ConferenceBarometer Cologne 2025

The Cologne Conference Barometer 2025 shows: Cologne is holding its own in the competition among MICE destinations. After a slight decline in the number of events held the previous year, event figures are rising again in 2025. For event planners, associations and companies, the latest key data provide a reliable basis for location decisions.

In 2025, a total of 42,920 on-site events with 7.8 million participants were held at 218 venues across Cologne. The venue landscape consists of:

• 18 event centres (VC)
• 54 conference hotels (CH)
• 146 event locations (EL)

Following a decline in event numbers the previous year, Cologne is once again recording growth – both in terms of the number of events and participants. In particular, the number of events held in small and medium-sized conference hotels increased, while other venue categories showed rather declining trends.

Growth in participant numbers is particularly evident in event venues and event centres. Compared to the previous year, these segments recorded an increase of 9.2 percent.

The figures of the 2025 Conference Barometer underline Cologne’s growing international visibility and competitiveness, as well as its successful approach to international target groups. 

Since the end of the pandemic, a positive trend in the share of international guests has been evident. In 2025, this share stands at 5.4 percent. If the trend continues, the pre-pandemic level of 6.5 percent recorded in 2019 could likely be reached again next year.

There have also been shifts in the origin of event organisers: the North and West regions are gaining in importance, while the Cologne region is losing some of its dominance in comparison. The share of international organisers remains largely stable at 7.0 percent (previous year: 7.3 percent).

Among the most important international source markets, the United Kingdom and the United States remain at the top. They are followed – with slight shifts – by Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.

This development underscores Cologne’s position as an internationally connected congress destination with stable transatlantic and European markets.