The undertakings aimed at hosting the prestigious congress were initiated by EXPO XXI Warsaw two years ago and boosted by the cooperation with a local ambassador - prof. dr hab. n. med. Magdalena Łętowska, vice director for transfusion medicine at the Institute of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, for many years promoting Poland and its scientific milieu by being an active member of international associations. It is worth mentioning that with the council of the Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme recognizing her accomplishments, this year Łętowska will join the group of honorary Polish Congress Ambassadors. Polish Tourist Organisation and Polish Conference and Congress Association run the discussed project at a national level.

Łętowska, who will host the final presentation in Dubai with the support of EXPO XXI Warsaw and Warsaw Convention Bureau, believes that Warsaw has a good chance of securing the event. The city’s advantages include, i.a. its perception as a safe destination that continues to offer competitive prices when compared with other European cities. In addition, Warsaw’s position is reinforced by the fact that the discussed congress has never before been staged in Eastern Europe.

Two regional ISBT congresses are staged in odd years (one in Europe and one in Asia), each time in a different host city. The European edition attracts from 2,500 to 3,000 participants, is held in June and lasts five days. Last year, it was organised at the ExCel London exhibition and convention centre and next year it will travel to Copenhagen. Bringing such a major event in Poland will not only promote the city and the country as a whole, boost the prestige of everyone involved in the undertaking and transfer valuable knowledge, but also generate a significant economic contribution.

”The process of obtaining the ISBT congress is a model example how to bring an international congress to your destination. Today, it is no longer enough to boast a well-equipped congress centre or numerous flight connections to a given place. You also need a strong local Ambassador and the support of a Convention Bureau. Moreover, the assistance of other entities representing the industry, especially ICCA members, is also more than welcome”, commented Anna Górska, Business Development Director with EXPO XXI Warsaw.

The involvement of EXPO XXI Warsaw will promote the venue and simultaneously build the capital’s image as a potential host city for various congresses. This, in turn, might encourage other organisations and international associations to consider Warsaw when looking for brand-new places for their events.