On Monday, December 1, a conference summarizing the project “Improving the quality of business tourism management in Mazovia through the participatory development of the Mazovia Convention Bureau Development Strategy” was held at the Foksal Press Center in Warsaw. During the conference, the project was summarized and the directions of MCB’s activities for 2026-2030 were presented. The event was attended by representatives of the MICE industry, public institutions, local governments, and tourism organizations.
New strategy – a joint plan for the MICE industry
The central point of the conference was the presentation of the Mazovia Convention Bureau Development Strategy for 2026-2030, prepared by Prof. Krzysztof Celuch, PhD, MICE market expert and rector of SGHiT Vistula.
The document sets out key directions for the meetings industry in Mazovia, defining five essential functions of the MCB:
• promotional,
• integrative,
• representative,
• coordinating,
• leadership.
The strategy was developed in a participatory manner, with the involvement of representatives from various market sectors. Its aim is to strengthen the position of Mazovia as one of the most important meeting destinations in Poland.
A strong opening of the conference and expert opinions
The conference was opened by Izabela Stelmańska, President of the MROT Management Board, who drew attention to the need for consistent and coordinated actions in the field of business tourism promotion. She also emphasized that Mazovia is strengthening its position in the nationwide convention bureau network.
“Mazovia has all the assets to be the center of the meetings industry in Poland. Now we need integrated action, a coherent strategy, and cooperation between all parties involved,” said Stelmańska.
The program included a presentation by Łukasz Gumowski on sustainable development in the MICE sector. The expert pointed out how to implement pro-ecological solutions in practice and how the expectations of clients and foreign industry partners are changing.
Another item on the agenda was the presentation of the strategic document “Mazovia Convention Bureau Development Strategy for 2026-2030”, prepared by Prof. Krzysztof Celuch, PhD, of Nicolaus Copernicus University. The presented assumptions included, among others:
- strengthening the competitiveness of the region,
- deepening cooperation with MICE market stakeholders,
- building a strong brand of Mazovia as an attractive place to organize events.
Debate on the future of the meetings industry in Mazovia
The highlight of the program was a panel discussion entitled “The Future of the Meetings Industry in Mazovia – Potential, Trends, Prospects, Opportunities, Threats,” which was attended by:
– Izabela Stelmańska (MROT/MCB),
– Łukasz Gumowski (Plej Agency),
– Prof. Krzysztof Celuch (Celuch Consulting),
– Karolina Parol (Arche Hotels),
– Marta Kicler (Mazurkas DMC Poland).
The panel was moderated by Magdalena Kondas, editor-in-chief of MeetingPlanner.pl.
The discussion focused on, among other things, the region’s strengths, its competitiveness, the challenges associated with digital transformation, and the growing importance of sustainable events.
A new chapter in the development of business tourism in the region
The conference summarized several months of work on the strategy and opened a new stage in the management of business tourism in Mazovia. The adopted directions of action are intended to support the building of a strong, recognizable MCB brand and strengthen cooperation between MICE market stakeholders.
The public task entitled “Improving the quality of business tourism management in Mazovia through the participatory development of the Mazovia Convention Bureau Development Strategy” was co-financed by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism in accordance with agreement No. 2025/0006/0118/UDOT/DT/BP/IS of May 29, 2025.
