What does it take to turn an entire convention centre into one international congress? At Aquaculture Europe 2026, the answer involved 2,522 delegates from 80 countries, a major industry exhibition, parallel scientific sessions and an outdoor evening reception. For four days, nearly every part of GR Ljubljana Congress and Convention Centre had a role to play. Marking the 50th anniversary of the European Aquaculture Society, the event became one of the largest international congresses ever hosted at the venue.
23 multipurpose halls. Countless configurations.
The congress made full use of GR Ljubljana’s flexible event spaces, with 15 conference rooms dedicated to the scientific programme. The Marmorna Hall was divided into two plenary spaces, while other halls were adapted for parallel sessions and smaller meetings. The Steklena and Kupola halls accommodated the exhibition, supported by dedicated spaces for registration, catering, speaker preparation and event logistics. With 23 multipurpose halls, in-house AV technology and technical support, GR Ljubljana offers organisers the flexibility to bring different event formats together in one location.
Aquaculture Europe 2026 at a glance
- 2,522 delegates from 80 countries
- 921 abstracts and 54 scientific sessions
- 15 conference rooms, including two plenary halls and 13 breakout rooms
- 169 exhibition booths
- 161 Octanorm booths built by GR Ljubljana
- Around 1,500 guests at the outdoor evening reception
Behind every great event is a great team
A congress of this size takes more than a well-equipped venue. From the initial preparations to the final day, the GR Ljubljana team supported the organizers with hall setups, technical production, exhibition construction and event branding. The team built 161 Octanorm booths and delivered tailored solutions for additional exhibitors. Working closely with catering, logistics and other specialist partners, the team coordinated the many moving parts behind the event. A dedicated exhibitor help desk provided on-the-spot assistance, helping exhibitors get the support they needed without unnecessary delays.
Breaking the conference routine
At Aquaculture Europe 2026, a special session called RAZZMATAZZ gave traditional scientific presentations a playful twist, with five-minute talks, music and drinks. A creative reminder that even highly specialised congresses can benefit from a less formal approach.
Under Ljubljana’s autumn sky
Why move your guests to another location when the venue itself can offer a completely different experience? At Aquaculture Europe 2026, GR Ljubljana’s outdoor spaces became the setting for an evening reception for around 1,500 guests. Atmospheric lighting, music and catering transformed the space around the venue’s iconic fountain into a lively setting for networking, with a warm autumn evening adding to the experience. For organisers, it meant hosting a large-scale social event without arranging a separate venue or transfers, while giving delegates a completely different experience in the same location.
A congress connected to the city
GR Ljubljana’s central location brings another advantage for international congress organisers: the convenience of a venue within walking distance of Ljubljana’s city centre, major hotels and public transport connections. Many delegates walked to the congress from their hotels, while all participants were offered free travel on Ljubljana’s city buses throughout the event. Reusable water bottles helped reduce the need for disposable cups, while the venue’s own solar power installation contributes to its electricity supply. Together, these practical advantages show how a large international congress can combine the infrastructure of a major convention centre with the accessibility and character of a compact European capital.
Source and photo: GR Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre
