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Skift
5 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Top Destinations for Association Meetings
Vienna returns to top of ICCA's city rankings, while the U.S. once again tops the country rankings. But that's only one side to ICCA's newly released report and data on international association meetings in 2024. Association meetings, with their extended planning cycles are crucial targets for destination marketing organizations worldwide. They are also a key way convention bureaus track their success. Last week at IMEX Frankfurt, ICCA released its ranking of the countries and cities holding the most international meetings in 2024. According to ICCA's latest report based on 2024 data, the U.S. continues to top the country ranking, a position it has held since at least 1995. Several Western European countries, along with Japan and Canada, also make up the top 10. A notable shift saw France drop from fourth to sixth, likely due to capacity issues as Paris hosted the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Vienna returned to the top of the ICCA city rankings, a position it also held two years prior, with Lisbon a close second, separated by just one meeting. Singapore dropped to third from second. Paris experienced the largest decline, falling from first to sixth, likely due to hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics. Prague dropped one spot, while Seoul rose three places and Rome two. Bangkok and Athens entered the top 10, replacing Madrid (11th) and Dublin (20th). 2024 ICCA Rankings for Countries 1. U.S. (709) 2. Italy (635) 3. Spain (536) 4. Germany (491) +1 5. United Kingdom (481) +1 6. France (432) -2 7. Japan (428) 8. Netherlands (295) 9. Portugal (290) 10. Canada (252) 2024 ICCA Rankings 2024 for Cities 1. Vienna, Austria (154) +3 2. Lisbon, Portugal (153) +2 3. Singapore (144) -1 4. Barcelona, Spain (142) +1 5. Prague, Czech Republic (131) +1 6. Paris, France (124) -5 7. Seoul, Republic of Korea (124) +3 8. Bangkok, Thailand (115) +8 9. Rome, Italy (114) -2 10. Athens, Greece (111) +5 A Bumpy Post-Pandemic Recovery Continues The International Congress and Convention Association's (ICCA) latest report sees the number of international association meetings reaching 11,099 in 2024, an increase of 9% from 2023. A positive step, but still significantly below 2019's peak of 13,269 meetings, suggesting over 2,000 meetings have been lost. The 2024 figures are similar to the total number of meetings counted in 2012, which stood at 11,150. The 17.8% shortfall is significant. Even taking an average of meetings between 2016 and 2019 of 12,752.5, the shortfall stands at 13.9%. The economic impact of these meetings is substantial, generating $11.6 billion in immediate economic impact according to ICCA's estimates. Attendee spending has risen 24% since 2015, going from $2,518 to $3,127, although it actually decreased from $3,832 in 2022 and $3,146 in 2023. While this is clearly positive, this increase is slightly lower than global inflation, which rose 25% during the same period. Looking at where the economic impact comes from, large meetings (1,000+ attendees) represent just 8% of total meetings but account for $6.9 billion (59.4%) of the impact. Mid-sized meetings (150-999 attendees) make up 53% of all meetings and contribute $5.5 billion (47.4%), while smaller meetings (50-149 attendees) represent 39% of meetings but only $884 million (7.6%) of the total impact. Limited Focus of Data Understanding ICCA's methodology is crucial for interpreting these rankings. The data only includes meetings organized by associations with over 50 participants that rotate between at least three countries. This methodology, while consistent since ICCA's founding, excludes significant meeting segments. For instance, many U.S. associations rotate between East Coast, Midwest and West Coast destinations without crossing international borders, and so these often large meetings are not taken into account. Similarly, non-rotating association meetings are also not included, meaning massive events like CES, are also omitted. Top performing city, Vienna, exemplifies this limited view that the rankings offer. While ICCA attributes 154 rotating international association meetings with 101,886 participants to Vienna in 2024, Vienna's own statistics count 781 international congresses with 260,000 participants. The Union of International Associations (UIA) offers an alternative perspective. It counts meetings of any size, with or without a regular cadence and regardless of whether they rotate at all. It also takes into consideration meetings driven by intergovernmental organizations as well as associations. Their most recent ranking based on 2023 data, — the 2024 rankings will be released shortly — ranked Belgium first with 708 meetings, followed by the U.S. (633) and Japan (488). Brussels led cities with 620 meetings, followed by Vienna (298) and Tokyo (226). Alternative Rankings ICCA itself shares alternative rankings in its report. One ranking considers the immediate economic impact of the meetings held in a city over 2024. ICCA calculates this impact based on an average registration rate for the city, which is then used as a multiplier to calculate the total direct spend. It estimates registration rate represents on average 22% of the immediate economic impact per attendee. Looking at the big earners, Barcelona is clearly the winner, attracting around $360 million in direct spend, significantly more than London ($289 million) in second place and Singapore ($290 million) in third. City Ranking by Immediate Economic Impact Barcelona, Spain ($360 million) London, UK ($298 million) Singapore, Singapore ($290 million) Madrid, Spain ($288 million) Vienna, Austria ($247 million) Milan, Italy ($237 million) Amsterdam, Netherlands ($230 million) Bangkok, Thailand ($221 million) Copenhagen, Denmark ($209 million) Rome, Italy ($200 million) Destinations Ranked by Size of Meeting A different view of the ICCA rankings emerges when focusing on the size of meetings. For gatherings exceeding 1,000 delegates, Korea rises to fourth (from 12th overall), and Australia climbs to ninth (from 17th). Conversely, Germany drops to seventh (from fourth overall). In this large-meeting category, Lisbon leads among cities, followed by Barcelona and Singapore. Vienna, the top-ranked city overall, falls to fourth, tied with Seoul and Milan (which ranks 14th overall). Notably, Cape Town (seventh) and