The last week in August was particularly intensive for the meetings industry. Each day, industry representatives were given the opportunity to meet, discuss hot topics, and acquire new knowledge during training sessions.
On 24 August 2011 Gdańsk hosted a meeting of the City Convention Bureaux, which featured a discussion of the current actions being undertaken by individual Bureaux and their plans for the coming year.
Among the subjects raised were the Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme and Gala, the Poland Meetings and Events Industry Report, and participation in the national stand at the IMEX Exhibition in Frankfurt and EIBTM in Barcelona.
Additionally, Vanessa Ksionsek of Germany’s CIM (Conference and Incentive Management) trade magazine, shared her experience and know-how, providing a valuable insight into the field of working with the media and maintaining long term relations with the press.
Between 25 and 27 August, also in Gdańsk, this year’s second ICCA conference hosted in Poland took place – this time it was the ICCA Central European Chapter Meeting. It was a meeting for representatives of Central European countries, including those not affiliated with the International Congress and Convention Association.
Besides the educational programme, participants could also take part in the following attractions – sightseeing in Gdańsk, a cruise on the Motława river on board an exclusive yacht, and trips to Sopot and Malbork. One of the speakers at the meeting was Krzysztof Celuch, the Manager of the Poland Convention Bureau, who started a discussion on European funds designated to promote destinations – whether they are only a form of assistance, or actually facilitate innovative measures to be taken.
As the ICCA conference ended in Gdańsk, the ECM Summer School training, organised by European Cities Marketing in Kraków, and intended for beginners in the meetings industry, was only just starting.
Over the three days of lectures and workshops, participants were introduced to the basics of working in convention bureaux and conference centres. Prominent specialists also shared their knowledge on the promotion of destinations, cooperation with the press, and using ICCA and UIA databases. The ECM Summer School makes for a perfect opportunity to obtain knowledge on the meetings industry, exchange experiences, and find new contacts with people from all over Europe.
This August events came to a fine conclusion with the meeting of the MPI Poland Club, the leading subject of which was the organisation of events during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and cooperation with Government and Local-Government Associations. The featured speakers included:
• Andrea Bauer – Commercial Director, CEO, VEREINT: Association & Conference Management – Austria
• Anna Milcarz – Operations Coordinator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Dariusz Pałęcki – Polish Travel Quo Vadis
