The Xunta de Galicia is bringing together two initiatives for retail on 27 October 2026 in Expourense : In the morning, the exhibition centre in Ourense will host a practical introduction to artificial intelligence applications, followed in the afternoon by the gala of the Premios do Comercio Galego 2026 Both events are aimed at the regional ecosystem of shops, trade fair organisers and service providers, and at businesses seeking solutions they can put to use in the short term.
The morning’s specialist session is part of the cross-border project Digital_Expo. Using case studies, it will show how automation, more efficient management and improved sales processes can benefit retail businesses. The main target groups are trade fair and exhibition venue operators, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to modernise their processes with data-driven tools. The Xunta de Galicia points to practical, implementable applications rather than theoretical models, focusing on transferable lessons and direct opportunities for businesses to apply them.
Digital_Expo is being implemented jointly with partners from northern Portugal, including Expourense, the Universidade de Vigo and the municipalities of Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima and Arcos de Valdevez. The project is part of the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal (Poctep) 2021–2027 programme and aims to digitalise trade fair and exhibition centres. Plans include a demonstration space for innovation, pilot projects using technologies such as artificial intelligence, and measures to raise the venues’ digital profile. The choice of Spanish and Portuguese partners reflects the programme’s cross-border approach and is intended to enable practical trials in different but comparable facilities.
The Premios do Comercio Galego 2026 gala is scheduled for the afternoon. Winners in five categories will be announced, chosen from 15 finalists. According to the regional administration, the awards recognise innovative retail projects in Galicia and raise their public profile. For those attending the morning session, the schedule also offers an opportunity to combine professional networking with showcasing successful examples.
By combining training with awards, the regional government is highlighting practical steps towards digitalisation and the visibility of successful examples. The Xunta de Galicia’s announcement outlines the project’s themes and partners, but gives no figures for expected attendance or details of any further funding decisions following the event.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).