2019: a ‘good year’ for Paris congresses, according to annual CVB study

The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau (PCVB) publishes its annual study for 2019 in an unprecedented context, with a set of statistics pointing to a healthy year passed, yet contrasting with the current Covid-19 dominant situation radically. The 13th edition of the study again provides an opportunity to decipher and interpret the evolution and economic weight of a sector that is more than ever a strategic one for Paris. In 2019, Paris welcomed a total of 1,084 congresses (-9%/2018) and 922,900 delegates, (up 4.6%), the majority of whom were French (+4.5%/2018). For a second year in a row year, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has ranked Paris as the most attractive destination for international congresses. With a total of 237 international congresses fulfilling ICCA* criteria organised in 2019 (compared to 212 in 2018), Paris has widened the gap between itself and Lisbon (190) in second place and well ahead of Berlin (176) and Barcelona (156). New records for attendance and economic impact Alongside the record number of delegates in 2019, the average number of congress participants increased from 740 in 2018 to 851 in 2019 (+15%). Congress activity generated some €1.48bn in economic benefits in 2019, 10% more than in the previous year. Foreign delegates spent an average of €359 per day during their congresses, compared with €221 for French delegates. Growing diversification of sectors An important progression, the statistics reveal, was the increase in the number of large congresses with 5,000 delegates or more; up 34%, these account for 4% of the total number of congresses organised. The medical sector remains the predominant sector of activity accounting for 32% of congresses in Paris, followed by technology-related events (13%). Congresses relating to ecology and the environment mark, although not one of the heavyweights in terms of numbers, made the biggest advance, recording 67% more congresses. Outlook Although the year 2020 will be strongly impacted by the current global context, the results from Paris make it possible to envisage a resumption of activity, with major congresses already confirmed for the year 2021, such as the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), which will take place for the first time in Paris. “What makes Paris a world-renowned destination for the congress sector is the commitment of Parisian tourism professionals alongside us. This collective energy also enables us to envision a more serene future and to shape a city that is ever more in tune with the expectations of delegates. We are also doing everything possible to reassure them and to ensure that sanitary measures are respected by everyone, everywhere,” saysCorinne Menegaux, Managing Director of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau. Pablo Nakhlé Cerruti, CEO of venue conglomerate Viparis, added: “Paris remains the world capital for international congresses and we are proud to contribute to reinforcing this leadership position.Although 2020 will be a very difficult year for the events sector, we are convinced that events and professional meetings will be one of the drivers of the recovery.That is why we are working with all the destination’s stakeholders to offer our clients all the necessary safeguards for them to come.” Download the full study ‘Congress activity in 2019’ HERE Key figures: * 3 congresses per day on average in Paris   * 73% of congresses hosted take place annually  * Congresses mainly held in November, June, October, and March   * Average duration of 2.8 days (2.9 days for international congresses and 2 days for national congresses) * 65% of congresses were non-rotating (always held in Paris or in Île-de-France)  * 53% of congresses attracted international participants (at least 20% of foreign attendees) * 62% of congresses (680) attracted more than 500 delegates and 4% attracted more than 5,000 (43) * 39% were held at academic venues and 35% at congress centres (the latter having hosted 75% of delegates; * 260 Parisian venues hosted congresses.