Melbourne (joint eighth) perform significantly better in this ranking of large meetings compared to their overall positions (35th and 31st respectively). Analyzing only mid-sized or small meetings does not produce substantial shifts from the complete ranking. However, Athens, Madrid, and Tokyo see an improvement in the mid-sized category, while Brussels and Stockholm rank higher when considering only smaller meetings. Country Ranking for large meetings (1000+) 1. U.S. (71) 2. Italy (57) 3. Spain (57) 4. Republic of Korea (37) 5. United Kingdom (34) 6. France (34) 7. Germany (32) 8. Portugal (31) 9. Australia (27) 10. Netherlands (24) City Ranking for large meetings (1000+) 1. Lisbon (22) 2. Barcelona (21) 3. Singapore (19) 4. Vienna (18) 4. Seoul (18) 4. Milan (18) - 14th overall 7. Cape Town (15) - 35th overall 8. Paris (14) 8. Bangkok (14) 8. Rome (14) 8. Melbourne (14) - 31st overall Country Ranking for Mid-Sized Meetings (150–999 attendees) 1. U.S. (397) 2. Italy (298) 3. Spain (287) 4. United Kingdom (239) 5. Germany (222) 6. France (220) 7. Japan (220) 8. Portugal (156) 9. Netherlands (150) 10. China-P.R. (141) City Ranking for Mid-Sized Meetings (150–999 attendees) 1. Lisbon (79) 2. Singapore (79) 3. Barcelona (76) 4. Athens (73) - 10th overall 5. Seoul (68) 5. Bangkok (68) 7. Vienna (67) 8. Paris (60) 8. Rome (60) 10. Madrid (58) - 11th overall 10. Tokyo (58) - 16th overall
Tourism Breaking News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Dubai participates at IMEX 2025 highlights the city's position as a premier destination for international business events
Post Views: 77 Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism successfully participated at IMEX Frankfurt joined by key stakeholders. At IMEX, a delegation of 30 stakeholders from across the sector has joined DBE in showcasing Dubai's credentials as a premier global hub for business events. The delegation includes leading hotels, venues, DMCs, airlines and other service providers including Emirates, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai World Trade Centre, together highlighting Dubai's ability to deliver dynamic world-class events at the intersection of innovation, knowledge-sharing and sustainable growth. This comes as Dubai continues to earn global recognition, this week being confirmed as #1 globally for highest attendee number per association meeting in 2024, and once again ranking #1 in the Middle East for the total number of association meetings hosted during the period, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Cvent has this week also confirmed that Dubai maintained its #1 position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa. The accolades further demonstrate the city's ability to both host prolific events and facilitate event growth for associations, allowing them to tap into the market and increase global access to members. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'As we engage with the global industry at IMEX Frankfurt, we are reinforcing Dubai's position as a strategic destination for impactful business events. Our consistent top rankings from ICCA and Cvent, and growing pipeline of major international events, are the result of a focused and collaborative approach with our stakeholders, as we work collectively to reinforce the emirate's position as a premier global hub for the MICE industry. Business events are integral to our tourism strategy and are increasingly driving progress across key sectors. They are playing a vital role in advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 – to position Dubai as one of the world's most innovative, inclusive and future-ready cities, as guided and championed by the visionary leadership of the UAE.' Dubai's participation aligns with this year's IMEX theme – Impact 2.0: Activating the Future – emphasising the global events community's responsibility to address major global and community challenges while driving positive change through events, partnerships and initiatives. In line with this vision, Dubai continues to attract business events that not only grow visitation but also support innovation and deeper engagement across its economic sectors. This directly contributes to the D33 economic agenda, which aims to place Dubai among the top three global cities for business and leisure. Dubai's momentum was further underscored by a record 437 successful bids secured in 2024 to host international conferences, congresses and incentive programmes, a 20% year-on-year increase. These events are set to attract over 210,000 delegates to Dubai in the coming years, significantly contributing to the city's business and tourism ecosystem. Among the high-profile events won: Amway ESAN 2025, the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums 2025, the Global Symposium on Health Systems Research 2026, the World Congress on Medical Informatics 2027, ISAPS Olympiad World Congress 2027, Forever Living Products Global Rally 2026, the Scientific Assembly and Associated Events of the Committee on Space Research 2028 and The International Conference on Computer Vision 2029. Dubai continues to see strong growth in tourism aligned with its MICE strategy. In 2024, the city welcomed a record 18.72 million international overnight visitors, a 9% year-on-year increase. That momentum has continued into 2025, with 5.31 million international visitors arriving between January and March, marking a 3% increase compared to Q1 2024. Business events have been a key contributor to this sustained growth, generating economic impact across sectors and further strengthening Dubai's global brand. Further enhancing the city's capacity to meet rising demand in the events space, a key development includes an expansion plan for the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. As part of broader urban development initiatives including the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion, the project is a strategic investment aimed at reinforcing Dubai's position as a global platform for major conferences and exhibitions, enabling the city to host larger and more complex events that deliver long-term value that meets increasing demand and attendance. IMEX remains a cornerstone of DBE's global engagement strategy, providing an essential platform to connect with international associations and networks. Dubai continues to use such platforms to strengthen global partnerships and attract events that support its economic, social and sustainability priorities.
