Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, sits at the centre of three continents, within a five-hour flight time of half the world’s population. The city’s Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) is a world-class facility, within easy reach of the international airport and surrounded by superb hotels, including six on the ADNEC site. Additional venues include the Al Ain Convention Centre in the historic 'Oasis City' and a variety of smaller venues, including Manarat Al Saadiyat. Luxury hotels such as Emirates Palace and Jumeirah at Etihad Towers - to name just two of many - offer world-class event venues in their own right. While leisure facilities like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and the Yas Marina Circuit - home to the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - provide bespoke solutions for event planners looking for a more eye-catching or unusual setting for events.

Gateway to the Grand Ouest in the Loire Valley, ideally located less than 90 minutes from Paris, Angers will seduce you by the quality of its welcome and the city’s attractive lifestyle. In Angers, everything can be done on foot, backed by an extensive public transport system – assets that make trips to Angers simple and easy. In the forefront of the horticulture sector with a world-class cluster for vegetal innovation, Végépolys, Angers is also distinguished in terms of health and digital with a label ‘French Tech’ for its IoT ecosystem. In 2019, its new, re-designed convention centre will open, offering 18 state-of-the-art meeting rooms for conferences of up to 1,240 delegates, 5,000m2 of reception and exhibition space and a new terrace with a breathtaking panoramic view of a botanical garden. A unique setting of greenery bathed in natural daylight. Photo credit: Ville d’Angers

European Capital of Innovation 2018 and UNESCO’s World Book Capital City, Athens, birthplace of democracy and homeland of ancient civilisation, is today a contemporary metropolis. Iconic buildings, state-of-the-art infrastructure, excellent conference facilities & designer hotels, establish Athens as an ideal congress destination. The making of a new economy has created new opportunities for investment on markets like energy, IT, medical sciences, tourism, agriculture and logistics. Athens offers 300 days a year, sunny skies. The Athens Riviera and the Port of Piraeus are just 20 mins from the city centre. Beyond the Acropolis and awe-inspiring antiquities, visitors can walk from neighbourhood squares to outdoor cinemas and from open-air markets to rooftop bars. Life is lived outside in this vibrant, ancient, intriguing European Capital. Athens is world famous for its cuisine and its legendary nightlife.

The central location in the heart of Europe where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, first-class transport connections and the largest congress centre in Switzerland make Basel an important meeting city in Europe. The city’s Old Town dating back to the 13th century is one of the best-preserved in Europe. This historical setting is harmoniously contrasted by a series of contemporary buildings designed by internationally acclaimed architects such as Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano and Herzog & de Meuron. With its numerous top class museums, the city is rightly referred to as the cultural capital of Switzerland. The Congress Center Basel, Switzerland’s largest congress centre by surface area is located in the city centre and offers 25 conference rooms for up to 5,000 delegates.

Between vineyard and ocean, Bordeaux is the gateway to the South West and the epitome of the sweetness of life. A jewel of 18th architecture, the city has established itself as a prime destination for congresses & meetings. Cannelés, oysters, caviar... our specialties make Bordeaux a true symbol of the French way of life. Bordeaux is also the breeding ground for a trendy alternative culture that jostles and reinvents the 'Port of the Moon', the nickname comes from the shape that takes the river Garonne flowing through the city. Ambitious urban projects inspire architects & designers awakening the so-called 'sleeping beauty'. To the North, the Bassins à flot are bringing life back to the old docks. To the South, Bordeaux Euratlantique is becoming an economic heart of the city. It has attracted major companies' headquarters and complements our tech start-ups, industries and innovative research laboratories.

Calgary, Canada, is a boutique-size destination with big-city energy. Recognised globally for volunteerism, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride, Calgarians are the ultimate hosts. Along with their famous hospitality, visitors enjoy uncompromised convenience in a vibrant meeting at the doorstep of the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. As an attendee, you will have plenty to see and do, whether it's taking part in one of the 700-plus annual cultural events, experiencing the tastes at more than 6,000 restaurants, shopping at hundreds of unique retail shops, enjoying the city's arts and entertainment scene or exploring urban parks and river pathways.

