Berlin, 20 May 2011 Record Congress Year 2010, new large-scale airport BBI and funk music made in Berlin – this is how Berlin will be highlighted at IMEX, the world's most important exhibition for meetings and incentives from 24 to 26 May. The Berlin Convention Office of visitBerlin presents the capital together with 18 providers in Hall 8/stand number F100.

A look at the congress numbers of the past years underlines the growing success of the German metropolis: 9.1 million professional visitors came to Berlin in 2010 – a plus of 10%. 113,100 events took place, 4% more than in 2009. In the current ICCA statistics the German capital ranks fourth with 138 events of international associations.

In future, the German metropolis can build on these successes because many organisers have decided in favour of Berlin as the venue for their meetings and conventions. From 1 to 5 October 2011 the 24th ESICM LIVES Annual Congress will take place at ICC Berlin. 4,000 participants will attend this medicine congress.

The German Congress for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery with around 9,000 professional visitors will continue to be held in the German capital during the coming years. It will be staged from 23 to 26 October 2012 at ICC Berlin and from 22 to 25 October 2013 for the first time on the southern fairgrounds of Messe Berlin. An overview of all meetings and conventions in Berlin is offered by the section "Congresses & Trade Fairs" on www.convention.visitBerlin.de.

Another positive driver for the future development of Berlin as a meeting and convention venue is the large-scale airport BBI. It will open in June 2012. Its relevance for the metropolis will be presented to the visitors at IMEX. "Rupert's Kitchen Orchestra" will provide the musical highlights. It thrilled already the guests at this year's Berlinale. Now the musicians travel to IMEX in Frankfurt and will perform there "Funk made in Berlin“at the stand of the German capital.

More information on the exhibition appearance of Berlin are available at www.imex.visitBerlin.de.

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