AGENDA
IMCC InFocus: Basque Country
10-12 May 2026
Join us in Bilbao for IMCC InFocus 2026, a three-day immersive program celebrating creativity, culture, and connection in Spain’s Basque Country. From private access to the Guggenheim Bilbao and the Museum of Fine Arts to an exclusive experience at the world-renowned Basque Culinary Center, this program offers an inside look at one of Europe’s most inspiring regions.
IMCC InFocus events will be limited to 100 seats and will focus on the immediate area around the congress venue. There will be fewer sessions, an emphasis on visiting museums/cultural spaces, and a behind-the-scenes tour.
Day 1 Sunday
10 May
10:00 - 12:00 Bilbao Architecture Walking Tour (separate registration required)
13:00 - 15:30 Registration Desk Open
14:00 - 14:15 Welcome & Overview at The Artist
Javier Martinez, Proasur - Congress Chairperson
14:15 - 15:15 Keynote Speaker
Mikel Onandia Garate, Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of the Basque Country
15:30 - 17:30 Bilbao Fine Arts Museum Overview & Behind the Scenes Tour
17:30 – 19:00 Welcome Reception at The Artist Hotel
Day 2 Monday
11 May
10:00 - 11:00 Behind the Scenes Tour - Basque Museum
(The museum is still in the construction phase, and our tour will be based on the current conditions of the site in May; subject to change)
11:00 - 11:30 Walk to Itsas Museum Bilbao
11:30 - 11:45 Welcome & Overview to the Itsasmuseum Bilbao (Museo Marítimo de Bilbao)
Jon Ruigomez, Director, Itsasmuseum
11:45 - 12:30 Behind The Scenes Tours - Itsasmuseum Bilbao (Museo Marítimo de Bilbao)
12:30 - 13:00 Explore on Own - Itsasmuseum Bilbao (Museo Marítimo de Bilbao)
13:00 – 14:15 Lunch On Your Own
14:15 - 14:30 Arrivals at Guggenheim Bilbao Museum
14:30 - 14:50 Welcome & Overview to the Guggenheim Bilbao
Rogelio Díez, Deputy Director for Maintenance, Guggenheim Bilbao
14:50 - 16:00 The Guggenheim Bilbao Effect - An Insider’s View
Juan Ignacio Vidarte, Director and Chief Officer for Global Strategies (Past Director of the Guggenheim Bilbao)
Andrew Klemmer, Paratus Group
16:00 - 17:00 Behind The Scenes Tours - Guggenheim Bilbao Museum
17:00 – 18:30 Networking Reception at Guggenheim Bilbao Museum
Day 3 Tuesday
12 May
9:00 - 10:15 Travel to San Sebastián
10:15 - 10:45 Welcome & Overview of Chillida Leku
Mikel Chillida, Development Director of Chillida Leku and grandson of Eduardo Chillida
Mireia Massagué, Museum Director of Chillida Leku
10:45 - 11:15 Session TBD
11:15 - 12:15 Private Tours at Chillida Leku
12:15 - 12:45 Explore Chillida Leku On Your Own
12:45 - 13:00 Travel to Gastronomy Open Ecosystem (GOe) Basque Culinary Center
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch at GOe
14:00 – 14:45 Welcome & Overview: GOe
Asier Alea, Director of Global Development, GOe-Gastronomy Open Ecosystem
Mireia Sala Font, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group
14:30 - 15:30 Behind the Scenes Tour of GOe
15:30 - 16:30 Travel to Bilbao
Agenda Subject To Change
Welcome to the Basque Country!
“IMCC is the place to be for museum leaders and design professionals - programs, events, network at its best!”
—Gitte Olsson, Kvorning