On May 21, during the IMEX Gala Dinner at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, industry awards were presented in 13 categories. One of the winners was Aneta Książek, head of the Meetings and Events Office of the Polish Tourist Organization. She is the first person in history to represent not only Poland but also the whole of Central Europe to receive this prestigious award.
The awards have been presented since 2003, when the IMEX trade fair was established, and have since become a symbol of recognition for those who make a lasting, positive contribution to the development of the meetings and events industry. The awards are presented in collaboration with leading industry organizations such as ICCA, MPI, SITE, IAPCO, ASAE, IAEE, JMIC, and EIC. They cover areas such as innovation, sustainability, global impact, visionary leadership, industry integration, and support for young talent.
This year, the Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Award was presented for the first time to a representative of Poland, Aneta Książek, who also became the first winner from Central Europe.
“Receiving the Paul Flackett IMEX Academy Award is an extraordinary honor for me and a deeply moving moment in my professional career. I accept this award with great gratitude, not only on my own behalf, but above all on behalf of all those who have supported me on this journey for 25 years. This recognition also belongs to the current management of the Polish Tourist Organization and the irreplaceable team of the Poland Convention Bureau. It is with you that we have been able to realize even the most daring and demanding ideas. Behind the scenes, where the spotlight and elegant outfits do not reach, there is daily work full of commitment, based on experience, passion, and a shared sense of mission. We are united by one goal: to strengthen and develop our industry, said Aneta Książek, head of the Meetings and Events Office of the Polish Tourist Organization.
The award winner has been observing the impressive transformation of the Polish meetings and events sector for years. What once seemed distant is now becoming a reality – international recognition, higher rankings, and a growing presence on the global industry map. This is a source of pride and motivation to continue working. She is particularly pleased with the dynamic development of infrastructure, the professionalization of services, as well as the consistent pursuit of certification, the implementation of sustainable development standards, and the strengthening of international cooperation. In this global “jungle of destinations,” where thousands of cities and regions compete for the right to host events, Poland is making its presence felt more and more clearly.
“I hope that this award will contribute to further strengthening Poland’s position as a leader in Central Europe in the meetings and events sector and will send a clear signal: the world sees us and appreciates the quality, value, and impact of our work, not only for Poland but also in a broader, international dimension. Thank you once again. This award is not only a symbolic milestone—it is a shared victory and a commitment to the future,” added Aneta Książek in conclusion.
A big round of applause also goes to Viktoria Yushkaliuk, representing the Vistula School of Tourism and Hospitality in Warsaw, who won the MPI Foundation Student Scholarship Award. It is great news that young people associated with Poland are being noticed and recognized at such events – it builds hope for the future.
This year’s IMEX gala, held at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt, once again showed how strong, diverse, and committed the meetings and events industry community is.
Source: pot.gov.pl / Photo: Paul Flackett IMEX
