Cvent has named London Europe’s top meeting destination for the fourth consecutive year, according to its latest annual rankings based on sourcing activity across its meetings and events platforms.
The rankings, unveiled at IMEX Frankfurt, place Barcelona second and Madrid third, with Lisbon and Paris completing the top five. Munich and Vienna were the biggest risers in the top 10, climbing to ninth and 10th respectively as both cities continue to grow their international congress and corporate events business.
The rankings are based on more than $20bn (£15bn) of global MICE sourcing and RFP activity processed through Cvent’s platforms during 2025.
London convention bureau head Fiona Plumpton said the city’s mix of venues, hotel stock and newer event districts such as Stratford and King’s Cross had helped maintain its position. Barcelona and Madrid also retained their rankings from last year, underlining the continued strength of the southern European meetings market.
Cvent’s hotel rankings reflected a similar trend. Madrid’s Meliá Avenida América took the top spot, ahead of Hilton London Metropole and W Barcelona. Lisbon hotels accounted for three of the top 10 positions.
W Barcelona climbed 10 places year-on-year to third. Its general manager, Peter Schickling, said the rise reflected growing demand for “distinctive experiences” from international planners.
Graham Pope, vice-president of international at Cvent, said group sourcing activity through the company’s platforms exceeded $20bn globally in 2025, as organisations continue to increase spending on in-person events despite wider economic uncertainty.
The company cited internal research suggesting 70% of planners expect face-to-face meetings volumes to rise by up to 20% in 2026.
Separately, Cvent-owned Venue Directory published its UK venue rankings, with Birmingham venues performing strongly. Macdonald Burlington Hotel took first place, followed by Novotel Birmingham Centre and The Eastside Rooms.
Only one London property, The Clermont Charing Cross appeared in the top five, reflecting continued demand for regional UK venues offering lower costs and strong rail connections.
Jason Gutteridge, director of sales and operations at Venue Directory, said Birmingham, Manchester and Yorkshire had all performed strongly in this year’s rankings as planners increasingly prioritise value, transport links and response times from venues.
Cvent evaluated more than 14,000 cities worldwide for the destination rankings and said a hotel’s response and bid rates were weighted more heavily in this year’s methodology, reflecting growing pressure on venues to respond quickly to enquiries.