ICEF Berlin 2026 in Berlin, Germany

ICEF Berlin 2026 is ICEF’s flagship B2B event for the international education industry. It brings together education providers, vetted student recruitment agencies, and service companies to build partnerships, renew agreements, and unlock new markets in just a few days.

The venue sets the tone: InterContinental Berlin is a large conference hotel in the city centre, where it is easy to combine the business programme, negotiations, and evening networking in one space.

Video about ICEF Berlin

A short video captures the atmosphere of meetings, the pace of negotiations, and the scale of the event.

About ICEF Berlin 2026: who should attend

If your goal is not simply to “listen to presentations” but to come home with signed agreements, ICEF Berlin 2026 is built exactly for that: a focus on pre-scheduled meetings and real, face-to-face negotiations.

• Education providers (universities, colleges, schools, language centres, pathway providers): expand your partner network, strengthen enrolment, and quickly compare markets and collaboration models.
• Agencies (including ICEF-screened / accredited): find reliable providers, align terms, and deepen relationships in key destinations.
• Service companies (insurance, testing, platforms, CRM, payments, visa support): showcase solutions to decision-makers and generate leads in a highly concentrated environment.
• Professional associations and industry organisations: discuss standards, compliance, and quality in international student recruitment.

History of ICEF Berlin: 30 years of growth and influence

ICEF Berlin is an event with a long track record: in 2025 it marked its 30th anniversary, and over the decades the format has become a benchmark for the international student recruitment market.

Based on participant feedback and ICEF reports, the core value has remained the same: a packed schedule of meetings, strong organisation, and an audience that comes to do business—rather than “just be there”.

ICEF Berlin 2026 advantages: numbers that genuinely help you plan participation

ICEF Berlin has a rare industry advantage: after the event, detailed reports are published with statistics and audience breakdowns. This makes it easier to calculate ROI and plan ahead.

• Proven scale

  In 2025: 2,416 participants, 1,517 organisations from 119 countries, plus 23,299 meetings over three days.

• A strong audience “core”

  In 2025: 978 agency representatives, 986 education provider representatives, and 295 representatives of industry organisations.

• A format where business moves fast

  One-to-one meetings are complemented by seminars and panels. For example, the 2025 report mentions 40+ professional sessions within the content day programme.

• A venue built for high volume

  InterContinental Berlin offers around 6,200 m² of space and dozens of rooms, so the event does not split across multiple addresses: meetings, sessions, and networking stay within one seamless flow.

6 well-known companies and organisations participating in ICEF Berlin

At ICEF Berlin, you meet not an abstract “market”, but recognisable brands and category leaders. Below are six examples from the sponsor list highlighted in the official event report.

• IELTS

  One of the most recognised international English language exams for study and migration. At ICEF, its presence consistently attracts providers who value clear admissions pathways and reliable proof of language proficiency.

• British Council

  An organisation with global influence across education programmes and cultural initiatives. For participants, it signals audience quality: the room includes the people who set standards and shape the international education agenda.

• Oxford International Education Group

  An international education group working across study programmes and student preparation. Players like this are valuable because they connect academic delivery with recruitment practice across countries and segments.

• EC

  A well-known language education brand recognised by both agencies and education centres. Conversations with participants like this often lead quickly to practical agreements: terms, quotas, seasonality, and product portfolios.

• LanguageCert

  A language certification provider actively working across international markets. For exhibitors and visitors, this is a practical topic: language requirements evolve, and many are interested in alternatives and new testing formats.

• Edvoy

  A tech-driven player in education services and programme matching support. At ICEF, companies like this stand out because the market is rapidly digitising, and everyone is looking for tools that speed up the journey from student interest to enrolment.

Recommendations for ICEF Berlin 2026 visitors : how to capture the maximum number of contacts

At ICEF Berlin 2026, the advantage goes to those who arrive prepared: the pace is high, and the best slots fill up fast.

• Build your meeting schedule in advance

  The event is built around one-to-one meetings, so planning before you arrive in Berlin directly impacts your results.

• Leave time for “hallway” conversations

  Evening receptions and informal areas help you lock in agreements. ICEF reports highlight the importance of receptions for B2B networking.

• Do not miss the seminar and panel day

  The format includes professional sessions (including dozens of topics in a single day), where trends, compliance, and market practice are discussed.

• A hidden tip: arrive for the opening

  Morning is the best time to walk partner areas calmly, arrange additional meetings, and “stitch” your schedule together without rushing.

Which services and solutions are showcased at ICEF Berlin 2026

While the core of ICEF Berlin 2026 is partnerships between providers and agencies, the event consistently features service companies supporting international student mobility.

• International student recruitment and agency services.
• Education programmes: language courses, undergraduate, postgraduate, foundation, vocational.
• Cultural exchanges and work & travel formats.
• Language certification and testing.
• Student insurance and support services.
• EdTech and platforms for marketing, lead generation, admissions, and partner management.
• Industry associations and organisations working on standards and quality.

How to become an exhibitor at ICEF Berlin 2026

If you plan to take part in ICEF Berlin as an exhibitor, start by choosing the right format: a partner package, sponsorship, zone branding, or participation in special activations. Then align venue requirements for logistics, stand build, and deadlines.

• Define your participation goal

  Leads from agencies, brand awareness, entry into new markets, or a product launch require different packaging and different visibility zones.

• Prepare your team and working playbook

  At ICEF, it is not only the collateral that matters, but the process: who qualifies requests, who closes meetings, and who captures next steps.

• Design the stand as a meeting space

  Comfort is valued here: room for quick conversations, demos, and calm, focused meetings.

If you need a stand that matches European B2B standards, consider exhibition stand rental or custom build by ESBAU — a convenient way to get a neat, ready-to-work setup quickly, without extra onsite hassle.