KONGRES MAGAZINE AUTUMN ISSUE 2018

September 2018 //

71.

www.kongres-magazine.eu

10 //

VIEW FROM THE TOP // Exclusive interview with Florian Weitzer from Weitzer Hotels

48 //

BEST OF // The best DMCs in Alpe-Adria

THERE // 82 // BEEN Highlights from

Conventa Crossover 2018

CONT RIBU TERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF // GORAZD ČAD Editor of the magazine is a geographer and historian by profession. He united his professional education and love of discovering new lesser-known meetings destinations with love and passion for the meetings industry. In meetologues he shares his enthusiasm with the readers.

NATALIJA BAH ČAD // MEETINGS AND EVENT MANAGER An unforgettable member in the editorial board of travelogues. She has insight into the soul of destinations based on many years of practical experience with the organisation of events. She is interested in everything from the history, geography and destination marketing to care for the tiny little things that make the big events.

ASSISTANT EDITOR // JASMINA JERANT A creative writer since childhood was brought into the meetings industry where she can release her passion for storytelling. She seeks for unusual, hidden, and charming facts that make a town or a building shine in a different way. She believes that places are like people. In each one of them you can find something amusing.

AJDA BORAK // EDITOR INTELLIGENT CONTENT Since she was a young girl, she was in love with stories.

Constructing reality and creating stories with words is for Ajda a game that never gets boring. The beauty of her job at Kongres Magazine is in the endless amounts of stories she is diving in on a daily basis.

VISUAL & SERVICE DESIGNER // JURKA MIHELIN Visual and Service Designer, who considers design thinking a must. Friendly, with a passion for learning. Loves dogs, swing dancing and white space. A bit of perfectionist and also quite short.

PUBLISHER, PRODUCTION AND MARKETING Toleranca Marketing d.o.o. www.toleranca.eu

Štihova 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana T: +386 1 430 51 03 E: gorazd.cad@toleranca.eu

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KONGRES MAGAZINE

360° MICE ACTIVATION

ANALYTICS Marketing analytics

CONTENT Copywriting and Content marketing

SALES Personal sales

EXPERIENCE Sales events

VIDEO Video campaigns

DATABASE Big data targeting

360° MICE ACTIVATION

PRINT Image building

ONLINE Digital Campaigns

SOCIAL Social media campaigns

DIRECT E-mail marketing and Telemarketing

with TOLERANCA MARKETING

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

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FESTIVAL VALLEY GORAZD ČAD, EDITOR IN CHIEF //

@gorazdcad

In 2004, when the first headbanging metal lovers appeared at the confluence of the Tolminka river, even the most optimistic strategists could not imagine that their beloved Soča Valley would later be known as the Valley of Festivals.

When a group of adrenaline junkies came to the idea of riding oldstyle Pony bicycles up the Vršič pass, nobody in their right mind had thought that it would become one of the most important tourist events of the Upper Sava Valley.

When Leo Ličof carried out a festival of ethno music in Bled for the first time, nobody believed that the Okarina Festival would someday celebrate its 25th anniversary.

When stand-up comedians Tin Vodopivec and Andrej Težak-Tešky envisioned a festival of stand-up comedy called Panč, nobody had envisioned that it would become the central regional stand-up festival, celebrating its 11th anniversary this year.

All of the stories above are very similar. They share the same energy, the energy of individuals, who developed these stories from sheer enthusiasm and love for their work. Their efforts paid off, as they are now an important part of the destinations’ tourist offer. They have another thing in common; they’ve battled the windmills and won, but not without great personal sacrifice and risks, things that are beyond comprehension to some. Organisers of these events often have in mind a higher purpose, and this can create a conflict between their event and the local self-sufficient community.

2. Free buzz on social media If you checked off the first point and made the participants happy, they will definitely share their happiness and positive experience on social media, as that is just how the homo sapiens of the digital age function. This kind of promotion would otherwise be out of reach for local and national tourist organisations.

3. Positioning on the world map Not everyone succeeds in becoming world-famous, but Tolmin is a good practice case that, thanks to the organisers of the Metaldays, has succeded in exactly that. A positive example is also the Tour of Slovenia, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is firmly positioning Slovenia on the world sports map.

4. Direct marketing of the organisers Event organisers usually try to appeal to as wide of a circle of participants as possible, turning to a combination of marketing tools, from the oldschool advertising to sophisticated content and digital marketing. Smart tourist destinations know how to capitalize on that, as they reach their target group through a mutual marketing strategy.

5. Accurately measuring communication efficiency Precise measurement of communication efficiency on all points of contact between the organiser and the participants has become easier than ever. This gives us priceless feedback about the quality and efficiency of communication activities built around your event, destination or venue.

It’s about time that things start falling into place. A cheaper, more efficient and accurately measurable promotion of tourist destinations is impossible to find. Here are some reasons why events are the driving force of modern tourist destination marketing.

6. Direct economic effects Hosting an event in a destination with a well-developed tourist infrastructure has a direct effect on the number of overnight stays and expenditure. Playing a key role here is the concept of the event. A well set-out programme scheme can bring profit to all parties involved.

1. Personal contact with the destination The most basic and quite logical outcome of an event is a first-hand experience of the destination, which can not be replaced by any virtual machinery. If the experience is positive, your destination will have the best mouth-to-mouth marketing you could ever ask for. This sounds simple, but carrying that out in practice is much more difficult.

7. Self-image If festivals and events grow together with the environment, they have a boosting effect on the confidence and self-image of the local residents. If the location is less-known, festivals switch this around and gradually erase feelings of being left out and unrecognizable, and they position the location into the heart of global culture. The

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

It’s about time that things start falling into place.

latter is also the reason why most locals, consequently, support the festivals.

8. Media exposure The media still has a significant say in choosing which destination is important, recognizable and which one society should pay attention to. Extensive coverage about an event can convince the public that your destination is worth visiting. In short, being in the media spotlight will give you exposure and spread the word about your importance.

9. Deseasonalization A lot of festivals happen outside the main (usually summer) tourist season, which contributes to deseasonalization. This demands a clear and thorough coordination with all key players involved. Organisers need the host just as much as the host needs the organisers and with a bit of good spirit a solution for both can be found.

10. A five-star experience People attend events in their free time and they are prepared to pay a lot of money for an experience they won’t forget. Most of the time, they are well-educated people, who are also interested in the local culture and cuisine; the dream focus group for tourism. The question is therefore: can we offer them the five-star experience they are expecting? You can’t help but draw comparisons with Vienna, a city that very successfully fills its luxury infrastructure with impressive events all year round.

So what’s the main problem? If we only scratch the surface of the most successful events, one thing becomes clear. They are led by local organisers, who are invested in the destination with their heart and soul. These kinds of events are enduring and will last the longest on the market. Moreover, headquarters of the organising companies are usually local, so all the added value and new jobs stay at home.

One of the negative sides of small nations is a chronic lack of confidence. Grass is always greener on the other side and everything that’s foreign is more appealing. The question that people should be asking is what legacy will the event leave to the local community. The

thought should be ever present in the minds of people working with public money, especially tourist agencies.

A big portion of meeting planners, offering their events abroad, are from the UK; they are probably the biggest exporter of B2B and B2C events. British meeting planners aren’t exactly philanthropists and their only goal is to make money. An elaborate business model based on the principle of co-financing from local tourism companies, which cover all of their fixed expenses, while the difference goes into their pockets. With business optimization, European taxpayers’ money ends up in some tax oasis.

Take Ultra Music Festival for example. It strongly resembles the business model mentioned above and Split’s investment into the festival is bigger each year; probably the only reason why the organisers keep coming back. I doubt that anyone has ever calculated the ROI of such an event and I don’t believe anyone has ever asked whether hosting the event has any negative effects. The only efficiency index is fully booked hotel rooms, while everything else remains hidden.

It’s interesting that after the economic crisis, tourist strategies started to grow like weeds, one cleverer than the other, talking about five-star, boutique and luxury products. There’re a few events here and there, but they are never in the forefront of strategic destination marketing.

You don’t have to travel far to find some good practice cases. Neighbouring Zagreb understands the concept very well. To an extent where events are the main motor for promotion and filling capacities in the lowest of tourist seasons (Festival of Lights, Dvorišta, Advent, Zagrebački vremeplov).

The subject and much more were discussed at the Conventa Crossover conference in late August. We organised Crossover with immense love for events and for stories which our guests from all over Europe shared with us.

One of the central parts of the event was the Conventa Best Event Award with 25 exciting projects competing for it this year.

The Crossover’s main goal is to become a platform for networking and exchanging knowledge between regional meeting planners from international companies, congress destinations and congress service providers.

We were joined by many tourist destinations, which found clear answers about what steps they should be taking in the future.

Gorazd Čad Editor-in-Chief

CONVENTA CROSSOVER // COLUMN

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NEW FORMATS FROM CONVENTA CROSSOVER ... in great pictures

JAN-JAAP IN DER MAUR, MASTERS IN MODERATION //

CONVENTA CROSSOVER/MATJAŽ TAVČAR

Recently, I moderated the Conventa Crossover Conference again, in Ljubljana. Thanks to the organisers ánd the participants it was a memorable event, once more. Let me share some work formats and meeting design solutions that we used to engage and energise.

But first of all, let me thank the photographer (Matjaz Tavčar) for taking the ultimate moderator picture! This shows – in my view – exactly what a moderator should look like. Please notice a few thing about this picture (above):

1. The speaker is in focus, the moderator isn’t. And that’s how it should be, because the speaker is the hero and the moderator is just there to assist. By the way: the speaker is Patrick Roubroeks (Xsaga) … and what a great performance that was!

2. The moderator is listening to the speaker, but observing the audience! That’s where his main focus should be, since it is all about them and since the speaker is only there to serve te delegates.

3. Right, back to the formats. We did a few things differently:

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CONVENTA CROSSOVER // COLUMN

OPENING Unlike most openings, this one wasn’t ‘big and loud’, but intimate and personal. As a moderator, I sat down at the edge of the stage and I slowed down, allowing all time to reflect on my questions.

It created a casual atmosphere, invited participants to determine their personal learnings and helped them open up and share. With that in mind, participants went into workshops right away KEYNOTE CAMPFIRES After the workshops, there were two keynote speakers. The first one didn’t present as such, but engaged with the audience to co-create.

Partcipants were asked to come up with wild ideas for events, Patrick Roubroeks commented on them and by doing so, delegates learned from the creative mind of this events-hero.

Furthermore, there was no Q&A right after the keynotes. Instead, after two keynotes, both were assigned a personal space in the room. The participants were allowed to make up their own mind: go and talk to a speaker in a smaller setting or check email, network etc.

These campfire settings made sure that the speakers would only talk to those truely interested and be able to give those people their full attention. Please compare that to the ‘normal’ situation, where 100 people have to wait for only 10 coming up with questions. And again, this contributed to the special Conventa Crossover intimate atmosphere.

PANEL Another format we tried, was the ‘panel on demand’. This is what we did: First, participants were asked to help change the seating of the room.

Instead of putting 3 people on stage, the seats were placed in a square, leaving room in the middle for the panel to sit. Then the participants where told that they had a choice of 4 topics (within the overall theme

CONVENTA CROSSOVER // COLUMN

9

of the panel). Each topic was assigned to one quadrant of the room.

Everyone had to pick his favorite topic and sit in the corresponding quadrant. This lead to a room, where in one quadrant was 40% of all delegates and in another just 6 people.

The panel then turned to the quadrant with most people in it, giving most time to this topic. After three turns, the least popular topic was given 2 sentences per panellist. Overall it was fun: people were fresh, because they physically moved around; they were engaged, because the panel met their demands and not the other way around.

Everyone who felt like joining a conversation was free to do so.

It turned into a dynamic session, with people exchanging ideas, networking and sharing.

AWARDS There were also the Conventa Crossover Awards. Traditionally, this kills the dynamics of every conference: there were 16 finalists, who all had to be given the opprtunity to pitch. The initial, but rather traditional idea was to allow them all 10 minutes. This would have lead to 2 (!) hours of pitching, which wouldn’t have been fair to anyone.

At the same time, we didn’t want the pitches to be too short and we wanted the participants not only to vote, but also to learn from the projects. So this is what we did: First, all finalists were allowed to show a video of 90 seconds and present a pitch of 30 seconds. So only 2 minutes in total. Then, all finalists were given a desk. In four r ounds of 15 minutes each, participants were given the opportunity to visit a maximum of 4 projects, to ask questions and get more information.

Once again, this allowed participants to only invest time in projects they were genuinly interested in. And the finalists only had to present to those who really wanted to listen. In the end, some of the finalists talked to many participants and some only talked to a very small group. Is this fair? Wel, maybe not. But hey … this was a competition!

ANARCHY SESSION One final format I’d like to share, is the Anarchy Session. In an open space format, participants were allowed to make up their own mind.

We asked them to think about the future of the industry and what the most important challenges are. Every individual that wanted to discuss a challenge could claim one of the ‘conversation corners’.

SHIT HAPPENS One of the keynotes told us, that shit will happen … and so it did: they final keynote didn’t show up. With good reasons, but still: here was a challenge.

Ending early was not an option, due to planning of the catering ánd the scheduled award show. So, what to do?

The good thing was, that we did have his powerpoint presentation; and the participants by this time were friendly enough with each other, to play around a bit. And so we decided to turn it into a joint ‘powerpoint karaoke’: with each new slide I threw my catchbox at someone in the audience. He or she then had to improvise his/her way through that slide. We had fun ánd learned something along the way.

I hope to return to Conventa Crossover next year. This event is truely unique, thanks to the willingness to share and experiment!

10 KONGRES IN FOCUS // VIEW FROM THE TOP

I GREW UP IN A HOTEL

Interview with Florian Weitzer, owner and managing director of Weitzer Hotels Betriebsgesmbh JASMINA JERANT //

WEITZER HOTELS

In 2003 Florian Weitzer took over his family’s business – the Weitzer Hotels. The 100 years of legacy fell into his creative and innovative hands. Since then, he has developed one of the most interesting hotel stories in the region. The hotels were renovated, some of them completely. They boast an incredibly subtle harmony between tradition and modern trends. Nothing is left to the imagination, be it for leisure or for business, Weitzer Hotels stun with their unusual character intertwined with contemporary boldness and historical charm. We talked to Mr Weitzer about the history of the family business, about the hotels, about the enchanting touch he gave to the new design, and, believe it or not, about the “roof challenges”.

Q: Your family has been in the hotel business for over 100 years. Can you tell us more about the history of the family business?

I am the fourth generation of our family to manage the Weitzer Hotels. My great grandfather bought ‘Hotel Florian’ in 1910 and in doing so laid the cornerstone of Weitzer Hotels. In 1963 my father took on the hotel “Das Weitzer” and turned it into the city’s largest hotel over the course of the next 40 years. In the seventies, “Hotel Daniel Graz” at the central railway station was bought, and in 1999 “Grand Hotel Wiesler” joined the Weitzer hotel group portfolio. Then the time was ripe to go to Austria’s capital, where we opened “Hotel Daniel Vienna” in 2011, followed by the “Grand Ferdinand” on the Viennese Ringstraße in 2015.

Q: Have you always been involved in the family business?

I grew up in the hotel – our family always lived in the hotel and my time there shaped me. But I chose to study economics instead of taking the classic route of a qualification in tourism. In 2003, my father decided to trust me fully and handed down the management of Weitzer Hotels. That was the year in which Graz was named “European Capital of Culture”, which was an added challenge. I don’t like to describe myself as a hotelier but rather as an entrepreneur because at my hotels I break away from the norms of the hospitality industry.

Q: What is it that you most like about it?

My father focused on running the hotels according to “international standards“, while I have to try to work out those differences towards “international standards.” Instead of relying on mellow concepts and “copy & paste”, I have chosen the approach to create completely

KONGRES IN FOCUS // VIEW FROM THE TOP

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An inspiring hotel world should be a harmonious overall composition.

autonomous and internally consistent hotel environments for each establishment.

Q: In 2003, you took over a renovation of the three hotels in Graz.

The renovation got a lot of attention due to a completely new, trendy, and very bold design. Where did your inspiration come from?

Our work is developed by personal feeling and doesn’t just follow the rules of the industry. I love change and seek constant challenges. There are countless sources of inspiration: nature, out on walks, on my little farm, markets, flea markets and sometimes other cultures – far away from home, where no hotelier would expect to find buried treasure.

Q: A lot of the special details in the renovations were your idea. So

you are not just an owner and manager of your hotels, but also their designer? How did the process go?

I love to create by myself and don’t implement overall concepts from architects or interior architects. For me a good design means that everything is related to each other in order to create a pulsating atmosphere.

An inspiring hotel world should be a harmonious overall composition combining furniture, light, contemporary cuisine, the staff and individual and surprising details. And I love to travel and experience locations from the customer’s point of view. It helps me then to think outside the box and arrange our hotels in accordance with our guests’ wishes.

Q: What were the main challenges and how did you overcome them?

Yes, there have been quite some challenges over the years with creating surprising and inspiring details. Let me point out two in Graz: In 2014, we created a new “landmark” in Graz by installing a LoftCube (by German designer Weiner Aisslinger) on the roof of “Hotel Daniel Graz”.

It’s an exclusive suite, 24 metres above the ground, with a 360-degree panorama over Graz. What the public probably doesn’t know is that for years we had been working our way through administrative procedures until permits and planning permissions were obtained.

By coincidence, the latest real challenge is, again, an installation on a roof top: From the brand-new sauna installed on the roof of the hotel “Das Weitzer” in summer 2018, our guests have a breath-taking view of the Schlossberg with the clock tower.

Q: What are the main features and what is the main distinctiveness between the four hotels that you would point out?

Hotel Daniel Graz and Hotel Daniel Vienna offer “Smart Luxury”. They offer exceptional levels of comfort where and whenever sensible and simply do away with superfluous pomp.

But we knew that the Grand Ferdinand that we opened on the Viennese Ringstraße in 2015, wouldn’t be another ”Daniel” or a “Daniel de luxe”. We decided to focus on something else. The Grand Ferdinand

is a building which was listed as historic and stands on the world-famous Viennese boulevard “Ringstraße”. And, of course, this is what we wanted to communicate to our guests: the characteristically Austrian atmosphere, the sense of beauty, a love of life. The Grand Ferdinand wants to combine Viennese elegance and beauty of times past with the finest amenities anno now.

Q: Which of the hotels is your favourite?

It’s always the latest one. So it is the Grand Ferdinand that opened in 2015.

I had long desired to add a glamorous hotel to Vienna’s scene: My four other hotels had already proven that they were able to combine a historical foundation with good ideas and the Ringstraße has been always home to illustrious names in the hotel business. But still today, the Grand Ferdinand by Weitzer Hotels is the only Austrian-run hotel directly on the Ringstraße.

Q: Before the renovations, was there any idea that you greatly wished to be realised but it turned out it couldn’t be done?

We have realised quite a lot of “special ideas” so far. But for the years to come – there is always a lot to do, because we’re constantly “breathing new life” in our existing hotels.

Q: The culinary offer is also one of the hotels’ “wow” factors. And the hotels are also famous for their bars and restaurants which are becoming a hub for vibrant and urban meetings not just for guests but also for locals. How do the menus get created?

While the Weitzer sub-brands “Der Steirer” and the “Speisesaal” have become an established part of the gastronomic scene in Graz, the “Bakery” and “Meissl & Schadn” are shaking up Vienna. Our restaurants are not a “necessary evil” as is so often the case at many other comparable establishments, but instead, they are open to hotel guests and outside visitors and are one of the most important cornerstones in our hotels. New menus are created in cooperation with our chefs, we are always open to change if necessary.

Q: What is that X factor that attracts so many guests to the hotels’ restaurants and bars?

The X factor is probably the fact that the philosophy of each location is reflected in the choice of food and drinks it offers: from succulent Styrian and delightfully Austrian to colourful international delicacies!

Q: What are you planning for the future?

There are no concrete plans for the future yet, but the next opening will for sure take place in an international metropolis – that’s what we aim to achieve!

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KONGRES IN FOCUS // VIEW FROM THE TOP

DREAMS DON’T COME TRUE IF YOU TELL THEM OUT LOUD

Interview with newly appointed general manager of Hit Alpinea Kranjska Gora, Milan Sajovic JASMINA JERANT //

PERSONAL ARCHIVE

Hit Alpinea, internationally recognised Slovenian company for hotel management and tourism with a long tradition in Zgornjesavska Valley, recently appointed a new general manager, Milan Sajovic, who previously managed Grand Hotel Union & Grand Hotel Union Business, and Hotel Lev in Ljubljana. We talked to Mr.Sajovic about his plans for Hit Alpinea, about the Kranjska Gora seasons, and about further development of MICE offers.

Q: Recently you have become the General Manager of the largest Kranjska Gora’s tourism company, Hit Alpinea. Congratulations!

First of all, in what condition had been the company handed to you?

Thank you.

Hit Alpinea is not only the largest tourism company in Kranjska Gora, but one of the biggest in the region and it, together with its mother company Hit d.d., forms a very important part of Slovenia’s tourism suppliers. Today, Hit Alpinea is a stable company with big growth potentials.

Q: What is your plan, your strategy for the future?

In the future years, the main focus will be to transform the company into a much more guest focused and profitability-oriented hotel and f&b provider with new, interesting and differentiated products. We wish to become not only a »receiver« of incoming guests but, together with other stakeholders in the destination, also a driver of development. In this area, we have a great potential, but especially internally it has to go hand in hand with setting up a proper internal organization and effective processes.

Q: Hit Alpinea’s hotels Ramada Resort and Kompas Hotel have a long tradition of congress and business tourism. Their seasons has been so far prolonged to October. What is your goal in this regard?

Kranjska Gora is the only destination in Slovenia that has two strong seasons – winter and summer. However, it is also very weather dependent and it has much lower occupancies in spring and autumn months, and on weekdays. In my opinion, these months and weekdays are still underutilized, especially taking into account relatively well-developed local events infrastructure. I believe that with common efforts we can improve the internal MICE product as well as improve the destination’s presence in the MICE arena.

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With raising global temperatures and shortening of winter seasons (lack of natural snow), meetings and incentives are an interesting and appealing option to strengthen.

Q: After being handed the GM position, you mentioned that you will work on further development of incentive programmes. Where do you see the opportunities?

Incentive programmes are dependent on the destination’s products and a quality hotel product. The latter is our internal and owner’s responsibility, while Kranjska Gora has been, as a destination, already very much aligned with green, nature-connected, healthy and active lifestyle. And most importantly – the destination is not crowded yet, and it has good public infrastructure. The opportunities lie in further development of the »green« product and in connecting with neighboring local (e.g. Bovec, Bled) and regional (Italy, Austria) destinations.

