Paris, the world-leading destination for international meetings in 2016

According to the latest report published by the International Convention and Congress Association (ICCA) on 8 May, Paris is the world's leading destination for international conferences organised in 2016. This position is supported by Viparis which will be opening the largest city-centre convention centre in November, thus further enhancing the attractiveness of Paris.

Paris hosted 196 international conferences in 2016, ahead of Vienna (186), Barcelona (181), Berlin (176) and London (153). These results are particularly remarkable for a year in which Paris also hosted the Euro football championship, a major event on the international scene occupying the capital's hotels for several weeks.  

Viparis, the European leader in conferences and exhibitions, made a significant contribution to these results by hosting 175 conferences in 2016, including 18 international congresses meeting ICCA criteria. These major events took place at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, with Viparis notably being selected for the European Meeting on Hypertension (8,000 delegates), and the World Cancer Congress (3,260 delegates, a record for this event representing a 20% increase in attendance from the previous congress). 

"We are proud to make an active contribution to the international outreach of Paris. This distinction again testifies to the quality of our expertise in hosting major events. By no means a foregone conclusion, this position is merited and encourages us to continue our efforts. 2016 saw the launch of the Paris Leaders Club, a network of French researchers who actively contribute to promoting the city's heritage and offering. The highlight in 2017 will be the opening of the Paris Convention Centre enabling the city to play host to the largest international conferences in optimal conditions, starting in 2018", notes with satisfaction Marta Gomes, Congress Sales Director, Viparis, elected to the ICCA board of directors last November. 

This success is set to continue since the operator of the ten main conference centres and exhibition venues in Greater Paris already announces a record year in 2017, with 8 international conferences of more than 5,000 participants, including the International Aids Society conference (7,000 delegates expected) and MS Paris 2017, the joint congress of the EU and US committees for treatment and research in multiple sclerosis (ECTRIMS and ACTRIMS), where over 9,000 attendees are expected.

www.viparis.com