IAPC 59th WORLD CONFERENCE
11-14 November, 2026 | Seville, Spain
For more than five decades, the IAPC has convened the people who win elections and shape governments. Its World Conference is the one room each year where senior political consultants, pollsters, public-affairs strategists, and communications leaders from across dozens of democracies compare notes candidly, off the public stage.
The 2026 Agenda: Energy, Defense, Artificial Intelligence
This year’s programme is built around the intersection of politics, global security, and emerging technology - the forces now rewriting campaigns and governance. Three themes anchor the conversation:
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Energy. Supply, scarcity, prices, and the weaponisation of energy as an instrument of statecraft - from Europe’s break with Russian gas to the shockwaves of conflict in the Gulf - and how politicians must re-message for a world of contested supply.
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Defense. Security, deterrence, and conflict, including the contest over perception - cognitive and information warfare - that now runs alongside the kinetic fight, and its uncomfortable overlap with the craft of the campaign.
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Artificial Intelligence. AI across persuasion, mobilisation, polling, information operations, and regulation - where it changes the economics of influence, and where it does not.
THE CONFERENCE VENUE
Seville combines Andalusian culture, flavor, and folklore. This 5-star hotel is just steps away from major attractions like the cathedral and popular leisure spots. An icon of the city that perfectly blends modernity and tradition in a avant-garde style that can only be found in the Andalusian capital.
Housed in a neoclassical building and under a modernist dome that forms the epicenter and heart of the hotel, Hotel Colón Gran Meliá is an icon of Andalusian art and culture. Elegance, warmth, and avant-garde design come together to create an irreplaceable contrast between modernity and tradition in a space that can boast of having been the favorite spot for renowned artists since its opening for the 1929 Universal Exposition. This hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
WELCOME RECEPTION
11 November
Begin your conference experience where kings and queens once held court. Our welcome reception unfolds inside the Real Alcázar, Seville's breathtaking royal palace and one of the city's unmissable treasures. Enjoy a private guided tour through centuries of Mudéjar artistry, lush gardens, and storied halls - then raise a glass among fellow delegates in a setting few visitors ever experience after hours. It's the perfect first impression of Seville, and of the connections you'll build all week.
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Tapas Hopping Dinner
12 November
Dinner, Sevillano-style. We'll split into small groups and wander from one celebrated tapas bar to the next, sampling the signature plates of different chefs along the way. Each stop brings new flavors, new conversations, and a genuine taste of Andalusian street life. It's relaxed, social, and the ideal way to turn fellow attendees into colleagues and friends - one bite and one toast at a time.
OPTIONAL EXCURSION - SPACE EXTREMELY LIMITED!
13 November (after lunch)
Steal an afternoon away to one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the world. Set among Seville's sun-drenched vineyards, Gorgona offers a rare and unforgettable experience: a living piece of winemaking history, exceptional tastings, and views that capture the soul of Andalusia. A memorable escape, and a conversation you'll carry home long after the conference ends.
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OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS - SPACE EXTREMELY LIMITED!
Exclusive Journey thru Seville Cathedral
13 November (evening)
Steal an evening away to the magnificent Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and a treasured UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rich with centuries of history, this private visit offers a rare and unforgettable experience: a journey from its 12th-century Islamic roots as a grand mosque to its golden age as a monumental Christian temple. Wander beneath soaring stone vaults, stand before the breathtaking Retablo Mayor, and discover the legendary tomb of Christopher Columbus. From the tranquil, orange-scented courtyard to the panoramic views atop the iconic Giralda tower, it is a memorable escape that captures the very soul of Seville—and a conversation you'll carry home long after the conference ends.
THE GALA DINNER VENUE
14 November
Our gala unfolds in the legendary Hotel Alfonso XIII, built for the 1929 World Exhibition and a protected cultural heritage landmark. Expect an evening worthy of the setting: refined Spanish cuisine from the hotel's finest chefs, distinguished Spanish wines, and a live artistic program featuring flamenco - plus a special surprise we're keeping under wraps. When the gala winds down, the night continues at the nearby Lobby Club Sevilla, where the celebration and the conversations roll on.
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CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Conference Registration includes:
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Discounted room rates of $309 USD at the Hotel Colón Gran Meliá. Extended stays available from 9 November to 17 November at the discount rate! (Hotel registration link will be sent in your registration confirmation email)
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Welcome Reception at the Real Alcázar
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3 day conference session attendance at the Hotel Colón Gran Meliá
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Breakfasts (for hotel guests)
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Coffee breaks
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Lunches
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Tapas Hopping dinner
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Gala dinner at the Hotel Alfonso XIII
CONFERENCE RATES
*Members, log-in to access your 30% discount. The discount will show at checkout.*
Not a member? Click here and join today for USD $250.
FULL EVENT REGISTRATION
IAPC Member (30% discount)
$1119.30 USD
Non-Member
$1599.00 USD
Conference Sessions Only
Includes lunches and conference access. Does not include evening events, social events, or Gala Dinner.
$349.00 USD
CONFERENCE SESSIONS ONLY
Member's Spouse/Guest (30% discount)
Includes evening events. Does not include attendance at conference sessions or lunches.
$629.30 USD
SPOUSE/GUEST & GALA DINNER ONLY
Non-Member's Spouse/Guest
Includes evening events. Does not include attendance at conference sessions or lunches.
$899.00 USD
Member - Gala Dinner Only (30% discount)
Includes Gala Dinner only. Does not include other social or evening events, or attendance at conference sessions or lunches.
$314.30 USD
Non-Member - Gala Dinner Only
Includes Gala Dinner only. Does not include other social or evening events, or attendance at conference sessions or lunches.
$449.00 USD
IAPC Members are some of the worlds’ most influential and respected political, public affairs and communications specialists. Most have played crucial roles in elections throughout the world and are responsible for spending billions of pounds each year on products and services that engage citizens in our democratic process.
As an IAPC sponsor, your company will gain powerful presence at the conference as well as a unique opportunity to interact with many of the world’s leading political operatives.
