Grazer Congress has picked up the 2005 International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) “Best Marketing Award” for its overall marketing concept.

Of the four finalists, it was Grazer Congress’ entry that both the jury and delegates at this year’s ICCA General Assembly and Congress in Montevideo found most convincing.

Accepting the award, Grazer Congress CEO Nikolaus Breisach said, “This award from the world’s leading conference industry organisation is the ultimate acknowledgement of our work over the past 25 years.”

He added: “The judging by our international peers and the jury focused on creativity, market orientation, effective implementation and return on investment. Conferring the award on Grazer Congress is recognition of our reliance on creative marketing to achieve the optimum results on low budgets.”

Grazer Congress was up against three other finalists — the ExCel Exhibition & Conference Centre London, one of the world’s largest exhibition venues, Bravo Group, Ireland’s leading PCO, and the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions.

Presentations on the entries were given before the 500 ICCA Congress delegates and numerous representatives of the international trade press.

Grazer Congress’ clear focus on its USPs, historical setting, city-centre location, and ultramodern conference equipment and services in a marketing and PR concept embracing contemporary art and literature, coupled with the unique positioning of the destination and the proven business success, tipped the balance with both the jury and delegates.