Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia hosted an educational and marketing event ICCA Association Meetings Programme – AMP 2018. The prestigious event took place from 9 –11 July and created a dynamic platform for education, business opportunities and networking, underlined with genuine local experience and warm hospitality. In addition, 30 association executives came to Ljubljana on 8 July with the aim to learn and experience what Ljubljana has to offer for associations events.
All ICCA members of Slovenia joined forces in creating a programme that made the participants Feel Slovenia. The Local Organising Committee consisting of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, Slovenian Tourist Board, Visit Ljubljana, Union Hotels, Cankarjev dom, GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, Kompas DMC, Bled Convention Bureau and Dekon Group, devotedly contributed to designing a dynamic but stress-free three-day programme to remember.
Professional organisation fused with the friendly and warm atmosphere and green spirit
Slovenian knowledge and experience enriched the scientific programme of the Association Meetings Programme with some prominent names. The Nobel Peace Prize Winner, climatologist and Professor Dr Lučka Kajfež Bogataj put into context how the global changes we are facing today, from competition of resources, planetary boundaries and environmental, social and economic interdependencies impact the civil society, and youth, and will help us understand how to adapt to those changes and create more sustainable societies. She also demonstrated the implications of climate change not only on the environment, but also on national and international security issues which is crucial for the meetings industry as meetings today are heavily affected by safety and security issues.
Deputy Mayor of Ljubljana, Tjaša Ficko, explained how Ljubljana became the only city in Central and South-East Europe to receive the title Green Capital of Europe and explained the importance of green policies in city urban planning and how the citizens of Ljubljana have played a critical role in implementing changes for a higher quality of life in the city with the change of their mindset and their habits.
Ana Roš, best female chef of 2017, presented a gastronomical exploration of Slovenia and how her creative ideas inspired by travellers from around the world in combination with local ingredients have helped her put Slovenia on the international gastronomic map, especially through the Netflix series “Chef’s Table”.
Juan Jose Garcia, the Chief Marketing Officer at Bco Congresos, held a plenary session with the title “A challenge shared is a challenge solved” where he highlighted the wisdom of crowd-based solutions. Miha Kovačič, Director of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, Debbie Roepe, Executive Director at the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease and Loren Christie, Director of Sales at Tourism Toronto talked about the new emerging destinations Vs. the experienced and established destinations, showing what some of the new and emerging destinations are doing to “stand out”, and how associations are approaching the ever-growing market to find the right destination for their event.
Robin Miller, Director of Sales (Conferences and Events), Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company and Genevieve Leclerc, Expert Consultant for national and international associations and congresses, Caravelle Strategies explained the fundaments of Event Design and architecture with practical examples of being innovative and creative as well as differentiating yourself from your competitors and providing added value to your clients.
What cities, venues and PCOs did for associations that went beyond their expectations was thoroughly explained in a plenary session by Juan Jose Garcia, Jane Cunningham Director, International Associations, BestCities Global Alliance and Christoph Schewe, Managing Director, International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations.
Maja Pak, MSc., director of the Slovenian Tourist Board: “Slovenia is increasingly recognisable abroad as an excellent host of professional events at the highest level. Professionally implemented events, and at the same time genuine hospitality, are ranking Slovenia among the most prominent destinations on the world map of congress tourism. I am convinced that ICCA AMP, one of the most prestigious events in the field of global congress activity, will record surpluses in terms of professional and quality performance, and the visit and satisfaction of the participants.”
Petra Stušek, director of Ljubljana Tourism: “The Slovenian ICCA members are delighted to welcome ICCA AMP 2018 to the capital, Ljubljana. We are confident that with its human scale, green soul and vibrancy, topped by our genuine hospitality, it will provide an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and business networking among the participants.”
The ICCA AMP 2018 is another milestone for Slovenia
The attendees and the members of associations were impressed by the professional organisation fused with the friendly and warm atmosphere and the all-around present green spirit. In three days they created meaningful and lasting business relationships, friendships and many memories. Slovenia and Ljubljana proved that they are a unique destination offering professionalism, great event and congress venues, excellent cuisine, warm hospitality and astonishing natural scenery. The ICCA AMP 2018 is another milestone in pinning Slovenia even more firmly on the world map of event and congress destinations.