The Site Selectors Guild has selected Lisbon, Portugal as the host city for its 2027 European Conference 21-22 October 2027. The annual event convenes Guild Members, investment promotion agencies, economic development organizations and business leaders from across Europe to explore the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping corporate location strategy and foreign direct investment decisions worldwide.
Lisbon was chosen for its strong international connectivity, dynamic innovation ecosystem, growing investment profile and commitment to fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. The city provides an ideal setting for substantive discussions on economic competitiveness, talent development and the evolving priorities of companies evaluating locations across Europe. The Guild also looks forward to partnering with AICEP – Portugal Trade & Invest and the broader Portuguese economic development community to showcase the country’s strengths and opportunities.
“Lisbon exemplifies the qualities that make a location competitive in today’s global economy – talent, connectivity, innovation, quality of place and a collaborative approach to growth,” said Larry Gigerich, Site Selectors Guild board chair and executive managing director at Ginovus. “The European Conference is designed to create opportunities for professional development, knowledge sharing and relationship building among site selection professionals and economic developers. Lisbon provides an outstanding environment for those conversations and for sharing perspectives on the future of investment and location strategy across Europe.”
As one of Western Europe’s leading business and innovation hubs, Lisbon continues to attract investment across sectors including advanced manufacturing, chemicals, rubber and plastic, digital services, textiles and renewable energy. Its educated and skilled workforce, open economy and access to global markets have strengthened its appeal among companies pursuing international growth.
These strengths align closely with the objectives of the Guild’s European Conference, which focuses on helping economic developers better understand corporate decision-making while providing opportunities to exchange knowledge, build long-term relationships and learn from industry peers.
“We want Portugal to be a trusted choice for companies looking to invest, innovate and grow on a global scale. Hosting the European Conference of the Site Selectors Guild is an opportunity to showcase, to those who help shape these decisions, the talent, innovation capacity and execution capabilities that Portugal has to offer. At AICEP, our commitment is to support investors every step of the way, from location selection to project implementation and business expansion, helping to create the right conditions and partnerships for long-term success in Portugal. This is how we aim to grow together: more competitive companies operating from Portugal, and a stronger economy with greater opportunities for people and communities,” said Ana Casaca, Chairwoman & CEO at AICEP – Portugal Trade & Invest
The conference is intentionally structured to provide practical insights and meaningful engagement opportunities for participating organizations. Through educational sessions, networking and direct interaction with Guild Members, attendees gain valuable perspectives on investment trends, current site selection requirements and emerging issues influencing business expansion decisions across Europe.
Additional programme details, registration information and sponsorship opportunities will be announced at a later date. For more information about the Site Selectors Guild and its events, visit siteselectorsguild.com/events.
About the Site Selectors Guild
The Site Selectors Guild is the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants. Guild members provide location strategy to corporations across the globe and for every industry, sector, and function. Founded in 2010, the Site Selectors Guild is dedicated to advancing the profession of international corporate site selection by promoting integrity, objectivity, and professional development. Members are peer-nominated, vetted, and must demonstrate significant professional location advisory experience. In 2025, Guild Members facilitated the committed or announced creation of approximately 73,000 jobs and $109 billion in capital investment by corporate clients, which required location analysis across 90 countries. Guild membership is the highest standard in the site selection industry. For more information, visit siteselectorsguild.com or follow Site Selectors Guild on LinkedIn.
About AICEP – Portugal Trade & Invest
AICEP – Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency is the public body responsible for promoting productive inward investment and the internationalization of the Portuguese economy, fostering export growth and the international expansion of Portuguese companies. With offices in Portugal and an external network in around 50 countries, AICEP provides tailored support to international investors and Portuguese companies seeking to expand into global markets. To learn more, visit portugalglobal.pt.
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