Try Before You Buy Niš
The organisers of Conventa started this year’s event season of Try Before You Buy by Conventa in the rhythm of merak in Serbia’s southern capital, Niš. The incredibly hospitable local organisers proved that there are incredible Serbian destinations beyond Belgrade with immense potential for development. Niš stands out with its varied incentive offerings, which attendees could experience first-hand. In Niš, you will find everything larger cities have but packed in an incredibly friendly and hospitable package.
Boutique and exclusive format
Gorazd Čad, the co-founder of Conventa, emphasised: “The event format is a boutique and exclusive way of promoting and experiencing a destination. Experiences are tailored to focus groups and markets of Niš. We limit the group size because that is the only way to ensure a genuine and quality experience.”
Why Niš?
1. Value for money: The offer of Niš currently offers excellent value for money. In a time when prices are skyrocketing, that is crucial.
2. Local hospitality: Genuine hospitality in Niš is characterised by courtesy, professionality, and a heartfelt approach, rarely found elsewhere.
3. Incentive offer: The surprisingly diverse offer of incentive trips ranges from adrenaline, active and cultural to historical experiences.
4. Excellent cuisine: Niš feels like a fresh, colourful spring bouquet full of authentic food and wines, superb restaurants and winemakers. The entire offer exudes warmth, hospitality and authenticity. In one word, merak.
5. Development centre of Serbia: Niš is famed as the development centre of the Serbian IT industry, representing tremendous intellectual capital. Thus, event organisers can organise even the most demanding events here.
Several partners of the Tourism Organisation of Niš helped co-organise the event, including Aero Turs Nis, BLeisure DMC, Mondorama and Nature Travel Office. Attendees could also learn about Radisson Hotel Park Niš, poised to open its doors next year.
The organisers prepared an exceptional programme, including some of the most popular and unusual event locations in Niš, such as Niš Technological Centre, Blackberry Events, Malča Wine Cellar, Meze Tavern and Ethno Restaurant Brka. The first evening was dedicated to an informal meet-up as an introduction to the experiences of the following day. Attendees ventured into the city streets and surroundings in two boutique groups and learned about the numerous possibilities of event organising in this up-and-coming destination. The final day was reserved for business meetings between local suppliers, service providers and foreign-hosted buyers.
Speaking on the added value of such events for MICE destinations, Milica Filipovic, Coordinator of international cooperation at Niš Convention Bureau, said: “Events such as Try Before You Buy by Conventa are perfect for developing MICE destinations such as Niš. This kind of event provides a firsthand experience for participants, in this case, tour operators and event organisers. The added value lies in allowing participants to gain intimate knowledge and insights into the destination, venues, attractions, and experiences, enabling them to better promote and sell it to their clients. They also facilitate networking among industry professionals – buyers and local service providers and help build relationships that can lead to future collaboration and business opportunities. This event was especially important for us because we got immediate feedback from buyers, and it will be easier for us to segment the market and adjust our offer.”
Niš is a metaphor for Southern Serbia, a city you will fondly remember. Niš will become fierce competition for Novi Sad and other regional destinations once accessibility improves and the construction of a new terminal at the airport concludes.
You can see the complete event programme at https://conventa.si/try-before-you-buy/.
