In a repeat of the past three years, USA and Germany are the number one and two countries respectively measured by the number of international meetings organised in 2007, according to the ICCA rankings that cover meetings organised by international associations which take place on a regular basis and which rotate between a minimum of three countries.

Spain, fifth in 2006, climbs two places to third in 2007, at the cost of the UK and France, which both dropped one place in the ranking to respectively fourth and fifth.

Italy remains sixth and Japan, which was 12th in 2006, leaps to seventh in 2007. Brazil, which was the first Latin American country ever to make the top 10 in 2006, is consolidating its position by taking eighth place in 2007.

Austria and Canada complete the top 10 at respectively ninth and tenth place. Belgium and Finland are both newcomers in the top 20.

Again no surprises at the top of the city rankings as Vienna tops the list, as it did in 2005 and 2006; its first place has even become stronger compared to previous years. Berlin jumps four places to number two and Singapore remains third. Paris and Barcelona are fourth and fifth, and Budapest remains sixth, but is now sharing sixth place with Lisbon.

Beijing is a newcomer in the top 10 and climbs from 13th place in 2006 to eighth in 2007, followed by Amsterdam, which climbs three places to ninth. Madrid, nineteenth in 2006, completes the top 10. Taipei is a remarkable newcomer in the top 20 as it took 40yh place in 2006.

The data represents a "snapshot" of qualifying events in the ICCA Association Database as sampled on 14 April 2008. The full ICCA statistics report for 2007 will be released early June. The 10-year statistics report covering 1998-2007 will be published early July.

This year the ICCA Data researchers have identified over 6,500 events which took place in 2007, a rise of approximately 800 over 2006. Partly this reflects the strength of the market, partly it is thanks to a record number of ICCA members sending in their calendar information to help identify new events.

The ICCA statistics reports will be freely available online to ICCA members. The International Association Meetings Market 2007 will also be sent to over 2,500 association meeting planners all over the world. ICCA encourages associations to use the statistics as a practical way to identify potential new destinations for their events.

The full listing: