IAB Europe Summit: Brussels, Belgium 2026

Overview

The IAB Europe Summit, known as Interact, is the association’s flagship annual conference, convening over 500 digital advertising and marketing leaders to debate industry transformation, set benchmarks, and forge collaborations across Europe’s ecosystem. Organized by IAB Europe—the premier trade body for digital marketing with 30+ national members and 700+ corporate partners—this event spotlights key challenges like AI integration, privacy compliance, sustainability, and addressability, through keynotes, panels, and interactive sessions that drive actionable standards. The 2026 edition continues this tradition, building on Interact 2025’s success in Brussels, where attendees explored AI’s role in creativity and retail media’s rise, fostering a forward-looking agenda amid regulatory shifts like the DSA and ePrivacy.

Held in Brussels—the heart of EU policy—the summit emphasizes IAB Europe’s mission to promote frameworks like the Transparency & Consent Framework (TCF) and sustainability guidelines, while providing exclusive insights from reports such as the AdEx Benchmark. With a focus on inclusivity through diverse juries and committees, Interact 2026 will empower professionals from publishers, agencies, and tech firms to navigate 2026’s trends, including carbon-neutral advertising and ethical AI. Official site: https://iabeurope.eu for updates and partnerships.

Event Highlights

• Bullet or short paragraph of the main attractions: The summit’s core is its high-impact agenda, featuring live debates on AI ethics and retail media metrics, exclusive data reveals from IAB reports, and premium networking that has sparked partnerships for 500+ attendees in past years.
• Main activities or performances:
  • Opening keynotes from IAB economists on digital ad spend forecasts, like the 2024 AdEx insights showing €150B+ European investment.
  • Panel discussions with regulators and execs on DSA compliance, addressability post-cookies, and CTV evolution.
  • Workshops on TCF implementation, sustainability standards, and programmatic optimization for real-world application.
  • Closing gala with awards like the MIXX Europe, celebrating innovative campaigns with live pitches and juror feedback.
• Special traditions or features:
  • Annual “The Great Debate” series, tackling hot topics like sustainability or AI, with audience voting for provocative outcomes.
  • Member-exclusive AGM for electing boards and shaping policy, ensuring grassroots influence on EU standards.
  • Sustainability integration via the Standards Committee, including carbon footprint audits and vegan-forward catering.
  • Evening receptions at iconic Brussels venues, blending policy talks with cultural networking.
• Unique attractions for visitors:
  • Proximity to EU institutions for on-site policymaker meetups, bridging advocacy with innovation.
  • Access to beta tools from partners like Microsoft Advertising and WPP, plus unpublished research on retail media attitudes.
  • Hybrid access for pan-European reach, with on-demand recordings extending impact post-event.
  • Curated townhalls and spotlights on emerging trends, like the Retail Media Certification Programme.

Why Attend

The IAB Europe Summit equips digital leaders with the tools to thrive in a regulated, tech-driven market, from decoding AI’s ad implications to mastering TCF for privacy-compliant growth—perfect for execs, policymakers, and innovators seeking to influence Europe’s €150B+ digital ad economy. Amid 2026’s challenges like post-cookie measurement and sustainable practices, you’ll gain exclusive benchmarks from IAB reports, forge alliances with 500+ peers, and contribute to standards that shape the future, all in Brussels’ policy nexus.

Beyond debates, Interact fosters lasting impact: past attendees have leveraged insights for compliant campaigns and committee roles, driving industry-wide change. With IAB’s commitment to diversity—via committees like Sustainability Standards and women-led initiatives—it’s a space for bold, inclusive progress, leaving you connected, informed, and ready to lead ethical, effective advertising that balances innovation with responsibility.

Date & Duration

• Dates: May 19 – 20, 2026
• Duration: 2 days

Venue / Location

• City and main venue: Brussels, NHOW Brussels Hotel.
• Notable areas: Conference halls for keynotes and panels; rooftop terraces for networking; expo spaces for activations.
• Additional venues: Evening receptions at nearby EU-inspired spots; hybrid for remote.
• Google Maps address: Avenue des Anciens Combattants 1, 1140 Brussels, Belgium.

Ticket Information

• How tickets are sold: Online via IAB Europe portal; member discounts and sponsorship packages available.
• Whether admission is free or paid: Paid for delegates; complimentary for select members and press.
• Ticket pricing in USD only: Standard delegate passes from $600 USD.
• Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: $600 USD minimum (early bird/member); up to $1,000 USD maximum for premium with gala access.
• Any special seating or VIP options: Reserved for jurors/sponsors; VIP includes private dinners and policy briefings.
• Booking details: Registrations open early 2026; non-transferable; bundles with training sessions.
• Additional info: Students/non-profits reduced; official site: https://iabeurope.eu/interact-2026/.

Booking with Euro Travelo

Looking to attend this event hassle-free? Euro Travelo can help you secure tickets, arrange travel, and manage your trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a business conference, trade show, or cultural festival, our team makes it easy for international visitors to join events across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to book your tickets and travel arrangements.

Contact Information

• Email: communication@iabeurope.eu (general inquiries); awards@eurobest.com (related awards).
• Phone: +32 2 230 01 14 (main line, English/French/Dutch available).
• Website: https://iabeurope.eu (official site for events).
• Social Media: @IABEurope (Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn).
• Key Staff: Townsend Feehan (CEO); Helen Mussard (CMO); Franck Thomas (Public Policy Director).
• Press/Volunteers: Press via media form; volunteer info TBD via contact.
• Note: Response time ~24 hours. Multilingual support; adheres to privacy policies.

Getting There

• Nearest airports: Brussels Airport (BRU, 7 miles/20 min drive); Brussels South Charleroi (CRL, 30 miles/45 min).
• Public transport: Direct train from BRU to Brussels Central (20 min), then metro Line 1/5 to Merode (10 min).
• Parking: On-site at nhow (€20/day); nearby garages like Parking Merode (€15–25/day).
• Other access: Uber/taxis (~€30 from BRU); walking from EU Quarter.

Accommodation Options

• Budget options: Ibis Brussels off Grand Place ($90–$130/night, 2 miles away).
• Mid-range: nhow Brussels Hotel ($150–$220/night, on-site convenience).
• Luxury: Hotel Amigo ($300–$450/night, historic luxury near Grand Place).
• University housing: N/A; nearby apartments via Booking.com ($120–$180/night).
• Other: Airbnb in Ixelles ($110–$170/night); book early for May.

Reviews

• “Interact 2025’s AI debates and AdEx reveals were pivotal—gained strategies that optimized our EU campaigns.”
• “Brussels networking with policymakers was gold; sustainability sessions inspired our green ad pivot.”
• “Dynamic panels and member AGM made it invaluable—left with policy insights and new collaborations.”