UK, Spain, Germany, France, Ireland, and more Celebrated as Europe’s Leading Cities and Hotels for Business Events in Cvent’s 2025 Listings: What You Need To Know

Published on May 21, 2025

Europe’s premier destinations for business events have earned top honors in Cvent’s 2025 rankings, reflecting a surge in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activity across the continent. UK, Spain, Germany, France, Ireland, and other key markets have been recognized for their exceptional hospitality infrastructure, responsiveness to planner needs, and ability to host high-impact meetings. Cities like London, Barcelona, and Madrid continue to dominate due to their global connectivity and venue diversity, while emerging hubs such as Dublin and Prague are rising fast thanks to increased international appeal and specialized event offerings. The rankings, based on over $18 billion in sourced business through the Cvent Supplier Network, underscore Europe’s enduring strength and adaptability in the competitive global events industry.

The European business travel and events industry is soaring in 2025, propelled by an unprecedented surge in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activity. According to a new report released by global event technology provider Cvent, Europe’s top meeting destinations and hotels have not only maintained their leadership positions but are also experiencing a robust resurgence in demand, driven by the ongoing prioritization of face-to-face engagement.

Cvent’s highly anticipated 2025 rankings of the Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels in Europe are based on a record $18 billion in global MICE sourcing activity, including $16.5 Over a billion dollars in business was facilitated via the Cvent Supplier Network, which stands among the most expansive and widely used venue sourcing systems globally. Despite global economic uncertainties, rising travel costs, and shifting planner sentiments, European destinations remain essential hubs for international events, conferences, and business travel.

Rising Confidence in In-Person Meetings Fuels Growth

Planners across the continent are reaffirming their commitment to in-person events. Based on insights from Cvent’s 2025 Europe Planner Sourcing Report, close to 60% of event organizers anticipate a rise in in-person meetings throughout the year. This aligns with industry data indicating that 82% of planners are incorporating in-person elements into their events, signaling sustained momentum in the sector.

This upward trend is attributed to the irreplaceable value of direct human interaction, particularly in an environment where corporate decision-makers and stakeholders seek stronger collaboration, networking, and engagement opportunities.

Cvent’s Top 10 Meeting Destinations in Europe for 2025

The leading cities on the continent remain steadfast, with London, Barcelona, and Madrid retaining their top three positions thanks to their superior infrastructure, global connectivity, and appeal to international planners. New entries to the top 10 this year—Prague and Dublin—highlight a shift in attention toward emerging destinations with competitive offerings for mid-sized and specialized conferences.

Top 10 European Cities for Meetings in 2025:

1. London, UK
   As the region’s top-ranking destination, London’s accessibility, venue diversity, and international reputation continue to place it at the forefront of global events.
2. Barcelona, Spain
   Barcelona remains a preferred destination thanks to its Mediterranean climate, cultural richness, and robust conference infrastructure.
3. Madrid, Spain
   Madrid’s central location, extensive hospitality services, and high-volume events calendar solidify its third-place spot.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
   Climbing two spots this year, Amsterdam benefits from world-class venues, digital innovation, and strong sustainability credentials.
5. Lisbon, Portugal
   A popular location for international tech and innovation conferences, Lisbon offers competitive pricing and scenic appeal.
6. Paris, France
   With continued investment in infrastructure and a steady flow of global events, Paris rose one position, reinforcing its iconic status.
7. Berlin, Germany
   Berlin’s blend of modern meeting spaces and cultural attractions maintains its presence in the top tier of European destinations.
8. Rome, Italy
   Rome combines historic charm with modern event facilities, making it a continued favorite for corporate and association meetings.
9. Prague, Czech Republic
   A rising star, Prague enters the top 10 for the first time due to increased demand for cost-effective, mid-sized conference destinations.
10. Dublin, Ireland
    Dublin’s growth is fueled by international association meetings and tech summits, such as the Dublin Tech Summit, which draws thousands annually.

New Evaluation Standards Reshape Rankings as Europe’s Premier Meeting Hotels Emerge in 2025 Spotlight

Cvent’s hotel rankings in 2025 reflect updated evaluation criteria that include year-over-year RFP growth and average RFP response times. These adjustments prioritize not just popularity, but also responsiveness and adaptability—key metrics for event planners seeking efficient, flexible partners.

As a result of the updated methodology, all top 10 meeting hotels in this year’s ranking are newcomers, underlining the dynamic and competitive nature of Europe’s hospitality market.

