Nepal has taken a significant step toward strengthening its position as a global destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) and destination weddings by hosting the 13th EMF ACE Global Convention & Awards 2026 for the first time.
The three-day international convention, organized by EMF Global, India’s apex body representing the event, wedding and experiential industry, is being held from July 30 to August 1 at The Soaltee Kathmandu. The event has brought together around 550 delegates from seven countries, including event entrepreneurs, wedding planners, tourism professionals, hospitality leaders, destination management companies, investors and creative industry experts.
The convention was inaugurated by Nepal’s Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadga Raj Poudel ‘Ganesh’, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting Nepal as a preferred destination for international conferences, luxury weddings and experiential tourism.
Nepal Positioned as Emerging MICE Destination
Tourism stakeholders believe the convention offers Nepal a valuable platform to showcase its tourism infrastructure and attract high-value visitors from one of the world’s fastest-growing event markets. Besides Kathmandu, delegates will also visit Pokhara, Chitwan and Janakpur, allowing international participants to experience Nepal’s diverse tourism products, including its natural beauty, cultural heritage, luxury hospitality and destination wedding venues. Industry experts say such exposure could significantly enhance Nepal’s reputation among global event planners and wedding organizers while generating long-term business opportunities.
A Global Platform for the Event Industry
Established nearly 15 years ago by 13 visionary event entrepreneurs, EMF Global has evolved into India’s leading federation for the event, wedding and experiential business. Today, the federation represents businesses contributing more than ₹1,000 crore annually to the industry while promoting education, innovation, professional development and international collaboration. Since its inception, the EMF ACE Convention has grown into one of the world’s most respected gatherings for the experiential industry.
Beginning in Ahmedabad in 2014, the convention has since been hosted in destinations including Udaipur, Ras Al Khaimah, Sri Lanka, Jaipur, Egypt, Vietnam, Abu Dhabi and Thailand, with each edition highlighting the tourism and hospitality potential of its host destination. According to EMF, every host city has benefited from increased destination visibility, business networking and long-term growth in wedding and event tourism.
Showcasing Nepal to India’s Event Industry
Speaking at the convention, EMF Global Founder President Dr. Jaydeep Mehta said Nepal possesses all the ingredients required to become one of South Asia’s premier destinations for destination weddings and MICE tourism. He cited Nepal’s Himalayan landscapes, rich cultural heritage, spiritual attractions, luxury hospitality infrastructure and close connectivity with India as key competitive advantages.
“Every edition of EMF ACE raises new benchmarks for the industry, and Kathmandu provides the perfect setting to do so. Through this convention, we aim to create meaningful business opportunities, strengthen cross-border partnerships and introduce Nepal’s immense tourism potential to India’s and the global events fraternity,” Dr. Mehta said. He added that EMF Global remains committed to promoting innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth while positioning South Asia as a leading global destination for weddings and experiential events.
Celebrity Presence Adds Glamour
Continuing its tradition of featuring renowned personalities from the entertainment industry, this year’s convention is expected to welcome Bollywood celebrities Shilpa Shetty, Vikrant Massey and Shakti Kapoor, alongside celebrated Nepali actress Manisha Koirala.
Previous editions of the convention have featured prominent personalities including Shatrughan Sinha, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Govinda, Dia Mirza, Bipasha Basu, Sonu Sood, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and several other distinguished figures from India’s entertainment and business sectors.
Business Networking and Industry Recognition
The convention includes keynote sessions by industry experts, business networking opportunities, destination presentations, knowledge-sharing forums, exhibitions and the prestigious EMF ACE Global Awards, which recognize excellence in destination weddings, corporate events, experiential marketing, hospitality, event production, innovation and entrepreneurship. Organizers say the platform enables event professionals to exchange ideas, establish partnerships and explore emerging global trends in experiential tourism.
Boost for Nepal’s Tourism Economy
Former Nepal Tourism Board official Nandini Lahe Thapa described the convention as an important opportunity for Nepal’s tourism sector. She noted that international conventions of this scale generate immediate economic benefits for hotels, resorts, travel companies, transport providers, event management firms, cultural performers and local businesses. More importantly, they enhance Nepal’s global image as a competitive destination for international conferences, incentive travel, luxury weddings and large-scale corporate events.
Tourism experts believe hosting EMF ACE Global Convention & Awards 2026 will strengthen Nepal’s visibility in the international MICE and destination wedding market while fostering long-term collaboration between the Indian and Nepali event industries.
As the convention enters its 13th edition, organizers say EMF ACE has grown beyond an awards platform into a global movement that promotes business, innovation and destination development. With Kathmandu now joining the list of prestigious host cities, the 2026 edition is expected to further reinforce Nepal’s emergence as a leading destination for international events and experiential tourism.
