More than 150 participants, six cities, over a dozen inspiring examples of good practices, and dozens of ideas for creating responsible events – this is how one can summarise the first edition of the Destination Poland Green Academy 2025–2026 project, a nationwide educational initiative aimed at the meetings and events industry.
The programme is delivered by the Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation in cooperation with SITE Poland experts Grażyna Grot-Duziak and Beata Koziarska, with the support of Aneta Książek, Head of the Meetings and Events Bureau – PTO’s Poland Convention Bureau.
As part of the project, a series of six workshops was organised in: Bydgoszcz, Kielce, Lublin, Poznań, Łódź and Katowice. They were attended by over 150 representatives of the MICE industry, including hotels, conference centres, event organisers, tourist attractions, DMCs, Convention Bureaux, local governments and institutions supporting the development of business tourism.
Aneta Książek, Director of the Meetings and Events Bureau – PTO’s Poland Convention Bureau: “For Polish cities and regions, this represents a tremendous opportunity to build competitiveness – especially for those considered ‘second-choice destinations’. A responsible approach, skilful use of local resources and stakeholder cooperation allow them to stand out effectively on the international market and attract higher-profile events.”
“I am glad that, thanks to the Destination Poland Green Academy project, we were able to uncover – and often name – good practices that already exist in the cities we visited. This shows that Poland has real potential to be perceived as a modern, responsible, and globally competitive destination.”
Conclusions from the project
Each meeting provided space for open discussion, the exchange of experiences, and the building of business relationships. Regardless of the region, similar conclusions emerged – the industry needs further education, inspiration and cooperation platforms that enable the effective implementation of sustainable development solutions.
The project also confirmed that Polish cities and regions have significant potential for organising responsible events. Local natural resources, cultural and culinary heritage, developed infrastructure, and growing ESG awareness are becoming important elements in building competitive advantage in both domestic and international markets.
Sustainable development is no longer just a trend, but a direction that defines the future of the meetings industry. In response to growing client expectations, Polish cities are developing tourism strategies, introducing certifications, investing in sustainable transport and educating local entrepreneurs.
Find out more about the Polish Tourism Organisation here.