Q: Will you offer your own (Hit Alpinea) products or will you only connect with the local incentive providers?

We need to do both, also in close cooperation with our sister hotels Korona and Špik.

Q: Ramada Resort proudly owns the latest congress centre in Kranjska Gora and is at the same time awardee for the Best Ski hotel in Slovenia. How can congress tourism connect with the winter time? How do meeting planners respond to this option?

For congresses in winter season this is something that needs to be investigated further, since the winter season is already well occupied by skiers, families … But with raising global temperatures and shortening of winter seasons (lack of natural snow), meetings and incentives are an interesting and appealing option to strengthen. However, in our industry we need to be very careful to structure the segments properly by hotel and season and this needs to be supported by good planning and internal coordination. We cannot offer the same product in the same hotel at the same time to a skiing family on the one hand and to a MICE guest on the other. Leisure and MICE segments are very much different in their needs and expectations. Therefore, the right strategy and product (hotel) differentiation is a must. And this is something that we need to do in the months and years ahead.

Q: Kompas Hotel’s largest hall accommodates up to 360 persons, while its, cool sounding, presidential meeting suite only 10. What is

the advantage of the presidential meeting suite considering that it can only seat 10 persons?

At the moment, it is used mainly for board meetings and organizers’ internal offices at big sport events.

Q: How are you planning to promote your congress offer on the international market?

By product diversification, as mentioned earlier, investments and by strengthening our presence at different MICE oriented tradeshows, sales calls etc., supported by active sales. An interesting factor is also that many still perceive Kranjska Gora just as a winter destination, not knowing that it has a lot to offer in other seasons and product segments as well. It will take time to change this.

Q: What would be your recommendation for a perfect business gift from Kranjska gora?

We started developing a great gift, i.e. seeds of »Ajdovska deklica«.

Many know the image of a girl that nature carved into the northern wall of the local Prisank mountain. This legend talks about a girl – a fortune teller – that every day helped travelers to get across the dangerous mountains and passes over to the Trenta valley. She also visited young mothers and read their children’s fortune. In its essence “Ajdovska deklica” is a symbol of a positive, good-hearted girl that helped other people and travelers.

We wish our hotels to become symbols of this genuine kindness that is spread around just like the actual seeds of “Ajdovska deklica” out of which an edelweiss grows. The story also communicates the green and healthy lifestyle, as well as the destination in which our hotels are in.

Q: What is your wildest dream in regard to your new position? Is there anything particular that you wish you could do but it might be difficult to achieve?

Dreams don’t come true if you tell them out loud ;).

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KONGRES IN FOCUS // VIEW FROM THE TOP

IT IS IMPORTANT TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Interview with Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC AJDA BORAK //

WWW.WASHINGTON.ORG

A 26-year veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, Mr. Ferguson leads Destination DC’s efforts to generate economic opportunity for the District through meetings and tourism, overseeing the organization’s convention and tourism sales, marketing, finance and business development operations.

Q: As a veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, how do you see the development and the changes in the industry in the past decades?

Overall, there are more desirable destination cities that we are now competing against. When folks think about traveling to the U.S., they want the ‘true American experience’ and that includes more than just visiting the big cities like New York and Los Angeles. Other destinations are now on visitors’ agendas, making it more competitive. We have to focus more on the dynamic and agenda of group business versus selling them on infrastructure. It’s all about truly partnering with them to understand their initiatives and build on their brand promise.

Q: Can you explain to our readers what does your city offer to the meeting planners?

Washington, DC is a top destination to host a meeting for many reasons – its variety of meeting spaces, tech-friendly venues, Michelin-starred restaurant scene and 17 free-to-enter Smithsonian museums are just a few. As the nation’s capital, no other city has as much access to the federal government and policy leaders as Washington, DC. Meeting planners can easily find expert speakers, access federal policy makers and secure industry sponsors.

Q: What would you say are the key factors in managing and running a successful city/region destination-marketing organisation?

It’s important to always be open to changing your approach to marketing and thinking outside the box. We always bring the local community into the fold of what we’re doing and ensure they appreciate what visitors bring to the city.

Q: What makes a city a successful convention destination?

If you don’t evolve your convention center district and your portfolio of unique venues, you will be overlooked as a convention destination.

Having up-to-date digital signage and a variety of new developments aimed at bringing in meeting and convention businesses key.

KONGRES IN FOCUS // VIEW FROM THE TOP 15

If you don’t evolve your convention center district and your portfolio of unique venues, you will be overlooked as a convention destination.

Q: Washington D.C. is a world known destination, besides the obvious attractions, can you explain some of the juicy/hidden spots of the city?

DC is full of dynamic neighborhoods, architecture and history. The National Arboretum has some of the best kept nature preserves in the city. It’s also amazing to see how the city is redeveloping the neighborhoods along the Anacostia River like Yards Park at Capitol Riverfront.

city is accustomed to hosting high profile events from inauguration to diplomatic visits, but as the official convention and tourism arm for Washington, DC, we are not tasked with organizing these events.

Q: What are the D.C.’s developmental goals for the upcoming years?

As an economic development organization, Destination DC drives tourism to the District, which in turn creates local jobs and economic impact. Our job is to successfully manage and market the city by developing and executing centralized and cohesive sales and marketing strategies. We are not directly responsible for the development of the city, but we market existing and upcoming developments to continue driving tourism.

Q: What are you most proud of professionally and personally?

I’m really proud of the team we’ve assembled here at Destination DC that really understands our mission and humbly sells our destination with a degree of passion and familiarity. I never have to worry about things getting done with my team. In addition, I’m very proud of the American Experience Foundation (AEF), our 501(c)(3) charity, which works tirelessly to expose kids that never travel to our industry. I am even more thrilled that we recently hosted a group of students from Puerto Rico in mid-July. Giving back to youth and mentoring these students makes me so proud.

Q: What was the biggest and in terms of organisation most challenging event in the D.C. in the past year?

We continually communicate that politics are separate from the Washington, DC that we promote: all the outstanding attractions, hotels, dining, theater, sports, music, arts and culture, nightlife, shopping, festivals and special events throughout our neighborhoods. The

Q: What is your personal biggest challenge as a CEO of Destination DC?

The frustration of not having enough funding to promote our destination even more than we do now is always a challenge.

Q: If you didn’t have to work for money, what would you do?

I would do something with kids, as a guidance counselor or another position that would help me develop their knowledge further and expose them to things they cannot readily access.

16

KONGRES IN FOCUS // INFLUENCERS

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A DIRECT PUNCH IN THE FACE

Julien Le Bas, executive creative director and SVP for Jack Morton Worldwide Germany JASMINA JERANT //

JACK MORTON WORLDWIDE

Julien Le Bas is an award-winning creative director and architect, with more than 15 years of international experience in the experiential marketing industry. First based in France, then Australia, the U.S. and now Germany, he has worked with clients that include Nike, Intel, Novartis, BMW, HERE, GM, and other major companies across most industries.

His expertise and strategic thinking in experience design, brand architecture, interactive media, and scenography have fueled many significant corporate events and consumer experiences.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

The opportunity it gives me to meet brilliant minds, from all horizons.

Musicians, artist, designers, but also great business leaders. It is inspiring, challenging and, clearly, never boring.

Q: Into your work, as an Executive Creative Director for Jack Morton Worldwide, you bring lots of experience from your architectural background. How does this skill aid you in experiential marketing?

Architecture is a complex craft, overlapping multiple skills, from psychology to design and technical knowledge. But before all, architects are creative problem solvers. They create experiences with space, light, materials and technology. These various dimensions transpose more or less directly into the Experiential Marketing world.

Q: Which of the events, that you prepared so far, is your favourite?

The BMW 7 Series international press launch in Munich remains one of my favourites. This was an extensive project with no compromises. From the storytelling, the design, the music, down to the unique technologies used. It was also the chance to meet and work with extraordinary people. Finally, the simple idea behind the event carried through from conception to execution, getting amplified along the way.

Q: And which of the events that others prepared, you wish they were your creation?

Deep Web is a great example of a fabulous piece of experiential work mixing art, sound, light, space and technology. Origin, from UVA is equally inspiring. Although these installations are more art than marketing, they truly inspire me and so do the people who made them.

KONGRES IN FOCUS // INFLUENCERS

17

Q: What would be your dream event?

It involves a great story, musicians and a composer, fantastic visual artists, programmers, and an extremely challenging technical setup. It would put in the same room very talented and skilled artists, technologists and producers, and allow me to orchestrate and shape the final experience. My dream event is a bold, innovative and powerful moment.

Q: When do experiential marketing events work best?

When there is focus and a challenge to solve. Experiential is most effective with a clear message and solid objectives. The creative and strategy team can then develop extraordinary ideas that are simple, moving and original, the essence of excellent experiential marketing.

Q: What has been your most difficult challenge so far? What was

the world’s best advertisers«. Could you elaborate, please?

What people remember are what moved them, in a simple and original way. They will also potentially share their memories and insights within their circle of influence. In that regard, making humans happy is the ultimate goal of experiential marketing.

that major thing that made your heart race and your blood freeze?

And how did you overcome it?

It really depends on the advancement of the project: First, the challenge is to establish trust with the client and within the team. The best and most amazing projects are driven by a positive and collaborative dynamic. Mistrust often leads to more compromises and watering down of the concept. Leadership is critical.

Then, the development of the idea and its unboxing into a real-world solution requires creativity and trusted internal and external partners that can be challenged, in order to arrive at the optimum execution of the idea.

Finally, the last stage before going live is equally critical as suddenly tens and sometimes hundreds of people get together to execute their part of the grand plan.

I have seen last minute major problems being solved very creatively by teams or individuals in the most creative and elegant way and becoming completely transparent to the audience. This is only possible with the right people and a huge amount of trust.

Unpreparedness makes me nervous. I believe that the most amazing shows, event and experiences are the result of hard work and preparation, no matter how spontaneous and fluid they look. Anyone walking in thinking that they already know the solution can quickly become part of the problem.

Making humans happy is the ultimate goal of experiential marketing

Q: JMW says: »Great brands aren’t B2C or B2B – they’re B2E (brand to everyone)«. How do you incorporate this mission into your creations?

Experiences are universal. When successful, they play on the emotional and lower conscience level. People have not waited to have experiential agencies around to create experiences. In that regards, the message may vary and be sharpened for a specific audience, but the principles guiding a great experience transcend the B or the C. Then it becomes a matter of creating the best experience for the most relevant channels.

Q: In your opinion, what is the experiential marketing’s best advantage?

An opportunity for a direct punch in the face. Experiential marketing provides the chance to directly connect brands and their audience, in an authentic and extraordinary way.

Q: Jack Morton Worldwide says on its website: »Happy humans are

Q: How do you see the future development of the experiential marketing?

The fast emergence of potentially disruptive technologies keeps changing the way people interact with each other and with the space and brands around them. This ever-changing landscape is a fantastic opportunity to re-invent our creative and delivery process. It is basically our sandbox. The future of Experiential Marketing is bright and will call for all sort of the brilliant minds, from all horizons.

18

KONGRES IN FOCUS // ORIGINAL

CHANGING THE CURRENT PERCEPTION OF RUSSIA A talk with Alexey Kalachev, director of Russian Convention Bureau AJDA BORAK //

RUSSIAN CONVENTION BUREAU

Q: Which are Russia’s top factors influencing meeting location for business travel by European buyers?

An event can become an element in the strategy of the territory’s global development. Choosing the right location for an event, otherwise known as destination, is crucial for the success of the event and touches upon the issues of strategic cooperation between countries, towns and events themselves. The main factors behind Russia’s attractiveness as an event destination include simplified visa requirements, competitive pricing, high service quality and availability of modern specialized infrastructure, rich cultural heritage and safety. Of special significance is the visa issue, especially for Europeans. Passengers arriving in Russia by cruise ships may enter Russia without a visa and stay in this country for 72 hours. Also, during major international events, organizers, operators or participants of such events enjoy a simplified entry visa regime. For example, such measures were adopted during the 22nd Winter Olympic Games and the 11th Paralympic Games’2014 in Sochi, and the FIFA Confederation Cup’2017 and FIFA World Cup’2018. The Russian Convention Bureau has been working actively on the project of express issue of visas to foreign citizens traveling on business.

Q: How do you see Russia’s meetings industry scene?

Right now Russia ranks 41st in the world rating of ICCA congress destinations. In 2017 Russia held a total of 87 ICCA events. Russia currently ranks 21st among European countries. According to our calculations, the share of Russia on the international event market currently stands at less than 1%. Over the past decade Russia hosted 835 rotating congress-type events. The annual volume of business meetings of every format stands approximately at 12,000-13,000 events. Most of these events are small-scale: seminars, workshops, master classes, roundtable discussions, meetings, etc. Moscow takes up more than half of this market; the share of St. Petersburg on the Russian event market is between 20 and 30%, while other regions and cities of Russia take up the remaining 20%. More than 7,000 Russian companies participate in the work of the event industry of this country .

Q: What kind of trends do you think we will see in meetings industry and events in Russia in the upcoming year?

On the whole, Russia is in line with international trends. Business events are becoming increasingly more interactive; the share of “hybrid”

KONGRES IN FOCUS // ORIGINAL 19

type events is growing, organizers have been paying considerable attention to developing mobile apps. The events are becoming shorter and smaller in scale. It also now takes less time to set up and hold an event. In conditions of abundant information, the role of high-quality content has been increasing. Yet another specific feature of the Russian market is the generation mix of delegates at each event. This has an impact on the structure of content and approaches to planning.

Q: Through which channels can you market your MICE products on the European market?

The RCB first introduced “Russia Open to the World” national exhibit in November 2017 in Barcelona as part of that year’s IBTM World 2017 International Exhibition. We believe that taking part in large-scale specialized international exhibitions is an effective tool that allows to meet face to face with our international target audience and showcase the infrastructure potential of Russian regions in the event industry.

Besides, the RCB provides information on event capabilities of Russia to all interested industry professionals, and organizes fam trips to introduce visitors to opportunities presenting themselves across Russia. The RCB is getting ready to launch its own specialized web portal presenting the current capabilities in our industry available in Russia.

Q: How successful is Russian Convention Bureau in creating a strong and recognisable brand of Russia? Which are the main challenges?

As we continue working on attracting new international events to Russia, one of our top priority goals is to change the current perception of this country abroad. To do this, we must combine the efforts of

Russian state and private enterprises as they work to promote Russia as an event destination among target groups abroad. The role of the RCB lies in coordinating the activities of these entities and shaping a common, coherent brand.

Q: In recent years, the MICE industry in Russia has been rapidly developing. What more can we expect to happen in the future?

In five years, the efforts of the RCB will help increase Russia’s share on the world event market to 1.5%. We expect that as Russia becomes a more popular event destination, the number of events held annually in Russia will also increase. For example, in 2023 there will be some 120 rotating congress events taking place in Russia.

Q: What are your personal biggest challenges at the director’s posi-

tion at CB Russia?

From the start, the RCB worked to bring together all major participants of the Russian event industry, and to establish cooperation with bodies of authority. Until very recently, there had been no centralized statistical data accumulated by the industry, so it was quite difficult to assess the market volume. Additionally, at this time the RCB is working on preparing regional event industry passports, which will make attracting international events to Russia much easier. As of today, Russia does not have a common international certification system for event industry professionals. The RCB also seeks to introduce event industry educational programs as well as in-service training programs in this field.

20 KONGRES IN FOCUS // BUILDING A LEGACY

RUSSIA OPENING TO THE WORLD

Russia has got its long-awaited opportunity to open its doors with the whole world AJDA BORAK //

RUSSIAN CONVENTION BUREAU

Russia is one of the largest countries in the world with an enormous variety of cultures, landscapes, people. Through a turbulent history, through all the best and worst times, Russia has kept its integrity and unique character.

In the few decades that have passed since the beginning of Perestroika, Russia has evolved from the old-fashioned heart of the communist world to a contemporary cosmopolitan country. Having passed through more than 70 years of the controversial Soviet epoch, Russia has finally got its long-awaited opportunity to open its doors and happily shares its warm hospitality, centuries-old national traditions and rich culture with the whole world. Considering the Russian booth at this year’s IMEX in Frankfurt that held a sign “Russia open to the world”, the world is witnessing a new chapter in the Russian tourism sector.

Over the past two decades, Russia has made significant moves in the development of the M.I.C.E. industry (Meetings, Incentive, Conference, Exhibitions & Events) and is becoming a popular and promising Incentive & Business Travel Destination. The MICE infrastructure in Russia is rapidly improving and the number of unique and innovative solutions for business travellers is growing rapidly. The MICE industry in Russia is very dispersed though, since the MICE industry has not developed itself as a professional industry elsewhere. MICE business from Russia is already a multi-million segment, estimated to be worth more than 500 million US dollars per year. In its early years it did not follow traditional mechanisms and rather developed its own style. The Russian Meetings and Incentive sector is now becoming highly professional with a number of companies specialising only in the MICE sector, while the number of professional Corporate Buyers is rapidly increasing as well.

KONGRES IN FOCUS // BUILDING A LEGACY 21

Within the past 20 years, numerous world chain business and luxury hotels, gourmet and authentic restaurants, modern trades, exhibition and sport complexes, business centres, the most up-to-date congress halls, and sophisticated entertainment venues have been established in Russia. The most attractive and developed MICE destinations still remain the major cities of Moscow, Petersburg and Sochi, but the interest for other regions such as Siberia and Baikal Lake, Karelia, and Far East is actively growing too.

The idea of non-cash motivation (Incentives) started to develop in Russia in the late 90s of the previous century, whereas in other countries of the world this concept is about half a century old. Therefore,

most of the companies which are practicing this kind of travel are quite new, and the business is still in its developing phase. The Incentives market is influenced by global economic environment, domestic problems, and by geographical and climate challenges.

However, the complex circumstances underlining the development of the MICE industry do not stop Russian tourism from opening its rich history and culture to everyone willing to experience it. In Russia, you may not only enjoy the art collections and architectural ensembles, but you will also enjoy being involved in different kind of activities – from painting Russian Matrioshkas to shooting with Russian Kalashnikov guns. The rapidly growing and developing destination certainly offers a unique experience.

22 BACK TO NATURE // FIND VENUE

WALNUT GROVE // SLO WALNUT GROVE

Orehov gaj is a unique, creative event space event, hidden in the greens of Ljubljana. It combines top-notch culinary experience, a fairytale location and an infinite variety of programming for business and private opportunities in one place.

The walnut grove’s characteristic is primarily a home-made ambience, since the location is personally equipped with natural elements and with reused old items found in the attics of the owners grandmothers and grandfathers. The entire property of Orehov gaj covers up to three hectares of event areas, and can host up to 1000. At the same time there are several venues, that are sufficiently diversified so that smaller groups can feel comfortably as well .

MENEGHETTI ESTATE // CRO MENEGHETTI ESTATE

Meneghetti Estate (Stancija Meneghetti) is a hidden rural estate in southern Istria that was for over a century known as a refuge for Austro-Hungarian army officers, serving in several military forts located in the southern part of the peninsula. Abandoned by the former armies it was re-discovered in the early 2000’s by a couple looking for a venue in Istria where they could start their own business. Meneghetti Estate is a perfect venue surrounded by specious meadows, forests and is an ideal place for growing grapevines and olives. The estate can host up to 150 people and will for sure provide a delicious catering experience for your guests.

EL MOLINO // AUT EL MOLINO

An extraordinary ambience for special seminars and events in Austria’s Waldviertel region. El Molino is wonderfully suited for celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, farewell party, weddings and more ...

The former Schloss Schwarzenau dairy farm, more than 700 years old, has been restored and individually furnished over many years.

Within the historic walls, a wide range of possibilities open up for organizers and group leaders: Although the location is ideal for seminars that call for rest, retreat and regeneration, the site is also often used for weddings and celebrations. There are three banquet facilities in addition to many cozy places both indoors and outdoors.

CONVENTA CROSSOVER // COLUMN 23

LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN FREE PATRICK ROUBROEKS, XSAGA //

CONVENTA CROSSOVER/MATJAŽ TAVČAR

On my way to the Conventa Crossover in Ljubljana I was writing my column for an event magazine in the Netherlands. At that time, I didn’t know that the next two days I would be guest in your beautiful and inspiring Puppet Theatre and how relevant my column would be for you in Slovenia as well.

The puppet show on Amsterdam’s Dam Square is celebrating its birthday. This attraction has now existed for 125 (!) years, and over that period has captured an indispensable place in the hearts of many.

Among them is my 7-year-old son Goos. I see him lying down, stretched out on the square’s hard Amsterdam cobblestones, completely absorbed in the adventures of Jan Klaassen and his wife Katrijn. History confirms what my son Goos already knows: that Jan Klaassen and Katrijn Pieters actually did exist, and still do. They, too, were once real people made of flesh and blood. They probably lived on the Franse Pad (now known as Willemstraat), and I like to imagine that they led a life full of squabbling.

The first paintings of the Dam’s Royal Palace, when it was still under construction (dating from 1650), also show the puppet show on the square. But the first ‘permit’ wasn’t granted by the Amsterdam city council until 1893. Since then, the puppet show has taken place on the Dam continuously, regardless of the weather.

But why does this tradition seem to endure? Why hasn’t it disappeared into oblivion? Or even worse, been swallowed up into one of the mobile apps that ‘the kids today’ are increasingly being offered?

Why does it still appeal to the imagination? Is it the clumsy wooden puppets that have traditionally been made out of whatever materials are on hand? Is it the storyline? Or the wonderful performance of puppeteer Egon Adel? Is it the setting on the Dam, the people, the open air? Does the stately decor of the Royal Palace still play a significant role?

I don’t think so. But what I do know with 100% certainty is that this historical spectacle ‘communicates’. In the best Latin tradition of the word ‘communicare’, it brings together people sharing a common experience. An experience that cannot be explained logically, but that is still overwhelming.

The whole ‘spectacle’ goes straight into our brain stem (our unconscious), which is where creativity, emotion, and feelings lie in wait,

until they are awakened by a puppeteer on Dam Square. The whole spectacle on the square is at odds with our cortex, which is where rationality, logic, and arguments compete for the most attention. Because the cortex in children is not yet fully developed, children spend the first years of their lives experiencing things purely through feelings and intuition. And we look on jealously as children make us long for that time when our own signals were purely emotional and immediate.

