Germany still number one in Europe

Congress and meeting destination Germany defends its leading position in Europe and still ranks second world-wide in the ICCA’s latest international country ranking. Frankfurt/Main, 17 May 2006. Germany is still the most popular destination for meetings and conventions in Europe. According to the new International Association Meetings Market 2005 survey by the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), Germany has defended its leading position in Europe. And world-wide, Germany still ranks second for congresses behind the USA. In the ICCA’s world-wide city ranking the capital Berlin also maintained its excellent fourth place. “The fact that we are now conventions and meetings market leader in Europe for the second time running confirms our strategy and shows that it has a lasting impact,” says a happy Lutz P. Vogt, director of the German Convention Bureau (GCB). The GCB markets Germany as a destination for conventions, meetings, events and incentives both on a national and international level, and is the place to contact for anybody planning an event in Germany. “Last year – much earlier than planned – we already made it to the top in Europe, and for 2006 we expect the 2006 FIFA World Cup(TM) to give us a further boost. The World Cup is a unique opportunity for us to show the whole world that Germany offers an excellent service, professionalism, organising expertise and a great infrastructure,” adds the GCB director. The annual ICCA statistics for the meetings and conventions market, International Association Meetings Market, presents a comprehensive evaluation of trends in the international meetings market. To be part of the ICCA survey, conventions must have at least 50 attendees, take place regularly and rotate between at least three countries. Founded in 1963 and based in Amsterdam, the ICCA has been collecting data on association events world-wide since 1972. The GCB markets Germany as a destination for conventions, meetings, events and incentives both on a national and international level, and is the place to contact for anybody planning an event in Germany. Its approx. 200 members include leading hotels, convention centres and destinations, car hire firms, event agencies and service providers of the German meetings and convention industry. Preferred partners of the GCB include m:con Mannheim, Maritim Hotels and the SevenCenters of Germany. The GCB is an interface between organisers of meetings and conventions and suppliers of the German meetings market, offers advice and support for planning and organising events, and provides contacts and addresses. Its website http://www.germany-meetings.com features an online search facility for meeting venues, newsletter, Germany guide and a lot more. Further information and press releases about GCB German Convention Bureau e.V. on: http://www.germany-meetings.com GCB German Convention Bureau e.V. Münchener Str. 48 60329 Frankfurt/Main Germany Tel: +49 (0)69 – 24 29 30 0 Fax: +49 (0)69 – 24 29 30 26 E-Mail: info@gcb.de Internet: http://www.germany-meetings.com Press contact: Ute Stegmann, e-Mail: stegmann@gcb.de, tel: +49 (0)69-24 29 30 13