The 10 Best Convention Centres Of 2017

The Meetings Star Award and the Conventa tradeshow together celebrate their 10th Anniversary. In the last decade, the Meetings Star Award has gained a special status among the event awards, while the award ceremony during the Conventa tradeshow has become a tradition that will this year be raised to an even higher level through a production of an autonomous event.

Based on 151 hidden guests’ ratings, which have been published in the Kongres Magazine, we have selected the winners of the MEETING STAR AWARD 2017.

• 5 categories, 12 hidden guests
• 465 evaluation criteria
• 55 City Meeting Hotels evaluated
• 44 Resort Meeting Hotels evaluated
• 17 Spa Meeting Hotels evaluated
• 16 Boutique Hotels evaluated
• 19 Congress and Convention Centres evaluated

So, which hotels were most highly rated by the hidden congress guests sent out to the field by Kongres magazine throughout 2017?

• Opened: 1987
• Halls: 24
• Theater max: 4320

AUSTRIA CENTER VIENNA
Vienna, Austria 4.91
Austria Center Vienna is by far the largest Austrian congress center. In the past few years, the center underwent a series of intensive renovations that have been assuring the center’s competitiveness. The Center is a strategic heart of the town’s congress offer and it allows for the organisation of the biggest and most demanding science congresses. In 2016, for example, the center hosted 90,000 congress delegates, and the forthcoming season is even more promising. We need to particularly emphasize the center’s efforts for constant innovations and its focus on modern congress guests’ needs. With this in line goes also the center’s last renovation which will be finished in February 2018 and will create a special venue for face-to-face meetings. Austria Center Vienna is the winner of the competition on the grounds of its amazing management of the institution that constantly keeps pace with the times. The city of Vienna has been keeping the leading position in the international meetings industry also thanks to the Austria Center Vienna which presents somewhat of an engine of the Vienna’s congress tourism.

• Opened: 2014
• Halls: 39
• Theater max: 2100

ICE KRAKOW CONGRESS CENTRE
Krakow, Poland 4.90
In year 2016 ICE Krakow has even further strengthened its position as the premier convention and cultural center in the region. The reason for this is a rich program structure that enables it to be the center and a place for permanent congresses, concerts and other events. To achieve such results in such a short time is a remarkable achievement, which is thanks to the excellent management of the center. The results speak for themselves. Over 180 events in 2016 attracted 250,000 visitors. The Centre, which has harmoniously blended with the city, however, continues to astound with numerous innovations in all sectors and remains at the top of our rankings.

• Opened: 2015
• Halls: 26
• Theater max: 12.000

ICC KATOWICE
Katowice, Poland 4.88
One of the most modern congress centers in Europe was built in 2015 in the, it is an example of the city revitalization with the help of the meetings industry. The centers best rating is due to exceptional aesthetics and functional architecture and the multifunctional role, which is the foundation of future business success. Also enthusiastic is a diverse calendar of events, which is the result of successful marketing project in the start-up phase.

• Opened: 2001
• Halls: 15
• Theater max: 1324

SALZBURG CONGRESS
Salzburg, Austria 4.87
Salzburg Congress, located in the city centre, is a harmonious synthesis of appealing architecture, state-of-the-art congress technology and historic surroundings. Over 1,200 beds in 4- and 5-star hotels within easy walking distance and the close proximity to the attractions in the historic city centre make the location of Salzburg Congress so uniquely attractive.

• Opened: 1982
• Halls: 17
• Theater max: 1541

CANKARJEV DOM
Ljubljana, Slovenia 4.85
Slovenia’s leading convention centre and also a professional congress organiser is located in the centre of Ljubljana and in close proximity to all of the major institutions of the Slovenian state. It is the cultural and convention focal point of Slovenia and a place where Slovenian history continues to be made, so much so that today one couldn’t imagine Ljubljana without it, given that it and the Slovenian meetings industry were created together. Cankarjev dom is a well-oiled congress machine that has aged gracefully and after recent renovations is now in an excellent condition.

• Opened: 2007
• Halls: 8
• Theater max:550

BRDO CONGRESS CENTRE
Brdo, Slovenia 4.84
Brdo Congress Centre is part of Brdo Estate and it is necessary to appreciate what lies hidden behind its minimalist exterior. This centre is something different; it is Zen-like and exudes an elegant luxury. Today it is an important player in the field and we rate it as an all-round excellent convention centre, without any serious flaws, which at the moment represents the pinnacle in its field.

