(Image of SITE NITE Europe 2025 brought together 500 global incentive travel professionals in Frankfurt for networking, cultural exchange, and the launch of the SITE affiliates program.)
Tracking global rankings, venue developments, and major bookings at convention centers around the world
Convention centers across the globe reported new infrastructure projects, international event bookings, sustainability initiatives, and high rankings during and around IMEX Frankfurt. Updates include venue expansions, launches of planning resources, new regional partnerships, and confirmed hosting of major congresses through 2026. Data from ICCA and Cvent also highlighted top-performing cities for association meetings and overall event attendance.
Europe
Excel London Convention Centre to Host Record 10 Congresses in 2026
Excel London, the capital’s largest convention and exhibition center, is set to host 10 major international congresses in 2026—its busiest year on record. The events are projected to attract 80,000 delegates and generate £250 million (approx. $320 million USD) in economic impact. Many will take place in the venue’s new 25,000-square-meter expansion of its International Convention Centre (ICC)a $280 million USD project opening this summer that positions Excel as Europe’s largest fully integrated meetings facility.
Prague Ranks Fifth Globally for Association Meetings, Highlights Venue Growth
Prague ranked fifth worldwide for international association meetings in the latest ICCA report. The city hosted more than 5,100 events in 2024, including major congresses at the Prague Congress Centre, which also saw a record year. Investments in AV and immersive tech, along with strong performance in medical and tech-related events, continue to drive Prague’s reputation as a top European meetings destination.
Barbican Centre and World Design Congress Plan Sustainable Focus for 2025
London’s Barbican Centre, a combined arts and conference venue, shared plans at IMEX Frankfurt to host the 2025 World Design Congress. In partnership with the UK’s Design Council, the Congress aims to model a planet-positive approach to event planning. Set for September during the London Design Festival, the event will welcome 1,000 global delegates and highlight sustainable practices through both content and delivery.
BMA House Showcased Sustainability and Local Guide at IMEX Frankfurt
BMA House exhibited at Incentive Travel, Meetings & Events (IMEX) Frankfurt in May, highlighting its sustainability practices and debuting a new Local Area Guide for international delegates. The London venue, winner of the 2024 Best Venue Award, created the guide to spotlight dining, wellness, and cultural spots around Bloomsbury. Venue Manager Hannah Robinson says it helps planners create richer delegate experiences that go beyond the venue.
Fira de Barcelona Hosts Major Automotive Event with 350,000 Attendees
Fira de Barcelona welcomed over 350,000 visitors for Automobile Barcelona 2025, marking a 10 percent increase from the previous edition. The venue showcased 30 automotive brands and 12 vehicle debuts, supporting strong public interest in electrified vehicles. A visitor survey reported 65 percent were considering EVs or hybrids. The event underscores the venue’s capacity to host high-impact exhibitions tied to Spain’s mobility transition.
North America
Ottawa Tourism Launches Responsible Events Guide at IMEX Frankfurt
Ottawa Tourism introduced its new Responsible Events Guide at IMEX Frankfurt in May, offering planners practical tools for hosting sustainable and inclusive events. The guide features tips on reducing waste, supporting local communities, and improving accessibility. Lesley Pincombe of Ottawa Tourism says the goal is to help organizers leave a positive legacy in the city.
Middle East
Dubai Ranks First Globally for Attendance at Association Meetings
Dubai was named the top global city for average attendance per association meeting and led the Middle East and Africa for total events hosted, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Cvent also ranked Dubai the region’s top meetings destination. Dubai Business Events highlighted these milestones at IMEX Frankfurt, joined by 30 stakeholders including Dubai World Trade Centre and Expo City Dubai, where an expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre is now underway.
Messe Düsseldorf Expands Trade Show Presence in the Middle East
Messe Düsseldorf signed a strategic deal with Riyadh Exhibitions Company to integrate K, interpack, and drupa into future Saudi events. It also launched metalflow ALLIANCE Saudi Arabia and confirmed EuroShop Middle East will debut in Dubai in 2026. The moves follow the January opening of its Gulf Office and mark a broader push to grow its footprint across the region.
Asia-Pacific
Cairns Convention Centre Builds Global Momentum with Major Expansion
Cairns Convention Centre promoted its $176 million expansion and international event growth at IMEX Frankfurt. Recent bookings include the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association Congress (APOA) and the Viruses of Microbes Conference, held outside Europe for the first time. The Center will also host the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Asia Pacific 2025, further boosting its profile as a destination for global meetings and sustainable events.
Qudos Bank Arena Launches Reconciliation Action Plan
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney’s largest indoor arena, has released its first Reconciliation Action Plan, reaffirming its commitment to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Launched during National Reconciliation Week, the plan includes cultural programming, community partnerships, and a commissioned artwork by Gomeroi and Wiradjuri artist John Hunter. While primarily an entertainment venue, Qudos Bank Arena is part of ASM Global’s regional venue network, which includes several major convention centers.
Global
AIPC and Paratus Form Cybersecurity Partnership for Global Convention Centers
The International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) and Paratus have launched a cybersecurity partnership to protect member venues from digital threats. In development since 2022, the initiative includes shared intelligence, training, and the industry’s first collective security network.
AIPC CEO Sven Bossu says the partnership helps centers “stay ahead of the curve,” while Paratus Director Robert McClure calls it “a secure framework” for safer events.
