The agenda consisted of a conference open to the Polish industry on 5 October and post-tours for foreign visitors. The conference was opened by the Vice President of the Polish Tourism Organisation, Marcin Różycki, and the President of SKKP, Paula Fanderowska.

- The second edition of Spotlight on Poland, co-organised with the Polish Tourism Organisation and the Poland Convention Bureau, was a success. Nearly 20 foreign hosted buyers had the opportunity to get acquainted with the assets of Kraków and Małopolska. But that’s not all. Numerous invited partners worked with us, thanks to which the guests could also visit key places for the meetings industry in Katowice and in the Silesia region. Just a few sightseeing days is a short time to get to know the country visited for the first time, and our goal was to make the best use of this time. The event resulted in many new contacts, and we hope that our guests will return to Poland with specific projects – said Paula Fanderowska, President of SKKP

During the intensive conference day, which took place at the Stradom House Autograph Collection in Kraków, participants focused on various aspects of culture, localness, sustainable development, diversity and integration, as well as new technologies and business models in the meetings industry. The invited foreign participants and Polish representatives of the tourism sector and the meetings industry shared the experience. They inspired each other to develop, following the discussion on new trends and increasing the attractiveness of tourist offers. Last, but not least, there was time dedicated to networking.

The conference part consisted of panels and workshops. The first discussion panel on the aspects of localness and food was led by Aga Kozak. It was attended by:

• Aleksandra Skorek (Kraków Glassworks),
• Kati Płachecka (Kraków Food),
• Joanna Orlik (Małopolska Institute of Culture).

Sustainable Development and DEI were the subjects of the next panel, led by PhD Beata Kozyra, and focused on topics related to sustainable development and diversity, equality and integration (DEI). Among the panellists, were:

• Anna Górska (ICCA, Symposium Cracoviense, SKKP),
• Ewa Woch (Targi w Krakowie),
• Agnieszka Nowińska (Polish Association of Conference Interpreters),
• Katarzyna Lester (Poznań Congress Center)
• Magdalena Młynarczyk (Leonardo Hotels).

Subjects touched upon at the last panel had to do with new technologies and innovative business models. The moderator, Krzysztof Paradowski (BluExperience), conversed with the panellists:

• PhD Dominika Walec (#OMGKRK),
• Paweł Galiak (Krakow Airport),
• Piotr Laskowski (Polish Chamber of Tourism)
• Łukasz Cioch.

The storytelling session was conducted by Aneta Książek, Head of the Poland Convention Bureau (#PolandCVB). It encouraged the participants to tell their stories, which allowed them to get to know each other better.

“Spotlight on Poland is a unique event that combines content (through a rich educational and networking programme) with practice, i.e. visits to the host city and the neighbouring region,” said Aneta Książek, PTO Poland Convention Bureau. “It is also a dialogue with our guests, from whom we mainly hear high praise, but sometimes also constructive comments. What was new this year was the storytelling session, which I had the pleasure to lead. Thanks to it, in a short time, and at the same time in a lightweight form, we could present ourselves as an industry and get to know each other better - said Aneta Książek.

The whole event was led by Wojciech S. Wocław, professional conference host, and an expert on etiquette and public speaking.

Joanna Montenarh, Travel Project, participant in the event, said:

This year’s second edition of Spotlight on Poland was filled with interesting discussion panels, among which the exchange about sustainable organisation of events deserves special attention. During the conference, attendees had the opportunity to network with invited guests (hosted buyers), most of whom were visiting Poland and Kraków for the first time. In our opinion, this conference was an interesting educational and promotional event for the entire MICE industry, and we will certainly take part in its next instalment.

Jo Joshi from the UK, Founder of DMC Finder, added:

I was blown away by the trip organised to Krakow by the Polish Tourism Organisation and Polish Conference and Congress Association. Krakow is a beautiful place and we stayed at the stunning new property 1214 by Marriott. The trip was very well organised, and we met some great suppliers and buyers during the trip. I would definitely recommend Poland for our next groups and MICE Events.

Discover and find out more >>>POLAND. More than you expected

Spotlight on Poland continued in Slaska and Malopolska

The hosted buyers then went on to spend the following days in Silesia and Małopolska. Looked after by the team of the Silesia Convention Bureau, they tried their hand at playing turbogolf in the Guido mine in Zabrze, got to know the facilities located in the Katowice Culture Zone, including, among others, the International Conference Centre with such concert venues as Spodek or NOSPR. One of the evenings was crowned by a sumptuous meal.

Then the invited participants from abroad enjoyed the attractions of the Energylandia amusement park and saw the Scandi Resort in Zator. They also discovered the secrets of the Alvernia Planet complex. The hosts of the ICE Congress Centre invited them to their interiors, and during a concert held there, they had a meal prepared by Masters Catering. At the end of their visit to Poland, the group of hosted buyers learned about the offer of the CKF_13 Fabryczna Conference Centre and pampered their taste buds in the Destilo restaurant at the Mercure Kraków Fabryczna City. The last hours before departure were spent in the Vodka Factory Museum. It was thanks to numerous partners that this event was made possible.

Spotlight on Poland was carried out with the financial support of the Małopolskie Voivodeship and Polish Tourism Organisation.

Partners of the event were: PLL LOT, Silesia Convention Bureau, Kraków Convention Bureau, TUgether Meetings and Events Industry Council, Polish Chamber of Exhibition Industry, Polish Chamber of Tourism, Energylandia, Kraków5020, ICE Kraków Congress Centre, Kraków Story, CKF_13 Fabryczna Conference Centre, Destilo Restaurant, Vodka Factory Museum, Kraków Glassworks and Masters Catering, Tugether, Energylandia.

Fot.Mateusz Szelc onelightstudiopl, SKKP

#SpotlightonPoland #PolandCVB #Krakowthehostcity