Top 10 Meeting Hotels in Europe for 2025:

1. Imperial Riding School, Autograph Collection
   Vienna’s standout hotel takes the top spot with high RFP volume and quick response times.
2. Torre Melina, a Gran Meliá Hotel & Catalunya Congress Centre
   A premier destination within Barcelona’s meetings landscape, this venue delivers upscale conference amenities tailored for high-profile business gatherings.
3. Prague Marriott Hotel
   A preferred choice in Central Europe, catering to growing demand in the Czech capital.
4. Renaissance Barcelona Fira Hotel
   Known for its architectural elegance and modern MICE capabilities.
5. Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection
   A strong performer in Eastern Europe with high conversion rates and planner satisfaction.
6. InterContinental Barcelona, an IHG Hotel
   A luxury destination for high-end international meetings and incentives.
7. The College Green Hotel Dublin, Autograph Collection
   One of Dublin’s premier properties for association and corporate events.
8. Hotel Berlin, Berlin, a member of Radisson Individuals
   Showcasing Berlin’s MICE potential with versatile event spaces.
9. Anantara The Marker Dublin
   Delivers a distinctive combination of upscale comfort and professional event capabilities in the heart of Ireland’s capital city.
10. Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower
    A trusted venue for both international conventions and upscale private meetings.

How the Rankings Are Determined

The selection of destinations and hotels is rooted in detailed data analysis. For cities, Cvent analyzed more than 14,000 destinations listed on its Supplier Network, tracking metrics from January through December 2024. Factors included the number of room nights booked, RFP volume, total and awarded value of proposals, and venue engagement rates.

Hotel rankings were based on properties’ performance through the Cvent Supplier Network over the same timeframe. Metrics included total and awarded RFPs, room night figures, market share within metropolitan regions, conversion rates, year-over-year RFP growth, and response speed.

This rigorous methodology ensures a holistic view of venue appeal and performance, offering event professionals a transparent, data-backed guide for sourcing top-tier venues.

The Role of the Cvent Supplier Network

At the heart of these rankings is the Cvent Supplier Network, which now features more than 340,000 hotels, resorts, and event spaces globally. It serves as one of the largest and most accurate repositories of venue data for planners worldwide. In 2024 alone, this platform facilitated $18 billion worth of MICE sourcing activity.

Event professionals rely on this network not just to identify top properties, but also to streamline RFPs, compare services, and make faster, data-driven decisions. The Supplier Network integrates seamlessly into Cvent’s broader suite of solutions, empowering destinations, venues, and convention bureaus to improve visibility and capture more high-value events.

Regional Growth Reflected Across Europe

This year’s rankings also coincide with broader regional trends. Cities like Prague and Dublin illustrate the diversification of MICE demand beyond traditional powerhouses. Eastern and Central European destinations are becoming key players due to affordability, infrastructure upgrades, and increased air connectivity.

Meanwhile, well-established destinations like London, Barcelona, and Paris continue to dominate thanks to their consistent investment in the meetings economy and unmatched global appeal. From tech summits and association congresses to incentive travel and hybrid conferences, the European event landscape is more vibrant and diverse than ever.

As global economic conditions continue to evolve, the European MICE industry is likely to see even more technological integration, with AI-powered sourcing tools, immersive hybrid event platforms, and sustainability benchmarks becoming standard. Event destinations and hotels that remain agile, responsive, and planner-focused are best positioned to rise in future Cvent rankings.

Cvent’s 2025 rankings spotlight the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Ireland, and more as Europe’s top business event destinations due to their strong venue performance, rising MICE demand, and global appeal. Backed by over $18 billion in sourcing activity, these cities and hotels lead the continent in hosting high-impact, in-person events.

The 2025 Cvent Top Lists not only provide a snapshot of current performance but also reflect the broader transformation and resilience of the events ecosystem in Europe.

Cvent’s 2025 Top Meeting Destinations and Hotels reveal a European MICE industry in full resurgence, powered by growing confidence in in-person experiences and strengthened by data-driven sourcing decisions. Led by powerhouse cities like London, Barcelona, and Madrid, and fueled by the rising prominence of Prague and Dublin, Europe’s business events landscape is experiencing dynamic and widespread growth. As competition intensifies and expectations rise, only those destinations and properties that prioritize speed, value, and innovation will continue to lead the field.