{"id":25008,"date":"2026-10-13T10:04:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T09:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/?p=25008"},"modified":"2026-10-13T10:05:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T09:05:08","slug":"aquaculture-europe-2026-the-years-largest-congress-took-over-gr-ljubljana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/aquaculture-europe-2026-the-years-largest-congress-took-over-gr-ljubljana\/","title":{"rendered":"Aquaculture Europe 2026: The year\u2019s largest congress took over GR Ljubljana"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What does it take to turn an entire convention centre into one international congress? At\u00a0<strong>Aquaculture Europe 2026<\/strong>, the answer involved <strong>2,522 delegates<\/strong> from <strong>80 countries<\/strong>, a major industry exhibition, parallel scientific sessions and an outdoor evening reception. For four days, nearly every part of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gr.si\/en\">GR Ljubljana Congress and Convention Centre<\/a>\u00a0had 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>23 multipurpose halls. Countless configurations.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The congress made full use of GR Ljubljana&#8217;s flexible event spaces, with <strong>15 conference rooms<\/strong> dedicated to the scientific programme.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gr.si\/en\/halls\/marmorna-hall-b\">The Marmorna Hall<\/a>\u00a0was divided into two plenary spaces, while other halls were adapted for parallel sessions and smaller meetings.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gr.si\/en\/halls\/steklena-hall-c\">The Steklena<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gr.si\/en\/halls\/kupola-hall-a\">Kupola<\/a>\u00a0halls accommodated the exhibition, supported by dedicated spaces for registration, catering, speaker preparation and event logistics. With <strong>23 multipurpose halls<\/strong>, in-house AV technology and technical support, GR Ljubljana offers organisers the flexibility to bring different event formats together in one location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Aquaculture Europe 2026 at a glance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2,522 delegates from 80 countries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>921 abstracts and 54 scientific sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>15 conference rooms, including two plenary halls and 13 breakout rooms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>169 exhibition booths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>161 Octanorm booths built by GR Ljubljana<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Around 1,500 guests at the outdoor evening reception<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-18-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Behind every great event is a great team<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 <strong>161 Octanorm booths <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-28-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Breaking the conference routine&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Aquaculture Europe 2026, a special session called <strong>RAZZMATAZZ <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Under Ljubljana&#8217;s autumn sky&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why move your guests to another location when the venue itself can offer a completely different experience? At Aquaculture Europe 2026, GR Ljubljana&#8217;s outdoor spaces became the setting for an evening reception for around<strong> 1,500 guests<\/strong>. Atmospheric lighting, music and catering transformed the space around the venue&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-630x420.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-1920x1280.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/26_Aquaculture_photo_Oskar_Sustersic-152-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A congress connected to the city&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gr.si\/en\">GR Ljubljana&#8217;s central location<\/a>&nbsp;brings another advantage for international congress organisers: the convenience of a venue within walking distance of Ljubljana&#8217;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&#8217;s city buses throughout the event. Reusable water bottles helped reduce the need for disposable cups, while the venue&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Source and photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/members\/gr-ljubljana-exhibition-and-convention-centre\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/members\/gr-ljubljana-exhibition-and-convention-centre\/\">GR Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What does it take to turn an entire convention centre into one international congress? At\u00a0Aquaculture 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\u00a0GR Ljubljana Congress and Convention Centre\u00a0had a role to play. Marking the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25011,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[206,510,68,146,258],"class_list":["post-25008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-member-news","tag-gr-ljubljana-exhibition-and-convention-centre","tag-i-feel-slovenia","tag-ljubljana","tag-slovenia-en","tag-slovenia-meetings-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25008"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25008\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25036,"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25008\/revisions\/25036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.slovenia-convention.com\/sl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}