Rotterdam Ahoy to Host International Museum Conference ICOM in 2028

Rotterdam has been selected as the host city for the world’s largest and most influential museum conference, the ICOM General Conference, taking place in 2028 in Ahoy. The announcement was officially made today by the International Council of Museums during the ICOM 2025 conference in Dubai.

The conference is expected to welcome more than 5,000 museum professionals, cultural leaders and experts from across the globe to Rotterdam. Hosting ICOM 2028 will place an international spotlight on our city and country, strengthen global networks, stimulate cultural exchange, and create significant long-term impact for the museum, heritage, and conference sectors.

The theme for the 2028 edition in Rotterdam will be 'Building Bridges. Connecting Worlds, Cultures and Generations’. The event will highlight museums as places for dialogue and connection, reflecting Rotterdam’s open, inclusive, and collaborative spirit. The hybrid programme will take place at the Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre, complemented by excursions across the Netherlands showcasing Dutch collections, innovations, and cultural partnerships.

Hosting global events like ICOM 2028 reinforces Rotterdam’s position as a leading international congress city. Large-scale, high-impact conferences, trade shows and business events strengthen local partnerships, boost economic growth, and connect our city to global networks. Many local partners collaborated with Rotterdam Partners in the successful Dutch bid to bring the ICOM 2028 conference to Rotterdam.

About ICOM

The ICOM General Conference is a globally recognised platform for exchanging ideas on the key challenges museums face today, as well as the most innovative solutions. Since 1948, ICOM has brought together the international museum community every three years around a central theme of critical importance, with the aim of facilitating cultural exchange, promoting international cooperation, and inspiring local initiatives that help museums continue their public service mission in society.

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