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 with the quality of its welcome and the city’s attractive lifestyle. In Angers, everything can be reached 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 recognised in health and digital with the label ‘French Tech’ for its IoT ecosystem. In 2019, its new, re-designed convention centre opened with 18 state-of-the-art meeting rooms for up to 1,240 delegates, 5,000 sqm of reception and exhibition space and a new terrace with breathtaking views of the 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.

Bordeaux is a cosmopolitan metropolis and a thriving centre of innovation at the heart of South-West France. The city is a buzzing hive of interaction and creativity, as well as an emblematic capital of the French art of living, with its UNESCO-listed architectural heritage and world-famous gastronomy. It is also a thriving young city teeming with art and alternative culture, set in a splendid natural environment it is striving to protect. Bordeaux is a bustling centre of cutting-edge start-ups and high-tech industry, attracting an ever-growing number of event organisers. It is a key platform for economic, industrial and scientific exchange, driven by no fewer than 11 competitiveness clusters and 60 sectors of excellence of international renown. As France’s 3rd most prolific creator of digital businesses, Bordeaux is a life-size laboratory for innovation, exchange and collaboration.

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.

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.

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Borneo and the economic epicentre of the State with a population of 700,000 residents. The city's rapidly growing business landscape is beautifully nestled among fine colonial-style architecture and a stunning waterfront. Kuching is a city whereby traditions blend seamlessly with the modern lifestyle.

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 lifestyles creating intricate and spectacular contrasts. Visitors will discover a major cultural centre blessed with a mild, sunny climate, a fascinating melting pot where historic influences such as its rich maritime past are interlaced with modernity. Spread across seven hills, the city boasts glorious views across the majestic Tagus River. With stylish hotels and well-equipped convention centres, it is just a 1-3 hour flight from most European cities and 5-8 hours from North America. Served by major airlines from more than 50 destinations, it offers quick and easy access into the city from the airport. Richly captivating, Lisboa invites you!

Miri, dubbed as Sarawak's resort city, is the second largest city in Sarawak located along the coastline of the South China Sea with a population of 360,000. Miri is the birthplace of Malaysia’s oil and gas industry yet is as strong in the timber, oil palm and tourism industry making it a booming business city. You’ll be amazed by its energetic nightlife; the famous Marina Bay comes to life at night with food stalls and trishaw adventures, while Marina Parkcity is a haven for after-hours fun.

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.

Porto is one of the oldest cities in Portugal and is very picturesque. It is a unique experience to stroll through its streets and feel the pulse of the city. Take the tram to the mouth of the river Douro and get to know the excellent beaches and the outdoor cafés, visit glorious churches and monuments and discover the non-conformist modernism of the new contemporary buildings by architects such as Siza Vieira, Souto Moura or Rem Koolhaas.

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.

Sibu is located at the central region of Sarawak and is the central gateway to the state. Being a port city, the majority of the commercial trading happens in Sibu across the mighty Rejang river at 1,600 kilometres wide. With a population of 163,000 residents, community values are important here. Historical sites, museums and landmarks are well-preserved; a reflection of how significant the past is to the people’s progress today. Core sectors of Sibu are shipping and shipbuilding, oil palm and engineering.

Cosmopolitan, international with a rich centuries-old history, Strasbourg, the European capital is located close to the German border and is a gateway to Germany (direct tram line in 20 minutes), Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The city has a historic centre listed to UNESCO and is developing new districts towards the Rhine River with bold architecture. A driving force for innovation: Strasbourg’s 4 competitiveness clusters nurture and structure innovative projects in the region. They assist businesses in bringing their new products, services and procedures from the research project stage to the marketplace, thus helping the businesses develop and grow. In Alsace, gastronomy is an integral part of culture, nourished by traditions that are enthusiastically renewed by great and talented chefs and a plethora of restaurateurs.

• 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