In 2025, Valencia entered the world’s top 10 non-capital cities for international congresses for the first time. This milestone was accompanied by record levels of activity and economic impact at the Valencia Conference Centre. Yet the competitiveness of a MICE destination depends on more than infrastructure alone: it also requires distinctive venues, suppliers capable of handling complex formats and experienced teams able to maintain consistently high service standards over several days.
With more than 75 years of experience in the city, Gourmet Catering & Eventos is part of the ecosystem that enables Valencia to compete for major national and international events.
From alternative destination to a leading MICE choice
Business tourism has grown steadily in recent years, establishing Valencia as one of Europe’s most competitive MICE destinations. The ICCA report published in 2025, based on 2024 activity, ranked the city 39th worldwide and 23rd in Europe, as well as placing it among the world’s top ten non-capital cities.
During that year, Valencia hosted 51 international congresses, representing 10% of all those held in Spain.
These figures are reinforced by the results of the Valencia Conference Centre, which closed 2025 with 105 events and 115,573 attendees. This activity generated an economic impact of €94.7 million, while 62% of the congresses held there were international.
But Valencia’s growth as a MICE destination is not driven solely by its transport connections or the quality of its infrastructure. The city brings together architecture, gastronomy, culture and a Mediterranean setting that makes it possible to create programmes combining business sessions, experiences and networking.
The proximity of its main venues, its climate and its connection with the Mediterranean also broaden the possibilities for conventions, product launches and strategic corporate meetings.
Distinctive venues and gastronomy tailored to each event
Companies are no longer simply looking for a venue with sufficient capacity. They expect the venue, gastronomy and production to contribute to expressing their identity and the objectives behind the event. Architectural character, flexibility, logistical capabilities and specialist teams have therefore become decisive factors when choosing where to hold a corporate event.
Gourmet Catering & Eventos manages and operates in some of Valencia’s most distinctive venues.
La Cartuja de Ara Christi, founded in 1585 and mainly built during the 17th century, provides an exceptional setting for corporate presentations, gala dinners and congresses, where heritage adds a sense of distinction and character to every event.
Vallesa de Mandor, a traditional Valencian country estate surrounded by more than 20,000 square metres of gardens, offers a natural and private environment away from the pace of the city while remaining well connected to Valencia. Its versatility makes it suitable for everything from strategic meetings to team-building sessions and outdoor networking events.
At Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, designed by Santiago Calatrava, Gourmet Catering & Eventos is the exclusive gastronomic partner. The building offers a variety of spaces capable of accommodating very different event formats within the same complex: the Main Hall Foyer for large-scale events; Sala Los Toros, with its striking architecture; La Octava, designed for more exclusive gatherings and offering views over the city; and the Terraza de las Palmeras for outdoor events.
The City of Arts and Sciences provides another iconic setting, where gastronomy must work in harmony with one of Valencia’s most recognisable architectural landmarks. In venues such as these, catering is no longer an isolated service: it becomes part of the staging, identity and overall narrative of the event.
Catering as a strategic element of MICE events
When a congress lasts several days and brings together hundreds or even thousands of attendees, gastronomy is no longer simply an additional service. It becomes a strategic part of the event.
Coffee breaks, cocktails, working lunches and institutional dinners all contribute to the overall experience and create valuable opportunities for interaction between attendees, speakers and organisers.
The challenge is not only to deliver flawless execution, but also to maintain variety throughout the event. A three- or four-day congress should not repeat the same gastronomic proposals and risk losing attendees’ interest.
Achieving this requires a solid operational structure.
Gourmet Catering & Eventos has its own production centre of more than 1,600 m² in Picanya, powered by renewable energy and certified according to the international IFS Progress Food standard. Its culinary team is also supported by an R&D&I department dedicated to the continuous development of new gastronomic concepts.
This combination makes it possible to design complete multi-day culinary programmes without repeating dishes or concepts, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine aligned with the sustainability and quality values that companies increasingly seek to convey through their events.
This commitment to innovation is backed by recognition from the industry. In November 2025, Gourmet Catering & Eventos received the National Hospitality Award for Innovation from Hostelería de España. The jury highlighted the company’s leadership in gastronomic innovation, sustainability, food waste management, social inclusion and digitalisation, among other areas.
Valencia: a MICE destination that leaves a lasting impression
Valencia has demonstrated its ability to host major international business events by combining specialised infrastructure, distinctive venues, a strong cultural offering and gastronomy deeply connected to the Mediterranean.
Its continued growth as a MICE destination also relies on a network of experienced suppliers capable of adapting to everything from congresses attended by thousands of delegates to exclusive meetings for small executive teams.
With more than 75 years of experience, around 2,500 events managed every year and more than 360,000 guests served, Gourmet Catering & Eventos has become one of the leading gastronomic operators in Valencia’s MICE sector.
Its knowledge of the city’s venues, production capacity and commitment to innovation help transform gastronomy into a strategic tool that supports the objectives of each event.
Because in a market where destinations are increasingly competing to attract international congresses, conventions and corporate events, the real differentiating factor is not simply having outstanding venues. It is having experienced teams capable of making everything work and building an experience around each event that is coherent with the identity of the city hosting it.
