Boston & Cambridge have been named the Top Destination in the United States for International Association Meetings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). According to the ICCA report on City and Country Rankings for the International Association Meetings Market, Boston & Cambridge skyrocketed from 9th place in 2005 to 1st in 2006 making it the number one destination for international association meetings in the United States.

This dramatic growth is the result of the Bureau`s partnerships targeting the international association meetings market, said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB). Last year, the GBCVB, to accelerate the growth of the international meetings market, partnered with the Cambridge Office for Tourism in a unique three year dedicated sales & marketing campaign that is clearly paying dividends.

The GBCVB`s overall campaign includes attendance at tradeshows, including IMEX and EIBTM, sales missions, educational trips and a dedicated senior staff member to head up the overall sales & marketing effort.

Investing in the GBCVB`s international sales & marketing programs affords us an outreach that we could not obtain on our own. This top ranking for Boston & Cambridge confirms that the partnership has worked well for both parties, said Robyn Bell, Executive Director, Cambridge Office for Tourism.

In order for ICCA to include an international association meeting in their analysis, specific criteria must be met, such as: the congresses must be held regularly, rotate among at least three different countries and have at least 50 participants.

The GBCVB, Cambridge Office for Tourism and our members have all worked as a team to bring international meetings to Boston & Cambridge, and this #1 ranking demonstrates our success, said Stephanie Pappas, Director of International Meetings & Sports Business Development at the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.