The ICCA Country and City Rankings 2024 have been officially released during IMEX Frankfurt, revealing key insights into the global association meetings landscape. Based on more than 11,000 verified international events submitted by ICCA members and tracked by the International Congress and Convention Association’s research team, this year’s rankings spotlight both traditional powerhouses and rising stars in the meetings industry.
Vienna, Lisbon, and Singapore Lead Global City Rankings
Vienna takes the top spot in the city rankings with 154 hosted meetings, narrowly edging out Lisbon with 153. Singapore secured third place with 144, followed by Barcelona and Prague. Notably, Paris—last year’s leader—dropped to sixth position in a year when it was also busy hosting the 2024 Olympic Games.
When rankings are viewed by average number of participants per meeting, the list tells a different story. Dubai leads with 899 attendees per event, highlighting its strength in attracting large-scale conferences. Other high-ranking cities by attendance include Barcelona, Milan, Bali, and Melbourne, each exceeding 790 attendees per meeting.
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 |
United States, Italy, and Spain Dominate Country Rankings
At the national level, the United States maintained its position as the leading country for international association meetings, hosting 709 events. Italy followed with 635, then Spain with 536. Germany and the United Kingdom round out the top five. The results show consistency at the top, but also reveal new growth in countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
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 |
Sector Trends and Economic Impact
Medical Sciences, Technology, and General Sciences remained the top sectors for international association meetings. These three fields accounted for nearly 44% of all meetings in 2024, emphasizing the global demand for innovation, research collaboration, and health-related policy exchange.
International meetings generated a direct economic impact of USD 11.6 billion in 2024. This includes local spending by delegates, lodging, services, and other event-related expenses. Mid-sized meetings (150–999 participants) represented the majority of all events and delivered strong returns across both developed and emerging destinations.
Legacy and Strategic Alignment
Beyond economics, the ICCA report places strong emphasis on “meetings with purpose.” Case studies from Vienna and Sarawak demonstrated how events are increasingly aligned with community development, education, and sustainability goals. For example, the European Respiratory Society’s congress in Vienna launched a city-wide lung health campaign that included free testing, school outreach, and fundraising through a public run.
In Sarawak, Malaysia, Business Events Sarawak continues to lead with tools like the AI.LEGACY platform and Legacy360 framework to quantify social and environmental impact from events. These examples support ICCA’s broader message that meetings are not just transactional—they’re transformational.
Regional Highlights
- Asia-Pacific: Singapore led the region, with notable growth in Seoul, Bangkok, and Tokyo. China and Indonesia also climbed in the rankings.
- Latin America: Buenos Aires remained the top city, while Colombia and Panama posted strong growth. Panama City will host the ICCA World Congress in 2026.
- Africa: Cape Town led the continent, followed by Kigali and Marrakech. Rwanda is emerging as a hub for legacy-driven events.
- Middle East: Dubai stood out for its high average attendance. Abu Dhabi continues to focus on sustainability and innovation.
With enhanced regional data and focus on strategic alignment, the ICCA Country and City Rankings 2024 reflect more than where meetings are held—they signal why and how destinations are positioning themselves for long-term relevance. Whether measured by attendance, economic return, or community legacy, international association meetings are shaping the world in more ways than ever before.
