Visit Sofia (Municipal Enterprise Tourism) and the Bulgarian Convention Bureau (BCB) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation aimed at strengthening Sofia's position on the European map of international meetings, conferences, and congresses.
The memorandum was signed by Anton Penev, Director of Visit Sofia, and Ivaylo Ivanov, Chair of the Bulgarian Convention Bureau, during an event held at +Tova Hall in Sofia. Among the guests was Deputy Minister of Tourism Georgi Todorov.
The partnership involves no financial commitments or membership obligations. Instead, it establishes a framework for closer cooperation between the public sector and the meetings industry, focusing on tangible results—attracting more international events, improving coordination, and strengthening Sofia's international presence within the global MICE network.
The cooperation focuses on:
- attracting international conferences, congresses and events;
- coordinated preparation of bids to host international events;
- strategic international promotion of Sofia;
- stronger collaboration between public institutions, businesses and industry experts;
- expert support from the Bulgarian Convention Bureau alongside institutional promotion through Visit Sofia.
During the event, the Meetings | Visit Sofia structure was also presented as a strategic initiative of Visit Sofia dedicated to the development of business tourism in the Bulgarian capital.
"For years we have worked closely with the business community and the Bulgarian Convention Bureau. This partnership has developed naturally and sustainably over time. Our shared goal is to make Sofia an increasingly recognised destination for congresses and business events, attracting more international events and creating new opportunities for growth. The Memorandum provides the framework to build on this cooperation in an even more coordinated way. Meetings | Visit Sofia does not compete with the Convention Bureau—the two organisations complement each other with clearly defined roles. Our mission is to generate interest in Sofia as a destination, while the industry transforms that interest into successful events and measurable results," said Anton Penev, Director of Visit Sofia.
He also noted that nearly 36% of Sofia's visitors are connected to event tourism, highlighting the city's ambition to host an increasing number of international business and sporting events.
By signing the Memorandum of Cooperation, Visit Sofia and the Bulgarian Convention Bureau are laying the foundations for a more coordinated and sustainable model of collaboration that will strengthen Sofia's position as a recognised European MICE destination with long-term international potential.
