This year’s selection has shown a balanced ratio between male and female candidates. Thus, among 242 candidates, 48,15% were female representatives, and 51,85% were male nominees.
The selection of the Most Influential People of New Europe has earned recognition from the international meetings industry through Kongres Magazine’s partner network. Only individuals who meet strict criteria are placed on the list. Each candidate is segmented into various comparable categories. That is one of the reasons why the selection has become a credible and professional platform.
The nominees are evaluated based on clear criteria on a scale from 1 to 5:
1. CREDIBILITY: Trust and credibility are two core values in event organising. The candidate is recognised as a highly credible individual in the regional meetings industry.
2. CREATIVITY: The candidate showcased creativity and agility in their work. Particularly during COVID-19, they executed innovative projects.
3. RESULTS: The candidate achieved financial or other multiplicative results that were well above average compared to the regional average.
4. LEGACY: The candidate left a permanent mark by working for the common good of the meetings industry. Even in COVID-19 times, they strived to find a way out of the crisis.
We would like to sincerely congratulate the finalists on their impressive achievements.
TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL MEETING INNOVATORS

Ana AKHALAIA
Convention and Exhibition Bureau of Georgia

Ines ANTTI-POIKA
Finland Convention Bureau

Mateusz CZERWINSKI
Warsaw Convention Bureau

Dejan CRNOMARKOVIĆ
Serbia Convention Bureau

Fredi FONTANOT
Slovenian Convention Bureau

Dimitris GANITIS
Thessaloniki Convention Bureau

Kadri KARU
Estonian Convention Bureau

Maximilian KRAINZ
Carinthia Convention Bureau

Wiktoria KROL-CIECIOROWSKA
Wroclaw Convention Bureau

Eleni SOTIROU
Thessaloniki Convention Bureau

THE MEETINGS STAR 2024/2025 AWARD CEREMONY
The awards for the Most Influential People of New Europe’s Meetings Industry 2022 will be awarded at the gala award ceremony taking place as part of Conventa on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, in Cankarjev dom.