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cvent Announces Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels in Europe for 2025
LONDON & FRANKFURT, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today unveiled its 2025 rankings Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels for Europe (including the UK and Ireland). Cvent's rankings have become indispensable for event planners, highlighting top-of-the-line cities, hotels, and venues for all their event needs. The annual lists are also issued regionally for North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and for the first time this year, Latin America & Caribbean. Cvent also unveiled a new Top Lists category, the Top Venues and Vendors, which analyses data from the Cvent Vendor Marketplace. Cvent unveiled the Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels worldwide. The annual rankings highlight hotels that have gone above and beyond in securing group business, and the destinations that are driving economic growth through meetings and events Share Cvent hosted a live, in-person press conference at IMEX Frankfurt to share more in-depth insights into this year's Cvent Top Lists results. The destination and hotel rankings are determined based on insights gleaned from the more than $18B of global MICE sourcing and request-for-proposal (RFP) activity through Cvent's sourcing platforms in 2024, including a record-breaking $16.5B through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world's largest MICE hotel and venue sourcing marketplaces. The unparalleled volume of business sourced in 2024 underscores the high demand for quality, in-person touchpoints. Despite a dip in planner optimism due to macroeconomic uncertainty and rising costs, 82% of European meeting professionals plan to host meetings with an in-person component (AMEX GBT Meetings & Events 2025 Global Forecast). This trend is further supported by Cvent's 2025 Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition, which found that nearly 60% of planners expect the number of in-person meetings to increase in 2025. The top three cities remained consistent year-over-year, with London (#1), Barcelona (#2), and Madrid (#3) maintaining their respective positions. Amsterdam rose two spots to #4 and Paris rose one spot to #6. There were two new cities to the Top 10: Prague (#9) and Dublin (#10), driven by increased international appeal. Prague climbed three places, reflecting its growing popularity for mid-sized conferences, while Dublin was buoyed by association meetings and major events like the Dublin Tech Summit, which draws around 8,000 attendees from more than 75 countries. Top 10 Meeting Destinations 1. London, UK 2. Barcelona, Spain 3. Madrid, Spain 4. Amsterdam, Netherlands 5. Lisbon, Portugal 6. Paris, France 7. Berlin, Germany 8. Rome, Italy 9. Prague, Czech Republic 10. Dublin, Ireland Expand 'It's an honour to be leading the Cvent Top Meeting Destinations in Europe list for the third consecutive year,' said Fiona Plumpton, Head of London Convention Bureau Services. 'With the launch of London's first Growth Plan, it is an exciting time to be doing business in the capital. The city is set for even greater innovation across the events sector – from new venues and hotels to unique experiences. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Cvent and proudly championing London on the global business tourism stage.' 'We're excited to maintain our position as number 2 on Cvent's Top Meeting Destinations list, reinforcing Barcelona's standing as a top choice for corporate and incentive events," says Christoph Tessmar, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau. "This year, we're also proud to launch the BCB Legacy Programme, which strengthens our commitment to sustainability by ensuring that every event leaves a positive and lasting impact on the city, through local collaboration and responsible practices.' "We are really proud to be among the leading destinations of the Cvent 2025 ranking. This rise is undoubtedly the result of years of commitment of the Madrid City Council and the city's MICE sector,' said David Noack, Director of Madrid Convention Bureau. 'Our city combines a rich cultural and historical heritage, outstanding gastronomy, state-of-the-art infrastructure and a firm commitment to sustainable, people-centred tourism. Above all, what truly sets Madrid apart is the warm and vibrant spirit of its people. We deeply value our partnership with Cvent, which continues to help us connect with new opportunities and consolidate Madrid's global standing in the MICE sector." Cvent Top Meeting Hotels | Europe The ranking criteria for Cvent Top Meeting Hotels in Europe expanded this year to include year-over-year request-for-proposal (RFP) growth and average RFP response time. These changes were made to more accurately reflect regional venue sourcing trends while also giving additional weight to an increasingly critical planner priority: speed of hotel responses. The expanded criteria mean all the Top 10 hotels are new to the list. Top 10 Meeting Hotels 1. Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection 2. Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel & Catalunya Congress & Convention Centre 3. Prague Marriott Hotel 4. Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel 5. Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection 6. InterContinental Barcelona, an IHG Hotel 7. The College Green Hotel Dublin, Autograph Collection 8. Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals 9. Anantara The Marker Dublin 10. Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower Expand 'It's a tremendous honour to be recognised by Cvent as the number one Top Meeting Hotel in Europe —especially just one year after our opening,' said Jürgen Fleischhacker, General Manager, Imperial Riding School, Vienna. 