Discovering the Business Potential of Silesia: The Launch of the Silesia Convention Bureau. As revenues from business tourism are gradually increasing, the Silesian Voivodeship will focus more strongly on its development. The Silesian Tourist Organisation has just set up the Silesia Convention Bureau to boost this development.

A convention bureau is a separate part of promotion departments, usually in tourism organisations, focusing on business tourism. Representing a particular city, region, or country acts as an intermediary in the organisation of business meetings, congresses, or conferences. It is the first point of contact for organisers of such events. Importantly, convention bureaux do not organise events independently but act only as advisors. In Poland, the first convention bureau was established in 2002 within the structures of the Polish Tourist Organisation as the Poland Convention Bureau. Now the Silesian Tourist Organisation, drawing on these models, is creating the Silesia Convention Bureau, which will operate for the entire region.

The Silesia Convention Bureau, starting under the slogan 'We boost your business', will be responsible for promoting the Silesian Voivodeship as an attractive destination for hosting business events. Thanks to the activity of the Silesia Convention Bureau, hotels, restaurants, operators of tourist attractions, congress venues, and companies organising incentive events will benefit. Finally, the whole region will benefit from being positioned as an attractive destination in the business tourism sector. Corporate clients already account for more than half of hotel guests in the region. The functioning of the Silesia Convention Bureau will bring many benefits, says Adam Wawoczny, CEO of the Silesian Tourist Organisation.

The Silesian Voivodeship is characterised by its diverse tourism potential, has high-quality infrastructure, is very well-connected and has many tourist attractions. In recent years, it has been visited by almost 6 million people, who left around PLN 6 billion a year in the region. All this makes the region an attractive destination also for the organisation of business events. This potential requires formalised support, hence the idea to launch the Silesia Convention Bureau, says Jakub Chełstowski, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodeship.

We boost your business

The inaugural conference of the Silesia Convention Bureau was held on 12 January 2023 at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów. During the conference, an agreement was signed with the first eighteen consortium members, i.e. entities cooperating with the Silesian Tourist Organisation within the Silesia Convention Bureau. These include representatives from the world of science, large and small businesses, representing diverse services and individual sub-regions of the Silesian Voivodeship. The Silesia Convention Bureau remains open to new partners.

The Silesia CVB will formally function within the Silesian Tourist Organisation using its existing legal structure and building on its reputation and experience. The Silesian Tourist Organisation, which has been conducting its activities since 2005, has a broad organisational formula that is perfectly suited to tourism promotion, says Agnieszka Sikorska, Director of the Silesian Tourist Organisation.

"Bringing Silesia to the Forefront of Business Events: The Launch of the Silesia Convention Bureau"

Inauguration of the Silesia Convention Bureau at the Stadion Śląski

The inaugural conference of the Silesia Convention Bureau was held on January 12, 2023, at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów (StadionŚląski).

The inaugural conference of the Silesia Convention Bureau was held on 12 January 2023 at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów. During the meeting, an agreement was signed with the first eighteen consortium members, i.e. entities cooperating with the Silesian Tourist Organisation within the Silesia Convention Bureau. These include representatives from the world of science, large and small businesses, representing diverse services and individual sub-regions of the Silesian Voivodeship. The Silesia Convention Bureau remains open to new partners.

The first consortium members of the Silesia Convention Bureau

• Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. Jerzego Kukuczki w Katowicach
• Arche S.A. – Arche Hotel Częstochowa****
• Business Service Galop - Professional Congress Organizer (PCO)
• CISTERCIUM Sp. z o. o. - Bel Mon Resort
• Coffee Sp. z o.o. Spółka Komandytowo-Akcyjna – Hotel Fajkier Wellness & SPA
• Fundacja Wydziału Prawa i Administracji Uniwersytetu Śląskiego Facultas Iuridica 
• Grupa DE  Sp. z o.o. S. K. - Dream Events
• Hurtownia Adrenaliny
• KAMiNSKi Rafał Kamiński - Open Mind Team
• Mariacki Sp. z o.o.  - Best Western Hotel Mariacki – Restauracja Browar Mariacki
• Muzeum Górnictwa Węglowego w Zabrzu
• PTWP Event Center Sp. z o.o.
• Regionalna Izba Gospodarcza w Katowicach
• Stadion Śląski Sp. z o.o.
• Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny w Katowicach
• Zamek Piastowski w Raciborzu
• Zespół Pieśni i Tańca „Śląsk” im. Stanisława Hadyny
• ZIAD Bielsko-Biała S.A.

Shaping the Future of Meetings Industry in Silesia and Poland: A Panel Discussion with Experts

The event also featured a panel discussion of Polish meetings industry experts:

1. Paula Fanderowska - Vice President of Krakow 5020, President of the Conferences and Congresses in Poland Association (SKKP)
2. Anna Gorska - Advisor to Symposium Cracoviense Board, ICCA Board Member
3. Krystyna Golabek - Business Service Group (PCO)
4. Aneta Ksiazek - Head of Poland Convention Bureau - Polish Tourist Organisation
5. Mateusz Czerwinski - Vice President of Warsaw Convention Bureau

We are delighted that another convention bureau has been established in Poland. From the very beginning, the Poland Convention Bureau PTO has supported the creation of a regional convention bureau for the Silesian Voivodeship and has participated in numerous consultation meetings since 2021, looking for the best ways to make it work legally and substantively, stressing each time the desirability of synergies between the city, the region and local industry brands. I look forward to great joint projects, and I wish the Silesia Convention Bureau consortium members many interesting and profitable projects," said Aneta Książek, Director of the Poland Convention Bureau PTO.

During the over an hour-long panel discussion, it was emphasised that a convention bureau is an investment, the effects of which will pay off after years. It was pointed out what the process of attracting large international congresses looks like and what role is played by the various players on the MICE market (convention bureau, associations, PCO, DMC, congress venues, hotels), and how this complex process can be supported by local and national institutions. The key to success is cooperation. The 61st ICCA Congress in Krakow was mentioned as a good example. Equally important is the continuing education of those in the MICE industry and building relationships with representatives of international associations.

Silesia Convention Bureau contact details

SILESIA CONVENTION BUREAU - ŚLĄSKA ORGANIZACJA TURYSTYCZNA

• ul. Mickiewicza 29 street, 40-085 Katowice
• tel. (32) 207 207 1
• info@silesiaconvention.pl
• LinkedIn Silesia Convention Bureau
• Facebook Silesia Convention Bureau

Contact:

• Agnieszka Sikorska - Director of the Silesia Convention Bureau
• Dominika Wojniak - Marketing Specialist tel. (32) 207 207 3 dominika@silesiaconvention.pl

Photos: Michał Kalarus, Jarosław Marciuk