The unique, in-depth, independent evaluation system of meeting destinations is based on the Meeting Experience Index of destinations, which comprises an analysis of over 75 qualitative criteria. The methodology goes beyond classic comparisons that focus solely on the number of events hosted at destinations, also evaluating and contrasting their maximum capacities, resilience, and the actual needs of event organisers.
BEST IN NEW EUROPE
The finest meeting destinations across New Europe
Winner: PRAGUE, Czech Republic, final score: 4.750
Prague is frequently cited as a benchmark example of a convention bureau operating successfully through a public–private partnership model. Since launching its strategic transformation in 2008, the Prague Convention Bureau has evolved into a compact, highly professional team that has helped reposition the city on the international meetings map. Today, Prague competes confidently with leading European destinations and consistently ranks among the top ten in the XL category. A diverse meeting offer, strong creative agencies, and a well-managed destination image support its long-term competitiveness.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Prague’s long-term commitment to public–private cooperation, focused destination branding and consistent investment in professional convention bureau leadership.
2nd place: ATHENS, Greece, final score: 4.620
Athens has solidified its position as a significant global meeting destination, recently entering the top 10 worldwide in the ICCA congress rankings and ranking 7th in Europe, reflecting sustained growth and international visibility. The city combines ancient heritage with modern infrastructure, supported by a diverse portfolio of venues, strong hotel capacity and excellent air connectivity. Significant urban regeneration, including large-scale projects and future conference hubs, continues to expand Athens’ meetings offer.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Athens’ ability to integrate heritage, large-scale infrastructure investment and strategic destination marketing to attract global association meetings.
2nd place: BUDAPEST, Hungary, final score: 4.620
Budapest continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic regional meeting destination, combining historic character with modern infrastructure and strong international accessibility. The city offers a broad portfolio of venues, from landmark convention centres to boutique spaces, supported by a diverse hotel landscape and direct flight connections. Recent strategic efforts by local destination partners have focused on enhancing planner support, improving sustainability practices and expanding incentive-oriented programmes.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Budapest’s ability to balance heritage appeal with contemporary meetings infrastructure and coordinated destination-level initiatives that attract both association and corporate events.
3rd place: WARSAW, POLAND, final score: 4.610
Warsaw exemplifies the rapid transformation of a modern meeting destination. The city’s dynamic skyline reflects profound economic and social change, mirrored in a fast-growing meetings industry supported by new hotels and diverse event venues. Warsaw stands out for the creativity and production quality of its event agencies, among the strongest in Europe. Strong destination management and the Warsaw Convention Bureau’s proactive role further enhance its competitiveness.
Benchmarking insight: Destinations can learn from Warsaw’s ability to combine rapid infrastructure development, creative event production and coordinated destination governance.
4th place: KRAKOW, POLAND, final score: 4.560
Kraków is a growing meeting destination with a strong cultural and academic profile and steadily improving infrastructure. The city has recorded significant growth in business meetings, hosting thousands of group events with increasing international participation. This development is supported by established venues such as ICE Kraków and EXPO Kraków, as well as an expanding network of hotels and conference facilities. Kraków also ranks among the most improved destinations in global sustainability benchmarks, underlining its commitment to responsible meetings.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Kraków’s balanced combination of infrastructure development, academic partnerships and sustainability-focused destination management.
5th place: LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA, final score: 4.550
Ljubljana is an inspiring city whose strength lies in its compactness, access to nature and diverse experiences shaped by landscape and heritage. The town enables event participants to experience Slovenia both within the city centre and beyond, making it ideal for responsible, sustainable events. Ljubljana delivers the standards of a leading meeting destination in a boutique, personalised format, supported by a clear vision from the Ljubljana Convention Bureau.
Benchmarking insight: Other destinations can learn from Ljubljana’s integration of nature, walkability and focused destination management.
6th place: ISTANBUL, TURKEY, final score: 4.517
Located between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, Istanbul offers the perfect fusion of ancient and modern. To experience the city from a different perspective – literally – visitors must hop on a boat for a scenic Bosphorus Cruise. The city is also a magnet for events, having hosted over 1,600 international events over the past decades.
Benchmarking insight: The quality of life in Istanbul is improving as well as the general infrastructure; Turkish airlines has become the fourth-largest airline in the world.
7th place: TALLINN, ESTONIA, final score: 4.516
Tallinn is a fantastic choice for open-minded organisers seeking unique, out-of-the-box solutions. The diverse events hosted in the city are proof of that. With its compact layout, Tallinn feels like one large conference centre, where venues come together to create unforgettable experiences. This flexibility makes up for the absence of a large, multipurpose conference centre. The city’s largest venue hosts up to 7,000 delegates.
Benchmarking insight: A shared spirit of innovation between the city and organisers helps create magical experiences!
8th place: VILNIUS, LITHUANIA, final score: 4.485
Over the last few years, Vilnius has diligently learned, polished its offer, and prepared for its entry into the international congress scene. In their favour, Vilnius has the charm of a cosmopolitan, urban, very European city, full of hidden surprises. It’s a city where socialist modernist architecture coexists with the Baroque centre, and unlike some other Eastern European congress destinations, this makes it very attractive. Vilnius is a credible partner in the international meetings industry and an undiscovered convention destination that appeals for its freshness.
Benchmarking insight: Being one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in the world, growing 22% year-on-year, and ranked the #1 tech city in the EU, Vilnius is wired for digital workers.
9th place: ZAGREB, CROATIA, final score: 4.481
A great event story is unfolding in Zagreb. It is well established in the international congress market and, in addition to Ljubljana and Belgrade, it represents the future backbone of the region’s continental meetings industry. All three cities are progressing steadily on the charts of developed meeting destinations; the final breakthrough of the entire region is intertwined and dependent on the marketing of major regional congress cities in the international market.
Benchmarking insight: Croatia Airlines is helping Zagreb edge out its regional competitors.
10th place: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA, final score: 4.471
The Danube was the impetus for the swift development of some of Europe’s glistening capitals. One of them is Bratislava. On the banks of the mighty river, the Slovakian capital transformed from a local settlement to a respected regional and cosmopolitan city. The city has been hosting several international festivals and events that bring thousands to Slovakia. Packed in a boutique package but offering a sea of options for event organisers, this meeting destination is solidifying its position as an exceptionally accessible destination.
Benchmarking insight: Bratislava is a prototype of a mid-sized destination focusing on quality rather than quantity, as demonstrated by the cars coming out of its state-of-the-art automotive plants.
We sincerely congratulate all the destinations that competed in this year’s Meetings Star competition.
Explore more about the Meetings Star Award here.
