Spotlight on Poland
The VUCA reality is challenging. Whether you participate in corporate event planning, association event planning or agency planning, you will have to consider how much risk you are willing or able to take. Maybe your risk management protocols prevent you from holding an event in a neighbouring country to Ukraine even if you wanted to. It’s a pity that the people from different countries suddenly receive a different image because there’s a war in the Ukraine, but there’s no war in Poland.
Poland has been one of the most important points on the map of Europe for a long time. According to many sources is the fastest growing country in the European Union Council. Becoming the member of a EU in 2004 quickly adapted how to benefit and develop the country thanks to the membership. Is the country of diversity and changes for sure. You will be surprised how quick the changes have been adapted after the World War II, then communism, entering the democracy in 1989 and becoming the member of the EU in 2004. It is the only one country in the region that never been into financial crises during its period.
Poland is a large and diverse country abounding in cultural and natural assets, as shown by the 23 national parks. It gathers both major and relatively unexplored cities that nonetheless, feature solid event infrastructure and great active tourism options. The events they host will definitely be remembered by delegates for a long time. Studies carried out by ICCA and other institutions point to a growing interest in the so-called second cities, which also works in Poland’s favour.
Destination Poland moves up in the 2022 ICCA Ranking
Poland is getting on with business as usual. In the recently announced ICCA rankings, it improved moved up to 18th place globally. This year’s report leaves no doubt about the fact that all regions of the world have been affected by the pandemic. Nevertheless, it is a positive fact that Poland has been maintaining a strong position in the ranking for many years thanks to its extensive infrastructure, its central location and its intellectual potential. It also remains the only country of the Visegrad Group to be ranked in the top twenty. What contributed to this result is the well-known congress cities, or the so-called first choices (Warsaw - 49 meetings, Kraków - 45 meetings), as well as the second (Poznań - 15 meetings, Gdańsk - 13 meetings, Wrocław - 12 meetings, Łódź - 6, Katowice - 2) and third (Lublin – 3, Olsztyn – 3, Szczecin – 2 and Białystok, Będlewo, Chęciny, Toruń, Wieliczka, Zakopane - one meeting included in the ranking each).
Associations Have a Role to Play
The VUCA world won’t let us ignore it. It affects almost every aspect of our reality: social, political, cultural, environmental, economic, and so on. It influences business organizations by forcing changes in mindset, leadership style, and strategy. Associations with members across the globe can play a key role in helping those destinations most impacted. Disseminating useful and timely information will enable members to understand what is happening on the ground, without attention grabbing headlines.
Polish MICE sector has instantly adapted to the new reality. Polish destinations and conference venues, hotels, DMCs, PCOs, convention bureaux and subcontractors operating in them adjusted themselves to the changes and successfully introduced solutions making it possible to arrange top-quality events that are not only safe, but also responsible and technologically advanced.
The 2022 UFI European Conference took place over the course of three days, putting the spotlight on important industry topics and challenges faced by exhibition and event industry professionals. The event, which took place in Poznan, was hosted by Grupa MTP and offered a blend of keynote sessions, interactive workshops, networking and social activities. The UFI European Conference is the leading European exhibition industry event, a trusted platform to bringing colleagues together from across Europe and beyond every year. The event attracts approximately 300 industry leaders from organisers, venues & service providers.
In March this year, the European Solidarity Center in Gdańsk once again became the seat of the New Trends in Tourism conference. This year, the organizer, Gdansk Convention Bureau, has prepared an additional event - the Let's Meet - Event Professionals Forum. Among invited Hosted Buyers one could find: business meetings planners, corporate events organizers, incentive trips organizers, tour operators, travel agencies, event agencies and representatives of international associations from regions and countries like Belgium, Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia and Switzerland.
The International Public Law Association's annual conference will be held in Wroclaw, on July 4-6, 2022. The conference will be held in a hybrid format and will be streamed live via ICON-S Live. This year, four key themes will run through the plenary and thematic panels: democracy, migration, public health and technology.
The 19th European AIDS Conference (#EACS2023) will be organised from 18-21 October 2023 in Warsaw, a significant cultural, political, and economic hub of Central and Eastern Europe which has evolved uniquely within the last 20 years when EACS 2003 was first hosted here. Under the theme “It’s time to revisit!” the 19th European AIDS Conference will aim not only to revisit Warsaw, but also to set goals and deliverables in the fight against the HIV epidemic. Equal access for both EU and non-EU countries to high standards of care, focus on marginalised populations, scaling up the efforts to halt HIV transmission along with promoting access to harm reduction programmes and its de-criminalisation will be at the very centre of the conference’s discussions
Łódź will be the host city of the largest European aviation forum, Routes Europe 2023. Next year, about 1,200 delegates, including representatives of over 90 airlines, airports, as well as cities, regions and tourist organizations from all over Europe, will come to Łódź.
Last but not least, the 2022 ICCA Congress will be held in Kraków as planned. Krakow has been selected in 2021 as the host city for the 61st ICCA Congress in 2022! Hosting the International Congress and Convention Association is a huge success not only for the city of Krakow, but for the entire country. Their successful candidature is a testament to the saying: “In unity, there is strength”. Krakow was selected miles ahead of Athens and Bangkok. The congress will be an unparalleled opportunity for the entire region!
Poland continues to be a safe country to visit, and it is vital that we honor the strength and resilience of Ukraine and the loyalty and fortitude of Poland by continuing to host our event in Kraków. Join ICCA Congress in Krakow to be part of what our community is all about- said, ICCA's President James Rees at IMEX 2022.
Open your eyes to Poland and our amazing culture, great food, memorable adventures, business and much more! Life in Poland is (and feels) perfectly normal. Excellent technological and infrastructural facilities and a high number of prestigious universities’ graduates make Poland an ideal destination for the meeting planners and investors from all over the world.
Autor: Aneta Książek, Poland Convention Bureau POT
Additional information
POLAND CONVENTION BUREAU (governmental institution - a division of the Polish Tourism Organisation) is partner when planning an event or a meeting in Poland ranging from association congresses, corporate meetings to incentive travels.
DESTINATION POLAND MEETING GUIDE (former Poland Online Site Inspection) is an introduction to the conference and events potential of Poland. It contains information about the best and most highly recommended venues and service providers operating in Poland, as well as the top spots and ideas for incentive travel, and finally, studios for hybrid meetings & virtual events.
In addition, we would also like to encourage all meeting planners to contact the regional and city convention bureaux – local experts who are happy to help with any MICE-related request.
www.pot.gov.pl/en/online-site-inspection
Articles:
https://meetings.skift.com/ukraine-war-takes-toll-on-conference-destinations/
https://www.tw-media.com/international/from-central-and-eastern-europe-we-feel-safe-131511
https://duolookmedia.com/new-opportunities-during-difficult-times/
https://www.pot.gov.pl/en/poland-convention/news