'This award is a true testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team. The Imperial Riding School, now proudly part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, is steeped in history. Once a military riding school, it has been transformed into a fully renovated hotel that seamlessly blends timeless elegance with the vibrant spirit of Vienna's Landstraße district. With 13 versatile event spaces spanning more than 1,200 square meters for up to 450 guests, along with one of Vienna's largest private gardens, we offer a truly distinctive setting for meetings, conferences and open-air events. Cvent plays a vital role in helping us present our property online, respond swiftly and personally to group and event inquiries, and leverage detailed reporting and business intelligence to shape our strategic direction in close collaboration with our partners.' "To be recognised as the #2 meetings and events hotel in Europe is both a proud achievement and a reflection of our renewed vision at Torre Melina Gran Meliá and the Catalunya Congress & Convention Centre. This recognition strengthens our role as a premier destination for world-class events in Barcelona. We offer a unique and elevated experience that integrates the refined luxury of Gran Meliá with the exceptional capacity and versatility of the Congress Centre. Together, we provide an unparalleled setting in Barcelona for hosting everything from large-scale conferences to cutting-edge, innovative events," said Anna Bayarri, Director of Sales of Torre Melina Gran Meliá and Catalunya Congress & Convention Centre. "Technology and strategic partnerships like Cvent are essential to our vision. They allow us to connect with planners worldwide, deliver unforgettable experiences, and stay ahead of evolving industry needs through data-driven insight and seamless collaboration." View the full list of Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels worldwide here. Methodology For Cvent Top Meeting Destinations, Cvent evaluated 14,000+ cities worldwide listed on the Cvent Supplier Network. Activity was tracked between January 2024 and December 2024. Rankings were determined by a set of qualifying criteria, including: the number of total room nights booked through the Cvent Supplier Network; the number of unique electronic request-for-proposals (RFPs) sent through the marketplace to venues within the city; the total value of the RFPs submitted; and the actual awarded value for meetings booked. For Cvent Top Meeting Hotels in Europe, Cvent evaluated hotel properties that generated business through the Cvent Supplier Network between January 2024 and December 2024. The properties were ranked according to various criteria, including total requests for proposals (RFPs), awarded RFPs, total room nights, awarded room nights, major metropolitan area market share, conversion rate, year-over-year RFP growth rate, and average response time. About the Cvent Supplier Network The Cvent Supplier Network features more than 340,000 hotels, resorts and special event venues, serving as one of the world's largest and most accurate databases of detailed venue information. Event planners sourced more than $18 billion of MICE business through Cvent's sourcing networks in 2024 alone. The Cvent Supplier Network is part of Cvent's suite of solutions that tens of thousands of hotels, CVBs and destination management organisations rely on to reach more planners, attract MICE business to their properties & destinations, and directly engage with Cvent's global network of more than 145,000 event professionals. Cvent technology enables hotels and venues to efficiently manage their MICE and corporate travel business, increase revenue, and deliver more profitable results. About Cvent Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with 5,000+ employees and 24,000+ customers worldwide as of December 31, 2024. Founded in 1999, the company delivers a comprehensive event marketing and management platform and offers a global marketplace where event professionals collaborate with venues to create engaging, impactful experiences. Hotels and venues use Cvent's supplier and venue solutions to win more MICE and corporate travel business through Cvent's sourcing platforms. Cvent solutions optimise the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events. For more information, please visit
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cvent Announces Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels in Europe for 2025
The annual rankings highlight hotels that have gone above and beyond in securing MICE business, and the destinations that are driving economic growth through a strategic focus on meetings and events LONDON & FRANKFURT, Germany, May 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cvent, an industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, today unveiled its 2025 rankings Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels for Europe (including the UK and Ireland). Cvent's rankings have become indispensable for event planners, highlighting top-of-the-line cities, hotels, and venues for all their event needs. The annual lists are also issued regionally for North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and for the first time this year, Latin America & Caribbean. Cvent also unveiled a new Top Lists category, the Top Venues and Vendors, which analyses data from the Cvent Vendor Marketplace. Cvent hosted a live, in-person press conference at IMEX Frankfurt to share more in-depth insights into this year's Cvent Top Lists results. The destination and hotel rankings are determined based on insights gleaned from the more than $18B of global MICE sourcing and request-for-proposal (RFP) activity through Cvent's sourcing platforms in 2024, including a record-breaking $16.5B through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world's largest MICE hotel and venue sourcing marketplaces. The unparalleled volume of business sourced in 2024 underscores the high demand for quality, in-person touchpoints. Despite a dip in planner optimism due to macroeconomic uncertainty and rising costs, 82% of European meeting professionals plan to host meetings with an in-person component (AMEX GBT Meetings & Events 2025 Global Forecast). This trend is further supported by Cvent's 2025 Planner Sourcing Report: Europe Edition, which found that nearly 60% of planners expect the number of in-person meetings to increase in 2025. Cvent Top Meeting Destinations | Europe The top three cities remained consistent year-over-year, with London (#1), Barcelona (#2), and Madrid (#3) maintaining their respective positions. Amsterdam rose two spots to #4 and Paris rose one spot to #6. There were two new cities to the Top 10: Prague (#9) and Dublin (#10), driven by increased international appeal. Prague climbed three places, reflecting its growing popularity for mid-sized conferences, while Dublin was buoyed by association meetings and major events like the Dublin Tech Summit, which draws around 8,000 attendees from more than 75 countries. Top 10 Meeting Destinations 1. London, UK 2. Barcelona, Spain 3. Madrid, Spain 4. Amsterdam, Netherlands 5. Lisbon, Portugal 6. Paris, France 7. Berlin, Germany 8. Rome, Italy 9. Prague, Czech Republic 10. Dublin, Ireland "It's an honour to be leading the Cvent Top Meeting Destinations in Europe list for the third consecutive year," said Fiona Plumpton, Head of London Convention Bureau Services. "With the launch of London's first Growth Plan, it is an exciting time to be doing business in the capital. The city is set for even greater innovation across the events sector – from new venues and hotels to unique experiences. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Cvent and proudly championing London on the global business tourism stage." "We're excited to maintain our position as number 2 on Cvent's Top Meeting Destinations list, reinforcing Barcelona's standing as a top choice for corporate and incentive events," says Christoph Tessmar, Director of the Barcelona Convention Bureau. "This year, we're also proud to launch the BCB Legacy Programme, which strengthens our commitment to sustainability by ensuring that every event leaves a positive and lasting impact on the city, through local collaboration and responsible practices." "We are really proud to be among the leading destinations of the Cvent 2025 ranking. This rise is undoubtedly the result of years of commitment of the Madrid City Council and the city's MICE sector," said David Noack, Director of Madrid Convention Bureau. "Our city combines a rich cultural and historical heritage, outstanding gastronomy, state-of-the-art infrastructure and a firm commitment to sustainable, people-centred tourism. Above all, what truly sets Madrid apart is the warm and vibrant spirit of its people. We deeply value our partnership with Cvent, which continues to help us connect with new opportunities and consolidate Madrid's global standing in the MICE sector." Cvent Top Meeting Hotels | Europe The ranking criteria for Cvent Top Meeting Hotels in Europe expanded this year to include year-over-year request-for-proposal (RFP) growth and average RFP response time. These changes were made to more accurately reflect regional venue sourcing trends while also giving additional weight to an increasingly critical planner priority: speed of hotel responses. The expanded criteria mean all the Top 10 hotels are new to the list. Top 10 Meeting Hotels 1. Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection 2. Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel & Catalunya Congress & Convention Centre 3. Prague Marriott Hotel 4. Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel 5. Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection 6. InterContinental Barcelona, an IHG Hotel 7. The College Green Hotel Dublin, Autograph Collection 8. Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals 9. Anantara The Marker Dublin 10. Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower "It's a tremendous honour to be recognised by Cvent as the number one Top Meeting Hotel in Europe —especially just one year after our opening," said Jürgen Fleischhacker, General Manager, Imperial Riding School, Vienna. "This award is a true testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team. The Imperial Riding School, now proudly part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, is steeped in history. Once a military riding school, it has been transformed into a fully renovated hotel that seamlessly blends timeless elegance with the vibrant spirit of Vienna's Landstraße district. With 13 versatile event spaces spanning more than 1,200 square meters for up to 450 guests, along with one of Vienna's largest private gardens, we offer a truly distinctive setting for meetings, conferences and open-air events. Cvent plays a vital role in helping us present our property online, respond swiftly and personally to group and event inquiries, and leverage detailed reporting and business intelligence to shape our strategic direction in close collaboration with our partners." "To be recognised as the #2 meetings and events hotel in Europe is both a proud achievement and a reflection of our renewed vision at Torre Melina Gran Meliá and the Catalunya Congress & Convention Centre. This recognition strengthens our role as a premier destination for world-class events in Barcelona. We offer a unique and elevated experience that integrates the refined luxury of Gran Meliá with the exceptional capacity and versatility of the Congress Centre. Together, we provide an unparalleled setting in Barcelona for hosting everything from large-scale conferences to cutting-edge, innovative events," said Anna Bayarri, Director of Sales of Torre Melina Gran Meliá and Catalunya Congress & Convention Centre. "Technology and strategic partnerships like Cvent are essential to our vision. They allow us to connect with planners worldwide, deliver unforgettable experiences, and stay ahead of evolving industry needs through data-driven insight and seamless collaboration." View the full list of Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels worldwide here. Methodology For Cvent Top Meeting Destinations, Cvent evaluated 14,000+ cities worldwide listed on the Cvent Supplier Network. Activity was tracked between January 2024 and December 2024. Rankings were determined by a set of qualifying criteria, including: the number of total room nights booked through the Cvent Supplier Network; the number of unique electronic request-for-proposals (RFPs) sent through the marketplace to venues within the city; the total value of the RFPs submitted; and the actual awarded value for meetings booked. For Cvent Top Meeting Hotels in Europe, Cvent evaluated hotel properties that generated business through the Cvent Supplier Network between January 2024 and December 2024. The properties were ranked according to various criteria, including total requests for proposals (RFPs), awarded RFPs, total room nights, awarded room nights, major metropolitan area market share, conversion rate, year-over-year RFP growth rate, and average response time. About the Cvent Supplier Network The Cvent Supplier Network features more than 340,000 hotels, resorts and special event venues, serving as one of the world's largest and most accurate databases of detailed venue information. Event planners sourced more than $18 billion of MICE business through Cvent's