Over 73,000 business meetings, an 18% increase in the number of Hosted Buyers and the participation of 2,350 exhibitors – these are the results of this year’s IBTM World in Barcelona. Poland stood out at this event with a national stand that attracted a record number of visitors.
At this year’s IBTM World 2024 in Barcelona, Poland presented itself as an attractive and dynamically developing MICE destination. The Polish national stand featured a wide range of partners, including representatives of convention bureaux, professional congress organizers, DMC companies, the national carrier, as well as congress and exhibition facilities. Of course, the Mazovia Convention Bureau was also present at the fair, presenting Mazovia’s MICE offer.
The fair was an opportunity to promote Poland as a country that is not only a “destination to discover,” but also a place ready to host events of the highest standards.
“This year’s edition of IBTM World was held for the twentieth time in Barcelona. From the perspective of someone who has participated in these fairs twenty, fifteen, and ten years ago, I can only confirm that the transformation of our industry is incredible,” said Aneta Książek, manager of the Poland Convention Bureau POT.
“We are currently very consciously building our message, and our stand is eagerly visited, also by influential people in the international community, such as Rob Davidson, Shonali Devereaux, host of the New in Events IBTM podcast, and event guru Julius Solaris. We also had the pleasure of meeting and listening to our musical ambassador Brian Allan from Rock Your Business,” added Aneta Książek.
Poland’s offer at the 20th edition of IBTM was presented by: Poznań Congress Center – MTP Group, Poznań Convention Bureau, LOT Polish Airlines, Mazurkas DMC Poland, ICE Kraków Congress Centre, JAN-POL DMC Poland, DMC Poland, Travel Projekt DMC Poland, Bespoke DMC Poland, Silesia Convention Bureau, Warsaw Convention Bureau, Mazovia Convention Bureau, Kraków Convention Bureau, EXPO Kraków International Exhibition and Congress Centre, Gdańsk Convention Bureau, and Convention Bureau – Wrocław.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine also took part in the fair, offering visitors unique attractions based on sensory marketing. Guests had the opportunity to try Polish coffee with salt from Wieliczka, chili and chocolate prepared by professional baristas.
“It was a very successful edition of IBTM World. The time spent talking was extremely valuable. Hosted Buyers had the opportunity to approach us not only for scheduled meetings, but also spontaneously, to sit down and talk. We also had their full attention, which I consider extremely valuable, as it allowed us to better present Poland and our offers,” commented Ola Pietras, Managing Partner of DMC Poland.
“I feel that Poland is currently at a very favorable moment, which we should take full advantage of. We are still perceived as a country to be discovered – still an undiscovered destination, but one that is really worth getting to know. This observation came up frequently in conversations at the Polish stand during IBTM World in Barcelona. I believe that now is the perfect time to intensively promote Poland and attract both large and smaller events,” concluded Ola Pietras.
The fair was also an opportunity to show a new spot in which famous Polish athletes invite visitors to Poland: Katarzyna Niewiadoma (this year’s winner of the Tour de France Femmes) and Jeremy Sochan, a basketball player in the NBA and the Polish national team. “Poland. More than you expected” is the slogan of the promotional campaign prepared on behalf of the Polish Tourist Organization and financed by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism.
Photo: Polish Tourist Organization, Mazovia Convention Bureau
