The Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation reported a substantial
growth in association meeting business in 2024, listing efforts from its growing
team as the catalyst for this development.
Starting with only three team members in 2022, the convention bureau is now eight
people strong and has focused efforts on intensifying marketing and communication activities to
develop the acquisition of congresses in different fields.
While Geneva holds a reputation as a destination for medical conferences, the
Convention Bureau is now diversifying its efforts to attract association events
in other areas such as law, finance, and engineering.
These ongoing efforts saw Geneva win 31 association
congresses in 2024 to be held in the region in the coming years. These 31 conventions are
expected to gather around 27,000 participants, an increase of 57 per cent from
2023, while projected overnight stays are up by 65 per cent to more than
76,000.
In strengthening the Convention Bureau team capacity, new initiatives has
also been created. One such initiative is setting up the Geneva Congress Board:
a platform for discussions bringing local authorities together with convention
sector stakeholders, with the aim of encouraging congress acquisition. Another
initiative was the creation of the Geneva Association Days which were held on
29 and 30 January for the first time, bringing together CEOs of associations
and non-governmental organisations.
Celebrating acheivements
The Convention Bureau invited its academic, scientific and institutional partners to its
traditional Ambassador Dinner, held at the FER (Fédération des Entreprises Romandes Genève) on 6 February 2025. For the occasion,
three honorary prizes were awarded to figures from the association conference
sector.
- The Recognition Award went to Dr Michel Bader, Professor Nader Perroud, an Professor Kerstin von Plessen for organising the eighth international French language colloquium on ADHD. The conference brought together nearly 1,50 participants at the CICG on 26 and 27 September 2024.
- The Impact Award was presented to Cary Adams, CEO of the Union fo International Cancer Control (UICC), Céline Francina, Head of Congress an Events at the UICC, and Professor Olivier Michielin for the UICC’s World Cance Congress 2024, which was held at the CICG from 16 to 19 September 2024 an drew in more than 2,000 attendees from 122 countries.
- The Honorary Award was presented to Gilles Andrier, CEO of Givaudan, for his support in the World Perfumery Congress 2024, held at Palexpo from 24 to 27 June and bringing together more than 1,600 participants.
