Kathmandu: Nepal is poised to strengthen its position in the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) and destination wedding market as it hosts the 13th EMF ACE Global Convention & Awards 2026 for the first time.
Organised by EMF Global, India’s leading federation of the event and wedding industry, the three-day convention will take place from July 30 to August 1, 2026, at The Soaltee Kathmandu. According to EMF Global Founder President Dr. Jaydeep Mehta, the event will bring together around 550 delegates from seven countries, including event professionals, wedding planners, tourism entrepreneurs, hospitality leaders, investors and destination experts. The convention will be inaugurated by Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadga Raj Poudel ‘Ganesh’.
Tourism stakeholders see the convention as a major opportunity to attract high-value visitors while promoting Nepal as a premier destination for international conferences, incentive travel, luxury weddings and large-scale corporate events. Delegates will also visit key tourism destinations including Pokhara, Janakpur and Chitwan, alongside Kathmandu, offering them first-hand experience of Nepal’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, luxury hospitality and growing tourism infrastructure.
Founded nearly 15 years ago, EMF Global has become one of India’s most influential organisations representing the event, wedding and experiential industry. Its annual global convention has been hosted in several international destinations, with each edition helping showcase the host country as a competitive venue for destination weddings, corporate events and the expanding MICE sector.
Dr. Mehta said Nepal has all the essential ingredients to become one of South Asia’s leading destinations for destination weddings and MICE tourism. Its Himalayan landscapes, rich cultural heritage, spiritual attractions, high-quality hotel infrastructure and convenient connectivity with India provide a strong competitive advantage. He added that bringing the convention to Nepal aims to connect the Indian and international event industry directly with the country’s tourism potential, encourage cross-border business partnerships and contribute to Nepal’s long-term tourism promotion.
The convention will feature international business networking sessions, destination presentations, industry exhibitions, knowledge-sharing forums and prestigious awards. The event is also expected to draw significant attention with the participation of Bollywood celebrities Shilpa Shetty, Shakti Kapoor and Vikrant Massey, along with renowned Nepali actress Manisha Koirala.
Former Nepal Tourism Board official Nandini Lahe Thapa said such international conventions generate direct economic benefits for hotels, resorts, travel companies, event management firms, transport operators, cultural performers, local producers and service providers. She noted that hosting global events of this scale will also strengthen Nepal’s reputation as a competitive destination for international conferences, corporate gatherings, incentive travel and destination weddings in the years ahead.