sourcing networks in 2024 alone. The Cvent Supplier Network is part of Cvent's suite of solutions that tens of thousands of hotels, CVBs and destination management organisations rely on to reach more planners, attract MICE business to their properties & destinations, and directly engage with Cvent's global network of more than 145,000 event professionals. Cvent technology enables hotels and venues to efficiently manage their MICE and corporate travel business, increase revenue, and deliver more profitable results. About Cvent Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider with 5,000+ employees and 24,000+ customers worldwide as of December 31, 2024. Founded in 1999, the company delivers a comprehensive event marketing and management platform and offers a global marketplace where event professionals collaborate with venues to create engaging, impactful experiences. Hotels and venues use Cvent's supplier and venue solutions to win more MICE and corporate travel business through Cvent's sourcing platforms. Cvent solutions optimise the event management value chain and have enabled clients around the world to manage millions of meetings and events. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts For media enquiries, please contact: Sharon Coleshill, for CventEmail: Mobile: +44 7810 508 990 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Skift
13-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
The Unofficial Guide to IMEX Frankfurt 2025
With 63,000 business meetings happening across three days, IMEX Frankfurt is a maze of opportunity and overwhelm. Here's your tactical guide to getting real value from one of the industry's biggest events. Next week, 12,000 event professionals will descend on Frankfurt to make deals worth millions. Whether you're a first-timer or veteran, maximizing your ROI at IMEX requires strategic planning and ruthless prioritization. Here's what actually works: IMEX Frankfurt is one of the industry's largest trade shows. Around 12,000 meetings, events and incentive travel professionals will come together next week in Frankfurt. This annual Spring gathering dates back to 2003, and precedes IMEX America which launched in 2011. Just like at IMEX America, its sister show, at IMEX Frankfurt you can cross oceans and hop between continents just by crossing an aisle. This year, you can meet at the corner of Singapore, Canada and Sardinia. The real value of IMEX isn't just the global representation – it's the concentration of decision-makers in one place. Recent AUMA research shows one trade show visit replaces five separate business trips. At IMEX, you can compress months of relationship-building into three days – if you know how to work it right. Make no mistake, the show is intense, that is one thing veterans and first-timers agree on. Success requires being ruthlessly selective about your time. You'll need to embrace JOMO (joy of missing out) – because trying to do everything guarantees you'll accomplish nothing meaningful. It is important to plan carefully; these tips will help. Skift Meetings at IMEX Frankfurt 2025 Skift Meetings will cover news from IMEX Frankfurt throughout the week. The team also will present an educational session on Wednesday, May 21 (12:05–12:50 p.m.) at the Inspiration Hub (Forest Room) in Hall 9. The session, "Skift look at the latest, greatest hotels, venues and cruises for meetings and incentives," features Skift Meetings Editor-in-Chief Miguel Neves diving into key hotel and venue trends based on the "What's New in Meetings and Incentive Travel 2025" report. The report was created in partnership with IMEX and sponsored by Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Monterey Meetings, Tourism New Zealand, and Visit Lauderdale. No registration is needed, and all IMEX Frankfurt participants are welcome. Explore 135 exceptional new properties hand-picked for meeting and incentive planners The Basics IMEX Frankfurt 2025 takes place on May 20–22, 2025 in Halls 8 and 9 of Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany. 2. English Is the Main Language The show may be in Germany, but English is its main language. All exhibitors speak English, many speak German and can run meetings in German and other languages. Almost all education sessions are in English, with some specific sessions in German, noted in the program. IMEX uses Wordly to provide live AI-powered captions and translation for education sessions. 3. Business Interactions Are the Core of the Show Like most trade shows, IMEX is all about buyers (planners) meeting with exhibitors (vendors/suppliers) to do business. In this case, to discuss booking hotels and venues, as well as other event-related products and services across the globe. Buyers and exhibitors use an online meetings system to coordinate meetings in advance. According to IMEX, buyers booked 63,000 meetings in 2024. IMEX Frankfurt show floor (Source: IMEX) 4. Planners Are the VIPs If you're a planner who regularly plans or commissions international events or incentive travel programs, you can apply to be a hosted buyer, meaning IMEX will cover your airfare and accommodation. Hosted buyers also have access to an exclusive lounge and other perks on site. Planners who pay their own way are also welcome and can register as buyer attendees. 5. It's Free to Attend The show is free to attend. Yes, visitor registration costs $0, or €0 in this case. It is not open to the public, but anyone with a professional interest in meetings, events, incentive travel, and related sectors is welcome. 6. The Show Lasts More Than Three Days The show runs Tuesday through Thursday, with floor hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (4 p.m. Thursday). Several education programs precede the main event. On Monday, IMEX offers specialized programs for association planners and corporate event planners . The Association Expert Seminar runs Saturday, May 17 through Monday. 7. Education Complements Business and Networking Education doesn't just happen before the show, it happens throughout the show. The main area for education is the Inspiration Hub, located in Hall 9, a separate hall 8. There's Life Off the Show Floor Too A lot happens off the show floor as well. Some companies have internal or client meetings, and associations hold board meetings around the show. There are also plenty of parties and networking, with breakfasts, lunches, and dinners around the show. Before You Go 9. Log In to Your IMEX account While the public IMEX Frankfurt website offers plenty of information, there is a lot more to see once you log in. This is also how you can connect to other attendees and save education sessions and other activities onto your schedule. 