The ICCA Best Marketing Award, established in 1997, recognises the excellence and outstanding achievements of organisations in their effort to market their destination or product. Entries can range from full-scale campaigns and branding exercises to individual promotions and events. The ICCA Best Marketing Award is open to all ICCA members, regardless of their sector.

Finalists present on Tuesday at the ICCA Congress and the winner is chosen by judges and delegates on a 50:50 basis. The winner is announced at the Closing session of the Congress (Wednesday). Submission components consist of: innovation and creativity, research and rationale, return on investment, success in meeting the objectives, and communication.

Past Winners:
2024 VisitOSLO
2023 Tourism New Zealand
2022 ICCA Wales
2021 Hybrid City Alliance
2020 KINTEX, South Korea; Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre; Seoul Tourism Organization; THE INDIAN HOTELS COMPANY LIMITED; VISITFLANDERS Convention Bureau
2019 Estonian Convention Bureau
2018 VisitScotland
2017 Flanders Meeting and Convention Center Antwerp
2016 London & Partners
2015 Halifax Convention Centre
2014 Monaco Convention Bureau
2013 Gdansk Convention Bureau, Poland
2012 Bureau of Foreign Trade Ministry of Economic Affairs, Chinese Taipei
2011 Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, U.K.
2010 Iceland Convention and Incentive Bureau, Iceland
2009 Norway Convention Bureau, Norway
2008 Sarawak Convention Bureau, Malaysia
2007 Promo Leader Service, Italy
2006 Glasgow City Marketing Bureau Ltd., U.K.
2005 Grazer Congress, Austria
2004 Perth Convention Bureau, Australia
2003 Kursaal Centre, Spain
2002 Ovation Group, Ireland
2001 Perth Convention Bureau, Australia
2000 Palais des Congres de Montreal, Canada
1999 Edinburgh International Conference Centre, U.K.
1998 International Convention Centre Durban, South Africa
1997 Boston, America's Walking City, U.S.A.

For the finalists

• A free registration (1 person per company) to come to the ICCA Congress the following year
• Acknowledgement on the ICCA Website
• Acknowledgement in Members Update Online

• A complimentary full page advertisement in the ICCA Membership Directory, worth approx. EUR 2,795.
• A complimentary 9sqm stand (shell scheme with one furniture package or space only) at The Meetings Show, worth approx. £7,794.
• A personalised award to display in their office.
• A personalised logo to use on their website, emails or promotional literature.
• Acknowledgement on the ICCA Website.
• Acknowledgement in Members Update Online.

Should a competing show win the Best Marketing Award, ICCA will offer an alternative prize.

If you have any questions about the Best Marketing Award, please contact Mieke van Loenen, mieke.l@iccaworld.org.

The competition is open to all ICCA Members (individual ICCA members, or groups of ICCA members working together). Members may submit any marketing campaign or project which is related to the international meetings market, which demonstrates excellence in marketing, and which was undertaken at least partially during the 18 months prior to the Congress at which the BMA entry will be presented.

Entries should be submitted in digital format, no more than 12 pages in length. Links to videos must be included in the digital format. No printed materials are required. The entry must cover the following:

- What were the marketing challenges being addressed?
- What is innovative and creative about the campaign/project; what lessons can other ICCA members learn from your ideas?
- How was the campaign/project undertaken - demonstrate the professionalism involved by setting out all the key steps.
- Set out detailed objectives/targets and explain how well these were met, covering both financial and non-financial issues.
- All submissions must be received by ICCA Head Office by 4 September 2020.

You can send your submission to Mieke van Loenen, Director Events: mieke.l@iccaworld.org

Examples of marketing that can be submitted:

- Innovative marketing to boost attendance or sponsorship for individual events (either established or brand new).
- Integrated marketing campaign covering all areas of the marketing mix by a venue or meetings management company.
- Rebranding of a city or country destination.
- Successful collaborative promotional event by a consortium of ICCA members.
- Tactical marketing campaign to overcome a negative business environment.
- Creative use of limited marketing budget to generate excellent return on investment.
- Launch campaign of a new meetings industry product or service.

BMA Presentations

- Announcements of finalists: End of September 2020
- Best Marketing Award 2020 Plenary Session - finalists' presentations: Tuesday 3 November 2020 at the ICCA Congress in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei.
- Announcement of the winner and BMA 20120 Award giving: Wednesday 4 November 2020, during the Closing Ceremony.

Submissions from past winners

To view the entries from past Best Marketing Award winners, please click on the Finalists tab.

The following elements will be looked at when determining the finalists:

• Creativity and innovation
• Quality of execution/professionalism in how the marketing was carried out
• Achievement of ambitious, clearly defined targets and objectives
• Return on Investment
• Quality and effectiveness of communication

The same elements will be used for determining the winner. Both the judges and audience will be voting on each entry, with the balance of the votes split 50-50 between the audience and judging panel.

Please find below ICCA Best Marketing Award press releases: