Destination POLAND. More than you expected
With its mix of sophisticated convention infrastructure, historic charm and consistently excellent value for money, Poland is attracting ever more international association events
“Poland’s placing in the top 20 in the world as a host of international meetings is not only a confirmation of its infrastructure, technical capabilities and the professionalism of its suppliers. Association planners are looking for something more: that unique cultural experience and authenticity. Polish cities, so diverse in character, attract with their extraordinary hospitality and vital locality, as well as the openness of the local community. We are also proud to implement sustainable tourism in all its aspects”
Paula Fanderowska, Chair of the Board of Polish Conference & Congress Association
Poland leapt three places to rank in the top 20 countries globally for hosting association events for the first time this year, according to the International Meetings Statistics Report published by the UIA. Three Polish cities featured on the list: Krakow, Warsaw and, for the first time, Gdansk.
Says Aneta Ksiazek, head of the Poland Convention Bureau at Polish Tourism Organisation: “Poland with its rich history, vibrant culture and modern infrastructure has emerged as a thriving hub for the meetings industry in Europe. Our bureau celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and we have witnessed a great transformation and professionalisation of the Polish meetings industry in the last two decades.
Stunning event venue EC1 Lodz – City of Culture
Stunning event venue EC1 Lodz – City of Culture
“A pool of skilled meetings industry professionals is available to create tailored experiences while Poland's strengths are further enhanced by its leading universities and research institutes, particularly in technology, biochemistry and medicine. The favourable quality-to-price ratio is also a significant advantage.”
A culture of collaboration
Collaboration is ingrained in the Polish culture and nowhere is this better illustrated than in Poland’s Congress Ambassadors Programme, which must be one of the largest anywhere in the world. Demonstrating the breadth and excellence of its knowledge sectors, the scheme offers the distinguished services of more than 300 Ambassadors representing academia, science, economics, industry and culture.
With Local Ambassador Clubs in Krakow, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Poznan, this year will see the opening of new ones in Lodz and Katowice. Accessing expert assistance and high quality speakers in various knowledge sectors has never been easier.
Quality guaranteed
In order to ensure the high quality of services provided to international association events, the Poland CVB has an accredited Polish Tourism Organisation Recommendation Programme, where partners and suppliers are monitored and awarded. They include convention bureaux, professional congress organisers and incentive travel companies.
Where to meet
Poland offers event planners an impressive range of convention venues throughout the country. Here are some of the largest:
- ICE Krakow Congress Center - a multi-functional, state-of-the art congress centre situated in the heart of the city with views of Wawel Royal Castle
- European Solidarity Center (ESC) - situated in the famous Gdansk Shipyard
- Poznan International Congress Center and Fairs is host to many large and prestigious events
- The Centennial Hall in Wroclaw opened in 1913 as an event venue and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- EXPO Warsaw is a large, innovative venue that can accommodate up to 13,000; the Hilton Warsaw City also offers extensive conference facilities
- Katowice International Conference Centre (2015) sits alongside the nearby Spodek Arena (1971) and is one of the largest venues for conferences, exhibitions, sports and entertainment in Central Europe
- The Congress and Exhibition Centre of Kielce Trade Fairs, one of Poland's exhibition market leaders and organiser of the biggest International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO
- The modern Lublin Conference Centre is in the heart of Lubelskie region
- EC1 Lodz – City of Culture is an exciting renovation of a post-industrial building and played host to the12th Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in September
“Poland, as a meeting place, has a bright future ahead of it. It is a beautiful and fascinating country. The help you provide to Ukraine also deserves admiration, which is not unnoticed in the world. I hope that the ICCA Congress in Krakow has contributed to the popularity of Poland as a MICE destination and that we inspired our delegates to return”
Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA
Focus on Krakow
Loved by visitors for its history and character, its modern hotel infrastructure and sophisticated venues have helped make Krakow Poland’s number one city for meetings.
The TAURON Arena Krakow, the EXPO Krakow International Trade Fair and Congress Centre, the CKF_13 Fabryczna Conference Centre and the ICE Krakow Congress Centre can all accommodate many thousands of participants.
Krakow
Krakow
And it was the ICE Krakow Congress Centre that welcomed the 61st ICCA Congress in 2022.
Małgorzata Przygórska-Skowron, head of the Krakow Convention Bureau and a member of the local organising committee for the 61st ICCA Congress, said: “This is an event that the largest cities in the world compete for. We are the first city in Poland to successfully organise an ICCA Congress and thanks to this truly significant event, Krakow is entering the premier league of the meetings industry."
Memorable occasions
From medieval castles and palaces to revitalised industrial event spaces, there is a huge choice of memorable places in which to host a welcome reception, gala dinner or networking event in every city. The Wilanow Royal Palace in Warsaw provides a magnificent backdrop while Wieliczka, near Krakow, is a former Salt Mine and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is an utterly extraordinary venue for an unforgettable event. There are many others.
Forthcoming events
- Warsaw - World Allergy Organization Congress (WAC) and 16th World Congress of Semiotics in 2024
- Wroclaw - The European Multicolloquium of Parasitology (EMOP) conference 2024 in the Centennial Hall complex; the Stochastic Processes and Applications (SPA) conference 2025
- Gdansk - Velo City 2025
Looking for inspiration for your next meeting or event?
Contact the Poland Convention Bureau
[email protected]
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