Conferences are great for learning the latest about your trade and meeting like-minded professionals. They also boost the economy of the hosting city. Not all international locations, however, are appealing or equipped to accommodate the influx of visitors. When planning your conference schedule, consider chartering a flight to these top locations to make the most of your time as you network, learn, and do business.
Paris, France
Regularly voted as one of the most charismatic and coveted locations to hold conferences, Paris has first-class professional infrastructures in place accented by a unique setting that combines culture, history, and modernity. With more than 1,000 venues, the city has an abundance of locations for professionals to gather. Palais de Congres de Paris is the elegant city’s leading international venue. Greco-Roman style Palais Brongniart near the Louvre was once the home of the French Stock Exchange.
Singapore
An international meeting destination, Singapore is home to the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which completed renovations in 2015. The venue converted two levels for retail use and added advanced LED lighting in the fourth-floor ceiling that allows clients to add messages, graphics, and logos. The Singapore Expo Max Atria was the first MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) venue to earn the Green Mark Platinum status from the Building and Construction Authority.
London, England
After the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, London continued to make investments in green transportation, new venues, and quality accommodations to create inspirational events and facilitate touring the area’s rich living history alongside its modern buildings and attractions. The improvements were such a hit that international business visits rose by 34 percent from 2012 to 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey. Popular venues include the May Fair Hotel and Middle Temple Hall. One of the oldest venues is Banqueting House. It was built in 1622 and is the last remnant of the Palace of Whitehall.
Tokyo, Japan
As it prepares to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tokyo’s offerings are expected to be grander than ever. Its diverse convention venues cater to conferences of all sizes. Tokyo also has more Michelin-star restaurants than any other city on the planet. The combination of time-honored traditions and modern conveniences make Tokyo a compelling conference destination. In the center of the city sits the largest international conference venue, Tokyo International Forum, which features a 53,819-square-foot exhibition hall, a 5,012-seat theater, and six halls with interpretation systems. The landmark Tokyo Big Sight has an exhibition space measuring 868,217 square feet. Happo-en in a 400-year-old garden provides space for up to 800 guests. The up and coming Hoshinoya Tokyo hotel, which opened in 2016, is becoming a refined conference hotspot.
Istanbul, Turkey
Bridging Europe and Asia, Istanbul was the capital of ancient empires. Today, it continues to serve as an international meeting center with more than 200 upscale hotels, seven convention centers, and three exhibition halls. The city boasts flexibility and technologically-modern facilities intermingled with an energetic culture. You’ll find cutting-edge auditoriums and meeting rooms at the Haliç Congress Center and Istanbul Congress Center. The Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre features 81,900 square feet of exhibition space. The Hilton Bomonti International Hotel & Congress Center, which opened in 2013, has more than 128,000 square feet of meeting space and is located next to the Bomonti Beer Factory.