CONVENTA 2021
The biblical title might sound unusual at first, but it is apt of Conventa. Having been the last major international B2B event before lockdown, Conventa was the first to take place after a year-long hibernation of the meetings industry.
Acknowledging the importance of events was a turning point in my life. Many of the events I helped cocreate altered our world. I never regretted dedicating my career to the meetings industry. Any doubts that arose were overcome by the energy that arose between organisers and the audience. I can only compare it to the energy that flows between musicians and their audience at live concerts.
Although I wore many hats, Conventa was the project that defined and fulfilled me. It was developed from scratch and with pure love for our industry. The trinity, Miha, Natalija and myself, form the anchor and core of our story.
When in 2009, during the greatest economic crisis, we devised Conventa, the reactions from colleagues and the media were unified. You are brave to start a project and head into the unknown. Conventa was born in a crisis and grew out of one. We are accustomed to crisis management, and we could say that Conventa’s team is no stranger to constant change. The latter helped Conventa develop.
We are proud that we were able to execute Conventa regardless of the corona crisis. Our goal was to showcase that events can take place even in challenging COVID-19 conditions. That is what we also proved in person at the event that has extended itself into the Conventa week. Hybrid solutions enable the execution of events regardless of the course of the pandemic. Conventa thus brings optimism and hints at the future. Many, without exaggeration, say that it shows the light at the end of the tunnel.
These days, we often hear that we will only win together. Although that might seem impossible, I am a firm believer that the crisis will bring progress.
We have more time for pondering about our industry, more family time, and life has suddenly become simpler. Instead of exotic postcards, we will have to take a look around our doorstep. Conventa strives to achieve that. I believe in regional trade shows and events that might be less glamorous, yet the future will show their significance.
The motivation behind Conventa’s team was never questioned as the project fulfils us, while the new situation has further invigorated us. There are many unanswered questions, and after corona, I wish that our earnest enthusiasm, awe and joy will not diminish. We will continue to build Conventa on respect and solidarity – words, which are frequently overlooked.
Once a year, we meet in Ljubljana in person, and I consider Conventa a celebration of the regional congress industry. We will do everything in our power to keep it that way.
Gorazd Čad
Cofounder of Conventa
See photo highlights from this year’s hybrid Conventa below!
