(R)EVOLUTION OF THE SLOVENIAN MEETINGS INDUSTRY
The Slovenian meetings industry (r)evolution is here. After almost a year and a half of silence, the Slovenian meetings industry is going into autumn with numerous novelties. Slovenia is considered a safe, green, and compact destination that offers good value for money. Slovenia is a destination that’s eagerly awaiting the post-corona period, well-equipped with know-how and a series of novelties that will enrich its conference offer.
Ljubljana has congresses and events written in its DNA. Long before the meetings industry, as we know it today, Ljubljana hosted the Congress of the Holy Alliance in 1821. During the Congress, Ljubljana was not only a diplomatic hotspot but also a venue for a variety of social events. The arrival of the crowned heads of Europe and their numerous entourages was in itself a major event for the citizens of Ljubljana, who numbered around 20,000 at the time. This year, we’re celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Congress, and there will be many events to mark the occasion.
Even today, Ljubljana impresses with all the attributes of a true capital, while at the same time giving the impression of a small and friendly city. This has been made possible by the comprehensive urban renovation that has recently provided Ljubljana with several spaces that are suitable for congresses and events. The numerous investments that contributed to the refurbishment of congress venues and hotels in the last few years were also sustainability-oriented. The backbone of Ljubljana’s congress offer is formed by two world-class congress centres; the Cankarjev dom and Gospodarsko razstavišče. After numerous renovations, both are in tip-top condition and are suitable for hosting the most demanding congress guests.
Ljubljana is one of the cities where many investments were made during the corona standstill. A prelude to Ljubljana’s lively summer event scene was the Conventa Trade Show, the first major international event to be held after the peak of the crisis. It was the first live reunion of the regional meetings industry. Positive comments on social media speak volumes about how much the attendees had missed in-person interaction and relaxed, positive energy.
Ljubljana woke up from the corona crisis with a series of new hotel openings. The “rebel” hotel One66 recently opened its doors. The hotel, reminiscent of trendy hotels in other more famous metropolises, impresses with its industrial design. The basketball-style conference hall is the ideal space for adventurous event organisers who are not satisfied with boring congress halls. Digital nomads will also be particularly happy, as the hotel offers fully-equipped suites, ultra-fast internet, and a business corner.
Less than a week later, the renovated Four Points by Sheraton opened its doors. The hotel, located next to Ljubljana’s main ring road, can accommodate 900 attendees in 13 congress halls, making it one of the largest congress hotels in Slovenia. The expanded hotel offers 219 rooms and 17 suites, 122 of which are in the new hotel wing. New features include an indoor swimming pool, a covered car park, and a renovated restaurant and bistro.
September will also see the opening of the long-awaited special venue, Galerija Cukrarna – the largest cultural project in Slovenia. The new Centre of Contemporary Arts will also cater to the needs of event organisers. This daring project has restored one of the most important industrial heritage buildings in Ljubljana, and it’s sure to become one of the hottest event spaces in the city.
2,120 HOTEL ROOMS IN THE 4 AND 5-STAR CATEGORIES
The novelties don’t end there, however. We’re still waiting for official information on the opening of the Barcelo Hotel. It was announced some time ago that the hotel will offer 151 rooms and a small conference centre. The exterior is already taking shape, and it’s bound to be a lovely addition to Ljubljana’s congress offer.
Boutique hotel lovers will not be disappointed either. This year, several new facilities have opened. The family-run Pr’Kopač inn in Brezovica near Ljubljana, with over 150 years of history and tradition, has now become a boutique hotel with 14 rooms. A local favourite, the Zlata ladjica restaurant (Golden Ship), was also transformed into a stylish boutique hotel with the same name. In addition to the 20-room, four-star hotel, hotel guests will also find a restaurant and pub on the ground floor. In the shortest street in Ljubljana, connecting Jurčičev and Novi trg, an old city house, more than 400 years old, was renovated and now houses the Hotel Heritage.
More information about new hotel openings can be found here.
In the annual Meetings Star evaluation (Meeting Experience Index), Ljubljana is once again at the top of the rankings, together with Tallinn and Zagreb. It has retained its leading position in the region thanks to a resilient meetings industry. The latter was showcased optimistically at the 6th Conventa Crossover conference.
Ljubljana currently has 2,120 hotel rooms in the 4 and 5-star categories. The 23 hotels suitable for congress guests will soon be joined by several new ones. We are confident that this will further strengthen Ljubljana’s leading position among destinations that can host events up to 2,000 participants.
For further information, please visit the website of the Slovenian Convention Bureau at www.slovenia-convention.com and the Slovenian Tourist Board at www.slovenia.info.
READ ALSO…
https://www.slovenia.info/en/stories/why-is-slovenia-one-of-the-worlds-top-green-destinations
