The Union of International Associations (UIA) recently published congress ranking for 2025 sees Vienna top the city destination list, ahead of Brussels. The ranking follows publication in May of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) which had ranked Vienna fourth among the world’s most sought-after congress destinations.
The analysis of international association congresses published by the UIA is another important benchmark. Vienna achieved first place with 345 meetings, improving from second place in the previous year. The Austrian capital had topped the UIA ranking last in 2006.
With Brussels in second place on 329 meetings, Seoul followed in third (216), Lisbon fourth (174) and Tokyo fifth (156). Places six to 10 are held, respectively, by Barcelona (151), Bangkok (131), London (128), Copenhagen (124) and Rome (120).
Norbert Kettner, CEO of Vienna Tourist Board, said: “The top ranking in the UIA ranking underlines the international competitiveness and quality of Vienna as a meeting destination. More than 6% of all recorded congresses take place in Vienna – a share we aim to maintain together with our partners. This success is the result of the close collaboration of all stakeholders in Vienna’s meeting industry – from congress centres and venues to hotels and agencies, through to our clients. My sincere thanks go to all of them for their long-standing co-operation.”
Anita Paic, head of the Vienna Convention Bureau, added: “Vienna reclaims first place in the UIA Ranking 2025 for the first time in many years and, with fourth place in the ICCA Ranking, confirms its strong global position – an impressive testament to the city’s appeal. For the Vienna Convention Bureau, this result is both a validation and an incentive: it shows that close collaboration with Vienna’s meetings industry, the consistent development of impact-oriented event formats, and the trust of our clients worldwide make all the difference.”
More than 250 venues for meetings in Vienna are profiled in Vienna’s Venue Finder.
For more information on Vienna as a meeting destination, visit https://meeting.vienna.info/en.
