FRANKFURT, GERMANY – The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) officially released its ICCA GlobeWatch: Business Analytics – Country & City Rankings 2024 during a press conference at IMEX Frankfurt. The latest edition presents comprehensive data collected from over 11,000 international association meetings held globally throughout 2024.
This year’s rankings mark a significant evolution in ICCA’s long-standing benchmarking initiative. Alongside the traditional country and city rankings, the 2024 edition includes expanded insights segmented by region, meeting size, and sector. These enhancements aim to deliver a more strategic and data-driven perspective on global meeting activity and its implications for the business events sector.
“The release of ICCA GlobeWatch: Business Analytics – Country & City Rankings 2024 is one of the most anticipated moments in the global meetings industry,” said ICCA CEO Dr. Senthil Gopinath. “We’re pleased to deliver a report rich in intelligence that supports our members and the broader community. As the sector continues to grow rapidly, ICCA remains at the forefront of the change, impact, and legacy that association events create worldwide.”
Top 10 Cities by Number of Meetings
| Rank | City | Country | Meetings in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vienna | Austria | 154 |
| 2 | Lisbon | Portugal | 153 |
| 3 | Singapore | Singapore | 144 |
| 4 | Barcelona | Spain | 142 |
| 5 | Prague | Czech Republic | 131 |
| 6 | Paris | France | 124 |
| 6 | Seoul | South Korea | 124 |
| 8 | Bangkok | Thailand | 115 |
| 9 | Rome | Italy | 114 |
| 10 | Athens | Greece | 111 |
Vienna, Lisbon, and Singapore top global city rankings
Vienna claimed the top position in the city rankings with 154 hosted international association meetings, just ahead of Lisbon with 153. Singapore secured third place with 144 meetings, followed by Barcelona and Prague. Paris, which topped the list last year, dropped to sixth place – largely attributed to hosting the 2024 Olympic Games.
When viewed by average attendance per meeting, the ranking shifts significantly. Dubai led globally with an average of 899 delegates per event, underlining its strength in attracting high-volume conferences. Other high-attendance cities included Barcelona, Milan, Bali, and Melbourne, all of which averaged more than 790 participants per meeting.
Top 10 Countries by Number of Meetings
| Rank | Country | Meetings in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 709 |
| 2 | Italy | 635 |
| 3 | Spain | 536 |
| 4 | Germany | 491 |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 481 |
| 6 | France | 432 |
| 7 | Japan | 428 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 295 |
| 9 | Portugal | 290 |
| 10 | Canada | 252 |
United States, Italy, and Spain lead national rankings
The United States retained its position as the top-performing country for international meetings, hosting 709 events. Italy followed with 635 meetings, and Spain ranked third with 536. Germany and the United Kingdom rounded out the top five. While these countries maintained their global dominance, notable growth was observed in Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Strong sector performance and economic impact
Medical sciences, technology, and general sciences were the leading sectors for association meetings in 2024, accounting for nearly 44% of all events. The total direct economic impact of international meetings reached USD 11.6 billion, driven by delegate spending on accommodation, services, and event participation.
Mid-sized meetings, defined as those with 150 to 999 participants, constituted the bulk of activity and demonstrated strong economic returns for both mature and emerging destinations.
Legacy-driven meetings take center stage
This year’s report also emphasized the growing trend of meetings contributing to long-term community benefits. ICCA showcased several case studies demonstrating how events are aligning with local development goals.
In Vienna, the European Respiratory Society’s annual congress spearheaded a city-wide lung health campaign, incorporating free health screenings, school outreach, and fundraising initiatives. Meanwhile, in Sarawak, Malaysia, Business Events Sarawak implemented its AI.LEGACY platform and Legacy360 framework to measure the broader social and environmental impacts of hosted events.
Regional developments
- Asia-Pacific: Singapore led the region, with Seoul, Bangkok, and Tokyo recording strong growth. China and Indonesia also climbed in the rankings.
- Latin America: Buenos Aires remained the regional leader, while Colombia and Panama posted notable gains. Panama City is set to host the ICCA Congress in 2026.
- Africa: Cape Town topped the continental list, followed by Kigali and Marrakech. Rwanda is gaining traction as a center for legacy-focused events.
- Middle East: Dubai stood out for its exceptional attendance rates, while Abu Dhabi emphasized sustainable innovation in its event strategy.
A global shift in purpose and positioning
The ICCA Country and City Rankings 2024 reveal more than geographical popularity—they signal a paradigm shift in how destinations are positioning themselves. With increasing emphasis on strategic alignment, community legacy, and sustainability, international association meetings are being recognized as catalysts for lasting global impact.
ICCA CEO Dr. Senthil Gopinath stated, “This year’s rankings highlight not only where meetings happen, but why they matter. Destinations that integrate purpose, innovation, and community benefit into their event strategies will define the future of our industry.”
The full report is now available to ICCA members via the ICCA data platform.
The article ICCA unveiled 2024 Country and City Rankings: Which cities claim the top first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.