When it comes to looking for a location for your congress, convention, fair, exhibition or incentive trip, Rio is a great choice. According to ICCA ­ International Congress and Convention Association, Rio de Janeiro has been in the 1st place in the America's ranking, for eight years, as a destination for international meetings. The organizers of the events already programmed for the city up to 2012 would agree with this. 25,000 hotel rooms with an estimated increase of 4,000 over the next few years make the choice even more viable. The hotel sector has maintained a rate of occupation of 68% over recent years. New investments are constantly being made in this sector, with hotels available ranging from the most famous international chains to excellent national hotels. These are concentrated mainly in the South Zone, Barra and the downtown area, catering for all possible professional and personal tastes, with infrastructure up to international standards. Many of these hotels have excellent convention centers, with facilities for handling events with up to 2,200 participants. Rio de Janeiro is home to the largest convention center in Latin America - Riocentro - with five large pavilions totaling 100,029 m2 of available exhibition area. Versatile and with all the necessary facilities, Riocentro is located in Barra da Tijuca, a modern and rapidly growing area, well served by large shopping malls, restaurants, show houses and of course the beach. There are many other facilities available in the city - auditoriums and rooms suitable for holding events, some in unusual and creative surroundings. With regard to support services for organizers, the above numbers speak for themselves. Services available from the many companies established in Rio, specializing in the organization of congresses, fairs, exhibitions and social events, include creation, assembly, planning and production of everything from start to finish of an event, such as audiovisual equipment, simultaneous translation, air, land and cargo transport, travel agencies etc.. And then of course we have the city itself, one of the most beautiful in the world, with its tropical resort atmosphere, curving beaches, mountains and forests, good weather, wonderful scenery, an active cultural environment, both local and international, wonderful restaurants, and world class shopping at competitive prices. On a par with all major European or American cities, and with the additional advantage of being populated by warm and friendly people. Of all who visit Rio for the first time, 98% put it at the top of their list for obligatory future destinations. Click here to find the event and tourism supplier companies, members of Rio C&VB.