For the sixth consecutive year, the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau has assessed ‘congress’ activity in Paris Ile-de-France.
In 2010 in Paris, the economic spinoffs linked to congresses (accommodation, catering, leisure, shopping and transport) were estimated at more than 414 million euros (411 million in 2009). Business overnights represented 16.2 million overnights (+11.2% compared to 2009), i.e. 45% of global overnights, and overnights linked to the association congress segment, 1.1 million hotel overnights, i.e. 7% of business overnights.
An increasing number of congresses: in 2010, 959 congresses (672,000 participants) were identified compared to 931 in 2009 (704,000 participants). On average, Paris hosted 80 congresses each month: almost 3 per day! The medical sector accounted for the majority of congresses in Paris (50%). This percentage continues to increase its market share (+7 points in three years). Of note, 40 events chose Paris for their first event; 38 in 2009, which shows the French capital’s unwavering appeal.
Large-scale events: as in 2009, Paris hosted 19 events with more than 5,000 participants. Although they only accounted for 2% of activity in 2010, they gathered 30% of congress attendees.
Congresses with more international participants in 2010: the majority of congresses (53%) attracted an international audience and the average portion of foreign participants was up: 23% compared to 18% in 2009. The average number of nationalities represented by congresses increased from 6 in 2009 to 9 in 2010. Nevertheless, the majority of congresses rotate nationally (79%), i.e. they only take place either in Paris or in other cities in France.
Diverse and dynamic venues, a plus for Paris: 200 venues in Paris and the Paris region hosted congresses in 2010. Of particular note this year, scientific venues hosted more congresses (40%) than congress centres (30%). Nevertheless, the large capacity of the latter enabled them to host almost three-quarters of congress attendees. Meeting rooms and hotels hosted 11% and 9% of congresses respectively. The 15 main venues*, which are subject to more detailed analysis, have in the last 4 years continued to take market share. Thus, the proportion of congresses hosted by them increased from 35% in 2007 to 49% in 2010, whilst the number of congress attendees jumped from 69% to 80%.
Paris gives added value to congresses that remain loyal: in 2011, for the first time, the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau has analyzed the characteristics of congresses that have chosen to remain faithful to Paris over the last 4 years. The average number of participants increased by 36% between 2007 and 2010.
*Main venues: Centre des Congrès de la Villette – Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie – UNIVERSCIENCE; Centre des Hautes Etudes Militaires; Cnit Paris La Défense – VIPARIS; Disneyland Resort Paris; Faculté de médecine des Saints-Pères; Institut Pasteur Maison de la Chimie; Le Palais des Congrès de Paris – VIPARIS; Les Espaces Cap 15; Les Salles du Carrousel du Louvre – VIPARIS; Maison Internationale – Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris; Palais des Congrès de Versailles – VIPARIS; Palais des Congrès d’Issy les Moulineaux – VIPARIS; Parc Floral de Paris; Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center.
