For the very first time Germany is among the Top 10 of the Country Brand Index, and number 9 among 102 rated countries. "An excellent result," says a happy Lutz P. Vogt, Managing Director of the GCB German Convention Bureau, "which also confirms the performance of the German meetings and conventions industry. Germany ranks top exactly in the categories that are important for meetings and events: number one world-wide in the 'Ease of Travel' category plus number one in 'Standard of Living' - with a good business climate, high per-capita GDP and cutting-edge infrastructure playing a major role."

With 16 international and 14 regional airports seamlessly interlinked with a 40,000 kilometres of railway network and 11,000 kilometres of motorways, Germany offers excellent travel connections throughout. In addition, Germany ranks second in several categories such as 'Safety', 'Environmental Awareness' and 'Political Freedom'.

For the fifth time running the US-based FutureBrand company and Weber Shandwick agency have issued the Country Brand Index (CBI), for which they interviewed almost 3,000 frequent travellers from nine countries and over 30 experts on 26 categories. For more details on the study visit www.futurebrand.com

As the Top Country Brand, the USA has made it to number one in 2009 for the first time - ahead of Canada and the 2008 number one Australia. "Germany's number 9 position naturally means a further motivation boost for our local meeting and convention industry," says Lutz P. Vogt. "Now we want to help Germany move even further ahead among the Top 10."

Ranking also confirms the results of this year's Meeting- & EventBarometer.

Fast reachability is the most significant criterion by far for the choice of a meeting and convention destination. Together with hotel capacities and image this is the most important locational factor. This means a great overlap between the total brand value of a country and its importance as a location for meetings and conventions. In this category Germany has been number one in Europe for several years.

These are the central results of the Meeting & Event Barometer 2009. Published by the Frankfurt-based major institutions German Convention Bureau (GCB), the European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) and German National Tourist Board (GNTB), the survey corroborates the results of the Country Brand Index.

The GCB German Convention Bureau e.V.  markets Germany as a destination for conventions, meetings, events and incentives both on a national and international level, and is the place to contact for anybody planning an event in Germany.

Its 257 members include leading hotels, convention centres and destinations, car hire firms, event agencies and service providers of the German meetings and conventions industry. Maritim Hotels and Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH and darmstadtium science and convention centre are Preferred Partners of the GCB. As Strategic Partners, Deutsche Lufthansa, Deutsche Bahn and the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) support the work of the GCB

The GCB is an interface between organisers of meetings and conventions and suppliers of the German meetings market, offers advice and support for planning and organising events, and provides contacts and addresses. Its website www.germany-meetings.com features an online search facility for meeting venues, newsletter, Germany guide, news blog, CO2 Calculator and a lot more.