Kongres Magazine talked to Fredi Fontanot, MICE destination coordinator at Portorož Tourist Board, who was recently named among the top 10 Most Influential Destination Representatives in 2021. Fredi shared his advice for newcomers in the meetings industry and expressed his opinion on the future of events.
Q1: What does the title of the industry’s most influential individual in the region mean to you?
I am very honoured for the nomination as the most influential individual in the region. The nomination was a big surprise for me. I was truly happy just to be nominated. This is a great title for me and an even greater award for the MICE team for the whole destination of Portorož & Piran. It shows that we have been doing a great job so far and that we are on the right path.
Q2: Can we say that you are a newcomer in the meetings industry? What inspires you?
I would say that I am an “old newcomer” in the meetings industry. I am not new in the industry, yet, in the last few years, I was given the opportunity to become a coordinator for MICE for one of the TOP Slovenian tourist destinations. It all began from scratch, and from the start, I have tried to connect all key players from the destination to present our unique local experiences to all of our potential guests. MICE is like a theatre. It is all about feelings, sounds, colours, flavours, feelings etc. We are focused on special experiences, gastronomy, outdoor activities, natural and cultural heritage. In combination with the sea view and beneficent Mediterranean climate, this is a winning combination.
Q3: You have contributed a lot to the development of the meetings industry. What would you say was your greatest achievement so far?
It is not only about me but about the whole MICE team within our destination. We became a big, warm family, all working together and with one another. Our only goal is that our customers return home happy and impressed by the features offered by our destination. Every smile, every thank you, every satisfied business partner/visitor, and ultimately, every visitor who comes back to our beautiful destination is a great achievement for all of us.
Q4: What changes would you like to see in the meetings industry in 2022?
After these strange two years, we all just hope that the global and financial situation will enable us to continue doing our job and create new experiences that will attract more visitors. Locally, we would be thrilled if the meetings industry would be implemented as part of the local destination strategy, which includes the formal opening of a local Convention Bureau. That really would be a great achievement.
Q5: What is your prediction for the future of meetings?
I am afraid we have started the new era with some type of hybrid events and meetings, which, honestly, we are not big fans of. We would like to pursue one-to-one meetings with personal contact. Furthermore, we would like our guests to visit our destination and feel the fresh sea air, taste locally produced olive oil or enjoy a glass of wine… We want them directly at the location, and we hope to remain a kind of “classic” destination. Of course, there will be smaller boutique groups where the emphasis is to satisfy the desires of the individuals. We are a small destination and thus ideal for this kind of “boutique” tourism.
Q6: What is your advice for young colleagues making their way in the meetings industry?
Slovenia is undoubtedly a nice and beautiful country that you can quickly fall in love with, and this is a good starting point. We must remain warm and hospitable, but at the same time highly professional. We must be proud of our local traditions, tasty food and our picturesque land with mountains, sea, rivers etc. We need to show all our qualities and people will appreciate it.
“We would like to pursue one-to-one meetings with personal contact. Furthermore, we would like our guests to visit our destination and feel the fresh sea air, taste locally produced olive oil or enjoy a glass of wine…”
Q7: Were you more exposed in public after being placed on our list? Do you see this as an opportunity to reinforce the prominence of our industry in general?
As a person, I am always very exposed, and I do not think that has changed after being placed on the list. There were some friends who after a long time, found out what I do and what my mission is. Some people say I am like a virus – I am always around, I appear in different places and roles, and I am involved in “everything”. But it is a pleasure to be a part of this big business tourism machine. But I am not that big to move the industry in general. I am just doing my local work in this segment. I am doing it with all my passion and knowledge. And I am not alone – it is chiefly teamwork. Perhaps I am just an example of someone who tries with all his energy to promote a destination that is primarily known as a leisure destination and MICE-destination and sell it during the whole year and not just for the summertime. In the end, this is our common destination goal.
Q8: What are your thoughts on our selection of the influencers?
It is always nice to be recognised for the work you do and the way you do it. I am proud of the received award and thrilled about it on behalf of the whole destination. Being on this list means that we were recognised and have done our job well.
Q9: In your opinion, who deserves the title of the TOP influencer if you had to choose from the finalists yourself?
Oh, this is the most difficult question. As a very ambitious person, I would say, of course, me😊. But if I had to really choose someone from other finalists in our category, I would choose, of course, the one from Slovenia – Tadeja Pivc Coudyser as the director of the Slovenian Convention Bureau would be my first choice. She is very professional and powerful, influencing all of us, locals, and guiding us in the right direction.
