The Berlin Convention Office (BCO) is celebrating a decade of growth and the successful positioning of post-Wall Berlin as one of the world’s top meeting destinations.

The city boasts 113,100 events per year with a total of 9.1 million participants. Since 2001, hotel beds rose from 63,000 to 112,400 and meeting space expanded to 4.95 million sq ft. Berlin now ranks #4 in the ICCA ranking for international congresses and conventions (up from #9 in 2001).

Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BER) is on schedule to open June 3, 2012. The new airport will allow direct access to markets and travelers around the globe with an unprecedented number of international flights and the best connections. Nonstop services from North America and around the world is expected to increase, and transport to and from the airport will be effortless and expedient with direct freeway access and a railway station below the terminal to allow travelers to reach the city center in about 20 minutes.

The Berlin Convention Office has launched a new online tool specifically designed to assist planners of incentive and motivational travel to customize components of client programs. After entering the parameters of a client’s group and special requirements, BerlinCentives immediately suggests matching program elements, as well as booking information and contacts.

The BerlinCentives tool complements the new Berlin Meeting Guide, a listing of venues and services that can be downloaded from BCO’s website.

Opening this winter, the new Waldorf Astoria Berlin will feature 211 guest rooms, including 24 suites, as well as 21 apartments.

The newly built hotel is within walking distance of Berlin’s Zoo station, the legendary Kurfürstendamm shopping boulevard and the upscale KaDeWe department store. The 31-floor property will feature close to 12,000 sq ft of conference and meeting facilities, a spa and wellness area, as well as a stylish restaurant and sky bar with fantastic cityscape views. The Waldorf Astoria will supplement the facilities at the Hilton Berlin, located in the eastern part of the city.

The Berlin Convention Office offers a wide range of services, including free-of-charge agency and booking services for hotel allotments.

Berlin Convention Office, www.convention.visitBerlin.de