An evening with charming, caffeinated Colombia

When Gustavo Petro took over as Colombia’s president in August 2022, the first leftist president in the nation’s history, he emphasised his ambition for Colombia to become greener.

Despite 55 per cent of the South American country being covered in rainforest, one of its main exports is fossil fuels including coal and oil. Petro is keen to phase out his country's economic reliance on fossil fuels, replacing it instead with tourism and knowledge-based economies. 

This ambition translates to a keen focus on the meetings, events and incentive industry, so much so, a select group of trade press and corporate event planners were recently invited by Colombia Co to an evening at the Colombian Ambassador’s residence in London’s Chester Square for a masterclass in Colombian coffee and to learn more about the ‘Gateway to South America’.

An evening at the Ambassador's residence

As Colombia emerges out of a turbulent era, the world’s perception of the country must also keep up to date. Today, Colombia is better known for its incredible landscapes, rich and diverse cultures, and unparallel coffee production, which we sampled at the event, thanks to Hermanos Brothers. 

The sibling duo run nine coffee shops across London, showcasing one of Colombia’s main exports (the others include bananas and avocados). Presented with three cups of ground coffee, we first smelt the ‘notes’. Among the usual chocolate and caramel scents that even Nescafe drinkers can discern, there were tropical notes of mandarin and pineapple, sweet notes of cherry and cane sugar, and nutty notes of macadamia nuts. 

Showcasing the diversity of Colombia’s coffee fed excellently into the destination presentations that followed. 

Simon Locke, director of destination management company, Colombia57, conveyed his enthusiasm for this vibrant country which he called home for 16 years. Although not Colombian himself and now residing in Hampshire, Locke’s passion for the South American country was palpable at the event.

As we sampled canapes of Pan de Bono and Arepas, Locke took us on a verbal and visual journey from Cartagena to Bogota to Medellin… 

Cartagena 

Cartagena Photo Credit: Adobe

ICCA reported Cartagena 17th in the Americas (estimated by total number of ICCA events held) it lies within the Latin American top 10. (ICCA, 2018). These results contributed to the decision of making the city host for the 2021 ICCA World Congress, which welcomed over a thousand attendees.

Cartagena is a 10-minute city, which means event attendees will find everything they need regarding tourism within an 11 km radius (airport, hotels, tourist attractions, convention centres, shopping malls, the historic district, restaurants, monuments and the bay). The city offers a selection of Convention Venues; Las Américas Convention Centre, just 5 minutes from the airport, can accommodate 3,500 people.

Bogata 

Bogotá offers a choice of traditional and non-traditional venues including Corferias International Business and Exposition Centre - the largest convention centre in Bogotá. It has a total area of 200,000 square meters and can accommodate up to 40,000 people. The centre is home to a variety of exhibition halls, meeting rooms, and auditoriums.  

For non-traditional venues the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá (near Bogotá) is a unique space. The cathedral is located 180 meters below ground and is made entirely of salt. It has a capacity of up to 1,500 people and offers a truly unique experience. 

Medellin 

Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ because of its temperate climate which floats between an average low of 17 degrees and 28.5 degrees throughout the year. Medellín is Colombia's second-largest city and home to three million people. 

Located in a valley in the Andes mountains you are guaranteed a view of mountains and coffee plantations wherever you turn in the city. 

Plaza Mayor Convention Centre is a modern venue which opened in 2006 and can accommodate up to 3,000 people. Every August it hosts ColombiaModa the most important annual fashion fixture in South America.

How about hosting a cocktail party for 4,000 at the orchid farm in the botanical Gardens. You can also expect to spot Scarlet Macaws, Iguanas and even wild monkeys within the city itself; not only is Medellín an innovative urban space, it’s also home to some wonderful nature.

If Colombia’s meetings, events and incentives offerings are as diverse, delicious and distinct as its coffee, planners and delegates alike are in for a treat!

You may not know: 

• Bogota, Colombia is just a 10-hour flight for the UK with Avianca operating daily from London Heathrow.
• Colombia is an all year-round destination with a warm climate.
• Colombia has direct access to both the Pacific coast and Caribbean coast, with each offering a distinct cultures and experiences.
• Colombia remains competitively priced.
• Colombia is ranked 31st worldwide in the general performance measurement of meetings and has six cities in the ICCA Ranking.