This announcement coincides with Cambridge being named sixth in the UK and fourth in England in the latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings.
The ranking is based on the number of international organisations holding meetings during a 12-month period and recorded in the ICCA database. In 2016, Cambridge hosted a total of 19 conferences, bringing 2,700 delegates to the city. The average length of the events was 3.5 days and 73% took place in an academic venue.
The majority of conferences were in medical science, technology, science and industry, run by organisations based in Europe and North America which rotate the events around the world each year.
Judith Sloane, Deputy Manager of Meet Cambridge says: “We are delighted that for 2017 and beyond, Cambridge will host a number of high profile international events, attracting around 3,625 delegates to the area and delivering economic impact of approximately £7 million.
“Our latest ICCA rankings also reflect the fact that Cambridge and the wider region is a popular place to hold international events. Organisers of medical, technological and scientific-themed conferences are able to tap into the local expertise at our universities and at the many clusters of knowledge at the science and technology parks, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the new Biomedical Campus – all of which offer excellent opportunities for collaboration, peer to peer networking and knowledge transfer.
“This, coupled with a range of excellent, interesting venues – academic, unique spaces and hotels in the city and beyond – makes Cambridge an attractive destination for international associations.”
Forthcoming events include: the International Conference on Technology of Plasticity, the International Prison Chaplains’ Association in Europe, the Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Science, the International Genetic Epidemiology Society, the International Congress of Odonatology and Exoplanets II.
Many of these events have been successfully secured through a competitive bidding process with local representatives from the respective associations taking advantage of the free support, resources and practical help offered through Meet Cambridge’s Ambassador Programme. This aims to assist those who are passionate about promoting the many benefits that the city and the region can offer as a destination for international conferences.
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Meet Cambridge on 01223 768740 or www.meet-cambridge.com