That’s why I’d like to call on people to go en masse to Amsterdam’s Dam Square. To take a seat on the small stones that poke under your spoiled bum, which is so used to luxury office chairs, and briefly feel like a child again. Let your imagination run free. Allow for amazement and surprise. It will do you, and our profession, good.

24 BEST EVENT AWARD WINNERS 2018 // CROSSOVER

FINALISTS AND WINNERS 2018

We are presenting all of the finalists and winners of Conventa Best Event Award 2018 JASMINA JERANT //

CONVENTA CROSSOVER/MATJAŽ TAVČAR

Every year Conventa draws attention to excellence in the meetings industry with an award for the best event in ‘New Europe’. The intention is to award those events that are not only innovative and creative, but also effective – those that achieve, or even exceed, their long-term communication, marketing, and business aims.

23rd Microsoft NT Conference Organizer: MPG Plus d.o.o.

Client: Microsoft Slovenia Date: 22-24 May 2018 Event type: IT and business conference

However, this year, the rules of the competition had been thoroughly revised (on the ground of wishes and requirements expressed in a survey taken by Conventa participants through the years). Thus, this year we presented a new model of the competition for the Conventa Best Event Award which was, besides the new rules, also for the first time an integral part of the Conventa Crossover conference instead of the Conventa trade show.

Pajama Party Organizer: Projektil and Imago Ogilvy Client: miss7 Date: 15 November 2017 Event type: Product or Service Launch

In regards to the model: the new rules included an innovative, and first-time carried out evaluation process that none of the other event competitions has ever done before. The twist was in instead of leaving all of the voting voice to expert jury, we introduced also voting rights for the audience. The votes from the participants at the Conventa Crossover conference accounted for 20% of the overall score, while the votes of preliminary jury voting for 80%.

So, when we had gathered the votes from our expert jury, we got a selection of 17 finalists who later had to present their exciting projects in front of the entire Crossover audience.

25th Anniversary of Porsche Slovenia Organizer: PM, Poslovni Mediji d.o.o.

Client: Porsche Slovenija d.o.o.

Date: 23 May 2018 Event type: Corporate Anniversary The Millenial Scrapbook Organizer: Projektil and Imago Ogilvy Client: miss7 Date: 27 March 2018 Event type: Corporate Convention

FINALISTS FOR THE BEST B2B EVENT

Slovenian Incoming Workshop Organizer: Slovenian Tourist Board Client: Foreign TO/TA and Slovenian tourism providers Date: 7-9 June 2018 Event type: B2B

CEF Coordinators Meeting Organizer: CEF - Center of Excellence in Finance Client: CEF - Center of Excellence in Finance Date: 9-11 May, 2018 Event type: Educational Event/ Training

NLB Business Forum Organizer: NLB & Grey Ljubljana Client: NLB Date: 25 May 2018 Event type: Corporate Convention

Good Game Zagreb Organizer: Nikola Stolnik Client: Good Game Global d.o.o Date: 18-19 May 2018 Event type: B2B Esports Event

Fotona Underwater Party Organizer: Agencija Promo d.o.o Client: Fotona d.o.o.

Date: 25 May 2018 Event type: Gala dinner

The finalists, chosen by our expert jury in the preliminary voting, were:

BEST EVENT AWARD WINNERS 2018 // CROSSOVER 25

FINALISTS FOR THE BEST B2C EVENT

FINALISTS FOR THE BEST B2B & B2C

Festival of Lights Zagreb Organizer: Zagreb Tourist Board Client: Zagreb Tourist Board Date: 15-18 March 2018 Event type: Festival

Gourmet Cup Ljubljana Organizer: Jezeršek gostinstvo Client: Jezeršek gostinstvo Date: 27-30 January 2018 Eventtype: CrossoverEvent

Air Future Organizer: Via Media Client: Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project Date: 05 March 2017 Event type: Non-profit Event

Expedition to Mars Organizer: M2Communications Client: Delta Motors Serbia Date: 28 November 2017 Eventtype: Conceptual Event

Speak Dating: European Day of Languages Organizer: Komunikacijski laboratorij Client: European Commision Representation in Croatia I Directorate­General for Translation of the European Commission Date: 26 September 2017 Event type: non-profit

Bee Initiative Organizer: Intercontinental Ljubljana Client: All segments Date: 19-31 May 2018 Event type: Educational and Interactive series of programs

Poreč Open Air Festival of Life Organizer: MPG d.o.o.

Client: Valamar Riviera d.d.

Date: 1 July – 15 September 2018 Event type: Cultural/gastronomical

26 BEST EVENT AWARD WINNERS 2018 // CROSSOVER

And the winners of the Conventa Best Event Award 2018 based on the additional 20% votes of the Crossover audience were: BEST B2B EVENT 23rd MICROSOFT NT CONFERENCE organised by MPG Plus d.o.o The biggest Slovenian technological and business conference had between the 22nd and 24th May brought together 2200 attendees to witness over 130 domestic and foreign speakers.

BEST B2C EVENT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ZAGREB organised by Zagreb Tourist Board A four-day festival brought to life attractive audio-visual installations and projections with a common theme of spring at 19 different locations in Croatia’s capital.

BEST EVENT AWARD WINNERS 2018 // CROSSOVER 27

BEST B2B AND B2C EVENT EXPEDITION TO MARS organised by M2Communications A futuristis and a unique conceptual project organised for a launch of a new car model with the goal of providing the experience of exploring the Red Planet.

28 KONGRES PEOPLE // VIEW FROM THE TOP

OUR FIRST REACTION WAS “WHAT, ON EARTH, IS HAPPENING?!”

Jean-Paul Dantil, Vice President Ops Almanac Hotels and opening GM Almanac Vienna JASMINA JERANT //

PERSONAL ARCHIVE

Jean-Paul Dantil, with 25 years experience in the luxury hotel industry, recently (in June 2018) became the Vice President Ops Almanac Hotels and opening GM at Almanac Vienna. Before, he was General Manager of The Rits Carlton Hotel in Bahrain and prior, was General Manager for their Vienna property. Almanac announced its aggressive growth plan over the next five years and Mr.Dantil will oversee the opening or rebranding of several properties including Vienna, Prague, Budapest and Zagreb. We talked to Mr.Dantil, who once also opened a private resort on an Carribean island, about Almanac Hotels, about his experiences, and about the funniest and worst moments that had happened to him in his inspiring career.

Q: Almanac Hotels announced an aggressive growth plan over the next five years. Can you explain what is meant by an aggressive growth plan? What are its components?

Agressive plans can be relative. For a new group like ours, it certainly is. This year, we opened our hotel in Barcelona. In the next two years we plan on opening a new hotel in Vienna and in Prague while at the same time renovating another property in Prague. Next year we also plan to start works on a new hotel in Budapest and the renovation of the Esplanade in Zagreb.

Q: You will oversee the opening or rebranding of several properties.

Herbert Haselbacher, President and CEO of Almanac Hotels said that you have »an extraordinary depth and breadth of understanding in this business«. How are you foreseeing to implement the whole plan?

It is all about having a great team that is able to implement the vision of Herbert Haselbacher of which I happen to be the conductor. Without this, we will not be successful. I am fortunate to have opened two hotels as an operator and to have experience in both, larger chains and smaller independent hotels, which is a big help. It is also a question of being organized and setting the right priorities.

Q: What are you the most excited about?

What I am currently doing – launching a new hospitality group - is really one of the most exciting projects I could ask for.

Q: What are you the most scared of? Or rather, what do you see as the greatest challenges?

Our biggest challenge is probably finding the right talent. Having the right people is what makes the difference. With so many new hotels in

KONGRES PEOPLE // VIEW FROM THE TOP 29

the pipeline, it is important to create a team in each location that can ensure consistency in our services and transmit the brand promise.

largest ballrooms in the city, beautiful spa and medical center along the distinct luxury boutique personality and service which is part of our DNA.

Q: How will the buildings be created/designed? Is there a special plan for each of them?

Each Almanac Hotel will be created with a timeless design that respects the history and architecture of the buildings, while incorporating the city and the now into each property. We want to make sure that each hotel has its own personality, while following a common thread of comfort and technology that is part of Almanac. We are fortunate to have an in-house architecture team ensuring that individuality and consistency are both delivered in equal measures.

Q: Almanac Budapest will open in 2019/20. Considering the proverbial love of meeting planners for Budapest due to its rich MICE offer, how will Almanac Hotels set its offer in order to compete with other MICE providers for attention of meeting planners?

Budapest property will be ideally located, locally inspired, technologically advanced and modern, while respecting the history of the building where it is set. This authentic experience, in combination with a MICE infrastructure and highest level of service will definitely provide MICE planners with a new unique offer in the Budapest MICE segment.

Q: Hotels will be located in the heart of these cities. How will they get incorporated into the existing city’s lifestyle?

The best way to get incorporated into the city is to win the hearts of the locals. This is usually done through F&B and by ensuring the locals are proud of the hotel. Partnering up with local providers, may it be through entertainment or partnerships, also helps. Also ensuring events are created that are for the locals.

Q: How many meeting facilities will be provided?

Meetings are an important part of our hotels as we want to be able to attract both leisure and business travellers who seek a hotel that caters to their business needs, and at the same time allows them to feel the local pulse and have a good time. The number of meeting facilities really depends on the building. In Barcelona, due to size, we have smaller meeting spaces. In our upcoming property in Prague, we have one of the largest and most impressive ballrooms in the city.

Q: Almanac Barcelona was completely renovated. The redevelopment of the fundamental architecture and exterior conceived two buildings from different eras into one seamless property. What does Barcelona offer to MICE industry?

We are a boutique hotel. It is therefore an ideal location for smaller MICE groups that want to customize their event and offer a special, luxurious and bespoke experience. May it be a private cocktail on our rooftop bar, to exclusively hiring our restaurant for an event. We also have a larger meeting space in the basement for up to 100 guests.

Q: Almanac Vienna is currently undergoing a total renovation and is supposed to be open in 2019/2020. What will be its character?

It will be very unique in Vienna in terms of design and offerings. I don’t want to reveal too much as we want to make it a surprise. But the elements of Imperial Vienna combined with modern design and facilities will make it quite special.

Q: In Prague, Almanac is developing a ‘Vital Centrum’ – a combined wellness and medical center dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle. There will also be a meeting and event location included. Can you tell us more about that?

In Prague, we wanted to offer a new and holistic approach to hospitality.

We believe that the barriers between a traveller for business or events and leisure has blurred. Travellers look for hotels than can cater to all their needs while travelling, where they can work, be entertained and relaxed.

With that in mind, we have created a property that offers one of the

Q: At some point in your career you even opened a private island resort in the Caribbean. How would you compare the experience of a launch of a private island resort with the work that is awaiting you in next five years on the Almanac Hotels rebranding?

The opening of Parrot Cay was my first real experience working and executing the vision of an owner, which is different than working for a chain hotel. It was also my first introduction to luxury boutique hotels and creating a brand from scratch. Both require certain skill sets that I learned and will help me navigate through the next 5 years.

Q: You lived in many places around the world (London, Geneva, Berlin, Palma de Mallorca, Bahrain, Caribbean, Dubai, Saipan, Vienna).

Which is your favourite place and why?

It is hard to say as each place offered a different and wonderful experience and with age our tastes change. I do have to say, though, Berlin is a city I really enjoyed, due to its dynamism, history, what is has to offer. London is also a unique city with great energy. Now I am very pleased to be living in Vienna which in a way is a mix of Berlin and London, just a little quieter.

Q: Considering in how many different cities you worked and lived … what was the funniest thing that had happened to you in regard to the hotel work?

On Parrot Cay, in the Turks and Caicos, we had left the hotel with the management team to have a quick boat tour to visit one side of the island. When we came back there were no employees around and we all got very worried. We were looking everywhere and found them all at the poolside having some cocktails. Our first reaction was to question what on earth was happening, but we were quick to realize that one of our regular guests, a very famous actor, had decided to invite them all for drinks as he was so happy with their service: What could we do but join the party. Luckily the hotel was not too busy at that time. Funnily enough, the same actor loved the hotel so much he decided to extend his stay. As we were fully booked, we had to organize a tent for him on the island for him to stay in for a few nights until his villa was free.

Q: And the worst one? And how did you handle it?

Unfortunately, there were several, from a fire that broke out, natural disasters such as hurricanes, to some serious accidents or even suicides. This is the nature of our business. I always say »prepare for the worst, expect the best«. It is always important to stay calm and non-judgemental in any situation.

30 KONGRES PEOPLE // WHO IS WHO

I AM A MASSIVE FOODIE

Interview with Tjaša Lampe, hotel manager at Hotel Das Weitzer in Graz JASMINA JERANT //

WEITZER HOTEL

Tjaša Lampe is a Slovenian who, after more than nine years working for Terme Maribor, has been managing the Das Weitzer Hotel, one of the Austrian Weitzer Hotels. Das Weitzer Hotel in Graz has been in the city for more than 100 years and is located in the Old Town, directly by the river Mur. The hotel has 204 fully modernised rooms in seven differently furnished categories and also offers 10 conference rooms.

Q: The Hotel Das Weitzer is one of the most prominent hotels in the Graz area that fosters a long-lasting tradition of superb hospitality. The hotel’s architecture is a tasteful combination of modern urban style and traditional building techniques. With nearly half of its rooms undergoing recent renovation, the hotel emanates a fresh new vibe. What is the underlining idea for the new design?

The Weitzer Hotel represents tradition with a modern urban twist.

The underlying concept for the interior design of our rooms was to combine high-level functionality with the experience of a very comfortable and chic place. We are always looking for something extraordinary and therefore we do not like stereotypes. The best way to illustrate this is to check out our Suite – it is truly exceptional – hardto-describe only in words.

Q: The hotel’s restaurant (Der Steirer) is open not just to the hotel’s guests but also for the locals. What is the main drive behind the restaurant? What kind of food do you serve, what is the inspiration behind the food?

You got that right. Der Steirer isn’t a hotel restaurant – it is truly a staple in the local food scene. Staying in Graz and not experiencing the laidback traditional Styrian cuisine accompanied with the almost limitless selection of wines that Der Steirer has to offer, would be a big mistake. Exceptional quality of our food was also recognized by Gault&Millaue guide that has awarded us with their hat.

Q: Besides modern rooms, the hotel also offers 10 conference/seminar halls. What are their main features?

We could start by listing clichés like a lot of daylight, high-end technology, excellent AC etc … but I have to say that it is Weitzer’s charm that makes our seminar halls special. When you chose to host an event at Das Weitzer, it means that you’ll get top quality food from our restaurant; that your attendees will be taken care of by highly-skilled and caring staff and that they will get to experience and enjoy the Weitzer’s unique design everywhere they look.

KONGRES PEOPLE // WHO IS WHO 31

Q: What is the future plan for MICE in Weitzer? What are you ex-

I will have to go with our culinary delights! They should get some pumpkinseed oil to dress their salad, some roasted pumpkinseeds pecting? covered with chili or chocolate as a tasty snack, some of our world-faTaking into account the recent economic boom of the Graz region and mous Styrian wines to quench their thirst and of course – they should Austria’s ongoing presidency of the Council of the EU – the future not leave Graz without getting some of my personal favourite - Zotter certainly looks bright not only for the MICE part but for Weitzer in chocolates. general. To be able to cope with increased demands for our services – we are constantly refurbishing and upgrading our hardware – we strive to maintain the high-level Q: Are there any fun activities, in the vicinity of satisfaction of our guests and seminar goers. of your hotel, that you would like to recomOf course – since we have a foodie reputation to mend?

We are always maintain – we are always working on new menu I would definitely like to recommend a somlooking for something options and we like to surprise our guests with melier crash course. This course is joint venextraordinary and exciting and fun new meals. ture between our hotel and one of our local wine suppliers. therefore we do not Q: Weitzer is located right in the Old Town of like stereotypes.

Graz. What does this neighbourhood offer to Q: Can you tell us about your favourite part your business guests? of the Weitzer Hotel?

Being able to walk around the city and experience It’s a hard choice – but – I will have to go with the authentic Old Town with its cafés, restauour latest project – the sauna & gym on the rants, museums and shops, without worrying 5th floor! Not only because I personally like about transportation, is definitely a big plus for going to the gym but also for the spectacular our business guests. If you’re a more leisure-oriented traveller, we’ve views you get to enjoy from our sauna (built as a glass-cube located got you covered too. You can stroll or jog along the River Mura or just on the hotel rooftop). To top it all – our new gym design is very elegant visit many of our city parks – their beauty will fill you with joy and and with purpose-built lighting it always gives a bit of a mystique vibe. serenity.

Q: What about Graz – what do you like the most about this city?

If you recall – I am a massive foodie – and Graz being the official Austrian Q: What would you recommend to business and congress guests to capital of culinary delights (since 2008) – it is a match made in heaven. buy as the perfect gift when they visit Graz?

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I SEE ALL CHALLENGES AS OPPORTUNITIES

Barbara Polak Tomšič, Manager of Grand Hotel Union and Grand Hotel Union Business AJDA BORAK //

ROBERT RIBIČ / UNION HOTELS

Ms. Barbara Polak Tomšič is the new Hotel Manager at the Union Hotels. We had a talk about her career path, and the challenges that await her in her new position.

Q: Can you briefly describe your career path that led you to the new position at the Union Hotels?

Looking back and from a bit of a distance, I can definitely see some patterns. I have always admired working with people no matter my position or the industry I worked in. My roots are in Food and Beverage, then I shifted over to the hotel industry, more specifically to the Housekeeping Management, and from there to the Hotel Management. By advancing gradually and from the bottom up, I developed a different view on work and processes, co-workers and guests’ needs.

Q: You have been active in the hospitality industry for quite some time now. Can you explain how the industry has changed in your opinion? And what do you see coming up in the future?

The hospitality industry has changed enormously during the past twenty and something years, mostly due to the economic shift and the accessibility of means of transportation. Digital technology has revolutionised the whole user/guest experience and, if I may say so, “democratised” the tourism sector with the online review platforms. I must say, I see a lot of opportunities still open. Breaking the uniformity, having much more creativity for transformation and inspiring the young hospitality generations are just a few of the perks of working in an independent hotel company.

Q: What is your managerial strategy?

Lead by example is my number one rule. We have to be aware that in our day-to-day work and life, actions speak louder than words.

Q: It is a common belief that women handle managerial functions differently than men.

In my experience, maybe we have a different way of tackling the whole problem-solving and decision-making process, but in the end, it always comes down to the person and their mindset.

Q: What are the key challenges you will be facing in your new position?

I see all challenges as opportunities for transformation and renewal. With this comes also a chance to re-evaluate your

KONGRES PEOPLE // WHO IS WHO 33

Digital technology has revolutionised the whole user/guest experience and, if I may say so, “democratised” the tourism sector with the online review platforms.

goals and perhaps to rethink your priorities. We live in a fast-moving world. The greatest challenge is to keep up with new trends and to adapt to them. What I’m looking forward to in the near future are the new renovations set in motion at Union Hotels, which will include new hotel content for an even greater guest experience.

Q: What motivates you to do your job when you have a bad day?

There are no bad days, but it’s true there are days which are more challenging. My greatest motivation are the employees, colleagues with their positive work attitude and their genuine attentiveness towards the guests. The ultimate goal is a true harmony of style and spirit every step of the guests’ experience.

Q: What are you most proud of in your professional and private life?

Two things. My path, my career, which has started from the bottom up, and my family. The love for the hospitality runs in the family with both of my parents having an F&B, hotel background and this is where it all started. I adore working “in the field” and having the opportunity to think outside the box.

Q: If you didn’t have to work for money, what would you be doing?

I would definitely one way or the other still be involved in tourism and hospitality.

34 KONGRES PEOPLE // WHO IS WHO

ONE IN FIVE EMPLOYEES IS MARRIED TO A CO-WORKER

Interview with Spasenija Kika Purić, meeting and events manager at Montenegro Stars Hotel JASMINA JERANT //

PERSONAL ARCHIVE

The Montenegro Stars Hotel Group, founded in 2003, is a hotel management company that owns and operates three hotels on the Budva Riviera: Splendid Conference and SPA Resort 5*, Montenegro Beach Resort 4*, and Blue Star Hotel 4*. At the beginning, the company was a pioneer in many spheres of the hospitality industry in Montenegro. Today, it presents an important part of Montenegro’s growing attractivity for the international MICE industry. About the Montenegro Stars Hotel and its MICE offer, we talked to its meeting and events manager, Kika Spasenija Purić.

Q: The company was only founded in 2003. In the last 15 years it has developed from a pioneer in many spheres of the hospitality industry into one of the most important hotel chains in the region. What is the group’s main modus operandi today?

Hotel Group Montenegro Stars strives to maintain the image contained in its name, but also the name of its largest hotel, the SPLENDID, to always be excellent, splendid – which is not easy at all. We strive to get ahead of the trends, rather than follow them. We have, at the same time, grown into an economically powerful community, organized on humane principles (eg. one in five employees is married to a co-worker) that we have been nurturing with great care.

Q: You are also one of the largest employers in the region. How many people are employed in the hotels?

Out of 7,500 professionals of various profiles that have tried various positions in our first decade, a team of more than 500 staff employed throughout the year has grown. This team creates and sells this business and 90 per cent of them are from Montenegro. The international management era did not last for long and we have grown into one of few big companies building the brand with its own managing structure. I have to underline that all who have worked here have gained the knowledge that paved the way to their further professional development, because the company is the synonym for reliability, professionalism, discretion, and kindness.

Q: And how does the community accept the brand?

The company is an inseparable segment of Budva and Montenegro.

At first, the national public was in awe, but also sceptic towards this magnificent project – the first of the kind in Montenegro. From the very beginning we wanted our hotels to be accessible to Montenegrin citizens, rather than be a privilege of a selected few. We have opened the door to all with a message that they are welcome, having in mind

KONGRES PEOPLE // WHO IS WHO 35

that hospitality is not a matter of geography, but of the spirit. We have been operating ever since as a socially responsible company. Since our establishing we have worked on development and unburdening of once modest infrastructure.

At the beginning, we built a new transformer station for the settlements in the vicinity (that we have donated to the Municipality of Budva a couple of years ago), constructed a part of the access boulevard, and with the multi-storey underground garage alleviating the traffic density.

Since the establishing we have been partners to all projects of the local and national tourism community. As a part of the dual education programme of the Ministry of Education, the Government’s programme of vocational training for university students, high-school and graduated students serve their internship, get employment and receive training in our hotels. For years we have been educating and employing people with impaired speech or hearing in the most frequent offices. We wanted to show that their inclusion is possible, even in complex systems with a great number of employees, such as ours.

Q: What kind of events can you host?

