Rotterdam to host International Museum Conference ICOM in 2028
Rotterdam will be host city for the largest international museum conference, ICOM in 2028. This was formally announced by the International Council of Museums today at the ICOM 2025 conference in Dubai.
The ICOM General Conference will bring over 5,000 participants from all over the world to Rotterdam, putting the global spotlight on our city and country, strengthening international networks, driving cultural exchange, and creating lasting impact for the museum and conference sector.
Header photo: Rotterdam is home to many internationally acclaimed museums and art galleries. The photo shows Art Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and to the right, part of Nieuwe Instituut, museum for architecture, design and digital culture.
About ICOM
ICOM’s General Conference is a worldwide reputed hub for exchange about the topical issues museums tackle today and the most innovative solutions. Since 1948, every three years, ICOM gathers the international museum community around a theme of crucial interest to facilitate cultural exchange, to promote international cooperation, and to inspire local actions in order to allow museums to continue their public service mission to the society.
Dialogue and connection
The theme for the 2028 edition in Rotterdam will be ‘Building Bridges. Connecting World, Cultures and Generations’. The event will highlight museums as places for dialogue and connection, reflecting Rotterdam’s open, inclusive, and collaborative spirit. The hybrid program will take place at Rotterdam Ahoy Convention Centre, complemented by excursions across the Netherlands that showcase Dutch collections, innovations, and cultural partnerships.
Rotterdam: conference city
Hosting global events like ICOM 2028 reinforces Rotterdam’s position as an international congress city. Large-scale and impact congresses, trade shows and business events contribute to strong local partnerships, economic growth, and connect our city to global networks. Many local partners collaborated with Rotterdam Partners in the Dutch bid to bring the ICOM 2028 conference to Rotterdam.
Rotterdam's museums
Rotterdam is a diverse and inclusive city, full of experiences and surprises. This is visible and tangible in the streets, and it’s reflected in the city’s vibrant mix of museums and cultural spaces. From visual arts and photography to architectural heritage and modern themes, there’s much to explore. The city holds a wide variety of museums museums, many of with international stature. This image gallery offers but a small selection. If you want to find out more about Rotterdam's museum, visit this page.
