Convention Centre

20 - 2000

The ideal location for congresses, shows, conferences and exhibitions

Excellent exposure
Central and accessible location
Free WiFi

The Convention Centre ("Palazzo dei Congressi") consists of seven modular rooms connected by spacious foyers. Room A is a large amphitheatre with fixed stage and mobile front stage, and stall, balcony and gallery seats for your audience. The Convention Centre rooms are modular: they can be used as a single space, or be divided into smaller sections for workshops and seminars. The spacious foyers provide an ideal setting for exhibitions and receptions. An internal passage connects the Convention Centre to Villa Ciani, where you can host exhibitions and conferences in addition to your main event.
The venue is also connected to Ristorante Ciani Lugano, whose spaces can host receptions and coffee-breaks.

Credits: Eventi e congressi, Città di Lugano

The congress complex is entirely covered by WiFi and is fully air-conditioned. As one of the leading centres at both National and European level, the Convention Centre has the high quality technical equipment you may need for your event.
Lugano Convention & Exhibition provides a list of useful contacts for services that may complement your event, including furniture and decorations, audio and video technology, catering and security services and hostesses.

Credits: Eventi e congressi, Città di Lugano

An eco-sustainable venue

The energy needs of the Palazzo dei Congressi are entirely covered by sustainable products: Biogas Basic (5% biogas) and renewable electricity Tìacqua. Both carriers are supplied by the Lugano Industrial Companies (AIL SA).
Biogas is a renewable energy source; it is formed by the fermentation of organic waste, such as vegetable waste or sewage sludge.
Tìacqua is an energy product from Ticino's hydroelectric power stations; it is the result of collaboration between Enertì, AET and Ticino's distributors, including AIL SA.
A natural choice!

The Convention Centre facts and figures

300+

Events organised in one year
25+

Congresses organised annually
The only

Convention centre in Italian-speaking Switzerland
100'000

Visitors in a year
63'000 square metres

Parco Ciani surrounding the building

Explore the Convention Centre rooms

Ground floor
First floor

Discover the Convention Centre room features

Filter by event:

Banquets and receptions
Congresses
Entertainment
Fairs and exhibitions
Meetings, conferences and seminars
Weddings

Filter by capacity:

Less than 100
between 100 and 200
between 200 and 500
between 500 and 1000
more than 1000

Filter by arrangement:

Conference
Seminary
Banquet
Standing

	SURFACE AREA (M²)	SIZE (M)	CONFERENCE CAPACITY	SEMINAR CAPACITY	BANQUET CAPACITY	STANDING
Room A	1150		1130				Room A
Room B	830	38x22	550	300	700	1000	Room B
Room C	110	18x6	100	50	80	110	Room C
Room D	26	6.5x4	25	20	20	26	Room D
Room E	108	14.5x7.5	100	75	70	100	Room E
Room G	80		40	R	R	R	Room G
Room H	36	9x4	30	28	R	36	Room H
Foyer	1353				400	1000	Foyer

Available
Not available
Upon request
Video projector
WiFi connection
Accessible
Sound system
Simultaneous translation
Air conditioning

Video

Photos

Credits: Eventi e congressi, Città di Lugano

Virtual tour

Technical data

WiFi coverage
Air conditioning
Internal passage to Villa Ciani

Downloads

Historical notes

Although the present Convention Centre was inaugurated in 1975, its location has been for centuries the main centre for trade and entertainment in Lugano. Piazza dell'Indipendenza (formerly Piazza Castello) is in fact the ancient site of the centuries-old Lugano livestock fair founded in 1513, as well as an area where acrobats' shows and travelling theatres took place. During the nineteenth century the square surface was reduced: on one side by the construction of the Villa Ciani park and stables, on the other, by construction of Casermette, Lugano's fire station headquarters.
Thanks to the Pro Lugano association and with the support of the Municipality, in 1958 the stables and Casermette were demolished in order to build a modern and central Convention Centre. Construction works begun in 1968, and were finished by 1975. Since then, the Convention Centre has hosted conferences, lectures, shows, concerts, exhibitions.
Today, the Convention Centre is an integral part of the urban pattern, in close proximity to financial and recreational areas, hotels and restaurants, as well as other Lugano Convention & Exhibition venues.

Today, the Convention Centre is an integral part of the urban pattern, in close proximity to financial and recreational areas, hotels and restaurants, as well as other Lugano Convention & Exhibition venues.

Credits: Vincenzo Vicari 1977

How to reach the Convention Centre

The Convention Centre can be easily reached from Lugano's SBB station using the TPL bus line 2 towards Castagnola (stop Palazzo dei Congressi), in 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use the Funicular service and walk from the city centre in 15 minutes. The Convention Centre is 500 metres away from the city centre, and can be easily reached on foot along Corso Enrico Pestalozzi and Viale Carlo Cattaneo, or by walking along the lakeside promenade towards Parco Ciani. The nearest PubliBike Bike Sharing service station to the Convention Centre is in Via Lucchini, 270 meters away. There are also parking spaces for 248 vehicles in the multi-storey underground car park in Piazza Castello.