Connecting in Lisbon: Global DMC Partners Connection 2026
Discovering Portugal’s capital through collaboration and connection
Connecting Collaborating. Experiencing Lisbon.
In January 2026, our Events Manager, Olivia Woollam, travelled to Lisbon, Portugal, to attend the
Global DMC Partners Connection 2026 – an annual conference hosted by Global DMC Partners.
Bringing together leading Destination Management Companies (DMC’s) from across the globe, the event combined panel sessions, one-to-one meetings and curated site visits to some of Lisbon’s standout venues. The objective is to strengthen partnerships, explore emerging destinations and gather strategic insights to enhance future event planning.
From AI innovation to ‘wow-factor’ gala venues, here’s a recap from this year’s Connections event.
Conference Overview
Connections is designed to create meaningful relationships between global DMCs and agency partners. Taking place over four days, from 8–11 January 2026, the programme brought participants together through a dynamic mix of insightful panel discussions, pre-scheduled one-to-one DMC meetings, venue site inspections, hosted networking dinners, and immersive destination experiences, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration and connection.~
One of the standout sessions was Exploring the Future of AI, which demonstrated how tools like Midjourney can be used to create mock-ups for venue branding and event dressing – an exciting opportunity to bring client concepts to life visually before production even begins.
The Uncovering New Destinations session was also particularly valuable, highlighting emerging locations that offer something fresh and unique for incentive and conference programmes.
For UK enquiries regarding DMCs within the GDP network, all communications are managed through Chris Bason, UK Account Director at Global DMC Partners – ensuring a streamlined and well-managed process.
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Hotel & Venue Highlights
Epric Sana Lisboa
Located near Lisbon’s city centre, EPIC SANA Lisboa has been awarded Portugal’s Leading Conference Hotel for the second consecutive year, and it’s easy to see why.
The hotel offers 311 rooms across ten floors (244 Deluxe, 47 Premium and 20 Suites), all with river or city views, spacious luxurious interiors and exceptional service, alongside extensive conference facilities including 14 meeting rooms and 2,229 sqm of event space for up to 1,000 guests, complemented by standout dining at Flor de Lis, a rooftop bar and pool, and a 1,760 sqm spa and wellness area.
Insight: While the hotel itself is excellent, its location is set on a main road and feels less traditionally Portuguese. However, the city centre is under 10 minutes away by bus or transfer, making access to Lisbon’s cultural hotspots quick and easy.
SUD Lisboa
Operated by the SANA Group, SUD Lisboa is a contemporary riverfront venue set along the Tagus River. We enjoyed a seated gala dinner here on the final evening and it delivered on every level.
The riverfront venue stands out for its indoor and outdoor spaces and seamless flow. Offering lively cocktail receptions and glamorous gala dinners. The expansive dance floor and dedicated areas for activations are paired with an exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, perfect for unforgettable networking events.
Insight: This venue is perfect for high-end evening functions and incentive celebrations but is less suited to large-scale conferences.
Bairro do Avillez
Located in Lisbon’s Chiado district, Bairro do Avillez is the flagship dining destination of renowned Portuguese chef José Avillez.
We visited as a group for dinner and loved the lively atmosphere, complete with live music and sharing-style Portuguese cuisine (with excellent vegetarian options).
This venue is idea for private dinners, receptions, partial or full buyouts, and incentive group evenings, with multiple interconnected spaces, making it adaptable for intimate to mis-sized groups, while larger parties may utilise split-level dining.
Insight: A standout creative touch is the personalised “newspaper” at each setting featuring conference-themed content – a simple yet brilliant detail that elevates the guest experience.
Lisbon at a Glance
Lisbon proved to be an exceptional host destination, offering the perfect mix of business and leisure. A Tuk Tuk city tour provided a fun and efficient way to explore the city while splitting attendees into smaller groups, making it ideal for inventive trips of conference downtime activities. With its vibrant culture and relative value compared to other European capitals, Lisbon is particularly well suited for inventive programmes, mid-to-large conferences, corporate retreats, and networking events that combine work with leisure experiences.
To Wrap Up…
Global DMC Partners Connection 2026 was an exceptionally well-curated event, offering meaningful face-to-face time with trusted global partners, fresh destination inspiration and valuable strategic insights.
Lisbon delivered the perfect backdrop, blending premium conference infrastructure with vibrant cultural experiences and outstanding hospitality. From luxury hotels to iconic dining venues and engaging city tours, every element enhanced the overall experience.
If you’re considering Lisbon for your next conference or incentive programme, our team would be delighted to help you bring it to life, Gray Dawes Events can support every stage of your event journey. Get in touch with the team today to start planning a programme that blends business impact with unforgettable destination experiences.
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If you're looking to make your next event the next big thing, no matter how big or small, we'd love to hear from you.
Start a conversation with us by using the contact form on the right, or give us a call on +44 1206 716160
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