Orchestrating an event in any of Poland’s key cities is an exceptional experience! Each city offers a splendid array of distinctive venues, combining elements reflective of their regional history and culture, alongside cutting-edge congress centres. These venues are adept at delivering captivating and visually stunning productions, whether it’s for one-time events or top-notch, recurrent international formats.
Despite facing challenges, the sector is on a path to recovery. Also, major cities like Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Łódź and Wrocław offer special convention bureaux services for event planners. Currently, we are witnessing the emergence of new convention bureaux (14 in Poland) and business hotels, with growing interest from our industry in participating in trade fairs and workshops.
Poland boasts its municipal and regional convention bureaus, serving as exceptional resources for both international event planners and the local MICE industry. Besides the Gdansk Convention Bureau, which also represents Sopot and Gdynia, there are an additional four regional CVBs (listed in the order of their founding year):
– Lubelskie Convention Bureau
– Mazovia Convention Bureau
– Silesia Convention Bureau
– Świętokrzyskie Convention Bureau
In today’s landscape, the significance of sustainability-focused events and initiatives, along with a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), underscores the growing importance of responsible practices in event planning. Each of Poland’s convention bureaux stands ready to offer guidance on maximizing the environmental friendliness of events while promoting DEI principles within the MICE industry.
Poland Convention Bureau
Poland Convention Bureau actively works to expand initiatives both within Poland and internationally. In late 2022, the Poland Convention Bureau regained its status as an independent entity within the framework of the Polish Tourism Organisation (PTO). Aneta Książek has been appointed as the Head of the department.
In autumn, the Poland Convention Bureau launched a new international marketing campaign titled “Poland. More than you expected,” dedicated to international meeting planners and event organizers. You can visit the website and find out more here.
Furthermore, they coordinate the Spotlight on Poland event for internationally hosted buyers and operate an educational initiative known as the Eventprofs Creators Lab (Laboratorium Twórców).
“The Eventprofs Creators Lab (#eventprofsLAB) project aims to enhance the professionalism of the Polish meetings industry and develop compelling content, particularly for international markets, showcasing Poland as a highly attractive destination for hosting events. The project’s name refers to a creative space providing resources, tools, and support for individuals or teams to create various types of content, such as films, images, music, texts, graphics, or other forms of digital media. The program includes a diverse range of workshops and training sessions for Polish eventprofs covering various topics,” says Jaroslaw Marciuk, Chief digital marketing specialist at Poland Convention Bureau.
Corporate events made in Poland
Poland offers diverse and captivating experiences for event participants, ranging from underground golf in a former mine to gatherings in post-industrial halls, historic breweries, or vodka factories transformed into atmospheric and cutting-edge event spaces. All this is delivered in a manner that not only surprises and delights delegates but also respects budget constraints.
The nation’s appeal is evident as individuals are relocating to Poland to benefit from its low unemployment rates, secure environment, and rising GDP per capita. Notably, recent significant investments from Asia and the U.S. signal a promising future. Intel’s groundbreaking announcement of a USD 4.6 billion investment in building a Semiconductor Integration and Testing Plant near Wroclaw is a testament to this trend. Additionally, tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Dell Technologies have also made substantial investments in Poland. These developments exert a positive influence on the MICE industry in the country.
Poland possesses a reservoir of tech talent that is truly remarkable. It ranks fourth in the European Union for STEM graduates and holds the top spot for female STEM graduates. This places Poland in a prime position to emerge as a formidable competitor in the increasingly digital world over the next five to ten years. The country stands at a pivotal moment in its history, leveraging economic growth propelled by a highly skilled workforce and substantial foreign investment.
Barbara Świderska, President of MPI Poland Chapter, says: “I reside in the Silesia region, home to nearly 450,000 businesses in a relatively small territory, including international corporations from key sectors: energy, automotive, aviation, pharmaceuticals, IT. Together with an incredible events infrastructure and impressive research institutions, we are becoming the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Europe.”
All of this makes Poland an increasingly attractive destination for new technology-related events, such as the renowned Intel Extreme Masters ESL Katowice which takes place at Spodek, the city’s landmark venue. The Kinguin Esports Performance Center in Warsaw stands out as a highly popular and unique high-tech venue on a European scale.
In Poland, you have the unique opportunity to host a conference 125 meters below ground in a historic salt mine or arrange an event within modern, post-industrial spaces. Nowhere else but in Poland can you design distinctive incentive programs, from leisurely boat cruises on verdant landscapes to the hands-on creation and launching of wooden boats. Culinary explorations offer a tantalizing array of experiences, featuring the delicious flavours of Polish dumplings, local spirits, beers and wines, organic meats, cheeses, and much more.
Joanna Montenarh – SITE POLAND Vice President, says: “The primary mission of SITE POLAND is to underscore the significance of incentive travel as a potent marketing tool and to position Poland as a premier destination in the international arena. Poland’s allure lies in its rich historical tapestry, architectural juxtapositions within its cities, a multitude of tourist attractions, a remarkable infrastructure that includes cutting-edge hotel facilities and versatile event venues, an exceptional value proposition compared to Western European counterparts, and seamless accessibility via an extensive flight network. All of these factors converge to make Poland an exceptionally appealing MICE destination.”
Poland prioritises sustainability, showcasing a firm dedication to eco-friendly practices across its hotels, venues, and dining establishments. Emphasizing support for local food producers and communities is central to their ethos. In essence, Poland stands as an exceptionally well-equipped destination to host a diverse range of MICE events, boasting boundless potential in this regard.
Wiktoria Król-Cieciorowska, President of the Board at Convention Bureau – Wrocław, says: “Convention Bureau – Wrocław has prepared a GREEN EVENTS document presenting good green practices for our event venues as we strive for sustainable development. We plan to expand the document to include more local facilities using green solutions.”
Additionally this year three Polish restaurants have earned Michelin stars, while seven have received the Bib Gourmand, and 39 have earned recommendations. The cities of Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, and the village of Koscielisko in the Tatra Mountains are prime destinations for food enthusiasts. This marks a significant milestone in the Polish culinary landscape, cementing Poland’s position as a leading destination for exceptional dining experiences.
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