry agenda and develop event potential. A number of regional infrastructure development projects were initiated within the Congress Consulting consortium, which aims to provide services across the entire spectrum of convention and exhibition activities and regional development through the events industry and business tourism. The project's service recipients include regions, investors and developers, industry associations, and event industry companies.

As of the end of 2025, 98 companies from 17 regions of Russia were members of the RCB Association. In his speech, Sagid Zaremukov, Director of the Russian Convention Bureau, noted: 

"The Association is not only companies, but also people. Our business-like, expert, and friendly approach allows us to create a unique community that harmoniously combines professional connections and personal relationships. The Association is trusted by the most active, enterprising, and outgoing professionals in the event industry, forming a strong professional and friendly community where participants can always exchange opinions on promising projects and establish collaborations."

The 2025 annual report on the activities of the Russian Convention Bureau is available on the Association's website.