The Amsterdam-based International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has named Vancouver as North America's most popular destination for international meetings.
Vancouver first won the prestigious nod in 2006 and then followed it up in 2008 and 2010.
ICCA's annual report ranks cities based on the number of international meetings that they host.
To be considered an international meeting, the event must be:
- attended by at least 50 participants;
- be organized regularly; and
- rotate between at least three different countries.
In 2011, Vancouver hosted 55 such meetings, which the ICCA dubs as "international meetings."
That put the city in 35th place in the world and first in North America.
The world's top destination for such meetings is Vienna (181 meetings) followed by Paris (174 meetings) and Barcelona (150 meetings).
Of North American destinations, Mexico City and Washington D.C. were tied for second place with 51 meetings.
Next were:
- Montreal (50 meetings);
- Boston and Toronto (44 each); and
- New York and San Francisco (32 each).
Richard Yore, Tourism Vancouver's director of sales, Canada and international meetings and conventions, said, "The city sells itself, but in reality there's a lot of work that goes into researching, attracting and planning national and international conferences.
"It's gratifying to know the efforts of our tourism partners and local hosts are being recognized by organizations, meeting planners and delegates."
