GainingEdge launched the Destination Competitive Index in 2018, an innovative benchmarking tool that ranks cities based on their competitive strength to attract international conferences. Our Index starts with ICCA’s list of top 100 destinations (based on results of the last three years) and then we take into consideration the key factors meeting organizers look for when selecting a host destination and evaluates these factors in relation to their relative significance. A total of 101 destinations were selected for inclusion in the Competitive Index this year. There are destinations not included in our Index that have a strong meeting product, but have few international meetings. In contrast, certain destinations may have a relatively weaker meeting product but are very active in the international meetings market and so are included.