PANAMA CITY, Panama (July 20, 2026) — The Panama Convention Center and Legends Global announced the appointment of Pablo de la Guardia as general manager of the venue.
De la Guardia brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in government affairs, strategic alliances and business development, highlighted by a distinguished career at Copa Airlines that spanned Panama and much of Latin America. He possesses a unique combination of business experience, deep government relationships and local market knowledge that positions him to strengthen the venue’s impact and advance its standing as one of the region’s premier destinations.
“The Panama Convention Center is far more than a world class venue, it is a powerful driver of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable tourism for our country. We are delighted to partner with Pablo and his team as we continue strengthening Panama’s position as the leading destination for meetings, conventions, and international events in the region,” said Gloria De León, Minister of Tourism of Panama. “By connecting our thriving business events industry with Panama’s extraordinary cultural, natural, and leisure experiences, we are creating lasting memories for visitors while generating greater economic opportunities for communities across the country.”
In his role as general manager, De la Guardia will have full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Panama Convention Center, including oversight of venue management, client and event services, revenue performance, and staff leadership. He will serve as the primary relationship manager for the center’s key stakeholders, including government entities, tourism and business development organizations, and corporate and association clients, working to grow the event calendar, strengthen community partnerships and position the venue as the leading convention destination in Latin America.
“The Panama Convention Center is a vital asset for the city, and finding the right leader requires a very specific profile,” said Josh Kritzler, president of North American venues & content, Legends Global, which manages the venue. “Pablo’s background in government and regulatory affairs, his deep understanding of Panama’s business and political environment, and the relationships he has cultivated across the country over many years offer the ideal combination of experience for this role. We look forward to the positive impact his leadership will bring to the venue and the community it serves.”
De la Guardia spent more than 20 years at Copa Airlines, rising to senior director of government affairs, where he was responsible for government and regulatory affairs in Panama and across 30 countries in Latin America. He served as a principal liaison between Copa and industry stakeholders including regulators, airports, airlines and business associations, and coordinated a team of more than 30 country managers. His relationships with Copa will carry particular value in his new role, given the airline’s central importance to Panama City and the significant economic impact it drives across the region.
Earlier in his Copa tenure, De la Guardia served as director of strategic alliances, managing partnerships with Star Alliance — a global network of 28 airlines — and delivering an average 12 percent year-over-year revenue growth from partnerships between 2006 and 2012. He also held roles at the Inter-American Development Bank as a consultant, where he assessed the effectiveness of the bank’s investments across Latin American countries.
Beyond his aviation career, De la Guardia has been deeply embedded in Panama’s civic and commercial leadership. He was appointed by the president of Panama to serve as a private sector representative to the Gabinete Logístico de Panamá from 2015 to 2019 and served as president of the Asociación de Líneas Aéreas de Panamá from 2019 to 2022.
“I am honored to join the team at the Panama Convention Center and Legends Global,” said De la Guardia. “Panama is a dynamic and growing hub for business and international events, and I look forward to working with our partners and the broader community to build on this venue’s success and position it as the premier convention destination in Latin America.”
About the Panama Convention Center
The Panama Convention Center (PCC) is one of Latin America’s premier convention venues and a leading destination for international congresses, conventions, and exhibitions. Strategically located in Panama City, the venue offers 165,800 sq. ft. of exhibition space, a 43,000 sq. ft. ballroom, 16 meeting rooms totaling 25,800 sq. ft., 1,700 parking spaces, and a state-of-the-art kitchen capable of serving more than 7,000 guests. As part of Legends Global, the PCC benefits from the expertise and global reach of a world leader in venue management and live experiences, reinforcing its position as one of the region’s foremost destinations for world-class events.
About Legends Global
Legends Global is the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands. We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services, including feasibility & consulting, owner’s rep, sales, partnerships, venue management, hospitality, merchandise, and content & booking. Through our white-label approach, we keep our partners front and center while leveraging the power of our global network: over 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. To learn more, visit us at www.LegendsGlobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
