(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.
For the past year and a half, the work of the Slovenian Convention Bureau has been marked by the pandemic. However, this doesn’t mean the activities of the organisations have come to a halt. On the contrary, their agile response enabled them to dynamically adjust to unexpected challenges and opportunities. Several activities culminated during the summer months and the first days of September.
On the first of September, Tadeja Pivc – Coudyser took the helm of the Slovenian Convention Bureau. Tadeja is a recognisable individual in the international meetings industry. Above all, she is known for her role within the Hague Convention Bureau, where she was in charge of International Sales from 2016 onwards. Her most renowned project is the Hybrid City Alliance, which connects various destinations offering hybrid solutions for events during challenging times.
The new director of the Slovenian Convention Bureau was also active as an ICCA France Benelux Chapter Chairperson. Her insight into the international association, the ICCA, stretches back to 2008 and 2011 when she was responsible for events within the organisation. Her work for the PCO agency Kenes and the DMC agency Cox & Kings Holidaybreak Ltd also helped her gain invaluable experience regarding the agency part of the meetings industry.
Her knowledge and expertise will contribute to the goals of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, as she will strive to attract international congresses to Slovenia. We believe that Slovenia will soon see the addition of a new creative marketing platform. Tadeja’s vision is to further develop competencies and facilitate innovation to ensure that Slovenia reaches its full social and economic potential, given the right support.
Miha Kovačič, who has become known as the face of the Slovenian meetings industry, has completed his 16-year long mandate, during which he led the bureau from its inception. At the beginning of the story, there were 15 founding members. Today, over 60 of them are members of the Convention Bureau, largely to the credit of the former director. It is also through his work that business tourism has become one of the leading Slovenian tourist products. His mandate was above all marked by numerous innovative marketing campaigns and the enthusiasm that enthralled the international congress community. Miha is leaving the well-established bureau at a time when it is ready for new schallenges. He said his goodbyes to the community at the gala ceremony at Conventa.
Conventa, co-organised by the Slovenian Convention Bureau, was the last major international B2B event before the corona crisis and the first to take place after the year-long hibernation of the meetings industry. The organisers rescheduled Conventa 2021 from January to August and connected the event with the Conventa Crossover festival. Although both events were 50% smaller than pre-corona events, they were held in hybrid form. Nevertheless, 77 exhibitors and 113 foreign and locally-hosted buyers conducted more than 2,000 business meetings. The event was held in a safe way and showcased the fact that suitable solutions for the meetings industry do exist.
One of the highlights of Conventa Week was the Conventa Best Event Award competition for the best events in the New Europe region. An esteemed international jury chose 18 finalists. A series of virtual business events organised by the Slovenian Tourist Board, the Feel sLOVEni@ Business Date, was awarded two awards in the B2B events category and the Conventa Best Event Award – Grand Prix category. The campaign is a series of virtual business events held during the pandemic by the Slovenian Tourist Board. The events help to promote Slovenia as a tourist destination in foreign markets, while the one-to-one meetings connect foreign travel organisers and the Slovenian tourist economy.
A workable base for the future is the ambitious programme approved by members of the Slovenian Convention Bureau at the General Assembly of the bureau, which took place in July 2021 at Dvor Jezeršek. The workshop was intended for members to prepare a proposal for the activities of the Slovenian Convention Bureau in 2022. The assembly was an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge, as all members of the bureau were invited to participate. Numerous good case examples were presented, focusing on how to present Slovenia as a MICE destination in the future.
The bold programme represents solid groundwork for the further development of the Slovenian meetings industry and the bureau. The latter will not only follow trends but plans to establish these under the new leadership. The partnership between the Slovenian Convention Bureau and the Slovenian Tourist Board will play a key role in this.
You can meet the fresh and revamped team of the Slovenian Convention Bureau in autumn in person or at the following digital/hybrid events:
- Fam Trip Slovenia
- IMEX America
- IBTM World
- Conventa Trend Bar
For additional information regarding the Slovenian Convention Bureau, contact:
Azra Botonjič
Zavod-Kongresnoturistični urad/Slovenian Convention Bureau
E: azra.botonjic@slovenia-convention.com
W: www.slovenia-convention.com
W: www.congress-ambassador.si
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.
