ANYTHING BUT EASY & AVERAGE
Q: Have you always wanted to work in the meeting industry?
Today I feel I am exactly where I have always wanted to be. Not specifically in the meeting industry, but with a great passion for customer service I have always imagined myself working in a dynamic, people-oriented field.
Q: Why is your destination/country the best in the world?
With immense natural beauty, Bled ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts, renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. The beauty of the mountains reflected on the lake, the sun and the fresh air makes it an ideal destination both for a relaxing break or an active holiday. Not only being unique because of its natural and cultural beauty, Bled truly offers an opportunity to reflect. Here you can revive yourself in a serenity that leads to contemplation. As one of my clients perfectly summarized: ‘Bled simply does something to you’.
Q: What would be the first thing you would show every visitor to your country?
You have to feel Slovenia to fall in love with it, and I believe I would succeed in engaging all the senses by showing the idyllic destination of Bled. Surrounded by spectacular views of the lake and mountains, I would offer a tasting of a Carniolan sausage together with the best Slovenian wines.
Q: What has been your star moment so far and your favourite project with which you would praise yourself?
It was definitely a milestone in my professional career when I was invited by the Management Board of Sava Turizem to join the team and as the Director of MICE Sales, a newly established department within the company. With the new role came new responsibilities and new, more strategic projects. Together with my team, we are writing a story of success, breaking the limits and stereotypes every single day. More specifically, the latest highlight was definitely the announcement that Bled has been chosen to host a 12-day long scientific conference in 2014.
Q: What motivates you the most at work?
Driven by daily challenges, feeling responsible to deliver what I promise and being surrounded by inspirational people, it is not hard for me to stay fully motivated. I somehow enjoy it when a particular situation becomes complicated, and when I have to engage my thoughts completely, to find a perfect solution. These are bitter delights that spice up my daily routine and also at the end make a collage of personal achievements that I am proud of. Looking back at them always pushes me forward and motivates me to wish for more.
Q: In what way do you deal with stress?
Although I am a kind of person who works better under pressure and in one way enjoys challenging situations, prioritising my responsibilities usually helps me deal with bad stress. I also find it crucial to maintain a balance between hard work and quality spare time, mixed with lots of sport activities.
Q: When were you last angry / disappointed and why?
I am usually disappointed when I expect too much from people or situations. However, I am learning how to convert disappointment into a call for action, where I ask myself ‘what can I do to avoid this kind of result next time?’, and how to look at things from another perspective.
Q: What will be new in your business in 2014?
We will continue developing our brand ‘Green for Tomorrow’, which stands for all sustainable practices that we offer to event organisers for the purposes of environmental protection. Furthermore, we will try to present ourselves in new markets and increase awareness of Slovenia and Bled in the current ones. We will remain focused on the quality of services, keeping an eye on trends in the meetings industry. As Bled continues to grow as a congress destination, as it has over the past few years, we will have to find more niches to attract, and new ambassadors to engage, in order to help us strengthen our position.
Q: What did you learn last week?
I re-learned that everything happens for a reason and that some events in life require a certain cycle to fully develop, not just a strong wish.
Q: Where will you spend this year’s holiday and why?
The way I plan my holidays reflects my splitting interests and what kind of a stress-free therapy I need at that particular moment. Throughout the year, I therefore create a mixture of experiences, Robinson–style adventures somewhere in nature, spontaneous road trips, sports-oriented breaks and, nevertheless, more luxurious travels where I act as typical tourist. More importantly than how and where, it is with whom I spend my holidays.
Q: If there would be no time or financial constraints, where would you go?
I believe it is all a matter of priorities and how strong the wish exists to go somewhere, given that these things are reachable. On my long wish-list of destinations to visit, New Zealand certainly ranks among the top.
Q: What would be the title of your life autobiography?
»Anything but easy & average«