Dubai’s strategic location between East and West makes it the perfect place for a meeting of global delegates. With a strong history and culture forged by its roots as an age-old trading entrepôt, Dubai today is a global knowledge and business hub from where one-third of the world’s population is within a four-hour flight and two-thirds are within an eight-hour flight. Where tradition meets ambition and renowned for its futuristic architecture, this visionary city has made it its mission to become ‘the world’s most visited city’.

Hong Kong is an international and cosmopolitan city, known for its business-friendly environment, rule of law, free trade and free flow of information. With well-established and comprehensive financial networks, world-class transport and communications infrastructure, Hong Kong benefits from high connectivity to match the pace and energy of the city. The city is home to a flexible labour market with a well-educated and highly motivated workforce, and a pool of energetic entrepreneurs. Hong Kong is proudly considered one of the safest cities in the world. Hong Kong’s position, at the south-eastern tip of China and in the heart of the rapidly developing East Asia, gives it economic and strategic importance out of proportion to its size. The territory comprises Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and about 260 outlying islands.

HELLO LILLE, your next destination! The French touch at the crossroads of three major European capital cities: Brussels, Paris and London. Lille, capital of the Hauts-de-France region, is proud of its festive traditions and its gastronomy. Flemish, Burgundian and then Spanish before finally becoming French, Lille has an outstanding architectural wealth. A trading city since medieval times, a citadel under Louis XIV, a hive of industry during the 19th century and a city of ambition during the 20th century, Lille offers a blend of faces of the past and of the future.

Lisboa is a historic capital, an amalgam of 800 years of cultural influences that mingle with modern trends and life style creating intricate and spectacular contrasts. One will discover a major cultural centre blessed with mild,sunny climate, a fascinating melting pot where historic influences such as the rich maritime past are interlaced with modernity . Spread across seven hills always opening a window towards the majestic Tagus River. Richly captivating, Lisboa invites you!

Nantes Saint-Nazaire is distinguished by its creativity, originality, dynamism and thriving cultural scene. Nantes and Saint-Nazaire offer a wide variety of outstanding attractions and venues showcasing local heritage, contemporary architecture, with quirky or design-inspired features that will boost the appeal of all professional and sporting events. The world-famous Machines de l'Ile (the giant Elephant, the Marine Worlds Carousel - Thea Award 2014 for the world's most original attraction) are a reflection of Nantes' distinctive creativity. They also reflect the ability of Nantes Saint-Nazaire to make things happen in a city that takes a bold approach to innovation and creativity.

Nice’s history was built on sharing, welcoming and inspiration and the city is nowadays one of the major destinations for the international tourist industry. Nice is also becoming an innovative, relevant, contemporary, avant-garde city with its eyes on the future. More open to the world through its airport - the second largest in France - it bubbles with energy and creativity. It is also home to cutting-edge medical research with the University Hospital of Nice (CHU) and Pasteur 2, bringing together a hospital, a research centre and a university campus – with a huge auditorium to round off the meeting facilities. Finally, Nice is a city dedicated to sustainability through the development of an ecological transport network – dedicated buses and new generation trams – and ongoing projects like the Eco-Valley with a future 75,000 sqm exhibition and congress centre.

As one of the major tourist capitals in the world, Rome - and the surrounding region of Latium - is also a top meetings destination. Business tourism comprises more than 20% of tourist numbers in Italy - and Rome is an ideal arrival hub in Europe (Leonardo Da Vinci Airport), with an integrated hospitality industry. But above all, it is a unique meetings destination. In Rome, there are more than 220 museums and 15 UNESCO sites. And many historical settings: Ancient Rome with the Coliseum; the Fori; Saint Peter and the Sistine Chapel; baroque churches with paintings by Caravaggio and Raffaello. But it's also a modern city - blue, clear skies and a peaceful way of living is the perfect Rome backdrop.

• 4th Best City in the World to Experience Culture by Foreign Policy’s Global Cities Index • 2nd largest financial centre in North America and 7th in the world by The Banker Magazine • University of Toronto ranked 1st in Canada in clinical and pre-clinical medicine • MaRS is the world’s largest urban innovation hub, with 1.5 million square feet dedicated to supporting multidisciplinary discoveries in AI and Healthcare