Trade fair city represents Germany as an internationally competitive congress and conference destination
Next year, Leipzig will be the hotspot for the worldwide congress and convention industry. The agreement between the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and Leipziger Messe GmbH for the organisation of the 50th ICCA Congress was signed in Leipzig’s Rathaus (town hall). The world conference for convention business will be held from 22 to 26 October 2011 in the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL) which is part of the Leipzig Exhibition Centre. Around 1,200 delegates are expected to attend this sector’s most important get-together, among them key decision-makers. Every year, the ICCA Congress assembles event professionals from all continents: the ICCA brings together more than 900 convention centres, event organisers and service providers in 86 countries, all committed to the highest quality standards.
“The Leipzig organisers of the 50th ICCA Congress are backed by a dedicated and creative team from all over Germany, determined to ensure an extremely high standard. This was one of the main reasons for our decision in favour of Leipzig as host”, explains Martin Sirk, Chief Executive Officer of the ICCA. “I am sure that we will have a wonderful congress in Leipzig.”
The Leipzig bid was part of a national project which enjoyed the backing and support of the federal government. Its advocates also included the German Convention Bureau as reputable conference organisers, Lufthansa AG, Deutsche Bahn AG, the Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus, Saxony’s governor Stanislaw Tillich and the mayor of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung.
The Saxony city won out in the race to hold this prestigious specialist event in the face of competition from Dubai/Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), as well as Pittsburgh (USA). According to the international ICCA judges, the Leipzig region is distinguished by its high potential for innovation, has attracted global players such as BMW, Porsche and DHL and was home to important research centres. These include several Max Planck institutes, institutes and centres run by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft and the Leibniz-Gemeinschaft, as well as Leipzig University and the Medical Faculty of the Leipzig University Clinic. At the same time, these are valuable partners, opinion formers and motivators for conferences and conventions.
