The Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, has opened the sixth iteration of its flagship MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events) industry gathering SDQ MICE 2026, an initiative designed to cement the nation’s standing as a top global MICE destination through targeted business networking, hands-on destination exploration, and industry capacity building.
Organized by the Santo Domingo Hotel Association (AHSD), the 2026 edition brings together 50 vetted international buyers from 11 key global markets—including the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico—alongside more than 50 Dominican tourism operators representing leading destinations across the country: Santo Domingo, Santiago, Juan Dolio, Puerto Plata, and the renowned beach resort hub Punta Cana. Over the course of the event, the two groups are scheduled to hold more than 1,000 one-on-one business-to-business meetings, laying the groundwork for new partnerships and future event bookings.
In her opening remarks, AHSD President Gina Eli emphasized that the core mission of the event is to let international decision-makers experience firsthand the diverse tourism infrastructure and hospitality offerings that make Santo Domingo an attractive MICE host, rather than just marketing the destination from afar. By facilitating direct engagement, the association aims to shift international perceptions and strengthen the capital’s reputation as a competitive, accessible MICE location.
The multi-faceted event agenda blends structured deal-making, professional development, and immersive cultural experiences. Beyond the core B2B meeting schedule, participants can access academic training sessions, industry networking opportunities, and guided visits to top local attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Colonial City, Santo Domingo Bay, and the coastal Boca Chica region. To showcase the Dominican Republic’s ability to host multi-city MICE itineraries, the event will wrap up with an official post-event tour of Punta Cana, highlighting the nation’s range of offerings from cultural city breaks to tropical beach getaways.
A key strategic component of this year’s SDQ MICE is a new partnership with global industry firm MICE Consulting, focused on refining the destination’s long-term MICE strategy, boosting its international brand visibility, and unlocking new global business opportunities. The academic track features a keynote address from Martin Boyle, CEO of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), who will break down emerging global industry standards and the evolving factors that influence event organizers’ destination selection decisions.
Beyond business development, SDQ MICE 2026 places significant focus on two critical priorities for the global tourism sector: sustainability and emerging talent development. For sustainability, AHSD highlighted the ongoing impact of its Ruta PET initiative, a recycling program operated across 16 local hotels that has already trained more than 350 hospitality employees in sustainable waste management and recovered 7.25 tons (over 14,500 pounds) of recyclable PET plastic. The event also showcases the Future Leaders program, which creates pathways for local university students to enter the MICE industry by connecting them with seasoned professionals through educational workshops and networking engagements.
To give international buyers a deeper look at the Colonial City’s unique appeal, organizers have planned a special Experiential Rally that lets participants explore the district’s centuries of history, cultural heritage, diverse local gastronomy, vibrant visual and performing arts, traditional music, and renowned Dominican hospitality firsthand.
SDQ MICE 2026 counts the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) as its main sponsor and strategic ally, with additional support from a coalition of leading tourism industry bodies including the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, Turenlaces, OPETUR MICE, Adompretur, and Turio, among other local and national sector partners. Ultimately, the event aims to turn new business connections and first-hand impressions into tangible long-term opportunities, not just for Santo Domingo, but for the entire Dominican Republic’s MICE sector as it competes for a larger share of the global events market.