• Opened: 2017
• Halls: 2
• Theater max:1500

ŠIBENIK CONVENTION CENTRE
Šibenik, Croatia 4.84
The convention centre in Šibenik surprises with its aesthetics and functionality just as much as with its incredible architecture and size. It is the first such convention centre in Croatia, and I believe that the neighboring Split, Dubrovnik and Zadar must be quite envious of it. The hotel is complemented with excellent offer of the Amadria Park’s 5 hotels, 20 restaurants and giant parking lot for 1,400 vehicles. The interior’s modern design boosts creativity, while the technical equipment, the possibility of accompanying program, and the kind staff furtherly inspire and impress. The stunning aesthetics and supreme technology completely stun!

• Opened: 2009
• Halls: 21
• Theater max:3.008

HALIC CONGRESS CENTRE
Istanbul, Turkey 4.83
The Haliç Congress Centre, located along the historical Haliç coast, offers its guests a peaceful environment away from the bustling megacity. The Centre has hosted many major congresses and special events and provides its guests with an incomparable experience due to an uncompromising quality of service. The Centre spans 102,000 m2 and includes an open space of 16,000 m2. It comprises of four buildings that are interconnected with broad galleries and lounges filled with sunshine, with a total indoor exhibition area of 9,000 m2.

• Opened: 2009
• Halls: 21
• Theater max:3.008

MEGARON
Athens, Greece  4.83
Megaron is known as one of the best and technically most progressive congress centres in Europe. As the heart of the city’s congress offer with 31 halls presents the main venue of international congresses of associations. We were the most imporessed by the central concert hall with its incredible acoustic and a remarkably smart functionality of the centre’s plan. For the purpose of events, you can also use the park where it is possible to organize receptions and enjoy in the beauty of the Mediterranen vegetation. Cherry on top is its large garage that offers 750 parking spots. Megaron, however, is not just a congress centre, but also a cultural institution and this fact present a huge added value when creating events’ programmes.

• Opened: 1995
• Halls: 24
• Theater max:2200

LJUBLJANA EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE
Ljubljana, Slovenia 4.81
The Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention centre is positioned as a mid-sized regional facility. As a result of a number of past investments and reforms and now with a new administration in place they have really lifted the level of infrastructure and meet the highest international standards. Following renovation, the centre now functions in a very fresh and tidy way and gives the impression of a well maintained centre that is the equal of other such similar centres in Europe.

• Opened: 2011
• Halls: 9
• Theater max:1400

CONGRESS SCHLADMING  
Schladming, Austria 4.69
Congress Schladming is synonymous with modern architecture, environmentally friendly building technology, multi-functional use, gastronomic perfection and state-of-the-art technology, all in the heart of Austria. The combination of “days in the mountains” and a diverse recreational offer in a pristine natural landscape provides the ideal balance for both mind and soul.

• Opened: 2011
• Halls: 9
• Theater max:1400

CONGRESS CENTRE VILLACH 
Villach, Austria 4.69
Carinthia’s largest congress center is considered as one of the most innovative congress centers in Austria suitable for organizing medium-sized congresses. The central hall -Auditorium is excellently technical equipped for the most demanding production and can accommodate up to 1,060 guests. We were most delighted by the multifunctionality combined with hotel Holiday Inn, which boasts a further 11 conference rooms. The hotel has an excellent restaurant Lagana and catering which they are recognized for. The whole offer of hotel just works perfectly in sync and extremely effective.

• Opened: 1999
• Halls: 25
• Theater max:3000

MESSE CONGRESS GRAZ  
Graz, Austria 4.60
All congress facilities in Graz were some time ago connected in a joint company MCG. The central part is the Messecongress Graz, which shares its space with trade fair and event hall Stadthalle. A decade ago, the whole offer was very innovative and is still today a role model for multifunctional congress offer. It enables the combination of different sized events and is the heart of the Austrian Styria congress offer. A big plus is the possibility of organizing events in conjunction with the more historic part of Congres Graz offer in the city center. In Graz, you have the whole solution in one place.

The HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST section is not paid for. The selection of hotels, which are
evaluated by the hidden congress guest, is left to the editorial board. The hidden guest
visits the hotels without prior notice.

The hotels are rated by the HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST, who are professional people with years of experience in the meetings industry and the extra knowledge of hospitality management. The evaluation matrix consists of more than 450 measurable evaluation criteria that are divided into different categories, such as first contact with the customer, general impression upon arrival, behaviour of employees, as well as many others. Each category is assessed by the proportion of conditionality and an average rating, which in itself allows for the improvement of the quality of the individual criteria.