During a press conference at IMEX Frankfurt on 20 May, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) officially launched the ICCA GlobeWatch: Business Analytics – Country & City Rankings 2024. The highly anticipated report offers an enhanced, data-driven perspective on the evolving global landscape of association meetings, drawing on over 11,000 qualified events held across all continents in 2024.
This year’s edition introduces significant upgrades, including segmentation by region, meeting size, and sector, offering a strategic benchmarking tool for destinations and stakeholders in the meetings industry. It also reflects both stabilization and transformation across the sector, highlighting new patterns in how, where, and why international association events are being held.
ICCA CEO Dr. Senthil Gopinath said: ”The release of ICCA GlobeWatch: Business Analytics – Country & City Rankings 2024 is one of the most anticipated moments in the business events community each year. We’re excited to share this year’s data, which includes a wealth of information of incredible value to our members. The industry is growing at a fast clip, and ICCA is proud to be at the forefront of the change, impact, and legacy global events create each year.”
Key Global Trends and Rankings
Europe retained its position as the dominant global meetings region, hosting 56% of all recorded association meetings, followed by Asia-Pacific (18%) and North America (10%). Latin America and the Middle East continue to demonstrate steady growth in meeting volume year-over-year since 2022.
At the country level, the United States remained the top-ranked destination, followed by Italy, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, and Canada round out the top ten.
Among European cities, Vienna led with 154 meetings, followed by Lisbon, Barcelona, Prague, and Paris.
The report also reaffirms the importance of medium-sized events: 53% of all meetings involved 150–999 participants. These events are seen as crucial drivers of engagement and long-term value, particularly when aligned with a destination’s strategic priorities.
The Broader Impact of Association Meetings
International association meetings act as economic catalysts, bringing tangible financial benefits to host cities and countries. The estimated total spending related to all meetings in 2024 reached USD 11.6 billion. Leading cities such as Barcelona, London, Singapore, Madrid, and Vienna generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic returns from these events. However, the report emphasizes that direct economic impact is only the “tip of the iceberg.”
These meetings deliver far greater value by transforming nations and communities. They catalyze progress by:
- creating platforms for the convergence of diverse knowledge and interregional perspectives,
- generating collaborative solutions,
- mobilizing global action.
European Leadership and Innovation
Despite geopolitical and operational challenges—including major events like the 2024 Paris Olympics—European destinations are showing resilience and adaptability. Initiatives such as Germany’s Future Meeting Space, Italy’s Knowledge Leaders programme, and Barcelona’s legacy strategies exemplify how countries are aligning international meetings with long-term social and economic goals.
The EU’s recent appointment of a Commissioner for Tourism and Infrastructure further highlights the sector’s strategic role in sustainable development and regional cohesion.
City of Poznań and Poznan Congress Center to Host ICCA Central European Chapter Meeting 2025
The full report is available exclusively to ICCA members via the ICCA Member Portal. Media representatives may request access through the ICCA press office.
Poland in the Global Context
Poland continues to contribute actively to ICCA’s data collection through the efforts of the Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation, in collaboration with city and regional convention bureaux. Several Polish cities feature in this year’s global city rankings, reflecting the country’s growing engagement in the international meetings market.
Experience, Emotion, Excellence – Poland’s Distinctive Showcase at IMEX Frankfurt in 2025