10. Download the App It may sound cliche, but downloading the IMEX app is a helpful way to access the exhibitor and education session listing, among lots more content. Once you login, you will see appointments and save sessions in the app, and can make changes that will synchronize with your dashboard. 11. Explore the Floor Plan IMEX Frankfurt's layout spans two main areas. All exhibitor stands are in Hall 8, the main area for networking and business. Hall 9 is the area of the show devoted to interactive learning and play. Hall 9 is also where you'll find the Inspiration Hub — the home of most education sessions — and the Hosted Buyer Lounge. In Hall 8, you can locate exhibitors based on their stand number, which is formed of one letter and three numbers. Letters (A–G) run from left to right as you enter the show and numbers (010–790) run from lowest closer to the entrance to highest at the back of the hall. The floor plan follows industry clustering: Hotels are grouped together and countries are organized by the same region. 12. Work Out What's On There are plenty of activities and gatherings happening on and off the show floor. Make sure you explore these as you are making your schedule. From exhibitor showcases and networking functions to a morning run and wellbeing sessions, there's lots to explore. Three evening events stand out and are worth exploring, Association Social (exclusive to members of select industry associations), SITE NITE Europe and the IMEX Gala Dinner . To balance the night-time activities, there is time for 'sweatworking.' The popular IMEXrun , a 5 kilometer fun run along the shores of the Main River, takes place on Wednesday morning. IMEXrun (Source: IMEX) Meetings in Advance Whether you are a buyer or not, book meetings with the people you can't afford to miss. They're busy, too. So, plan your time carefully and block out times for meals and other non-negotiables. 14. Try to Book Adjacent Meetings If at all possible, book your meetings so you don't have to traverse the show floor. This will save you time and help you keep your step-count reasonable. Traversing the show floor multiple times is a sure recipe for exhaustion, so make sure you refer to the floor plan when you make your meetings to make sure they are never too far apart. 15. Avoid Stuffing Your Schedule It's easy to have back-to-back meetings all day. Avoid this if you can. Things will pop up, and having some wiggle room will help. You may also want to consider freeing the first hour of the day to get your bearings. 16. Connect in Advance Don't wait until you are on site to start networking. Instead, connect with people online and start those critical conversations, particularly if you are meeting for the first time. Connecting the dots before you meet is a great way to make the most of a busy show. 17. Block Your (Non-IMEX) Schedule It may be tempting to try and have a typical work week while taking in the show on-site. Avoid this at all costs. Trying to do both is a sure recipe for disaster. If you've invested the time in being at the show, ensure you are fully present. Do yourself a favor, set an out-of-office message, and be present. 18. Plan Your Way to the Show Planning local travel is important. Arriving by train to Messe Frankfurt is handy as the venue has its own station served by multiple S-Bahn train lines. You can also walk or take other transportation to one of the entrances to the venue. The most common is the entrance by the Maritim Hotel Frankfurt, where you walk or take a free shuttle bus to Halls 8 and 9. If you'd rather take a taxi, it will drop you off at the entrance to Halls 8 and 9. Note that if you are attending as a hosted buyer, you will have shuttle buses available to and from the airport as well as to and from your hotel. 19. Make a Packing List Comfortable shoes : These can be formal or casual, but have to be comfortable. Best avoid brand-new shoes that haven't been broken in. : These can be formal or casual, but have to be comfortable. Best avoid brand-new shoes that haven't been broken in. Reusable water bottle : This is the best way to stay hydrated, and there are plenty of places to fill up across the show floor signaled on the floor plan. : This is the best way to stay hydrated, and there are plenty of places to fill up across the show floor signaled on the floor plan. Healthy snacks : Consider having a healthy snack, like a pack of nuts, in case you need a boost of energy during the long days. : Consider having a healthy snack, like a pack of nuts, in case you need a boost of energy during the long days. Business Cards: Whether you prefer physical or digital business cards, ensure you are ready with them. Bring any other materials you need. Come prepared to do business. Whether you prefer physical or digital business cards, ensure you are ready with them. Bring any other materials you need. Come prepared to do business. Passport: Unless you live in Germany or within the Schengen region, you'll need a passport to enter the country. You are unlikely to need it during your time in Frankfurt though, so best store it safely in your hotel safe. Unless you live in Germany or within the Schengen region, you'll need a passport to enter the country. You are unlikely to need it during your time in Frankfurt though, so best store it safely in your hotel safe. Euros: While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Frankfurt, cash (€Euros) is king, and it will help some purchases move along much faster. While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Frankfurt, cash (€Euros) is king, and it will help some purchases move along much faster. Your name badge: IMEX sends all attendees name badges digitally and encourages printing in advanced. On Site 20. Help is Available If you need assistance, a good place to start is by heading to the help desk at the entrance to Hall 9. You can also look out for IMEX staff, they know the show in-depth and are always ready to help. Lastly, you can simply speak to the help staff wearing red as you enter Hall 8. First timers tour at IMEX Frankfurt (Source: IMEX) 21. Carry Your Business Cards With You Assuming you packed them, or opted for a digital business card, make sure you are ready to share your contact details with people you meet. 22. Get the Lay of the Land Navigating the show is tricky, even for experts. When you first arrive, take a few minutes to explore the whole show (both Hall 8 and 9) to get your bearings. If you don't have appointments booked first thing, this is a good time to do so. In Hall 8, the larger and taller stands are good reference points; make sure you get the hang of how stands are numbered (see tip #11). 