We organise between 200-300 events per year just in hotel Splendid.

The unique architectural solutions provide a variety of opportunities.

The rooms with high ceilings give the feeling of freedom and comfort, while its multi-functionality enables transformation from a boxing ring to a catwalk, a theatre play scene or a concert, movie premiere, latest car models promotion, sales conferences, association congresses, weddings, birthdays, prom nights or high-level political events. In short – imagination is the ceiling.

Once they become aware of the hotel’s capacities, the clients often want something special, something different. Thus, it is possible to rearrange any space – from open to indoor pools, gardens with unique plant species, footbridges, with all of them providing privacy and comfort. As an illustration, the hotel is well known in the region as an epicentre of New Year celebration. With greatest stars of the region, up to 800 people are entertained. At the same time, guests from a number of foreign countries organise their own celebrations with the biggest artists of their music scene, so those nights host and entertain more than 1,000 guests. If clients want so, we gladly combine the capacities of the other two hotels, in order to provide the best of experience because the most important thing is to make the event a success.

Q: Which environmentally-conscious practices does the group follow?

That, too, was a pioneer undertaking. As early as in the planning stage, EUR 12.5 million was invested into systems and directives that are intensively promoted today as essential components of energy efficiency and Q: What is the main X-factor of your halls that low-carbon tourism, which sounded unrealistic you would point out?

Hospitality is not a and unprofitable back then.

Comfortable and luxurious ambient, elematter of geography, The owners were adamant: we will not make gance, harmonious interior and exterior, economic profit at the expense of devastation the welcoming feeling, technical equipment, but of the spirit. of natural resources. We will set an example in good sound insulation, air purification faciltourism, that we in tourism have particular reities, privacy, a synchronized team work of sponsibility towards natural resources because discreet and omnipresent staff – all in their we owe them most, especially today, when they respective offices – wherever they should be are shrinking, with climate changes more draat any moment. matic than ever.

We are active in the domain of reduction of consumption and emisQ: What is that thing that impresses the attendees at the events the most? sion of harmful greenhouse gasses. The system of wastewater treatThe architectural solution is such that at the very entrance arcades ment and processing is such that only after reuse and further processresembling an imaginary ship welcome the visitors, as if one is sailing to achieve a neutral pH value, they are discharged into the sewer ing into a pleasant, safe harbour… There follows the lobby with high system – never directly. Additional savings are made with the system pillars and unique granite floors, framed by glass walls where nothing for treatment of water used in the facility, with the hardness level obstruct the views of the Bečići cove, just seconds after entrance. closest to the so-called mountain – soft water. And, while guests are Once you leave a business meeting to the pre-conference area, the enjoying swimming and bathing, the saving on detergents and soaps first thing you see is the open sea. The complementarity of the interior is up to 40 per cent (detergents used are biodegradable). and exterior makes one leave business duties behind, at least for a while, in the conference room, breathe in the freshness of the landscape, relax, ease one’s mind, with a sip of a refreshing drink and the Q: Which of your hotels offer space for the meetings industry? good vibes are already taking hold.

All three hotels operating under the MSHG group are adjusted to the meeting industry needs. The conference centre in the Hotel Montenegro in Bečići (4*) consists of 3 meeting rooms with 270 seats. The Q: Which events that you have hosted, would you highlight?

Blue Star Hotel (4*), a city hotel featuring business and holiday ameniWe are extremely proud of being the venue of the meeting of the ties, has a conference centre and a congress room.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and ambassadors of 28 The main congress destination of not only our company, but of Monmember states with the highest officials of Montenegro in October tenegro as well, is the Hotel Splendid – the largest and the most rep2015. That event took place before the Ministerial Meeting in Deresentative facility of the hotel group, with more than 2000m2 of cember, which became the turning point for subsequent invitation for conference space. The congress room features the cutting-edge techmembership and then the formal admission of Montenegro in June nical equipment, air purification facilities; it is multi-functional and can 2017. Those are the moments when you feel proud of not only witbe divided into 4 rooms. Pre conference area has a media centre, an nessing the historical events, but indirectly of being that discreet but auxiliary press centre, and aperitif bar with a big terrace with sea view. reliable partner in organisation.

36 KONGRES PEOPLE // WHO IS WHO

Former US President, Bill Clinton, moved his charity global initiative - Clinton Global Initiative 2011– for the first time from the USA. He chose Montenegro and the Hotel Splendid.

I will also remember the ECTA (The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association) meeting in the Splendid. This was an expression of respect to the Montenegro Tourism Association (CTU), the organisation chaired by the co-owner of our company, which became a new member just two years earlier, despite the rule that those can be only associations from the EU Member States.

However, we are the proudest of the fact that with a not so small a number of clients we have established partnership. I always remember with pleasure the first client who confirmed the organisation of an event and that upon arrival from another continent, he made the site inspection in the Hotel Splendid, still under construction. Looking at the bare walls and listening to our ideas about finalisation, he chose to trust us. And continues doing so for 12 consecutive years since.

This October, too, he will organise an event with more than a hundred participants …

Q: What kind of incentive programmes are offered in the area?

Options are numerous. The first that comes to my mind is: start from Kotor and you have started from the Boka Kotorska Bay – the south-

ernmost fjord in Europe. It is surrounded by the Mt. Lovćen, the holy place both for Montenegrins and those coming to Montenegro for the first time, with the view reaching the neighbouring states. It is a 50 minute drive. In a bit more than 3 hours you can pass over the Lake of Skadar, the biggest cryptodepression in the Balkans, Crmnica vineyards, take a break at the Biogradska Gora and walk its virgin forests – one of the three remaining in Europe. Over the Tara River Canyon – the deepest canyon in Europe – and you reach the Durmitor, where you can swim in the lake and sometimes even ski in summer. And all that in a single day!

Along the coast, 5 towns are situated, around 30 km apart … One can rarely find such a small country with so much natural beauty and contrasts with such a rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage.

Q: Since there is 12km of beaches on Budva Riviera, which beach is the most beautiful one?

There are many beautiful and attractive beaches in Montenegro. However, without any intention of being pretentious, the Bečići beach is special. We have not chosen it randomly, and we “borrowed” a small part of it for hotels Splendid and Montenegro, trying to match as far as possible with elegant facilities the beauty and the reputation of once officially the most beautiful beach in Europe.

KONGRES PEOPLE // ENFANT TERRIBLE 37

… THINK OF THAT FOR THE NEXT 55 SECONDS

Boban Milunović, Metaldays, Punk Rock Holiday, Motörcity, Winter Days of Metal JASMINA JERANT //

PERSONAL ARCHIVE

Many people might know Boban Milunović as the owner and promoter of the biggest festival in Slovenia, MetalDays, where he is in charge of the entire management and booking of the festival; but actually he is running other 4 festivals too: Punk Rock Holiday, Winter Days of Metal, MotörCity and Overjam Reggae Festival. Boban has 25 years of experience in music business and 15 years of festival organisation.

He, pretty much, spent his whole life in the music industry, from playing in various bands and being a tour manager, to owning a recording and mastering studio, where he handled mastering and production.

Boban is also member of Slovenian blues rock band called Stray Train.

Q: What do you love about your job the most?

Challenge and the fact that it is not a job … but it’s lifestyle.

Q: By your opinion, what is event organisation’s best advantage?

Being able to partly or solely organise your event for yourself.

Q: How have the best events you have attended so far made you feel?

It made me want to make my own events better in every aspect.

Q: Looking at your bucket list, what is the one thing that you really wish to cross off by the end of 2018?

I wish Winter Days of Metal festival to double its visitors.

Q: If you could have a dinner with anyone (alive or dead), who would you have dinner with and why?

Nikola Tesla.

Q: What would you share with us if you would have only a one-minute time?

I would tell that in life only personal experience counts and would ask you to think of that for the next 55 seconds.

Q: Your credo?

I go by the credo “learning by doing is the best way to learn”. Be brave, follow your instinct, and don’t be afraid of failure.

38 KONGRES JOURNEYS // REPORTAGE

KONGRES JOURNEYS // REPORTAGE 39

SOUTH KOREA

The land of incentive opportunities AJDA BORAK //

SEOUL CVB

South Korea went through rapid and spectacular economic development in the brief time of only one generation. The war left Korea one of the poorest countries in the world, but today Korea’s economy is the 11th largest in the world, and the 4th largest in Asia. It is a symbol of the technological boom. The war made Koreans the survivors, and they are also the winners on the global technological market. South Korea is the home of some world’s top tech brands as Samsung Electronics, Kia, Hyundai Mobis, LG, Daewoo and many more.

What saved Korea from poverty, and raised her among the world’s leading economic forces was discipline, motivation, education and knowledge. The country has basically no natural resources and yet they became world’s leading importer and exporter. The incredible technical heritage can be noticed on every step of the way, and technology is precisely what made Korea recognisable as one of the world’s most innovative countries. Besides technology and science, medicine and manufacturing also represent the main features of the Korean business world.

Korea opened its door to the world in 1988 when it hosted the Summer Olympics in Seoul. And after 30 years South Korea again hosted the Olympic games this year in PyeongChang, this time the winter edition. The country proved that it is perfectly capable of hosting an international event of such a dimension, and most important, that they can provide a totally safe environment, not disturbed by the tensions awakened by North Korea.

Today South Korea is very easily manageable from 186 locations worldwide. The country is within a 3-hour flight radius from every Asian country and is very well connected to all the main European and American airports. And for visitors from more than 150 countries

it has visa-free entry. To travel through the country Korea has developed a highly fast and convenient transport – subways, highways, taxis, high-speed trains (KTX) and airport limousines buses that comfortably and reliably take you almost everywhere in the country.

According to the last international meetings statistics report by the Union of International Associations (UIA), South Korea remains world’s number 1 destination for international meetings for two consecutive years with 1,297 meetings hosted in 2017.

According to KTO MICE participants spend 3.1 times more money and stay 1.4 times longer than general tourists. The Korean MICE industry has achieved substantial growth in terms of quantity. And Korea has been attracting more and more foreign MICE participants.

And the next step is to make quality development and to increase Korea’s reputation on the international stage.

Korea is indeed a land of opportunities for incentives. The fusion of nature, adventure and tradition, from temples and palaces to massive ultra modern technological super-buildings, skyscrapers and shopping districts make endless options. Cities like Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Goyang are a great fit for MICE, boasting large capacity and clean, refined facilities. The most interesting and “Korean” incentive is still the tour to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the weapon-free buffer zone between North and South Korea, the so-called no man’s land. The 2km-wide stretch of land both north and south of the line extends largely from Gyeonggi-do to Gangwon-do, including seven different cities and smaller counties of Paju, Yeoncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, Inje and Goseong. The zone has been protected from human disturbance for about 6 decades and has unintentionally become a haven for wildlife, making it a popular destination for nature lovers.

South Korea remains world's number 1 destination for international meetings for two consecutive years with 1,297 meetings hosted in 2017.

40 KONGRES JOURNEYS // REPORTAGE

Korea also maintained 13th place on the latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) World rankings with 279 qualified meetings hosted in 2017. And the ICCA Asia – Pacific Meetings ranking ranked Korea as no. 3 in the region, and 3 South Korean cities among the top 20 cities (Seoul – no. 2, Jeju – no. 13 and Busan – no. 17).

An interesting marketing strategy from the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) with the goal of attracting a greater number of MICE groups from South-east Asia and China was revealed during the opening ceremony of the Korea MICE Expo. The KTO pronounced a popular K-pop boy band SHINee as a Korea MICE Honorary Ambassador.

Fusing the popular Hallyu in MICE is indeed a new approach to attract

the target markets. KTO plans to produce promotional materials featuring SHINee (videos, welcome cards…) which will be included in its Incentive and Corporate Support Programme.

Regarding infrastructure for the development of the MICE industry Korea has certainly done a lot. But the key challenge for the Korean MICE industry in the future is probably allocation of professionals and most important of all recruiting foreign workforce and training local suppliers to understand foreign clients’ thoughts and values. While Korea is extremely hospitable, and the service level is extremely high, it still can improve the understanding of main cultural differences, especially for non-Asian visitors.

KONGRES JOURNEYS // MEETOLOGUE 41

PRAGUE MTLG – 2018 UPDATE The Golden City AJDA BORAK //

SHUTTERSTOCK, ŠPEJLE

Prague – the Golden City, the heart of Europe, the historic, cultural and touristic hub with 1.3 million inhabitants and 6 times as many tourists, who stroll through this city for an injection of something new, something old and a lot for the soul. The Czech capital has for many years been one of Europe’s most visited cities, attracting tourists from all over the world.

The long walk through this historic city is a walk by an endless number of concert halls, museums, galleries, movie theatres and clubs all underlined with astonishing architecture that boasts rich history. Many historic special venues are available to rent for your event. There are more than a few which will trigger your imagination and make it possible to organise a unique and memorable event. To name a few: the Palace Žofín, Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia (provided by Golem Catering), Prague Castle, the Museum of Czech Music, Rudolfinum Concert Hall, the Municipal Hall. Whilst Prague proudly builds its reputation on its history, it has also developed modern venues – the O2 Universum, O2 arena, the Cubex centre, and the Prague Convention Centre are the options for those who are searching for a modern venue. Or for events that need a more cool set-up, Prague is the home of one of the biggest Hard Rock Cafes, that is located in a UNESCO heritage building.

When looking for the perfect venue for your next event, don’t forget to take a moment to sit on a bench in one of the shady parks hidden among the enormous buildings with the souls of past centuries, and spend a moment in peace, away from the busy streets crowded with tourists in this city that seems to never sleep.

A must do in Prague is a relaxing boat cruise down the Vltava river.

A cruise to the Devil’s Channel, will make you feel for a moment as if you are in Venice. And after the ride you can treat your culinary desires in the floating Marina Ristorante, offering great Italian food and a charming view of Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge. Another good option for more demanding tastes is Mlýnec Restaurant, literally under the Charles Bridge, a modern interior with a modern fusion of unexpected tastes.

Besides the cultural and historic jewels that Prague boasts, there is one more thing typical for Prague. And that is beer. Dlouhá Street is a must visit street, known for pubs of all sorts. Beer lovers should visit the Prague Beer Museum Gastro Pub where they can try a fine selection of over 30 of the best regional craft beers on tap from the whole country.

WHAT’S HOT IN 2018 The city is famous for its many international festivals, among which the biggest one with 70 years of tradition, famous for its quality multigenre programme, is the Prague Spring.

The end of the summer is reserved for the annual festival “Letní Letná”. A very special festival that is attended by around 325.000 visitors hosts the big names of the international circus scene. It has become a solid platform presenting the work of Czech contemporary circus and theatre companies to the general public.

The SIGNAL Festival – the Festival of Lights is the largest cultural event in the Czech Republic whose unique integration of art, city space, and modern technology has drawn over 2 million attendees to Prague in the five years of its existence. The festival brings visually attractive works together with complex installations of international quality, and the concept appeals both to professionals and the lay public.

After ten years, the biggest floorball event of the world, the men’s World Floorball Championship, is coming back to the Czech Republic .

At the end of October the Prague International Design Festival “Designblok” will be held. Designblok Festival is the largest selection of design and fashion shows in Central Europe. This year’s, the 19th in a row, will attract more than 50,000 visitors of all ages from the Czech Republic and abroad.

NEED TO KNOW 2018 In a city as big as Prague, new things are coming up every day. Worthy of your attention is absolutely the Cubex centre, which opened this summer. The centre in the shape of a ship, with impressive lighting concept, offers spaces for unlimited uses. The minimalistic, all-white venue is like a blank canvas where you can organise congresses, conferences, balls, gala dinners, or sports and cultural events and auto exhibitions.

As a contrast, in the very heart of the old city centre, the Museum of Illusions opened recently in a 3 full floors of a historic 15th century building on Old Town Square with stunning views of the astronomical clock Orloj and the surrounding square. The museum with its private courtyard is also available for rent for your private event. This historic venue filled with illusions can host up to 200 people, and will certainly help you to organise a one-of-a-kind event.

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KONGRES JOURNEYS // MEETOLOGUE 43

DID YOU KNOW? One of Prague’s most famous sites is Prague Castle, that was constructed in the 9th century. The castle buildings represent virtually every architectural style of the last millennium and is a truly astonishing monument. It attracts over 1.8 million visitors every year, and is according to the Guinness Book of Records is the largest ancient castle in the world, occupying an area of almost 70,000 square metres (750,000 square feet), about 570 metres (1,870 feet) in length and an average of about 130 metres (430 feet) wide.

Besides the world’s biggest castle, Prague also has one of the narrowest streets in the world. You can find it near the Charles Bridge and the Kafka Museum. Its width is a mere 50cm. That is the reason that a traffic light has been installed to regulate the flow of people.

The Czechs are the #1 beer drinking nation in the world, consuming the most beer per capita (160 litres or 43 gallons). They have been drinking beer since at least 900 A.D. BEST INCENTIVE IDEA If you HAVE ever had a secret desire to make a graphite you can do that legally in Prague. The John Lennon Wall in Malá Strana, opposite the French Embassy is one of Prague’s coolest places to visit and a perfect and picturesque place to take a memory photo from the Czech capital. It also has an interesting historical background.

After 1948 the wall of the compound of the Knights of Malta was mainly used for protests against the communist takeover. In the 1960s it became known as the “Crying Wall” and was still a wall dedicated to protests with lyrics and art, and was regularly painted over by the authorities.

On the day of John Lennon’s murder on 8 December 1980, it naturally became the place for the outpouring of grief and protests against his death. Almost overnight it became covered with paintings of Lennon’s face and quotes from his songs and was renamed the John Lennon Wall. Instantly, this colourful mess became a symbol of freedom of speech, rebellion and desire for peace. At that time, Central and Eastern Europe was ruled by totalitarian regimes, which was just the opposite of Lennon’s philosophy and state of mind. In fact, just listening to Beatles in those days was a ticket to jail. So the pacifists and the graffiti artists started a war with the Czech police. The police painted the wall over in white many times, but after a night or two, it was once again covered with slogans, quotes, lyrics and portraits of Lennon and anti-communist slogans. And all of that continued until 1989, when the Velvet Revolution put an end to communist rule in Czechoslovakia. After 1990 the Kings of Malta actually gave their permission for the graffiti to continue. And not even the great flood in 2002, which made the wall collapse (and was quickly repaired), could stop the tradition.

Today painting on the John Lennon Wall is also an incentive option offered by some of the PCO’s in Prague. For more information contact AIM Group, Prague office.

PERFECT GIFT If you want to bring a really special, valuable and “forever” gift from Prague, than a piece of jewellery or a gift item made of garnet is the perfect choice.

Today the Granát, d.u.v Turnov is considered as undoubtedly the biggest processor and manufacturer of original jewellery with Bohemian

garnets. It uses the latest production techniques for the creation and production of new jewellery designs as well as great use of the Turnov goldsmiths’ handiwork. Granát Turnov is a leading developer of this art in exhibitions and sets the pace of design and final shape of the jewellery.

The biggest collection in the world of historical pieces with Bohemian garnets belongs to the National Museum in Prague; smaller collections can be seen in the Art-Industrial Museum in Prague and in the Moravian Gallery in Brno. The complete collections are also in the professional Jewellers’ School in Turnov and in the Museum of the Bohemian Paradise.

BEST KEPT SECRET Špejle is a special place with a sense of humour, a great interior, and delicious food. To explain, a špejle is a wooden skewer, mostly used for shish kebabs, but in this bistro they have found lots of uses for it.

The bistro’s concept is based on that of the traditional Czech openfaced sandwich (chlebíček). You can get warm, cold, sweet and savoury, cheese, prosciutto – all served on a skewer.

The skewer is the design, the gimmick, and even the bill – you pay by the number of skewers you collect. To drink they offer homemade fruit drinks, cocktails, beer specialties, and a nice selection of wines, including sparkling wines. They are the proud owners of one of the biggest gin & tonic selections in Prague.

The skewer nibblets are eaten by hand – therefore a number of wash basins can be found throughout the bistro.

VOICES Tereza Havlaskova, AIM Group’s Prague Office Jakub Bechyne, Illusion Art Museum Prague Petr Marhoul, C-IN Prague WHO TO CONTACT Prague Convention Bureau, z.s.

Rytířská 398/26, 110 00 Prague, Czech Republic Mr. Roman Muška E: roman.muska@pragueconvention.cz W: www.pragueconvention.cz

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LJUBLJANA MTLG – 2018 UPDATE The city flourishing in creativity and arts JASMINA JERANT //

LJUBLJANA TOURISM, DOBRA VAGA

As one of the smallest European capitals by size and by number of residents, Ljubljana offers a boutique experience for it takes only 20 minutes of a leisurely walk to get from the famous Triple Bridge set in the very heart of the city to most of the spots, be it either towards the bountiful of architectural heritage and diamonds, or to the very middle of a natural setting in Ljubljana’s main and most beautiful Tivoli Park. Not just “boutique”, but also “green” is the word that crosses everyone’s mind once in Slovenian capital which has 542 square meters of public green spaces per resident, while featuring 80 hectares of well-maintained green spaces. The process of transforming Ljubljana into a role-model city in terms of sustainable development has been crowned by many awards so far, including the title of European Green Capital 2016 and this year’s title of the »Best Destination of Europe« in recognition for best sustainable practice examples of destination management worldwide.

NEED TO KNOW 2018 Ljubljana’s unique mixture of beauty, compactness, green character and sustainable policies is furtherly strengthened by its cultural and artsy soul. Culture, for example, is embedded in its everyday life and is not considered a privilege. The year-round agenda features a multitude of international festivals and other events, encompassing a wide range of musical and artistic genres, where traditional lives side by side with the alternative. For being the city that flourishes in various colours of creativity and arts, Ljubljana has become renowned as the Open City that welcomes the innovative, unusual, and progressive approaches to showcase its creative and welcoming side. Be it either its squatted ‘city inside the city’, the Autonomous Cultural Centre Metelkova City, or the numerous street, art, and cultural festivals like Lighting Guerilla, Ana Desetnica Street Theatre Festvial, Indigo – Festival of Contemporary Ideas, Feminist and Queer Festival Red Dawns, LGBT Film Festival, or music festivals like Druga godba, Festival June in Ljubljana, Jazz Ljubljana, or theatre festivals like Young Lions. In addition, Ljubljana boasts alternative venues like ŠKUC Gallery, Kino Šiška, Dobra vaga, Ljubljana’s Old Power Station, Glej Theatre, Mini Theatre, PTL – Dance Theatre Ljubljana, and Španski borci Cultural Centre, to name a few.

