From an exhibition palace to the home of major events

“Up to 10 million will be invested in an Exhibition Palace.” That was how El Colombiano headlined a short piece on the debate in the Medellín City Council. Behind it was Mayor Jaime Tobón Villegas, who had returned from Quito with both an achievement and a challenge: he had won the city the hosting of a major tourism congress and now had to build a convention center here.

With Acuerdo 18 of June 6, 1968, the Council backed the idea of creating the Palacio de las Exposiciones de Medellín. On May 31, 1971, under Mayor Álvaro Villegas Moreno, the Sociedad Palacio de las Exposiciones S.A. was established, with the mission of showcasing the city’s industrial, commercial and cultural strengths and serving as an engine of development.

1975 was the key year. Medellín was celebrating its 300th anniversary and the idea of “Medellín, city of congresses” was taking hold. On August 21, the first phase of the Palacio opened, with the Pabellón Amarillo as its heart. The first trade shows arrived: Texmo 75, forerunner of Colombiamoda and Colombiatex, and Expocamacol.