The First ICCA Numbers Have Arrived

Often I hear people say: 'I don't believe in statistics!' And still every year everyone eagerly awaits the first ICCA rankings. And here they are! Those of 2006! It's like the first bird laid his first (congress) egg in May. ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association) has made a name for itself for many years now, with their global rankings of the countries and cities that landed the largest number of international (non-corporate) conventions in a certain year, all drawn up according to well-defined criteria. In 2006 Germany remains the first European destination, only preceded by the USA. The team of Ute Stegmann at the German Convention Bureau has done a good job! Unfortunately Spain drops to fifth place. And oh oh, Holland loses four places compared to 2005! How is that possible? In the city ranking, Paris is the big winner and has now gained second position, behind the leader, Vienna. Congratulations to Paul Roll and Delphine Benbassa-Fortuin! Proudly Delphine wrote to me: ‘We have been working on statistics for 3 years and it is true that it is paying back now. We are very happy about it!’ And we are also very glad that for the very first time a South-American country has invaded the top ten: Brazil! And Prague, Copenhagen and Lisbon make the top ten, so that's a feather in their cap as well! I myself find the position of Kuala Lumpur quite spectacular. This city that doesn't have its own convention bureau leaps to 15 th place in 2006 with 63 meetings from 30th place in 2005 with 38 meetings! Jenny Salsbury, you can put on an Ascot hat with a peacock feather! Only people who work hard and keep track of their numbers, believe in statistics.

In June 2007 we will publish the complete ranking with some comments on the survey in our Incentive Special yearbook (in English). Don't miss it, on www.mimmagazine.be.