DID YOU KNOW? Walking around this small in size, but big in character, Central European city, adds to the city’s sustainable mobility solutions for the core of the city center has been closed for motorized vehicles. The city’s sustainable

traffic policy is just one in the line of Ljubljana’s sustainable policies that made it one of the most sustainably-oriented cities in the region. Ljubljana, for example, has been the European capital with the highest share of separated waste collected (63%) and the ‘zero waste’ city which has already exceeded the EU’s recycling targets for 2020 by 10%.

BEST INCENTIVE IDEA Moustache Tour The recently established Moustache Tour presents a unique opportunity to get familiar with one of the youngest and most creative European capitals that never ceases to surprise. The tour takes on a ride through the lifestyle of architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957), writer Ivan Cankar (1876-1918), and painter Rihard Jakopič (1869-1943) who all lived in the same historical period and who wore impressive moustache – but of a different style that corresponded also to the difference in their personal and artistic character: disciplined, bohemian, and charismatic.

THE PERFECT GIFT Art work from Dobra vaga gallery DobraVaga, a selling art gallery showcases the work of younger generation Slovenian artists in a very original way. The gallery, located in the Ljubljana Central Market’s previous fish market, with its unique concept, tries to transcend the conventional notion of the art market.

Each time, its monthly selection features works by a new set of artists and new approaches to art. Rather than promoting the artists’ names and reputation, it focuses, in keeping with its concept of selling art ‘per kilo’, on the artistic weight and power of exhibited works and the nature of the creative process involved in their production. This serves as the basis for classifying the works for sale into different price categories. Thus, a perfect gift from Ljubljana is to buy one of the exhibited pictures from a young Slovenian artist in Dobra vaga. A different gift and purchase, as alternative as the Ljubljana’s soul and lifestyle.

BEST KEPT SECRETS There aren’t many European capitals as rich in alternative culture and arts as the Slovenian capital. Ljubljana stands as a real gem compared to other cities when it comes to the bounty of independent venues and events bursting at the seams with alternative spirit. The alternative scene is so accessible that one could almost claim it has

46 KONGRES JOURNEYS // MEETOLOGUE

of selected Slovenian and international contemporary dance creativity. Part of the premises of Ljubljana’s Old Power Station is Ljubljana’s unique example of a long and well-established international tradition in transforming attractive industrial structures into cultural centres.

And last, but not the least, The Španski borci cultural centre is dedicated to promoting contemporary art practices.

VOICES M. Sc. Petra Stušek, Ljubljana Tourism Jan Oršič, Convention Bureau Ljubljana Tatjana Radovič, Convention Bureau Ljubljana WHAT’S HOT 2018 Europrevent 2018 / 19–21 April, 2018 The 13th European Congress on Preventive Cardiology Venue: Cankarjev dom – Cultural and Congress Centre TEN T Days 2018 / 25-27 April, 2018 The 9th Trans-European Transport Network Days Venue: GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre ESTS 2018 / May 27–30, 2018 European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery - ESTS Venue: Cankarjev dom – Cultural and Congress Centre ICCA AMP 2018 / 9-11 July 2018 ICCA Association Meetings Programme Venue: Grand Hotel Union been intertwined with the capital’s mainstream lifestyle and beat. Ljubljana, the Open City, has been for decades the welcoming nest for diverse alternative approaches and activities. Autonomous Cultural Centre Metelkova City, for example, was established in 1993, when mainly underground artists and intellectuals squatted former military barracks and have, since then, developed the squatted infrastructure into an alternative culture centre that has become a world-wide attraction. Diverse artistic practices and events found their home at this ever changing complex full of creative spirit. A necessary visit for any young congress guest or a congress guest young by heart and alternative by soul looking for a different experience of the city.

OFF THE BEATEN MICE TRACK For those, seeking independent arts and culture, Ljubljana offers numerous spaces that showcase the best contemporary Slovenian as well as international independent performance arts scene spanning from independent off-off theatre performances to contemporary dance performances and art festivals. In addition, some of the venues can be rented for an out-of-the-box event organisation or incentive programmes.

Located in Ljubljana’s old town, the Glej Theatre is Slovenia’s oldest independent theatre founded in 1970. Also located in the Old Town is the Ljubljana Mini Theatre which through its paradox goal – to be an elite theatre that is accessible to the public, eccentric yet attractive for a wide audience –breaks the traditional boundaries of theatre. Dance Theatre Ljubljana (PTL) is a small but artistically exciting contemporary dance theatre which in its venue presents to the public a wide range

IGTM 2018 / October 15-18, 2018 International Golf Travel Market – IGTM 2018 Venue: GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre EPH 2018 / November 28 – December 1, 2018 11th European Public Health Conference (EPH) 2018 Venue: Cankarjev dom – Cultural and Congress Centre Due to its accessibility and the well-developed and diversified meeting infrastructure, Ljubljana is Slovenia’s major congress destination, having the highest share of (international) meetings. When in Ljubljana, any congress guest should seek the non-conventional ways of spending time and getting to know the city, its history and its people.

Most of the festivals take place outdoors and for free, and therefore, Ljubljana is not just an Open City because of offering the artsy and imaginative events, but also because it is simply that: a wide open venue for all sorts of non-conventional festivals that allow for a having a fun stay in Ljubljana to any congress guest.

WHO TO CONTACT Ljubljana Tourism /Convention Bureau Krekov trg 10, SI-1000 Ljubljana Ms.Tatjana Radovič E: tatjana.radovic@visitljubljana.si T: +386 (0)1 306 45 84 www.visitljubljana.com

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MARIBOR MTLG – 2018 UPDATE The destination with a bright future JASMINA JERANT //

BOŠTJAN KERŠBAUMER, CIRIL AMBROŽ

As the second largest city in Slovenia, Maribor oozes the historic charm of a relaxed, medieval town. It is no wonder, then, that in 2012 Maribor was awarded the flattering title “European Capital of Culture”. “A life well lived” could very well be the slogan for the capital of Slovenia’s Styria region, for its greatest asset is its extraordinary access to nature, with an attractive position between the Drava river, the green Pohorje plateau on one side and, on the other, sunny wine-growing hills that stretch all the way to the Austrian border and beyond. With its quality congress/business capacities and opportunities for unique experiences combined with picturesque surroundings and the warm hospitality of the people, Maribor is becoming increasingly renowned as a host destination for conventions, seminars and other meetings and events.

BEST INCENTIVE IDEA Vineyard Glamping Resort – Chateau Ramšak Just a short distance from Maribor, nestled among rolling green hillsides and exquisite vineyards, the Ramšak estate offers a fairytale country castle. The heart of the property is the wine-growing infrastructure surrounded by a tree house and glamorous tents furnished like luxury hotel rooms with bathrooms, spacious terraces and a garden jacuzzi. It all adds up to unique comfort mingled with the magic of sleeping under the stars, breathing fresh air, and listening to the sounds of a stream. The estate offers various experiences that give visitors an insight into the wine-making process.

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THE PERFECT GIFT The wine shop in the Old Vine house offers excellent wines made by local producers (with international success), which are also offered for wine tastings. At the moment, the wine shop boasts of 165 very best wines from the Slovenian Styria region. Unfortunately, the wine made from the Oldest Vine is not possible to taste. It is very precious; the amount is very limited and it is used as the protocol gift of the city.

However, there is a great comfort to that – the wine shop sells the wine of the first descendants of the Old Vine. This unique gift can be combined also with a special jewellery made of the oldest vine’s leaves.

BEST KEPT SECRET Maribor, due to its incredible landscape, offers extensive sports activities all-year-round. As an example of its good practice in preparations and hosting of various sports events, Maribor collected in December 2017 its title as the European City of Sport 2018. In the frame of the programme as the European City of Sport 2018, Maribor has been this year hosting several sports events, including the AETF Senior and Junior European Taekwon-Do Championships, the IXS European downhill cup, the Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship Division II, the Vinoeuro, the European football championship of wine producers, the FIMBA European Maxibasketball Championship (European Basketball Championships for veterans), and the European Kickboxing Championships, to name a few. In addition, Maribor is well known for one worldwide attraction – the annual Golden Fox FIS Ski World Cup which was held in February 2018, while its celebratory 55th edition will be held in February 2019.

OFF THE BEATEN MICE TRACK The Pohorje plateau the pride and joy of the Styria region and its capital Maribor, is a natural wonderland awash with primeval forests, lakes, waterfalls and an abundance of hiking and biking trails that criss-cross its breathtaking scenery. In winter the area is transformed into a buzzing ski resort, one of the largest and most attractive in Slovenia, an additional speciality of which is the longest night-skiing trail in the country.

Additionally, on the Pohorje plateau range, in the embrace of the intact nature of the Natura 2000 Natural Reserve Park, lies a boutique, fairytale village with eco bungalows made exclusively of natural ecological materials such as Pohorje supre timber and wool. The Ruševec

Estate, consisting of the Green Village with eco lodges, eco villa, and eco wellness, is committed to an ecological experience of nature. This mission is also shown through its Permaculture Circle. The area is ideal for biking, hiking, running, skiing, climbing, swimming, mushroom picking and spending time in the Šumik Primeval Forest Reserve. Special treats come in the form of organised trips to the intact areas of Pohorje – the main attractions being local culture, flora and fauna.

VOICES OF MARIBOR Doris Urbančič Windisch, Maribor-Pohorje Tourist Board Bernarda Karo, Maribor-Pohorje Tourist Board Igor Kurnik, Hotel City Maribor Maribor is not just a place to be for lovers of sports and for all wine lovers (the vineyard-covered Pyramid hill rises directly above the centre of the town what makes Maribor one of the few world’s cities with a vineyard right in its centre; The Benedictine Dveri Pax cellar storing 50,000 – out of 300,000 – litres of wine in oak barrels; The Water Tower Winery; The Vinag Cellar – the largest cellar in Europe; and the three wine roads), but also for event lovers. The Styrian capital hosts numerous international events all-year-round: Lent festival, Old Vine Festival, Maribor Festival, Wine Festival, and many others. And if that is not enough, a congress guest to get even more adventure, should try the traditional rafting on the Drava river. The rafts, built in Robinson Crusoe-style, offer a different insight into the beauty of Maribor’s major attractions such as the Old Vine House, the two defence towers along the river, and the old town Lent. Thus, the conclusion is clear: Maribor, although still growing on the MICE map, certainly can not disappoint with the locations and activities on hand for any demanding meeting planner. It is slowly growing, but with a huge effect and there is a bright future in front of it.

WHO TO CONTACT Maribor-Pohorje Tourist Board Tkalski prehod 4, SI-2000 Maribor Ms. Bernarda Karo T: +386 2 234 66 08 E: bernarda.karo@maribor.si www.maribor-pohorje.si

DID YOU KNOW? Maribor is home to the oldest vine in the world. The “Modra kavčina” or “Žametovka” or “Žametna črnina” (Blauer Kölner), certified as being more than 400 years old, is the Guinness record holder for the oldest noble vine in the world still bearing grapes. The vine, also a protected natural monument, grows at the front of a long solid two-story old townhouse, named The Old Vine House (Hiša stare trte) situated in Lent, Maribor’s old city centre, and near the serene Drava River. The Old Vine House, built in the 16th Century, is apart from being a hotspot of wine tradition and culture of Maribor, Styria and Slovenia, an exceptional event room offering wine tasting of excellent wines from the Styria region and it also offers space for business events and incentives. The uniqueness of the world’s oldest vine, located in the old town core of Slovenia`s second biggest city, spiced up by excellent wine and food creations and the notorious hospitality of the locals, definitely results in the uniqueness of the event itself. This year, a catering & cultural event in front of the Old Vine House for the guests of the Slovenian Incoming Workshop was held.

50 THE BEST DMC IN THE REGION // BEST OF

CREAM OF THE CROP OF THE ALPE ADRIA DMC WORLD What You’ve All Been Waiting For: The Best DMC In Alpe-Adria GORAZD ČAD

About two weeks ago, we opened voting for the best DMC agency in the Alpe-Adria region. We have received over 760 votes, and the TOP 10 DMC agencies are now known. Soon, you will also get to vote for the best Event and PCO agency, so stay tuned.

DT – DUBROVNIK TRAVEL DMC, CROATIA DT Croatia (Dubrovnik Travel) is the proven leading “Croatian DMC” (Destination Management Company). DT offers professional MICE services with numerous attractive locations and event venues for exclusive groups.

LIBERTY ADRIATIC, SLOVENIA Liberty Adriatic has four offices in the Adriatic region, covering Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Albania. They create unforgettable moments with a personal approach.

INTOURS DMC, SLOVENIA Since launching in 2000 with a team of just two, Intours DMC has grown into an Adriatic regional destination management company specialist, delivering tailor-made incentives, conferences, car launches, and special events.

DEKON PCO/DMC, SLOVENIA DEKON DMC is part of DEKON Group which was established in 1991 in Istanbul and since its foundation, it has been serving local and international partners.

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PALMA DMC, SLOVENIA The company was founded in 1990 as one of the first privately owned tourist companies in Slovenia and is now the leading Slovenian tour operator and an incoming DMC.

AUSTRIACONGRESS Over 60 years is a long time. That’s the extent of austriaCongress’ experience in the field of events. Their services range from leisure programs and catering to technical equipment, entertainment and shows.

KOMPAS DMC, SLOVENIA The company, established in Slovenia over 65 years ago, is among the most renowned brands in the country. Kompas DMC has a network of 15 offices around Europe and over 100 employees who speak at least 11 world languages.

ADRIATIC DMC, CROATIA Adriatic DMC is a leading destination management company based in Croatia offering authentic travel programs for discerning travelers to the region.

TALAS-M DMC, MONTENEGRO Talas-M offers assistance and original ideas to help you plan & create interesting and truly memorable events for you and your clients.

PENTA PCO/DMC, CROATIA Penta, a Croatian PCO and DMC company was founded back in 1991.

Their experienced staff designs customer-tailored solutions, managing every aspect of your event, matching the profile of your group.

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HOTEL WIESLER GRAZ Space for freedom HOTEL WIESLER GRAZ

CATEGORY City/business class hotel OPENED FROM 1909; renovated 2018 MEETINGS STAR City Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel with conference facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 102 rooms / 6 categories PRICE INTERNET 115 EUR per room (BB, March 2018, Trivago) ADDRESS Hotel Wiesler Grieskai 4-8, 8020 Graz, Austria T: 0043 316 7066 0 E: info@hotelwiesler.com FACILITIES 3 Conference Rooms Dinning Room Speisesaal Barber Oasis - Oriental Spa EXTRAS Just a stone’s throw away, Wiesler’s brother Hotel Weitzer offers even more opportunities for event organizing. The advantage is also in the possibility of combining the accommodation for your guests.

www.hotelwiesler.com

LOCATION If you are confident about your story, then you do not need hotel stars. At its last renovation, Hotel Wiesler took off the old image and put on a new and cool one that set the hotel among the few real design hotels in the region. Hotel Weitzer is located along the Mura River and right next to Kunsthaus - the new architectural symbol of Graz. This is the area where the old and the new, the tradition and the modernity, intertwine at every step. Due to the city’s compactness, the location is ideal for exploring the city center or simply enjoying one of the friendly cafés in the hotel’s vicinity.

ACCESSIBILITY Graz, the second largest Austrian city, is an important transport hub. This makes the city easily accessible for the congress guests. The Graz airport is getting more and more important with its annual increase in the number of regular connections. Particularly exciting is the excellent public transport. Graz is a unified zone of city’s transport which offers one and the same ticket for all the rides either on tram or bus, and also with all of the trains of the national railways that ride in the area. Exemplary traffic certainly presents one of the Graz’s advantages as a meetings destination.

COLD APPETIZER - ARCHITECTURE AND AESTHETICS The classical exterior of the hotel hides a spectacular interior. Hotel lobby, combined from art nouveau base with an upgraded design furniture, works as an art gallery. At the entrance, a guest gets surprised by an installation from a young artist Clemens Hollerer.

The renovation of the classical hotel into a completely new story is a demanding process; in the case of this hotel, the process resulted in an excellent success.

WARM APPETIZER - PERSONNEL AND CUISINE The staff follows a story set by the hotel’s founding father and owner, Florian Weitzer; namely, the highest level of kindness, professionality, and personal attitude towards the guests. According to expectations, the wonderful buffet breakfast offers a wide selection for all tastes. We were particularly impressed by the selection of regional meat products as well as by original spreads. Maybe also the wide breakfast selection earned the hotel a reputation of one of the best brunch places in the city, particularly popular on weekends.

The restaurant’s offer is minimalistic but top-notch; and it looks as a hotel’s reflection offering traditional Austrian dishes along modern classics. Supreme and very creative.

MAIN DISH - THE HOTEL’S CONGRESS SERVICES The hotel room belongs among those that, due to its wow effect, you first take a photo of it and immediately share it on social networks. Each of the rooms is unique and full of inspiration. The wall that works as an unfinished paint-job makes for an amazing detail.

Manually painted Talavera sink from Mexico is an art work. Carefully designed is also the

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room equipment – from hotel instructions to cute binoculars for observing Schlossberg.

And in addition, the rooms are so spacious and so airy that you will hardly find similar ones in comparable hotels. Spacious is also the shower cabin where you are happily using house cosmetics Daniel.

The hotel’s pearl is its conference hall Spring named after Leopold Forstner’s Art Nouveau mosaic. The hall accepts up to 100 participants and it enables a connection with the hotel’s rich history.

DESSERT - EXTRAS Oriental spa Oasis is minimalistic, but a very close resemblance to ideal spa where one has no problems to »turn off« even during the most boring congress sessions.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES Hotel design in the rooms is extreme and maybe it is not to everyone’s taste.

The owners risked a lot, and for the guests liking classic hotel rooms these rooms might be a bit too radical. On the other hand, though, this is also a big plus.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES As lovers of design and creative hotels, we are thrilled. This is a hotel, reflecting a spirt of Graz which became the Unesco City of Design. The hotel presents a thought out and well-structured story inspiring everyone liking boutique, innovative hotels with a strong author’s mark.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY A few years ago, the hotel provoked a little revolution and it shone in its unusualness and individuality. However, the surprises don’t stop here, for pretty much every year the staff makes sure to present novelties while keeping the hotel’s historical soul. This is a hotel for cosmopolitan guests, as well as for hipsters who adore urbanity and combination of vintage details. The hotel rooms are close to the top, if not even totally on top, when it comes to originality and comfort of a hotel room in general.

The boutique hotel is well harmonised with Graz’s soul; and despite the fact that it might not be to everyone’s taste, for us, this is one of the most successful hotel stories in the region. It is essential that it is needless to talk about the quality of the service and the concept. It is all about complementing the classics, design and sophisticated aesthetics. All of it is additionally wrapped into an attractive price, for the hotel prices in Graz have not yet sky rocketed

RESULTS MARKS LOCATION 4,95 ACCESSIBILITY 4,86 FIRST IMPRESSION 4,49 LOBBY 4,73 EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE 4,89 RECEPTION 4,71 HOTEL ROOM 4,95 HOTEL BED 4,83 BATHROOM AND RESTROOM 4,92 HOTEL BREAKFAST 4,88 BARS AND RESTAURANTS 4,63 CONGRESS HALL 4,58 ADDITIONAL OFFER 4,78 TOTAL

4.78 Luxury City Meeting Hotel

LUXURY PREMIUM BUSINESS ECONOMY BUDGET

    

4,78 Final Grade

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HOTEL STEIGENBERGER MUNICH Modern with a pinch of traditional HOTEL STEIGEBERGER MUNICH

CATEGORY 5***** OPENED FROM 2017 MEETINGS STAR City Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel with conference facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 292 rooms PRICE INTERNET 115 EUR per room (BB, March 2018, Trivago) ADDRESS STEIGENBERGER HOTEL MÜNCHEN Berliner Straße 85 80805 München Germany E: muenchen@steigenberger.com FACILITIES 14 Conference Rooms (1.200 m2) Spa centre Fitness centre Valentinum & Bar Restaurant Lumen EXTRAS The Valentinum & Bar is a culinary suprise, impressing even the more demanding guests with its fusion bistro offer and modern architecture mixed with traditional.

www.muenchen.steigenberger.de

LOCATION One of the latest newcomers on the Munich hotel scene is the Steigenberger Hotel, located in a pleasant Munich quarter, famous for its English Garden, once one of the biggest public parks in the world. The garden is also a very unique special venue, reaching its peak every summer. This part of the city, once renowned as the bohemian center of Munich is known for numerous universities and youthful energy. The hotel is located in the calm residential and business area of the district, just next to the highway, surrounded by a green environment. The hotel is close to the BMW Museum and the Allianz Arena Stadium.

ACCESSIBILITY The hotel is easily accessible and a 5-minute walk to the metro. The location can be dubbed as great, as the centre is just around the corner. For guests arriving by car, a big underground garage is available, unfortunately not free of charge. To one of the most important airports in Germany from the hotel is around 25 km. An abundant amount of parks near the hotel are ideal for nature lovers.

COLD APPETIZER - ARCHITECTURE AND AESTHETICS Hotels are starting to focus on the first impression that would surprise their guests. The purpose of lobbies is increasing as they are becoming social areas. The architects of this new Munich hotel were aware of this and made a 22 meters open foyer, outlining the beer story, that can be felt throughout the entire hotel interior. It can be noticed through color patterns, wellness with wooden barrels, and in the hotel offer.

The hotel exterior is otherwise monotone, a typical sort of functional hotel architecture, but because it follows the architectural image of surrounding buildings it doesn’t stand out. With its glass image, it all together fits well with the green area around.

WARM APPETIZER - PERSONNEL AND CUISINE The hotel kitchen is in its own an exhibition space and a place for culinary delights.

They swear on eco and bio-ingredients and their creative menus are based on healthy and light food. The cuisine is a combination of traditional Bavarian culinary and modern European cuisine. The breakfast in Lumen restaurant follows this philosophy and can be compared to that of top class hotels. Especially the bar, a multifunctional space, leading to the Valentinum restaurant. Such a crossover turns out to be a very practical and pleasant one. The personnel seems to be outstanding when it comes to professionality and kindness, but the check-in is unusually long and too formal.

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MAIN DISH - THE HOTEL’S CONGRESS SERVICES The hotel rooms all follow different themes and radiate warmth, positively affecting the guest’s wellbeing. The bathroom isn’t just stereotypically the smallest space in the room, but it expands into the room itself. Altogether it is a pleasant surprise for a congress guest with a luxurious shower, a large bath, double sinks and an adjustable electronic water control.

The congress centre stretches over 1200 m2 and includes 14 conference halls. All of them have the latest equipment and daylight and together with the materials used, the overall feeling is pleasant.

