In 2008, Holland improved one place to tenth from eleventh place on the international congress destination rankings, as published by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). In 2008 ICCA counted 227 congresses for Holland, compared with 195 in 2007. This is a 16 percent increase. 16 percent increase. Every year, ICCA identifies all international association congresses. In 2008 it identified 227 congresses for Holland compared with 195 in 2007 (+16%).

NBTC puts together the annual international congress statistics within Holland, in cooperation with the country’s regional convention bureaus and venues. The cities of Amsterdam and Maastricht proved the most popular with Amsterdam rising 2 places to 7th rank as most popular Dutch congress city and Maastricht jumping 69 places to the 81st spot!
Intensified marketing program

The top fifteen countries on the ICCA rankings are the same as last year. The United States of America and Germany have held first and second place since 2004. Holland improved one place from eleventh to tenth. ”Our strong fresh marketing program to attract international congresses to Holland proves successful,” says Eric Bakermans, NBTC’s Marketing Manager Meetings & Conventions. “In order to continue to defy the competition, targeted marketing activities are and remain essential. Offering added value to the organisers is a definite must. And we will continue to work on this.”
Representative office Geneva

In recognition of the economic importance of the association congresses, NBTC established a representative office in Geneva in January 2009. In addition, NBTC will organise the second Association Symposium in The Hague in autumn 2009. Delegates from national and international associations will discuss the future of the convention market during this symposium. Approximately one-third of all international arrivals in Holland come here for business purposes and represents an economic value of nearly €1.4 billion.