Stephanie Ackland reports on a fast developing ‘second city’, adding new options for meeting planners and delegates.
Just 90km from the capital of Sao Paulo lies the state’s second largest city, Campinas. A city busily positioning itself as an international meetings hub.
Known within Brazil, and LATAM, as an economic powerhouse, Campinas’ GDP is the second largest in the state, outside the capital. Sector strengths include telecoms, biotech, agritech, oil and gas.
An agile city, easy to get to and easy to navigate, it is well equipped for meetings with proximity to major highways and the award-winning Viracopos International Airport. With 11,000 hotel rooms, integrated congress centres and a welcome oftentimes absent in a larger metropolis, companies are choosing it for their operations. Over 1,000 tech-led companies, national and global, are based here.
Integrated convention centres
Convention and exhibition space is well provided. Expo D. Pedro, in the centre of the city, has a total 13,000sqm of conference space, a 2,500 main hall capacity and 7,000sqm exhibition area, all at convenient ground floor level and located in Parque Dom Expo, home to one of LATAM’s largest shopping malls.
Royal Palm Hall Convention Centre offers a total of 44,000sqm of meeting space and its main hall is the largest fully flexible space in the country. It can host 5,200 people in the auditorium and 3,500 for banquets. The Royal Palm Campinas Complex has four onsite hotels.
White Pavilion at Wet ‘n Wild Water Park is another option. A modern, flexible space, set in natural forest with a view of the park and lake. The venue can accommodate up to 2,100 in its main hall, making it suitable for exhibitions, product launches and corporate events, with onsite attractions adding further appeal.
As part of its recent Corporate Tour, Embratur, the Brazilian Tourist Board, in conjunction with SEBRAE, chose Campinas as one of two cities to showcase to a group of international meeting planners.
“Campinas stands out as a hub of innovation, science, and technology in Brazil,” says Luis Felipe Campos Almeida, president of Campinas and Region CVB. “The city is 5th in the ICCA ranking for Brazil. It is a city with a very international outlook.”
Home of world firsts
For associations looking to align with academic and scientific knowledge hubs, Campinas is steadily becoming one of the southern hemisphere’s leading R&D centres.
It has over 20 higher education and research institutions. Universities Unicamp and PUC are ranked among the best in Brazil and LATAM, and many of the academic venues offer state-of-the-art meeting facilities.
The National Centre for Research in Energy & Materials (CNPEM), an advanced user-based research facility, is open to both the scientific community and the private sector. CNPEM is home to Sirius, the only synchrotron light source in South America. The electron storage ring facility is used in the study of atomic, chemical and electronic structure of materials in biology, materials science and physics.
Sirius – Synchrotron
A further project is Orion, a complex that will house Latin America’s first NB4 level biosafe laboratory, making it the only lab in the world combined with a fourth-generation synchrotron light source.
Other plans include HIDS, the international Hub for Sustainable Development, a fourth-generation mixed-use Smart Innovation District uniting major stakeholders.
A natural beauty
A major draw of Campinas is the abundance of green space. The city is dotted with parks and outdoor venues. Cultural space, The Lake House, caters for events, as does Campinas’ Ecological Park, a restored coffee plantation showcasing the city’s rich history.
A 20-minute drive outside of the city brings you to the Campinas Botanical Garden, home to the largest collection of individual plant species in Latin America and an attractive setting for a corporate reception.
The city also offers a strong mix of accommodation, from international brands to local chains. The Royal Palm Complex’s four hotels include The Royal Palm Resort, a multi-purpose venue with 498 bedrooms, event space, gardens and extensive sports facilities. Adjacent is The Palms, a boutique hotel with modern facilities. Royal Palm Tower is upper midscale, while the Contemporary Hotel is modern and functional with direct access to the Convention Centre.
In the city centre, delegates will find international brands Radisson Red and Melia Campinas, with 305 rooms and meeting space. Local brand Vitoria Concept Hotel has meeting facilities and its own helipad. Other local brands include I am Design and Cassino Tower Hotel, part of Brazilian chain Nacional Hotels, with nine mid-tier properties across Campinas.
Brazil is well known for its culinary scene and Campinas offers a good selection of restaurants, from rustic to high-end. Estacao Marupiara can cater for groups and is located a few kilometres outside of Campinas, in the heart of the region’s countryside, blending charm, outdoor spaces, local art and Brazilian music.
Expect the unexpected
In terms of group activities and incentives, Campinas and the surrounding region offer plenty of choice. Local towns Sousas and Joaquim provide a taste of authentic Brazil.
Step back in time with a visit to a traditional Brazilian plantation, or ‘Fazenda’, as they are known locally. Incorporate an event or lively workshop on the art of gin-making at a former 19th-century coffee farm, fully renovated and now home to award-winning distillery BEG Gin.
The Open Astronomy Museum (MAAS) offers a memorable experience for delegates. Located in Pico das Cabras Park, the highest point in Campinas, the museum houses thousands of artefacts on astronomy, space and the solar system. Offering guided observations and talks, it can also be hired as a unique event venue.
MAAS – Observatory & Astronomy Museum
Micro-roastery Sitio Flo da Luna, a producer of specialty organic coffee, invites visitors to learn about local culture, the history of coffee and sustainable practices in coffee production. Guests can explore the farm and sample delicious home-made produce.
Other activities include a nostalgic ride on the Maria Fumaca steam train, the Smokey Mary, or a visit to Holambra, a unique town famous for its Dutch architecture, traditions and cuisine. It is the largest flower producer in LATAM, with Expoflora, the international flower fair in September, drawing thousands of visitors.
Maria Fumaça – Steam Train
Campos Almeida sums up:
“Campinas is a complete destination for MICE. We have modern facilities, professional service providers and know-how. In brief, Campinas is an invitation to do business.”
Embratur is the official Brazilian Tourist Board. Meeting planners who want to learn more about MICE opportunities in Brazil can register with Brazil Travel Specialist, the official online training platform.