DESSERT - EXTRAS Bierkristall - An exhibition of beers, where you can choose between 50 types of German beers, amongst which are many craft beers that can’t be found elsewhere. We recommend the beer tasting menu.

RESULTS MARKS LOCATION 4.69 ACCESSIBILITY 4.82 FIRST IMPRESSION 4.32 LOBBY 4.43 EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE 4.59 RECEPTION 4.51 HOTEL ROOM 4.73 HOTEL BED 4.91 BATHROOM AND RESTROOM 4.65 HOTEL BREAKFAST 4.74 BARS AND RESTAURANTS 4.59 CONGRESS HALL 4.78 ADDITIONAL OFFER 4.39 TOTAL

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES The personnel varies from extremely nice to average. In a hotel of such high class, this shouldn’t be the case.

4.63 Luxury City Meeting Hotel

LUXURY PREMIUM BUSINESS ECONOMY BUDGET

    

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES The effort for saving the environment and nature awareness. Huge windows with natural light, natural building materials, recycling trash bins, electronic water pipes, local food and re-use of water. The Green Meeting Concept is a theme used in the congress centre.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY The hotel rooms give the impression of home. The luxury technology and a clear hotel vision are understood as something standard for a brand new hotel.

The wooden details, inspirational decorative elements, carpets, curtains along with the TV all contribute to making the hotel a very pleasant experience. A hotel has been made with a mark of modern authenticity and it has quickly become a desired spot for event organisers in the city. This is the first and only hotel of the brand that otherwise differs from the traditional concept of the hotel chain and shows the future of the brand. It appears compact and is a reliable and safe choice even for the more demanding event organisers.

4.63 Final Grade

56 KONGRES HIDDEN GUEST

MONA HOTEL ZLATIBOR

From challenge to high performance HOTEL MONA ZLATIBOR

CATEGORY 4**** OPENED FROM 2007; partially renovated in 2013 MEETINGS STAR Resort Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel with conference facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 120 rooms PRICE INTERNET 138 - 171 EUR per room (BB, September 2018, Trivago) ADDRESS MONA HOTEL ZLATIBOR Miladina Pećinara 26 31315 Zlatibor, Serbia T: +381 (0)31 841-021 E: hotel@monazlatibor.com FACILITIES Restaurant Perun Restaurant Vila Lada Bar Gift Shop Wellness center Inspirium EXTRAS Modern and multifunctional Congress Center Koledo with a capacity of 500 seats, can be separateed in 2 or 3 independent units.

www.monazlatibor.com

LOCATION The hotel was in 2007 opened by Mona Ltd. which has been known as one of the most successful Serbian companies in the textile industry. Mona Ltd. invested into the renovation of the hotel more than 12 million euros. Hotel is located in the strict city centre of Zlatibor which, after the renovation of the hotel, became richer for a serious business hotel. Today, Mona Hotel Management, a company established in 2011, manages the hotel. The hotel had quickly gained a reputation among guests and professionals. At the same time, the hotel became a part of Zlatibor’s city centre which is known as one of the hubs of Serbian tourism. The city, located at an altitude of 1,000 meters, boasts a title of climatic health resort and has been lately attracting more and more congress guests.

ACCESSIBILITY In Zlatibor, everyone is eagerly awaiting completion of the highway construction from Belgrade to Čačak, which will shorten the trip to Zlatibor for at least an hour and a half.

Until then, you are forced into a long trip on a quite bumpy road that takes for up to four hours. At this moment, this is the main shortcoming of the destination. However, after a challenging trip, you are awarded with enough parking spaces and always friendly staff who gladly offers help with anything. Public bus transport takes mostly to bigger cities and Belgrade, and we missed a more systematic organisation.

In case of emergency, you can also grab well-organised taxi providers; the hotel staff will also be happy to help you with this aspect.

COLD APPETIZER - ARCHITECTURE AND AESTHETICS Hotel’s architecture is a combination of functional architecture and of traditional elements of Zlatibor’s traditional wooden cottages. With its roof in a green shade that extends into the facade, the hotel nicely fits into the surrounding pine forests. Impressive red sculpture in front of the hotel entrance makes for a photogenic viral element. The hotel’s interior is set in a pleasant style emphasized by traditional wooden elements. In the architectural sense, stands out the, in 2013 renovated, part of the hotel which includes a congress centre and which elegantly rounds the whole architecture. A thought-through hotel’s concept certainly stands out from an unbrushed reality in the vicinity of the hotel.

WARM APPETIZER - PERSONNEL AND CUISINE This level of kindness and professionality of the staff certainly deserves a special praise.

When in a hotel, you are a wanted guest and during our stay we did not have any negative experience. We could, however, be listing a series of positive surprises topped with the magic experience that the wellness centre’s staff provided.

The hotel’s prevailing culinary is of a guesthouse style. Breakfast is diverse and rich; we only missed a more clear marking of the dishes and more typical Zlatibor’s meals. We were impressed by the ethno Restaurant Perun which we can, considering the quality

KONGRES HIDDEN GUEST 57

of the offer and service alongside the pleasant ambient, easily recommend. In the restaurant, you can order take-away supreme wines from the best Serbian wineries what makes for one of the specialties and added values of the hotel.

MAIN DISH - THE HOTEL’S CONGRESS SERVICES Renovated hotel rooms are airy and set in pleasant pastel colours in a combination with elegant furniture. Storage areas are luxurious in size. Bathroom is classical with ceramics in sandy colours. Bathroom’s accessories and ammenities are basic, and this could be improved. But as a whole, the rooms are decent and, thus, in accordance with expectations; and the fully stocked mini bar is above standards.

Congress Centre Koledo has a hall that can accept up to 500 people. The hall can be partitioned into two or three smaller halls. The hall is airy, with daily light and pleasant ambient highlighted with attractive ceiling with wooden elements. A special praise goes to the arrangement of the lobby which is directly connected with the restaurant and bar.

In warmer months, the summer garden is a perfect addition suitable for coffee breaks and receptions.

DESSERT - EXTRAS Restaurant Perun with its sound wine liste and well prepared local dishes.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES At the time of the visit, Zlatibor was a huge construction site and the noise in the neighbourhoud might bother the most sensible guests.

RESULTS MARKS LOCATION 4.72 ACCESSIBILITY 3.15 FIRST IMPRESSION 4.56 LOBBY 4.43 EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE 4.93 RECEPTION 4.74 HOTEL ROOM 4.72 HOTEL BED 4.39 BATHROOM AND RESTROOM 4.42 HOTEL BREAKFAST 4.56 BARS AND RESTAURANTS 4.59 CONGRESS HALL 4.82 ADDITIONAL OFFER 4.39 TOTAL

4.49 Premium Resort Meeting Hotel

LUXURY PREMIUM BUSINESS ECONOMY BUDGET

    

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES Hotel has, together with its partners, well-developed team-building programmes. In some way, the hotel took a role of a DMC agency and we value this as a very positive move.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY The hotel’s reputation as being the best hotel for congress guests in Zlatibor is well deserved and just. We need to admit that the offer is well set and will impress also a bit more demanding guests. Despite the hotel not being the newest one in Zlatibor, its hotel-congress offer is still very fresh. The hotel is not pretentious and it stands out only then when it is necessary (in the congress centre) and when it elegantly and calmly supports your event when you need and expect that the most (assistance, service, kindness).

To conclude, it seems that Hotel Mona stands for the first choice of meetings planners who want a good, reliable and fair hotel. Mona belongs to this category also due to its price policy aspect.

4.49 Final Grade

58 KONGRES HIDDEN GUEST

HOTEL HABAKUK HOTEL HABAKUK

CATEGORY 4**** OPENED FROM 1974, renovated in 1998 and 2014 MEETINGS STAR City Meeting Hotel STANDARD Congress Hotel NUMBER OF ROOMS 101 rooms in the Hotel 36 rooms in the outhouse PRICE INTERNET 96 - 116 EUR (BB, Trivago, March 2018) ADDRESS TERME MARIBOR Ulica heroja Šlandra 10 SI - 2000 Maribor T: +386 (0)2 23 44 301 E: booking@termemb.si FACILITIES A la carte Restaurant Coffee Shop Mezzanin Hotel Restaurant Wine Bar Wellness Centre EXTRAS The Pohorje Hills a green oasis ideal for incentive programmes and Slovenia’s largest ski resort. When snow paints the Pohorje slopes white, you can have fun skiing, snowboarding, or cross-country skiing.

www.terme-maribor.si/sl/hoteli/hotel-habakuk

LOCATION The hotel is situated on the Pohorje hillside near the centre of Maribor. The second largest Slovenian city is the cultural, economic and university centre of Štajerska. Pohorje, a beautiful mountain range that is a green alpine oasis, is also known for the Golden Fox World Cup skiing for women that takes place there. Conference guests are attracted mostly by the pristine nature and the numerous possible options for recreation throughout all seasons.

The Hotel acquired its current image in 1998, when it gained 5 stars and became one of the best Slovenian hotels. Numerous events with well known and important personalities have taken place at the hotel. It has remained the central focus of congress tourism in the region, with over 300 events annually.

ACCESSIBILITY The hotel is easily accessible at the bottom station of the Pohorje cable car and is located just 10 minutes from the centre of Maribor. Access by car is simple, more complicated, however, is arrival by plane. Due to years of complications Maribor Airport is practically not operating, so guests have to use nearby airports. The first choice is definitely Graz, which is well connected to the world and some 60 km away, alternative also include airports in Ljubljana and Zagreb, which are some 120 km away.

COLD APPETIZER - ARCHITECTURE AND AESTHETICS The central part of the Hotel was renovated in 1998 and is connected nicely with the outpost located above the Conference Centre. It is all integrated sensibly into the surrounding environment. The green backdrop of the Pohorje ski slopes dominates and gives a central focus to the resort. The surroundings of the hotel are nicely maintained, with the exception of the pool complex, which is in need of renovation. The interior of the hotel is decorated in a rustic style typical of the nineties, making the entrance lobby burdened with materials and a little dark, all of which calls for a stylish renovation and a necessary architectural refreshing.

WARM APPETIZER - PERSONNEL AND CUISINE The hotel staff has always been known for their openness, serenity and professionalism.

The team broadly bear this out; nevertheless, it sometimes shows some unreliability.

Overall the hotel is well maintained and solid, but not outstanding. The hotel cuisine was once known as cosmopolitan and superior; today, however, it is no longer on the same level of glamour and elegance of the hotel as a whole. Currently the entire culinary offer is too much of a full board arrangement; mostly the hotel is missing a quality a la carte restaurant. The ambience of the restaurants needs to be addressed, as they feel too big and empty. The hotel catering in the conference centre is excellently run by experienced waiters; however they lack a little more flexibility and sensitivity to clients’ wishes, which is realistically expected from a 5 star hotel.

KONGRES HIDDEN GUEST 59

MAIN DISH - THE HOTEL’S CONGRESS SERVICES In 2014 52 hotel rooms and 6 suites were completely renovated. Well being in the hotel is good, both in terms of space and quality as well as cleanliness of the premises surrounding guests. The older part of the hotel is probably a bit outdated and too heavy for today’s tastes. In 2002 the conference centre was added to the Hotel. At the time of construction the conference centre was the first proper hotel conference centre, with a six hall capacity of up to 830 participants. It remains one of the best in Slovenia but perhaps the only drawback is the somewhat awkward entrance into the centre through the hotel reception area and a narrow corridor. The great advantage is its own parking garage with 200 spaces.

DESSERT - EXTRAS The top quality of the cosmetic and medical services and the wellness complex with thermal pools spreading over some 740 m2, including sauna and fitness. In addition, the largest ski centre in Slovenia with adrenaline, adventure and relaxation is a great offer for incentives.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES No “author” restaurant. The quality of the catering occasionally fluctuates.

RESULTS MARKS LOCATION 4,52 ACCESSIBILITY 4,02 FIRST IMPRESSION 4,06 LOBBY 3,99 EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE 4,38 RECEPTION 4,41 HOTEL ROOM 4,39 HOTEL BED 4,32 BATHROOM AND RESTROOM 4,49 HOTEL BREAKFAST 4,44 BARS AND RESTAURANTS 4,08 CONGRESS HALL 4,61 ADDITIONAL OFFER 4,79 TOTAL

4,35 Premium City Meeting Hotel

LUXURY PREMIUM BUSINESS ECONOMY BUDGET

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TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES Arrangement of the entire hotel and its surroundings and the diversity and integrity of the offer.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY Hotel Habakuk is the leading conference hotel in the SE part of Slovenia. On entering the market it had a great advantage over competitors because of the vision of the owners and it still has good results to this day because of that.

The hotel as a whole does not merit criticism. However, some adjustments that could put Habakuk amongst the top competition again will have to be considered. With the renovation of the rooms they have partially moved forward. The integrity of the accompanying offer on Pohorje makes it one of the best Slovenian incentive hotels. Whilst there are more beautiful, bigger, more seductive hotels, Habakuk is nevertheless one of the better ones, and it is skilfully navigating between the needs of different guests. Let’s hope it will stay this way after Russian ownership of the hotel, whose plans have not yet been disclosed to the public.

4.35 Final Grade

60 KONGRES HIDDEN GUEST

CELJE FAIR PLC CELJE FAIR PLC

INTRO which is one of the largest trade fair events in Slovenia. Celje Fair has 60,000m2 of exhibition space, of which 22,000m2 is covered. This ranks it among the biggest trade fair centres in Slovenia. It organises from 9-11 trade fairs per year as well as numerous other events.

CATEGORY E-CONVENTION CENTRE OPENED FROM 1968, last renovation 2004 NUMBER OF HALLS Congress: 7 meeting halls Exhibition: 7 events and trade fair halls CAPACITY OF HALLS Number of seats - cinema: Number of seats - classroom: Number of guests - reception: Number of guests - banquet Surface area (m2) - covered uncovered

1,000 600 5,000 (Hall L) 800 22,000 m2 10,000 m2

ADDRESS CELJSKI SEJEM D.D. – CELJE FAIR PLC Dečkova 1, Celje T: +386 (0)3 54 33 0 E: info@ce-sejem.si MAIN FACILITIES 2,000 parking spaces 60,000 m2 of exterior and interior trade fair halls 6 large trade fair halls Entire trade fair engineering EXTRAS The MOS Celje Trade Fair is the parade horse of trade fairs, which has been in existence for 50 years and has justified its reputation as the largest trade fair of its kind in the region. During this period of specialisation of trade fairs, this is an achievement worthy of respect.

www.ce-sejem.si

LOCATION Celje Fair, located in Celje’s newer part with the fairground and shopping centres, presents an important trade fairground of local and national importance. It has helped shaping the identity of this part of the city. Today, however, it is physically quite separated, and poorly connected with the city, as it is surrounded by shopping centres what has led to it losing part of its identity. The green areas next to the fairground are particularly worth highlighting - the Golovec hill is the city’s recreational centre and offers the fairground a kind of natural shelter.

ACCESSIBILITY Celje is the third largest city in Slovenia, and is well connected in terms of transport with other parts of Slovenia as well as neighbouring countries. The location is easily accessible and the majority of visitors to Celje travel on the Ljubljana-Maribor motorway. This is undoubtedly a great advantage of the fairground. The fairground’s parking zone is, though, not sufficient during the largest events. The connections with Slovenian railways are commendable, whilst public transport in the city is also well organised.

COLD APPETIZER - ARCHITECTURE AND AESTHETICS Among the trade fair halls, Hall L, which was completed in 1999, is the most outstanding.

It was designed by the architect Jože Kopitar; the Golovec Hall and Halls C and D are also his work. All the demands of convention organisers were taken into consideration, including ceiling heights of 6-8 metres, what enables an installation of over-sized stands.

The latest acquisition (2004), Hall K, covers an area of 3200m2. Perhaps the greatest hindrance is the entrance to the fairground, which doesn’t seem appropriate.

WARM APPETISER – STAFF AND CUSTOMER SERVICE The organisation of trade fairs and events at Celje Fair is carried out by a small, but very professional team. The most visible result is the success of the MOS International Trade Fair, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. This is a particularly special achievement, since trade fairs in general are in crisis. An additional confirmation of the team’s good work are the loyal exhibitors, who remained even during the times of the biggest economic crisis.

MAIN COURSE – QUALITY OF FACILITIES Celje Fair is proud of its state-of-the-art infrastructure – the most modern in Slovenia.

Among the trade fair halls, the most outstanding are Halls L and K, and the business

KONGRES HIDDEN GUEST 61

areas in the Celjanka Hall. In terms of quality, Halls C and D are much less well-designed.

From a functional perspective, this causes a great challenge and probably hinders even better marketing. This is one of the reasons that an architectural renovation is being considered. They are also considering building a hotel.

DESSERT – CATERING AND ADDITIONAL OFFER A speciality of the fairground, which you either love or hate, is its improvised catering facilities on stalls. Many trade fairs are remembered for this. It would be possible to discuss the quality of such facilities at length, however, in our opinion they do have a certain charm. We welcome the fairground’s move to organise culinary festivals such as the ‘Coffee Festival’ and the ‘Kulinart Festival’.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES At times of large events, Celje is significantly lacking in hotel capacity. This can partly be addressed through visitors staying in nearby thermal spas, however, for the continued development of the fairground and events, a new hotel would be a welcome and necessary addition.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES The extensive exterior areas enable a wide variety of uses and the display of exhibition equipment in action. An off-road polygon has already been set up.

This is also a very attractive feature for event organisers.

FINAL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY Throughout its existence, the fairground has been enhanced by a corporate mentality, which personifies its parade horse – the legendary MOS International Trade Fair. It was in this spirit that solar panels were installed on the roof of the fairground, and it also became one of the first companies in Slovenia that received the rights to use the ‘CO2 neutral’ sign. It is constantly innovating and updating its trade fair events.

It is lagging behind, however, in the area of congress activities, which has been developed more as a supporting rather than a main trade fair activity. Investments are awaited in order to improve the direction of development in this area, and we hope that the plans that are circulating in the media will come to fruition.

RESULTS MARKS LOCATION 4.41 ACCESSIBILITY 4.56 OVERALL IMPRESSION AT ARRIVAL 4.16 QUALITY - ENTRANCE HALL LOBBY 4.12 QUALITY - CONFERENCE SPACE 4.62 QUALITY - CONFERENCE INVENTORY 4.39 QUALITY - LIGHTING 4.67 QUALITY - ACOUSTICS AND SOUND SYSTEM 4.22 QUALITY - MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM 4.21 QUALITY - INTERNET CONNECTIVITY 4.38 EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOUR 3.88 ACCESS TO POWER AND COM LINES 4.67 BUSINESS CENTRE 3.98 CUSTOMER SERVICE 3.94 SAFETY 4.12 SECURITY AND EMERGENCY 4.51 ADDITIONAL OFFER 3.60 CATERING 4.48 SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES 3.50 COMMUNICATION & MARKETING 3.90 TOTAL

4.22 Premium Convention Centre

LUXURY PREMIUM BUSINESS ECONOMY BUDGET

    

4.22 Final Grade

62 KONGRES CULTURE & ART & CULINARY // CULTURE

IMAGINING

LJUBLJANA FEMINIST TOUR JASMINA JERANT //

LJUBLJANA URBAN TOURS/KATJA GOLJAT

Walking through a capital, any capital, one stumbles upon dozens of monuments, sculptures, portrait reliefs, memorial plaques, and all other kind of memorials depicting and praising the given city’s people from the past. It is usually not hard to find a statue of a writer, poet, painter, politician, scientist, pop star or even a revolutionary when wanting to find one.

However, this is rarely so when that particular historical person has a flaw in its character. And it’s a small flaw, but so more sharp one. It is the flaw of being a woman. Indeed, rarely walking through a capital, any capital, a visitor will stumble upon an abundance of memorials dedicated to important and ground-breaking women from history. If still doubting, then one should go see a special tour in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana – Ljubljana Feminist Tour.

Ljubljana is far and wide known as a city flourishing in various colours of creativity and arts. As an Open City that it is, Ljubljana is a welcoming harbour for alternative and progressive activities. Thus, it is of no surprise that Ljubljana has been for the last year one of the rare world’s capitals, if not even the only one, that through a regular daily tour courageously embraces its blemish of being a capital with very little memory of the city’s women from the past.

Ljubljana Feminist Tour straight-forwardly points to the fact of the lack of memorials dedicated to women who shaped and co-created Ljubljana’s history. It takes visitors back and forth between historical moments in which particular women were active and changed history for good.

Prepared and guided by Ljubljana Urban Tours, the Ljubljana Feminist Tour, showcases iconic female artists, urban architects, political leaders, scientists, nuns, witches, and even Women’s Anti-Fascist Front.

The tour is spiced with a pinch of queer and non-binary interpretations and takes to different historical periods of struggles for women’s rights, as well as present-day gender issues in Slovenian society. The tour does not only offer an educational time that shocks (do you know the real story behind the symbol of Europa?), but also causes a lot of laughter and amazement (do you know how the only city centre’s street named after a woman looks like?).

The tour offers a two-hour experience that irreversibly adds a value to any congress guest’s visit to Ljubljana. Recently, for example, a

granddaughter of Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Laura Roosevelt, while in Ljubljana on a meeting, visited the tour and was so flabbergasted that she had started thinking of preparing her own Feminist Tour in her own city.

So, if the granddaughter of one of the most important women in all history, Eleanor Roosevelt, whose bust will Ljubljana soon erect also on the ground of the lack of women memorials that the Ljubljana Feminist Tour has brought up to light, then one can be sure to get a great experience, either as an incentive or as an additional programme accompanying congresses, conferences, and seminars.

Ljubljana has once again showed that it is a wide-open city, a step ahead when it comes to progressive perspectives of its lifestyle, history and culture. This time, Ljubljana acknowledges its women with a tour. Next time it will with another bust.

KONGRES CULTURE & ART & CULINARY // ART 63

CREATING

PIMP MY TRABY – TRABANT PAINTING CONTEST JASMINA JERANT //

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

SHORT HISTORY OF TRABANT The Trabant is an automobile which was produced from 1957 to 1990 by former East German car manufacturer VEB Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau. Trabant means “satellite” or “companion” in German, derived from the Middle High German drabant (“Hussite foot soldier”). The car’s name was inspired by the Soviet Sputnik satellite.

The cars are often referred to as “Trabbi” or “Trabi”.

Trabi is often seen as symbolic of the former East Germany and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc in general. Produced without major changes for nearly 30 years, the Trabant became the most common automobile in East Germany and in Hungary as well.

