Panama will host its flagship international trade fair, Expocomer 2026, from March 10 to 12 at the Amador Convention Center. The event, organized by the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, integrates five specialized exhibitions under one roof with a clear goal. It seeks to generate more than $200 million in future commercial transactions by emphasizing in-person business connections.
The combined exhibition space will exceed 15,500 square meters, hosting over 600 companies from more than 30 countries. This year’s integrated format represents a strategic evolution for the long-running trade show. It aims to provide a comprehensive business ecosystem for international buyers and Panamanian exporters alike.
An Integrated Platform for Global Commerce
Expocomer 2026 will feature five simultaneous exhibitions. The main Expocomer event serves as the central commercial exchange platform. It will be accompanied by four satellite fairs focused on logistics, technology, energy, and tourism.
Aurelio Barria Pino, President of Expocomer, explained the rationale behind this expansion. He stated that the integrated model adds significant value for participating businesses by covering all facets of a trade deal.
“We have learned over time that it made a lot of sense to strengthen Expocomer through satellite fairs,” Barria Pino said. [Translated from Spanish] “That product that wants to move from point A to point B needs logistics. This is how we add value.”
The specialized fairs include Expo Logistica for transport and supply chain services, Expotec for technology and artificial intelligence solutions, Expo Electrica for energy and renewable technologies, and Expoturismo for promoting Panama’s tourism offerings. This structure allows visitors to source products and secure essential supporting services in one location.
Targeting Major Commercial Impact
The organization has set an ambitious financial target based on last year’s performance. The 2025 edition of the fair generated an estimated $200 million in registered future transactions. Event leadership is openly aiming to surpass that figure this March.
A key driver for this goal is the event’s structured business matchmaking program. This system schedules pre-arranged meetings between international buyers and exhibiting companies, moving beyond casual browsing to foster concrete negotiations.
“We bring quality buyers, major retailers, and distribution companies to connect them here in a programmed way,” Barria Pino affirmed. [Translated from Spanish] He emphasized that this component transforms the event into a real negotiation platform, not just a commercial display.
In an era dominated by digital commerce, the fair’s organizers are making a deliberate bet on physical presence. They argue that face-to-face meetings remain irreplaceable for building the trust necessary to finalize large-scale deals, especially when negotiating volumes, quality standards, and logistics.
The Panama Chamber of Commerce projects attendance to meet or exceed the 30,000 visitors recorded in 2025. International visitors typically constitute between 10 and 15 percent of the total foot traffic. The continued draw of the event underscores Panama’s strategic role as a regional trade and logistics hub for the Americas.
Final preparations are now underway at the Amador Convention Center, Panama’s premier venue for major economic gatherings. The success of this integrated format could set a new benchmark for trade fairs across Latin America, proving the enduring power of handshakes in a digital world.