On October 29, 2024, the first pioneering agreement was signed in Warsaw establishing a regional and local club called the Congress Ambassador Club – Warsaw and Mazovia. It was established after the merger of the existing club in Warsaw and its regional counterpart, which was being set up in the Mazovia Province. The signatories of the agreement are the organizers of the AKP Poland Tourist Organization Program with the Poland Convention Bureau, the Association of Conferences and Congresses in Poland, and the Warsaw Tourist Organization together with its convention bureau and the Mazovia Regional Tourist Organization together with the Mazovia Convention Bureau. So far, they have been established in cities and operate in Poznań, Łódź, Kraków, and Wrocław.
“This is another step in strengthening the Ambassador Program, which has been operating for over 25 years,” said Paula Fanderowska, President of SKKP. ”In this way, we are effectively and consistently developing a network of Clubs throughout Poland. The Ambassador Program serves to recognize individuals who attract important and prestigious events to Poland. We know that this potential lies dormant in cities and regions, and thanks to the Club, it will be possible to reach the initiators of congresses and conferences even more effectively and to organize new ones together.
The agreement was signed by representatives of individual organizations, led by Aneta Książek (Head of the Poland Convention Bureau at the Polish Tourist Organization), Izabela Stelmańska (President of the Mazovia Regional Tourist Organization) and Mateusz Czerwiński (President of the Warsaw Tourist Organization).
“The marriage of Warsaw and Mazovia in the joint running of the local Congress Ambassadors Club is proof of the mature and strategic approach of both offices to supporting the scientific and business communities in attracting meetings and events to Warsaw and Mazovia,” said Aneta Książek, adding, “We are also delighted that Ms. Izabela Stelmańska, President of the Board of the Mazovia Tourist Organization and Mazovia Convention Bureau, has accepted our invitation to join the Chapter of the Polish Congress Ambassadors Program for 2024-2027. Together with the Association of Conferences and Congresses in Poland, we look forward to fruitful cooperation and, of course, we wish you successful congresses and conferences in central Poland.
“The Mazovia Convention Bureau was established in 2019 and one of its goals was to cooperate and complement Warsaw’s business tourism offer. This is happening thanks to close cooperation with the Warsaw Convention Bureau,” said Izabela Stelmańska, adding, ”Today, we are taking another step on this joint path by signing an agreement to establish the Warsaw and Mazovia Congress Ambassador Club, building a joint conference and congress offer. Thank you for this opportunity.
“The signing of this agreement is unprecedented, but it is a natural step for the city and the region to cooperate. We wish everyone the establishment of such relationships, as this will make the Polish brand, which we are all working on, more recognizable and stronger,” said Mateusz Czerwiński after signing the document.
The agreement was signed on the basis of the newly created document, the AKP Program Strategy for 2024-2030. The document is available at www.ambasadorkongresow.pl and aims to increase the recognition of the Program among representatives of the academic world, especially in so-called second-choice cities. It also points to the strengthening of local Ambassador Clubs and the creation of new ones, particularly in regions, with the aim of intensifying activities at the regional level. An integral part of the strategy is also the promotion of the role of Convention Bureaux and their cooperation with Ambassadors in the process of attracting events.
New Chapter of the AKP Program for 2024–2027
The organizers of the Polish Congress Ambassadors Program have also appointed a new Chapter, which will select the next Polish Congress Ambassadors and Ambassadors and Congress Patrons. In accordance with the regulations, it will consist of representatives of science, including basic and medical sciences, representatives of business circles, culture, sport, and non-governmental organizations. From among several candidates, the following have accepted invitations to participate in its work:
– Dr. Anna Kalinowska-Żeleźnik, Merito Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Business, WSB Merito University in Gdańsk,
– Prof. Krzysztof A. Makowski, Faculty of History, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań,
– Prof. Józef Modelski, Institute of Radioelectronics and Multimedia Technologies, Warsaw University of Technology,
– Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, Rector, Silesian University of Technology, former Chairman of the Chapter,
– Ireneusz Węgłowski, President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce for the Hotel Industry, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Orbis SA,
– Michał Fijoł, President of the Management Board of PLL LOT,
– Wojciech Kuśpik, President of the Management Board of PTWP SA Group, initiator of the European Economic Congress (EEC),
– Jolanta Żyśko, PhD, Prof. AWF, Vice-Rector for Promotion and Development, Józef Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw,
– Izabela Stelmańska, President of the Board of the Mazovian Regional Tourist Organization, Mazovia Convention Bureau,
– Prof. Jacek Szepietowski, MD, PhD, President of the Polish Dermatological Society.
On behalf of the organizers, in accordance with the regulations, the representatives were Rafał Szmytke, President of the Polish Tourist Organization, and Paula Fanderowska, President of SKKP, together with Aneta Książek, Manager, Poland Convention Bureau POT, and Anna Woda (Member of the Board of SKKP, Manager at CN Kopernik). The role of Secretary of the Chapter was entrusted to Agnieszka Szymerowska (SKKP). The next meeting of the Chapter, during which the Ambassadors of Polish Congresses will be selected, will take place in the first half of November.