Called “a spark plug with a roof”, 3,096,999 Trabants in a number of models were produced over nearly three decades with few significant changes in their basic design. Older models have been sought by collectors in the United States due to their low cost and fewer restrictions on the importation of antique cars. The Trabant also gained a following among car tuning and rally racing enthusiasts.

TRABANTS IN BUDAPEST A decade ago while walking around Budapest, one could still see a lot of Trabis parked around. Through years, though, there were less and less to be seen, also on the ground of new environmental regulations for Trabants’ engines produced a very smoky exhaust and were a significant source of air pollution. So being in Budapest today, a congress

or business guest, hoping to see this monumental car from the communist past riding around, will be pretty disappointed. Trabis have in recent years became more of a collection item than a driving vehicle.

PIMP MY TRABY However, a few incentive and team-building agencies in Budapest offer programmes where attendees can get in touch with this special relic from the past. And one of the most interesting ideas for getting in touch with Trabis is to collectively paint them. The Trabis become a white canvas for a Trabant painting programme. This programme contains elements of retro dancing (even on top of the Trabis), retro fashion-show to the greatest hist of the 70’s and 80’s while leading towards the major goal of the teamwork: to create the nicest and the most exciting artistic composition with the tools at the team’s disposal.

Each of the teams has to paint their own Traby. The white cars are painted in exciting colours with the paint, paintbrushes and sprays provided, and by, of course, wearing protecting clothing. Creativity, conformity and handcraft come in this programme to light. The most beautifully painted, the most colourful, and the most creative Traby gets awarded too. Every team has to paint its Trabi according to individual ideas and conceptions and, most of all, is expected to have fun. These old communist era cars look completely wacky and utterly wonderful when all painted up.

64 KONGRES CULTURE & ART & CULINARY // CULINARY

INNOVATING

Istria Wine & Walk JASMINA JERANT //

COLOURS OF ISTRIA

The wine and nature enthusiasts can discover the beautiful northwest of Croatian Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, through a special series of Wine & Walk adventures organised by Colours of Istria.

Istria Wine & Walk, a treat combined of 11 km of an inspiring walk, meeting first-class Istrian winemakers, local producers and caterers and delighting in several tasting stops, is an inspiring eno-gastronomic event.

The event starts in Buje, where the participants get their tasting glass, a map of the trail, and board a minibus that takes them to the first stop. The first stop is at the amazing, half a century old Santa Lucia vineyard, the starting point for the wine and walk tour of the vineyards and olive groves. Istrian winemakers and other local producers greet the wine enthusiasts with luscious culinary treats and divine wines at every 2km of the trail. Participants enjoy the straw-yellow shades of Istrian Malvasia and ruby colours of red wine. The secret of these wines’ enjoyable, potable flavour is in the white soil the participants walk on, in the sunny vineyard slopes they pass by, and in the pleasant breeze that follows them on their way.

Along the eno-gastronomic offer, the participants have the advantage to savour the natural beauties of the northwestern Istria. They are taken to a lookout from which they can zoom in on the Ćićarija tops and the sea in the distance, as well as to the Škarlina Nature Park and its unique creeks and small lakes. Not just nature, also art is on offer.

Namely, the participants visit the »Tigor’s Friends« exhibition in the Tigor Gallery and 2 wine cellars nearby Brtonigla.

The Wine & Walk tour wraps up in Buje, where the participants continue their eno-gastronomic experience with live music and celebration long into the night. There it is also possible to buy the wines that one is thrilled by, as well as some other products to make sure to remember this walk in all the colours of wine.

Another option, similar to this one, takes the participants to beautiful walks along the sea, through the vineyards and olive groves.

The Wine & Walk by The Sea adventure begins with a stroll along the sea and Novigrad’s Medieval walls to the old harbour of Mandrač in the very heart of the old town centre. Here, the participants find the first wine & food point in a local wine cellar with decades of tradition.

After the tasting, they continue along the trail, which runs partly along the coast and partly through the vineyards, olive groves, and other beautiful natural location on Novigrad’s hinterland. On this walk, too, they meet the winemakers whose wines they can taste alongside delicious gourmet treats. The Wine & Walk by the sea offers tastings of the wines of Novigrad paired with typical Istrian dishes like seafood and handmade pasta with heavenly sauces at the numerous wine and gourmet points along the 10 km route that astonishes.

In one of the seaside olive groves, the attendees have the opportunity to taste the region’s world-class olive oil, while at some vine & food points, they are greeted by an entertainment and music programme. And, of course, it all wraps up with a party. Innovative and enjoyable.

COIMBRA (PORTUGAL) 21-24 NOVEMBER 2018

Join Bea World, the International Festival of Events and Live Communication and find your next client.

Bea World Festival is the ultimate networking platform for event professionals, the perfect place to build relationships and develop networks.

Don’t miss the many opportunities to engage with peers, influencers and top corporate event professionals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with an expert, engage in a topic-led lunch, celebrate with peers during the glorious awards ceremony and take part in the leisure program to reinforce your connections.

Join Bea World Festival, where creativity meets business, from November 21st to 24th in Coimbra, in the Centre of Portugal.

FIND OUT MORE ON www.beaworldfestival.com

bea.world@adcgroup.it +39 02 497 66 311

66 BRIGHT IDEAS // OUT OF THE BOX ACTIVITIES

MEŽICA MINE BY TRAIN // SLO JASMINA JERANT //

T.JESENIČNIK

In Slovenian region of Koroška it is possible to take a special ride not just into the past, but also into the … underground.

All year round, different groups can put on the mining equipment and take a ride on a genuine mining train right to the heart of the mountain, 600 m below the surface. The visit to the abandoned and closed mine in Mežica offers a unique experience of the underground world and of the difficult lives of the hard-working miners.

Driving through the 3.5 km long Glančnik tunnels lasts about 15 minutes and can truly be described as a mind-blowing (mine-blowing?) experience. Attendees step out at the station in the heart of the mine.

Accompanied by an experienced guide, visitors head for the trail to find out more about the history of mining. Numerous exhibited objects reveal the everyday work and lives of miners. Different types of mining equipment and tools, that were used by miners in different historical periods, from the early beginnings over 350 years ago until the last days of mining in the past century, are presented.

Upon request, even a real miner’s lunch or breakfast is served. At the end of the tour, visitors hop back on the train and return from the mine for a visit to the mining museum.

LONELY ISLAND RETREAT // CRO AJDA BORAK //

VISIT CROATIA

There is no better way to rich balance between hard work and health and to recharge yourself than through bodywork awareness, yoga, massage, meditation, dance, swimming and healthy food. This kind of reset is possible on a small unpopulated Croatian island at the gateway to the renowned National Park of Kornati islands. The welcoming spirit of the island ambiance is filled with art and creativity. The beauty of a simple and natural environment, away from the tiring pace of modern life gets anyone re-connected to themselves. A perfect incentive to feel the full peace of olive trees, starry nights, sunrises and sunsets, and the sound of the waves. Hosts support the local economy by consuming local food produce (olive oil, cheese, fruit, essential oils and so on) making the whole experience truly local and unique.

BRIGHT IDEAS // OUT OF THE BOX ACTIVITIES 67

TOURS BEYOND THE ORDINARY // SK AJDA BORAK //

AUTHENTIC SLOVAKIA

Authentic Slovakia goes beyond the traditional understanding of a travel agency. They provide personalised, alternative sightseeing tours in Bratislava with loads of authentic stories and local knowledge which outline Slovakia uncensored. Above all, the Authentic Slovakia team thrives to bring into public and tourist discourse the naked truth and view upon life in Slovakia, which is different than the official marketing speech.

Post-Communist Bratislava Tour is tour in a legendary 1970-1980’s Czechoslovak car Škoda or crappy 8-seater van Škoda 1203 through the off-the-beaten-track places of the communist past. Bratislava Iron Curtain Bike Tour takes you from Bratislava Old Town along the Danube river to visit the former Iron Curtain border zone with Austria, WWII Czechoslovak military bunker, beaches of the Danube and more. The Working Class Food Tour is a look beyond the Old Town tourist zone: walk with us around the communist-era landmarks of Bratislava and taste workers’ cuisine in retro spots with the locals.

YUGOTOUR IN SERBIA // RS JASMINA JERANT //

YUGOTOUR

In Belgrade, one is up for some really special fun! The so-called Yugoslav history on four wheels, founded and managed by Yugotour, takes a legendary ride with the nostalgic Yugoslavian car: The YUGO! The ride goes all the way from the rise to the fall of Yugoslavia and it gives a taste of everyday life in the former Yugoslavia.

The vintage car drives through the remains of the Yugoslav urban space. The ride gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy an authentic experience of former times. During the ride, music from that period is played, and the visitors get to drink the “Yugoslav Coca Cola” while listening to stories about the ideals, architecture, and history of a nation that no longer exists.

This kind of tour presents the best possible way to learn the history of one country through immersing oneself in the past. As a stubborn car with components from all over Yugoslavia, the YUGO in many ways represents Yugoslavia. The YUGO made outings, riverside picnics, and the Adriatic seaside reachable for all Yugoslavs and is therefore the best means of transport into the legendary past of Yugoslavia.

The tour offers diverse trips: Rise & Fall of a Nation Tour; Architecture Tour; Grand Yugotour; and Belgrade Highlights.

68 KONGRES CROSSOVER // BEHIND THE SCENES

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GR - TIMELESS ARCHITECTURE

The modern business beat inside the cultural pearl of functionalist architecture GORAZD ČAD, JASMINA JERANT //

DRAGAN ARRIGLER

Meeting planners are often unaware of being in venues which boast a remarkable architectural legacy that started with the venues being at the height of architecture in time when they were built and continued with upgrades that provide for a successful competing with the global scene today. The GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre (Gospodarsko razstavišče) is one of such exceptional venues that was recently included into an exhibition in Museum of Modern Arts in New York.

The GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre (GR), a medium-sized regional congress and fair centre, has been through decades significantly contributing to Ljubljana’s fair and congress offer. Namely, the GR’s combination of the innovative congress-event concept, the great location right in the city centre, and the quality architecture, substantially defines GR’s importance for Slovenia’s capital. This article focuses on the timeless architecture of the GR for the time has shown all the value and depth of the thinking of the architects who co-formed this impressive complex of buildings.

LJUBLJANA’S FAIR ACTIVITY Ljubljana’s fair activity has a long and rich history. The city had been providing special rights and privileges to merchants already in the Middle Ages. In 1921, Ljubljana Grand Fair was established and in the same year it had already organised the first international fair in the Balkans. A few years later, Ljubljana Grand Fair was included among the founders of the UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. Up until 1941, Ljubljana successfully hosted several diverse fairs and exhibitions which accelerated the trade in goods and connected Ljubljana to the world.

After WW2, in 1954, the new authority, in the name of socialist progress, decided to continue with a fair spirit comparable to other European cities, and it, thus, revived the fair activity and defined a location in

today’s city centre for a new Fair. This was the time when the Socialist Authority wanted to show the world a rapid development of the economy and to establish an intertwined fair activity in the Alpe-Adria region.

GR – LJUBLJANA EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE’S GROWTH In 1954, Ljubljana’s open competition brought the first design of the current fairground at the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre (GR). The construction was greatly accelerated by the VII. Congress of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, for which they built the legendary Hall A (Kupola Hall) in 1958. The other halls were built on the basis of the competition which was held in 1960. Hence, in 1960, Marko Šlajmer set the Jurček Pavillion by the city’s main access road, and only a year later the Hall B (Marmorna Hall) was built according to the design of Milan Mihelič. Then, in 1967, based on the urban plan for the whole area, the Hall C (Steklena Hall) was built.

ARCHITECTURAL PEARLS OF THE GR HALL A (KUPOLA HALL) - 1958 Every hall at the GR bears a clear authors’ signature. The Hall A (Kupola Hall), designed by architect Branko Simčič and his young colleagues Ilija Arnautović and Milan Mihelič, is perhaps the most remarkable. The Hall was designed as a bold and innovative modern multipurpose hall, the first of its kind in Yugoslavia, which enabled the organization of both concerts and sports events and congresses. Above the hall is a dome supported by four pillars and the specific structure was an example for similar halls in other Yugoslavian cities like Belgrade and Skopje. Hall A hosted exceptional events that shaped the fair, cultural and congress history of the city. Simčič, Mihelič, and Arnautović received the Prešeren Award in 1959 – the greatest award for achievements in the field of culture even in today’s Slovenia, for the thoughtful, efficient, and contemporary realisation of the architectural design of the GR complex.

GR’s architecture, protected as an architectural heritage, is a beautiful example of modern functionalist architecture and its significance is acknowledged on a global scale.

70 KONGRES CROSSOVER // BEHIND THE SCENES

JURČEK PAVILLION – 1960 Jurček is renowned for its typical mushroom-like steel-concrete structure wrapped into a full glass envelope. Since 2014, the Pavillion works as a reception hall with a reception desk, cash registers and a café. Below the Pavillion and in summer months on the platform next, a restaurant offers catering services for various business occasions.

into new units for which architect Milan Mihelič predicted organic expansion. The flexibility of such spaces also creates excitement in the profession today. With the distance of time, this part of the GR can be regarded as exceptional architecture, completely in the spirit with the times and is still aesthetic and mature today.

HALL B (MARMORNA HALL) - 1961 Hall B (Marmorna Hall) is designed in a modern way, and the airfoil-shaped roof gives it a special touch. The special features of the hall are extremely high ceilings, especially appreciated by the organisers of more demanding events. The hall was thoroughly updated in 2005 and today, due to its spaciousness and functionality, represents one of the most in demand congress halls in Ljubljana.

STEKLENA HALL IN MOMA, NEW YORK The significance of Steklena Hall has been recently confirmed with an exhibition in MoMA (Museum of Modern Arts), New York – Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948-1980 which presents architects and designers from former Yugoslavia, including Slovenia as a part of Yugoslavia at the time. Among highlights, the Steklena Hall of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre is shown as an extraordinary work of architect Milan Mihelič.

HALL C (STEKLENA HALL) –1967 The Steklena Hall (Hall C) is is considered to be one of the most prominent examples of the structural architectural solution in former Yugoslavia, and at the same time the monumental design of the expanding architecture. It is a complex of several types of elements and four identical units, the centre of which is an interesting mushroom octagonal roof. The mushroom shaped units can be combined hassle-free

Milan Mihelič Milan Mihelič is one of the most important Slovenian architects of the 20th century. He is considered an important representative of the Ljubljana School of Architecture. He relied primarily on modernism and functionalism. Among Slovenian architects he is considered a master of construction what is especially evident in his architecture at the GR. In addition to the architecture, he also designed posters for

KONGRES CROSSOVER // BEHIND THE SCENES

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various fairs and events at the exhibition site. His reflection on the flexibility of the fairgrounds and congress spaces and the possibilities of adapting to different requirements is still considered to be innovative and extremely advanced today. The importance of his contribution to Slovenian architecture was also recognized by the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts which gave him its membership.

futuristic approach of socialistic modern architecture, the GR in its structure compels and welcomes myriads of possibilities in how an event in any shape or form can be designed within its space or in compartition.

The elaborate use of window panels throughout this architectural highlight provides everyone with an airy feel and a perception of being part of the surrounding lively city atmosphere.” (Silvia Taurer, BILT, Region Manager)

TIMELESS ARCHITECTURE GR’s architecture, protected as an architectural heritage, is a beautiful example of modern functionalist architecture and its significance is acknowledged on a global scale. Architects from all over the world have already taken educational trips to Ljubljana to see the GR’s Halls.

Steel and concrete construction with the basic pillar-dominated construction and variegated superstructure, a top-class combination of wood and marble, and a number of other details typical for the Yugoslav version of modern functionalism in architecture, undoubtedly convinced the Stiching RTC Europe Foundation organiser to bring its annual event, BILT EUR, for those who design, build, operate and maintain built environment, to Ljubljana’s GR in October 2018.

The GR - Exhibition and Convention Centre provides over 12,000 m2 of covered exhibition areas. The recent renovations preserved the architectural innovation of the fair halls and were carried out with a sense for detail and with the respect for the outstanding work of architects from the period of Slovenian modernism. GR’s outstanding architectural legacy is combined with the up-to-date features like daylight in most of the halls, the VIP parking, exterior surfaces providing for outdoor events, and an outdoor exhibition space. The magic of GR stands in the fact that it enables to combine a plenary session, exhibition, social event, and smaller working groups at the same time for its 20 halls can accept between 15 and all the way to more than 2000 guests. The GR’s location in the heart of the city and a few minutes walk to Ljubljana’s Old Town, additionally confirm the venue as a significant partner in Ljubljana’s rich and successful past, present and future fair and congress activities.

“Intrigued by the first glimpse of GR with its impressive concrete slabs encompassing the upper level above the main entrance highlighting the

72 TIPS AND TRICKS // APPS

10 TRAVEL APPS FOR EVENT ORGANISERS Which travel applications should you use?

AJDA BORAK //

INDIVIDUAL APPS

1. HIHELLO HiHello lets you curate multiple digital business cards and share your contact details faster than you can say, “Sorry, I forgot my business card!” With the HiHello app you’ll never be without your business cards again. Digitally share your information so that people have it where they need it - in their phone.When a HiHello user wants to share their contact information with another person, all they need to do is have the recipient scan the QR code the HiHello app generates. The recipient doesn’t have to download or install anything, and is able to quickly save the contact information right into their phone’s address book.

2. FLIGHTTRACK Keep track of your own travel—but perhaps more important, the travel of your attendees, partners and speakers—with FlightTrack. The app lets users organize multiple flights, share travel information with others and get notifications about changes in travel.

3. MINDNODE Map out your brain with MindNode. This app, based on mind maps, lets you start with a central theme or idea and then brainstorm and collect ideas in a way that’s visual, organized and intuitive.

4. JET LEG ROOSTER Avoid your Jet Leg with simply inputting your travel dates, destination and usual sleeping times and the calculator will generate a 5-day sleep schedule to help you adjust to the new time zone before travel.

5. PLANNING POD This online event management software integrates nearly 50 planning tools into one easy-to-use database. The app streamlines processes by enabling you to manage nearly every aspect of your events—including budgets, attendee lists and event itineraries—all in one place.

The application allows your team to keep track of calendars and tasks, share files and create dashboards for a quick overview, or detailed reports for a more in-depth status update.

TIPS AND TRICKS // APPS 73

6. SLACK A team-messaging tool that’s revolutionizing the way we work. Slack allows users to organize team conversations into channels, open private channels for sensitive information and share files. The app eliminates the need for endless email threads and offers completely searchable conversation archives. Users can also link Slack with other Web tools, including social media and Google Drive, so that they receive notifications only in Slack.

7. FLIGHTSTAT If you’ve got delegates arriving on multiple flights, meet and greets and ground transportation to organise, you’ll love the functionality of this app. FlightStat lets you track flights in real-time by flight number, airport or route. See what time the aircraft took off, what time it’s scheduled to land and get vital info about any delays or cancellations.

You can even monitor the plane’s progress on a map – a treat for the control freak in all of us.

9. XE CURRENCY A currency converter is a must for any frequent traveller and this one is both excellent and free. The XE Currency app is the most downloaded foreign exchange app, with over 25 million downloads. It uses live currency rates, meaning it’s completely accurate, and you can add as many currencies as you like, making it easy to compare and contrast prices. Plus, it stores the last updated rates so it even works when you’re offline.

10. GOOGLE TRANSLATE The language barrier need never be a problem again with Google’s newly upgraded translation app. Its real-time speech translation facility enables you to have a more natural conversation by automatically detecting which of the two selected languages are being spoken and translating them out loud. You can also instantly translate text by simply pointing your camera at it.

8. TRIP ADVISOR On the hunt for unique dining venues or just want somewhere decent to grab a spot of lunch between appointments? The TripAdvisor app can help. You can look up the top rated restaurants (and hotels and attractions) in over 300 cities, see which ones you’re nearest to and get directions. The app also enables you to read customer reviews, tells you what type of cuisine is served, gives you an indication of price range and contact details.

74 TIPS AND TRICKS // APPS

MATCHMAKING APPS AJDA BORAK //

INDIVIDUAL APPS

1. SHAPR Shapr is an app for professional networking. Shapr uses the users interests, goals and professional background to introduce professionals up for a cup of coffee. Whether exploring a career change, looking for cofounders for your company, hiring a team or just hoping to meet others at a similar place in their career, Shapr will get you out of your daily routine and building meaningful relationships.

Using Shapr is incredibly easy – you just sync your LinkedIn profile or answer a few quick questions on your professional priorities to get started. From there, Shapr does the work for you of finding the most talented and inspiring people in your area to meet. Just swipe right on the profiles that catch your eye – when the interest to connect is mutual, a match is made and you can use a prebuilt icebreaker or write your own to start the conversation.

2. BRELLA Brella is the leading networking & matchmaking platform for events and is trusted by Google, TechCrunch, Informa and many other events worldwide. Networking is a huge driver for attendance, which is why the app focuses 100% on connecting the right people together in a simple and professional way.

Brella’s unique and robust matchmaking algorithm gives each attendee a tailored list of their best matches and gives them a platform to book face-to-face meetings for the event itself. Registration and completing their profile takes only a few minutes and then they can book meetings with a few clicks. Once a meeting is booked, they can chat with each other and discuss an agenda.

Organizers gain valuable data on the top interests of the event which helps them improve their next event. It’s real-time business data that eliminates speculation. The developers also work with the organizer to create an effective plan to drive attendees to Brella and increase engagement pre-event.

3. BRAINDATE Braindate was created to help people connect with and learn from one another in a meaningful way -- based on shared interest and expertise. Participants organize one-on-one or small group discussions together by sending meeting requests based on topics in the Braindate topic marketplace while at an event. The recommendation algorithm helps you find the right people. Participants meet in person for one-on-one or group conversations at the Braindate Lounge, where the team of onsite Learning Concierges hosts their experience.

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VGF - FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR YOUR EVENT AJDA BORAK

Organising a conference is a big deal. Logistically, in terms of organisation, and mainly financially. The Netherlands came up with a brilliant idea to attract more international conferences, by offering organisers financial security when organising a conference in the Netherlands.

This idea is not just to give the organisers financial security and provide a kind of a safety net, but in the bigger picture – this approach is consequently boosting the national economy as well.

The Pre-financing & Guarantee Fund (VGF) is intended to give organisers of international, multiple-day (minimum of two days) conferences focused on sharing knowledge and organised by a party that has verifiable expertise in organising international conferences in the Netherlands increased financial security. The fund helps conference organisers to cover pre-conference expenses, and other financial risks. It encourages organisers to realise conferences.

