Last week, the MCE Central & Eastern Europe forum, the first in a series of Europe Congress events, took place. In Salzburg, Poland was represented on the supplier side by the Poland Convention Bureau POT, Mazovia Convention Bureau, Silesia Convention Bureau, and the International Congress Center in Katowice. The event brought together over 200 event planners and suppliers, providing an excellent opportunity for networking and business talks.
The forum was an opportunity for a series of official and informal meetings with key players from markets such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland (20%), Great Britain and Ireland (20%), France, Benelux and Scandinavia (25%), Southern Europe (15%), the Middle East and Asia (10%), and North America (10%). Hosted buyers represented event agencies, corporations and international associations. They were looking for new options and venues for events, and Poland’s offer aroused their great interest.
Participation in MCE Central & Eastern Europe in Salzburg was a unique opportunity for Polish industry representatives to promote Polish MICE destinations and establish new business relationships. Thanks to the meetings, they were able to actively present their partners (recommended CVBs, PCOs, ITCs, consortium members and members) and Poland’s offer, attracting the attention of potential event planners. In addition, the participation provided valuable information about market needs and expectations, allowing Polish service providers to better tailor their offer to the requirements of international clients.
“During 35 meetings with hosted buyers at the congress center in Salzburg, the Poland Convention Bureau presented the diverse possibilities and potential of our country. Event organizers were interested in specific cities, conference and congress organization options, and incentive trips,” said Jarosław Marciuk, chief marketing specialist at the Polish Tourist Organization’s meeting and event office.
“I am also pleased that Silesia and Mazovia had the opportunity to showcase their strengths, and I heard many positive comments from event planners who expressed great interest in the offerings of these lesser-known regions. As a result of the meetings, we expect increased interest in Poland as a whole as a major destination for events, meetings, and incentive travel in this part of Europe. It is also worth noting that Poland maintains a strong position in global rankings, currently ranking 23rd in the ICCA ranking and 20th in the UIA ranking,” added Marciuk.
“MCE Central & Eastern Europe 2024 was an excellent opportunity to establish contacts and promote Mazovia and Warsaw on the international meetings market. We were proud to present the potential of Mazovia and Warsaw in the field of business event organization. The offer of many MROT and WOT members, within which the Mazovia Convention Bureau and the Warsaw Convention Bureau operate, met with great interest from international planners. The participation of representatives of the Mazovia Convention Bureau resulted in inspiring meetings and many valuable conference leads. We are eagerly awaiting confirmation of some of these meetings in Warsaw and Mazovia,” commented Iwona Majewska, deputy director of the MROT office.
Source: POT / Photos: Mazovia Convention Bureau