23. Stay Connected You always want to stay online in case schedules change or if you want to look something up. With this in mind, ensure you have a firm 5G connection or check the available Wi-Fi hotspots. Many spaces on the show floor offer Wi-Fi, so be on the lookout. You may also want to bring an extra charger and charging cables. You will likely run out of juice. 24. Education Is Mostly at the Inspiration Hub The Inspiration Hub — located in Hall 9 — is the main area with education content at IMEX Frankfurt. There are around 200 sessions taking place there throughout the show. So if you have some free time, explore this area. Most sessions are open to drop-ins, and many use formats like campfires allow small group engagement with top speakers and experts. Forest Room, Part of the Inspiration Hub at IMEX Frankfurt (Source: IMEX) 25. There's More Education on the Show Floor This might be confusing at first, but there are plenty of exhibitors offering educational content at their stands. It's a good idea to explore these options too. 26. Locate the Hosted Buyer Lounge If you're attending as a hosted buyer, you can access a dedicated Hosted Buyer Lounge. Use it. You can take some time off, get refreshed, and much more. There is also dedicated IMEX staff at hand to help you, so don't be afraid to ask for help. 27. Practice Self Care Make sure you drink plenty of water. We tend to talk a lot at trade shows, so don't let your throat dry up. You are also encouraged to join the IMEX Wellbeing Challenge and get rewarded for participating in a range of wellbeing activities. 28. Think in 30min slots Business meetings at IMEX happen in 30 minute increments. This is how the buyer-exhibitor meetings are scheduled. While some education and other activities may not follow this flow, it is important to be aware of it when you make plans. 29. Look Out for Exhibitor Activations Exhibitors use stand activations to attract buyers by showing off some of the most exciting things their destination or brand offers. This manifests in many ways, from dancing to massages and VR headsets to photo ops. As a result, there is plenty to explore in all corners of the show. IMEX Frankfurt Exhibitors (Source: IMEX) 30. Get Caffeinated Plenty of outlets sell coffee around the property, but looking out for great coffee being served at the larger stands is a nice hack. These activations are aimed at attracting buyers, so please keep this in mind. Most exhibitors are happy to invite visitors for coffee, and some even have creative baristas showing off their skills. 31. Enjoy Exhibitor Hospitality It's not just coffee being served on the show floor. Some stands have fully stocked bars and attract buyers with signature cocktails and mocktails. These are great networking opportunities, so make the most of them. Remember to pace yourself — IMEX is a marathon, not a sprint. 32. Raise Your Glass and Connect Later in the afternoons, from around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, many exhibitors host parties and networking receptions. This can be a lot of fun, but also quite noisy if you have a business appointment next door. Look out for fun activations and great food. 33. Don't Neglect Thursday It's no secret, Thursday, the show's final day, is considerably less busy than the first two. But, you can use that to your advantage. While the aisles are less active, the education program continues in full swing. Exhibitors can have more relaxed conversations with all attendees, whether they have a buyer badge or not. Some exhibitors swear that their best business and networking takes place on the last day. 34. Find Inspiration Through Your Network A top networking hack is to ask people you meet to introduce you to others. You can also ask them for their highlights of the show. Shows like IMEX Frankfurt bring together industry professionals who are connected in many ways. You never know who knows who, and this is a great way to lean on serendipity to build your network. 35. Keep Sustainability in Mind IMEX is known for taking sustainability seriously, including sharing a full report for each show. You can do your bit to help reduce the show's carbon footprint by using public transport, avoiding animal-based food, recycling your waste, and using a refillable water bottle. You can learn more about IMEX's sustainability initiatives at the IMEX People & Planet Theatre in Hall 9. Sustainable Event REport - IMEX Frankfurt 2024 (Source: IMEX) 36. Share Your Experience Online There is one way to be in more than one place at once: by joining the conversations happening online. You can share your experience or simply follow the IMEX accounts that share plenty of fun and useful content on Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also search for 'IMEX' or the #IMEX25 hashtag to see more content from others. After the show 37. Be Kind to Yourself An intense trade show is not kind to the body or mind. If all goes well you will leave with lots of business done, new or rekindled connections and plenty of fresh ideas. You are also certain to leave exhausted, so give yourself a little time to recover. 38. Follow Up Don't neglect your health, but equally, don't forget to grab the opportunities created. It doesn't matter how you follow up — email, LinkedIn, Instagram, or by subscribing to a newsletter, but do so soon after the show. Whether you are exhibiting or just attending, continuing conversations is the best way to ensure your investment in attending the show is not wasted. One last thing. Save the date for IMEX America , October 7–9 in Las Vegas, NV. Skift Meetings will offer a brand-new Innovation Lab the Monday (October 6) before the show, as well as covering the news from the show. IMEX Frankfurt's younger sibling is larger, attracting around 15,000 to Vegas in the fall, with a core focus on the U.S. market. It's the same but different, after all hosting an IMEX event is one of the few things Frankfurt and Las Vegas have in common.
