ISTI Students' blog

© Meetings made in German

2011 seems as a good and profitable year for German business, especially in Leipzig, where different business meetings and conventions will take place.

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 has been already signed, giving the official host to Leipzig 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.Source: Travel Dayly News

As a part of a national project, the federal government supported Leipzig’s official bid as well as the German Convention Bureau as reputable conferences organizers, Lufthansa AG, Deutsche Bahn AG, the Deutsche central of tourism, 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.

“Leipzig looks forward to the event experts from all over the world! We will seize this unique opportunity to showcase as convincingly as possible our city’s broad spectrum from business through science to culture – so that our guests take with them this message of a diverse and lively Leipzig and want to visit us again. As a cosmopolitan city of trade fairs and conventions, of research, music and art, Leipzig will show itself from its best side – as an exciting, modern and creative city packed with energy. This event is absolutely certain to boost the international appeal of our city”

This international event will bring new ways of doing business in Germany, thus in Europe. Germany is already one of the big players on the international convention and congress sectors. Improving ecology, economic and socially sustainable are within the main points of this convection.

“The 50th ICCA Congress in Leipzig will develop visions for tomorrow’s business.”