Hosting the Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting and General Assembly are held in January each year.
AC Forum holds its Annual Meeting in January each year, a 2½-day conference which focuses on developments in association management and congress organisation. Contemporary topics and debates are supplemented with case studies to share experiences and innovations. External experts may be invited to contribute on specialist topics. A showcase for a carefully curated selection of exhibitors is an integral part of the event.
The Annual Meeting is hosted by a different European city each year. The preferred host city for an Annual Meeting is selected from the bids received by the AC Forum Board.
Benefits of Hosting
Hosting the AC Forum Annual Meeting provides a unique opportunity for a destination to showcase the city to association events decision-makers. It demonstrates the depth of commitment by the city to associations and their meetings, the importance the city places on association events, and the value events represent to the city for tourism and the economy.
The selection of a destination is a mark of AC Forum’s endorsement of the city. Hosting the event is an indicator of how your brand is trusted and valued. When a strong partner like AC Forum trusts your city for such an important event, it carries great weight with both its members and to the wider events industry.
A host city has an unparalleled opportunity to acquaint the many member associations with the city and to share innovations and new developments. Participants get an insider’s understanding of the city and its event infrastructure. They have the chance to have the lived experience of an event in the city – the best promotional tool there is. Put simply, cities that present themselves well for a well-organised and engaging Annual Meeting are very likely to get future meeting bookings as a result of hosting the event.
Hosting the AC Forum Annual Meeting is a big commitment but also an excellent opportunity. The host city can maximise the occasion to capture the interest and imagination of decision-makers in leading associations. The exposure presents real value for money – the impact from hosting the AC Forum Annual Meeting outweighs other promotional activities that have significantly less direct effect.
Create a buzz around your city and build tangible connections!
We are looking for our host city for 2027!
An application letter accompanied by a detailed proposal outlining the prospective host city’s offer, and covering the essential elements outlined in the RFP, must be submitted by the Convention Bureau, or similar institution of the potential host city before the deadline (1 October 2025).
Due to the interest in hosting the 2027 Annual Meeting, the Board may select the destination for the 2028 meeting at the same time. As the requirements will be similar, one bid would suffice for both years, if the city is interested in this option.
We are conscious of the resources involved in preparing a bid, so this would also save a city from having to repeat the exercise the following year if they wished to bid again.
We would love to chat with you!
Interested destinations are encouraged to get in contact with AC Forum to discuss the event, our requirements and the benefits of hosting. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and we do encourage prospective hosts to stay connected with us as they prepare their bids.
Upcoming Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting 2026
The AC Forum Annual Meeting and General Assembly 2026 will take place in Gothenburg, 22-24 January.
“Hosting large meetings in Gothenburg contributes significantly to the tourism economy, benefiting academia and businesses by attracting research, talent, investment, and prominence. AC Forum’s selection of Gothenburg for its meeting is a tremendous honour and holds immense significance for the entire destination. We eagerly anticipate showcasing the city’s offerings for forthcoming congresses, in partnership with Storhotellgruppen and The Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre Gothia Towers,” says Annika Hallman, Head of Gothenburg Convention Bureau.
“This is a very prestigious assignment that we hold in high esteem. In the international meeting industry, we are still something of a hidden gem when it comes to managing high-volume international congresses. With the largest and foremost associations gathered in Gothenburg, we have a fantastic opportunity to showcase our ability and capacity as a value-creating organiser delivering sustainable and safe world-class meetings,“ says Malin Erlandsson, Director of Congress & Events at the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre Gothia Towers.
“The visit of these influential persons from the international meeting industry to Gothenburg holds great significance and fills us with pride. It represents an investment in the future, and we are committed to extending them the warmest welcome to our hotels and conference facilities,” says Charlie Hedberg, Chairman of the Association of large Hotels in Gothenburg.
