The Ljubljana Tourism/Convention Bureau has prepared the newest edition of the Ljubljana bid book – Ljubljana Invites – a product for everyone, trying to bring a professional, scientific or other event to Ljubljana.
The second awarded edition first of all facilitates the process of preparing a candidature and mostly presents all key attributes of Ljubljana as an attractive convention destination, based on the knowledge of most common criteria in a clear and professional manner.
The concept of the Ljubljana bid book is based on the principle of standardized graphic design of the Tourist Destination Ljubljana and a combination of fixed and variable content, which can be adopted and personalized for each event. The edition is divided into nine chapters through which the candidate and the destination as a whole are introduced (Ljubljana and Slovenia). The contents include: Invitation letters (*VC), organization/candidacy holder (*VC), Ljubljana as a destination – eight chapters introducing it in a brief and wholesome manner (**FC), access and traffic connections (**FC), event venue and accommodation (**FC), professional meetings organizers (**FC), preliminary programme (*VC), record of expenses (*VC) and tourist excursions and sightseeing (**FC).
Note: *VC means variable content, prepared especially for the event, **FC means fixed or pre-prepared content on the destination.
The chapters on the location and accommodation are standardized and already include information on four largest service providers (Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana exhibition and convention centre, Grand hotel Union in Hotel Mons), and include the basic description, technical data and most important references. If the candidacy holder only recommends one location, only one of these service providers is included, the content can then be more detailed (ground plans, suggested halls for plenary meetings, panel discussions, exhibitions, refreshments…).
Since the demands of individual associations or organisations are very different, special attention is paid to the variable content not only aimed at classic conventions of professional and scientific associations. The edition was first used for the candidacy of Ljubljana for the European Veteran’s Athletics Championship and it was also included in the candidacy for Ljubljana as World Book Capital.
The functional concept and contents of the Ljubljana bid book did not remain unnoticed; our edition has been mentioned as a good practice example in the book “Marketing Destinations and Venues for Conferences, Conventions and Business Events”. The authors, Professor Rob Davidson and Professor Tony Rogers, are world renowned British experts in the area of the meetings industry, so we count this mention as a relevant recognition.
The Ljubljana bid book is a part of the free services provided by the Ljubljana Tourism/Convention Bureau within the framework of meetings organizers and destination marketing support. We make contact with numerous associations and organizations in the beginning phase of the candidacy or establish it later, for example when Ljubljana is already shortlisted and an inspection visit follows, to facilitate the selection of a host city. Ljubljana is thus far the only Slovenian city with such a product – we can call it the best aid in preparing the candidacy. It is available in print as well as digital form, which is in tune with the eco friendly guidelines of Tourism Ljubljana.
Ljubljana as a convention destination and our support for meetings organizers is extensively introduced in a special tab on our portal at www.visitljubljana.si/meetings/.