The Pre-financing & Guarantee Fund (VGF) was set up in 1986, by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) and 20 other partners from the convention industry. The aim of the fund is to take away the financial concerns of conference organisers. The fund aims to lower the threshold for organisers of international conferences by minimising some of the financial risks. Until 2013 the VGF financial security schemes were known only to a limited number of conference professionals, but after a structured and thorough brand awareness enhancement the number of applications has tripled over the past few years.

The fund is not be mistaken for insurance. There are commercial insurance companies that provide coverage, but there you have to pay a high percentage of the total conference budget and they have a lot of exclusions in the cancellation policy/conditions. The VGF foundation however does not have a lot of exclusions once you make a claim. The services that the fund provides are free of charge.

VGF is offering two schemes to both Dutch and foreign organisers.

The Pre-financing Scheme is a loan to fund the initial expense repayment in full prior to start of the conference. This scheme helps the organisers to incur costs such as a deposit for the convention venue or the promotional expenses, before they receive any registration fees.

In the preparatory stages of the conference, the organiser has to deal with various aspects that must be paid for. Examples are the costs for establishing a foundation, a down payment for the accommodation, and expenses incurred for developing marketing tools, such as a bro-

chure, first announcement, or website. As the registration fees will not be received until later, the organisers may not always be able to fund these initial expenses. The pre-financing scheme of the VGF can help to pay these costs. Conference organisers may apply to the VGF for an interest-free loan, free of charge; a kind of subsidy scheme for conferences. The loan is capped at â‚Ź90,000, with the actual amount depending on the size of the conference and the liquidity forecast.

The Guarantee Scheme helps to limit the risk attached to the costs of hosting a convention offering a financial guarantee and covers for instance a deficit caused by disappointing number of delegates. Since most of the income, apart from possible sponsorship, comes from the registration fees of the attendees. This is exactly where the main risk lies for organisers. The Guarantee Scheme allows the conference organisation to guarantee that the event will take place, in spite of possible disappointing numbers of attendees. The guarantee is capped at â‚Ź90,000, and the actual amount depends on various aspects, such as the size of the conference, the history of the conference, possible sponsorship, and the overall budget.

The VGF also combines two separate schemes, the Pre-financing Scheme and the Guarantee Scheme. Now terms and conditions for claiming the subsidy have been eased and the VGF is guaranteed 100 per cent, so the organiser no longer has to find a third guarantor for 25 per cent of the guarantee amount.

The application has to be submitted eight months before the start of the conference, and the conference budget can be drawn up by a party that has verifiable experience in organising international conferences including accommodation, instead of requiring a professional congress organiser (PCO) to do it.

The financial security schemes for your conference offered by the VGF are to be taken into consideration when choosing the next country for your international conference. The fund is unique in Europe and can not, so far, be found in any other country.

76 HOW TO

10 GOOD HABITS OF MEETING PLANNERS MELINDA REBREK, PIRANA PRODUCTIONS //

DAVID LOTRIČ, JURE MAKOVEC, PETER IRMAN

1. PLAN Plan everything, even imaginary event disasters. Having a plan B, even C, often comes in handy. When shit hits the fan, it will probably be a plan D, but having possible solutions to various problems helps.

2. DON’T PANIC No situation is as bad as it seems at first, take a moment to think and then react. That short moment can save the day.

3. DELEGATE Hire a team of professionals that are best (yes, waaaaay better than you) in their field of expertise and trust them. Delegating and letting people doing their best is a good thing (with a bit of control, of course, all ‘creative kids’ need some). Being great managing the project is OK, but you cannot do it all by yourself. You are good, not God! 4. DO THE WALK Before every event, do the walk along the venue same way guests will. Find the possible oversights and use the time left for corrections.

Only then you can be sure that you and your team are prepared.

5. SAY IT OUT LOUD Sometimes problems seem bigger in your head then in reality, articulating them puts them in the right place. Be honest and open, talking about them leads to solutions. Explain yourself, ask for help, talk to

the client and your team. You ARE the expert and your job is to deliver the best experience possible, it is no big secret that solution seeking is a process. Preferably before event :) 6. USE ‘PLEASE’ AND ‘THANK YOU’ Our parents taught us those are the magic words. They are.

7. MEET THE REAL INFLUENCERS Don’t ever underestimate people without big and shiny titles. Be nice to them, a genitor, doorman, secretary and a cleaning lady are often those who will save your behind when something goes wrong. A smile, a quick chat or a meal brought to them in the backstage, can go a long way.

8. CALL IT BY ITS REAL NAME Calling a problem a challenge is a new age thing that slowly crawled into politically correct vocabularies. A challenge is a goal you SHOULD, MIGHT or WISH to accomplish (and nothing crucial happens if you don’t), at events we have problems that MUST be solved. Immediately. Or else. So, call it as it is and act on it.

9. PAY ON TIME Yes, we love our jobs, but bills are paid with money, not love. If event is on time and done well (and most of them are), it is only fair to pay people who made it happen. On time and well. It’s a great start to long, happy and prosperous collaborations.

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10. DON’T FORGET TO SMILE Events are stressful, exhausting and sometimes draining, even though we love to do them, sometimes they just manage to wipe that smile off our faces. Quite a while ago I read a research quite about a simple experiment: to make a long story short, the experiment proved that

even in a bad mood, standing in front of a mirror, putting a forced smile on your face sends positive signals to your brain and automatically makes you feel better. I tried it. It works. So, do it. Smile off the problems and boldly step into whatever awaits.

78 KONGRES BRIEFINGS // UNION HOTELS

START PLANNING HOW TO CLOSE UP THE YEAR New Year’s parties are the perfect chance to show your team that you value everything they did in the past year. An experienced event planner knows that it is never too early to start organizing a good (pre) New Year’s party. For many decades, the event premises at the Union Hotels present a perfect venue for hosting the (pre)New Year’s event. The Grand Union hotel and its most famous halls – the Grand Union Hall and the White Hall –, present a glamorous choice radiating elegance with a touch of a century-old tradition spiced up with outstanding cuisine. On the other hand, Hotel Lev is a venue appropriate for the more modern and funky celebration.

LIFE WITH BEARS Ljubljana, the green capital of Europe hosted between 16-21 September the International Conference on Bear Research and Management. The main theme of the 26th conference “Life with bears”, that was held in Grand Hotel Union, was the human-bear coexistence in human-dominated and politically fragmented landscapes. Specific conference topics were designed in a way to welcome recent research results, technical advances, and case studies on a wide spectrum of issues relevant to ensuring a long-term coexistence of bears and humans. A rich scientific programme was accompanied by a variety of pre and post conference tours, where participants were able to discover Ljubljana’s and Slovenia’s historical, cultural and natural sites.

THE POLYGLOT CONFERENCE Grand Union Hotel in Slovenia’s capital is hosting the Polyglot Conference from 26th to 28th October. The Polyglot Conference 2018 in Ljubljana will bring together language enthusiasts from around the world, allowing them to meet other language enthusiasts and focus on language in a way that most of us are unable to do in our daily lives. The main conference consists of two days of language talks on diverse subjects such as the latest research into polyglots and polyglottery, workplace applications of polyglot skills, language families or individual languages, linguistics, new learning resources and techniques, and language themes relating to the history and culture of the host city.

KONGRES BRIEFINGS // CANKARJEV DOM – CULTURAL AND CONGRESS CENTRE LJUBLJANA 79

DOCOMOMO 2018 Docomomo, the international committee for documentation and conservation of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the Modern movement, every two years organizes an international conference that brings together members and friends from its 72 national Working Parites, as an opportunity for in-depth exploration of an important theme or aspect of the Modern Movement. Docomomo Slovenia hostED the 15th International Docomomo conference in Cankarjev dom – Cultural and Congress Centre Ljubljana in August 2018. There were approximately 300 participants from all over the world from Palestine to Finland, from USA to Iran who attended more than 100 lectures distributed into 18 parallel sets.

PERFECT GIFT FROM CANKARJEV DOM This year, Cankarjev dom – Cultural and Congress Centre Ljubljana has been running special all-year-round programmes to acknowledge the centenary of the death of the greatest Slovenian writer Ivan Cankar, whose name the biggest Slovenian congress centre is wearing with pride. One of this year’s projects dedicated to Ivan Cankar has been a collaboration between Cankarjev dom and Elementum ltd. in issuing a commemorative coin. The silver coin has on one side an effigy of Ivan Cankar and his signature, while on the other side it has a map of Slovenia and the year marking Slovenia’s independence. The coin was designed by Cankarjev dom’s creative director Maja Gspan.

CARDIOVASCULAR AND THORACIC SURGEONS Between 14 – 15 September, Cankarjev dom – Cultural and Congress Centre Ljubljana hosted the 28th Annual Congress of the World Society of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons (WSCTS). Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment or organs inside the thorax – generally treatment of conditions of the heart (heart disease) and lungs (lung disease). Delegates of the 28th WSCTS came to Ljubljana to exchange ideas and progress in clinical care and research connected to cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. This ias already the second big congress on thoracic surgeons held in Cankarjev dom in three monts. In late May, Cankarjev dom hosted also the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and its 26th European Conference on General Thoracic Surgery.

80 KONGRES BRIEFINGS // MARIBOR-POHORJE TOURIST BOARD

THE OLD VINE FESTIVAL Wine, gastronomy, culture and entertainment are important parts of Styrian everyday. Wine-gastronomic events unveil the rich tradition of Maribor (Styrian capital) and its vicinit. The Old Vine Festival is a tribute to the oldest vine in the world, which grows in Lent (Maribor’s Old Town). Thus, the events honour the history of the vine and celebrate this symbbol of Slovenian wine and persistence. With the 32nd Ceremonial Grape harvest of the World’s Oldest vine, the city of Maribor (Slovenia) on the 30th of September traditionally opened the Old Vine Festival. Lively events are taking place all the way into mid November when the Festival closes with the biggest St.Martin’s Day in Slovenia.

BIKEPARK POHORJE - DOWNHILL The Pohorje plateau above Maribor is a natural wonderland awash with primeval forests, lakes, waterfalls and an abundance of hiking and biking trails that criss-cross its breathtaking scenery.

For those who like to be active and full of adrenaline, the Pohorje Bike Park presents a perfect choice for spending time before or after meetings held in the city of Maribor. For an additional fun and experience of adventure, a cableway takes to the Bike Park in only 10 minutes from the footstep of the mountain into an idyllic, new setting. The Bike Park Pohorje Maribor offers three tracks.

The Red one or Freeride (recently renovated), the Blue or Flow trail, and the Black or World Cup.

DVERI PAX The Benedictine Dveri Pax – one of the most modern wine cellars in Slovenia – stores 50,000 (out of a total of 300,000) litres of wine in oak barrels. The superior quality of their wines is well recognized from the most respectful international wine evaluations, such as Decanter in London, AWC Vienna and many more. The Dveri-Pax includes the Dveri-Pax Estate (with Jarenina Manor and Dveri-Pax Wine Cellar), and the Dveri-Pax Wine Bar located in Maribor’s city centre. At the Estate, besides the visit to the Wine Cellar, the enchanting surroundings provide for perfect trips outdoor, while the Wine Bar and Shop in city centre offers incentives including guided tastings of premium wines and culinary delicacies.

KONGRES BRIEFINGS // GR – LJUBLJANA EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE 81

THE 25TH EFMC-ISMC GR hosted the 25th European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry’s International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry (EFMCISMC). The Symposium gathered more than 860 participants from all the continents except for Antarctica. EFMC-ISMC traditionally covers drug discovery advances in major therapeutic areas. This year, it presented the most recent advances in up-to-date topics in some of the areas of the medicinal chemistry, tackled out-of-thebox areas, and focused on chemical biology as well. All of this was achieved through 25 scientific sessions; 111 speakers, including 7 plenary lectures, 3 award and 3 prize lectures; 75 flash poster presentations; 380 posters with two poster presentation sessions; and 48 exhibitors and 22 sponsors.

GR IN NEW YORK’S MoMA A currently ongoing exhibition in MoMA (Museum of Modern Arts), New York – Toward a Concrete Utopia: Architecture in Yugoslavia, 1948-1980 presents architects and designers from former Yugoslavia, including Slovenia which was a part of Yugoslavia at the time. Among other highlights, the Steklena Hall of the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre is shown as an extraordinary work of architect Milan Mihelič. Steklena Hall is considered to be the most prominent example of the structural architectural solution in Yugoslavia, and at the same time the monumental design of the expanding architecture. It is a complex of several types of elements, the centre of which is an interesting mushroom octagonal roof.

ADRIA SECURITY SUMMIT Adria Security Summit, by far the largest annual conference and exhibition of the Adriatic region’s security industry, was held at the GR between 12 – 14 September 2018. Around 600 delegates attended six presentations, a panel discussion, more than 20 workshops and presentations of 10 case studies. The Summit is the ideal platform in order to obtain extensive information about current developments in the sector and to establish new contacts. This year it brought to GR all participants within the supply chain: manufacturers, distributors, authorized representatives, installers, system integrators, consultants and end users from all vertical markets. Summit co-organizers and partners are leading professional security associations from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Serbia.

82 KONGRES BRIEFINGS // BRATISLAVA CVB

WHITE NIGHT FESTIVAL IN BRATISLAVA White Night is the largest and most visited festival of contemporary art in Slovakia. It is one of the most beautiful autumn events in Bratislava, where visitors can experience an untraditional artistic walk through the night city, sensations and new perceptions.

On the last Saturday in September 2018, the night became the day and the streets of Slovak capital were filled with people and art. Each visitor received a map guiding them along the numerous stops including visually-stunning installations, concerts, films, theatre, dance, literature, live performances, etc. In its beginnings, organised in Košice, in hotels, then on a small train, and in a disco venue. The festival soon grew too big for Košice, so it was moved to Bratislava.

A BIKE RIDE THROUGH BRATISLAVA New bike sharing initiative in Bratislava started in September. Initially, 70 stations and 550 bicycles are at the public’s disposal.

The pass covers an unlimited number of rides within 30 minutes and a credit of 1 Euro to cover longer rides. The city office together with the company Slovnaft prepared a bicycle system that connects the capital’s boroughs of Ružinov, Staré Mesto, Nové Mesto, and Petržalka. The aim of the station placement was to integrate the automatic bicycle rental system into the public transport system, therefore priority was placed on stations close to public transport stops or close to existing cycle paths. The stations are located at a distance of approximately 300 to 500 meters.

BENTIANNA – THE ORIGINAL SLOVAK HERBAL DRINK Bentianna’s story started in the 15thcentury, behind the walls of a Benedictine monastery in the Tatras. This original Slovak herbal drink combines the history and the present. Its unique taste and healing effects make it a perfect party drink or a nice business gift.

It has a unique taste and a delicate, velvety texture, a beneficial health effects, both due to the unique combination of 13 healing herbs, the delicate bitterness of rare yellow gentian and the dark mountain honey. The touch of grape juice and tokay wine endow Bentianna with a full and delicate aroma. The final touch of harmony and uniqueness of the drink is a product of the traditional and today very rare ripening process in oak barrels.

83

20-22 February 2019 ISTANBUL CONGRESS CENTER - ICC

Boost your networking potential in Istanbul.

Take your place at ACE of M.I.C.E. EXHIBITION!

B2B Meetings

Speaker Sessions & Seminars www.ameistanbul.com

AMEzing Party

84 CROSSOVER // BEEN THERE

CROSSOVER // BEEN THERE 85

HIGHLIGHTS FROM CONVENTA CROSSOVER 2018

86 CROSSOVER // BEEN THERE

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88 CROSSOVER // BEEN THERE

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90

FRANKFURT 21–23 MAY 2019

WARNING: ONLY FOR THOSE WITH 2020 VISION The whole purpose of IMEX – its raison d’etre – is to help event planners plan ahead. So we know you’ll appreciate knowing the dates of IMEX 2019 and IMEX 2020 right now.

We’re already researching, trend-spotting and teaming up with industry disruptors to make these shows the most current, useful and thought-provoking possible.

Discover new destinations, find inspiration of every kind and kick-start your business planning at IMEX 2019, and you’ll have 2020 nailed! How’s that for a plan?

IMEX AMERICA 2018: 16–18 October IMEX in Frankfurt 2019: 21–23 May IMEX in Frankfurt 2020: 21–23 April (yes – April!)

Register your interest at www.imex-frankfurt.com and we’ll send you more info.

SPECIAL VENUES IN REGION // NEW VENUES 91

FANA ESTATE // SLO An estate in Goriška brda. A villa with a multi-purpose hall and apartments. A place that inspires and relaxes. The estate is surrounded with the hills of Goriška brda and offers an inspiration for creative ideas.

The panoramic windows of the hall present you a magnificent view over the vineyards and the Preval valley in Italy which gives a touch of magic to your events. The multi-purpose conference hall is highly equipped and is an ideal place for business meetings and private events. The hall has a direct access to the terrace with a swimming pool. Near the hall there is also a fully equipped kitchen with a big table. Fana Estate is really a great place for different events.

MONTE ROSSO // CRO Small village Crveni Vrh in the Croatian part of Istria. Nearly seventy hectares of the estate have been cultivated and are now covered with vineyards of Malvasia and Montepulciano, groves of different varieties of olive trees and trees of cherries, figs and almonds. The doors of the estate are open to visitors, wishing to relax in a peaceful surrounding, among the countless olive trees and vines, while indulging in a glass of exquisite wine and dipping bread in an excellent extra virgin olive oil. There are three special secluded locations on the estate, with stone benches and tables, places for barbecue, ancient trees providing pleasant shade and a stunning view over the vineyards and olive groves. For anyone, who cannot take the time to enjoy one of these spots, but still wishes to taste the best products of the estate, there is a lovely tasting room and a shop, where an expert from the estate will be happy to introduce you to the world of Monte Rosso. Monte Rosso is fast becoming a highlight among the travellers in pursuit of excellent wine and superb extra virgin olive oil and that our serene and unspoiled nature will provide a peaceful retreat from the busy and stressful world of today.

SEIFENFABRIK // AUT The event location „Seifenfabrik Veranstaltungszentrum“ is a former soap factory which today is protected by preservation order. There are three main rooms that can host events from 50 up to 1.800 guests: the “Fachwerkhalle” (695m2), the “Markthalle” (400m2) and the “Extraktionshalle/Heizhaus” (348m2).

In summer the garden is integrated to the event plannings: There are receptions in front of the foyer and garden parties in the garden beside the “Fachwerkhalle”. There are also 220 car parks for free.

80 – 90% in our halls are business events for clients (product presentation, trade shows) or employees (Christmas parties, incentives). There are also private events like wedding receptions, balls, fairs and exhibitions.

The venue cooperates and recommends two catering partners, but the clients can also choose their own caterer.

92 MADE IN SLOVENIA // SLOVENE INCENTIVE PRODUCTS

48 incentive hours in Gorenjska and Savinjska dolina

GLAMPING INCENTIVE 2 NIGHT INCENTIVE //

HERBAL GLAMPING RESORT LJUBNO, JOŠT GANTAR

Glamping tents offer an extraordinary luxurious space and the only thing that might remind you that you are in a real tent is the sound of raindrops falling on the roof, the nightly owls’ hoots from the forest and the morning’s bird songs. Camping becomes ‘glamping’ from the moment you open the zipper and find yourself in a tastefully furnished “hotel” suite with your own private terrace, jacuzzi, spacious bathroom and a setting in direct contact with nature. With our incentive programme, you will discover two Slovenian glamping hubs and two amazing touristic destinations - Bohinj and Bled, and the Savinja Valley.

ITINERARY DAY 1: BACK TO THE BASICS 10:00 Arrival at Ljubljana Airport 10:30 Eco rally towards Bohinj Drive electric vehicles to Bohinj and compete in a minimum fuel consumption challenge, with the winner becoming the leader of the incentive camp. On the way we will stop for a team test at Bled glamping.

12:00 Camplet experience Glamping trailers, equipped with everything you need to survive in the wilds, await you in the Bohinj camp. During the afternoon the preparations of each camp will take place, followed by a competition for the most beautifully furnished glamping tent.

18:00 Campfire Once gathered around the campfire, prepare yourself for several scout challenges and for discovering the scouting lifestyle, which is built on a love of nature, exploration and the protection of nature. Anybody who’s been dreaming about sitting next to a campfire since childhood will find it difficult to resist the charms of a scout’s challenges.

20:00 Scout’s dinner A romantic scout dinner that you prepare for yourself, followed by a competition for the best goulash.

DAY 2: HERBAL GLAMPING 08.00 Taking down the glamping tents and cleaning the campsite After a scout breakfast, you will engage yourself in a team task of taking

down the glamping tents and cleaning the campsite. We will turn this usually quite stressful chore into an interesting team experience, where you will get the chance to prove yourself by tying knots and by testing your sense for orientation.

11:00 Towards Ljubno After a short snack, we will continue our journey towards Ljubno near the river Savinja, where the first boutique glamping resort, recognizable for its herbs and aromatic plants, opened its doors. The entire settlement is laden with sustainable concept stories - from a picturesque herb/vegetable garden right through to its natural swimming pool.

13:00 Being accommodated in glamping tents Each of the 10 tents has a double bed and another decent bed on the floor. There is space for four people in one glamping tent and a special treat are the showers surrounded by wooden walls and covered by a glass roof that gives the impression of taking a shower under the stars. The owners have equipped the tents with great care given to the finest details and to providing top lighting conditions. They also ensured the possibility of heating, meaning that the resort can welcome guests all year round.

14:00 Cookery course and herbal workshop After fishing in the nearest river and picking herbs from the garden, you will prepare lunch with the help of a restaurant chef. The ingredients for the courses must be local and of organic production, so herbs and aromatic plants can be freshly picked from the garden.

On the cookery course you will learn about the herbs and how to use them in the production of cosmetics, teas, liqueurs, and herbal spirits.

MADE IN SLOVENIA // SLOVENE INCENTIVE PRODUCTS 93

17:00 Free for wellness pampering Relaxation and pampering with herbal scents to bring an end to an unforgettable day.

20:00 Glamping campfire In the evening we will gather together around the campfire, where everything is already prepared for the teambuilding challenges. Just in case it rains, the restaurant in the main building that holds 40 guests is always there as an alternative.

Moments of Zen

Herbal Glamping resort Wellness

Quality time

Camplet experience

Must see

Bled and Bohinj

Must do

Scout teambuilding

Our pick

Genuine contact with nature

DAY 3: DEPARTURES 09:00 Transfer to the airport, with the possibility to extend the stay in the wellness centre.

GETTING THERE Airport JoĹže PuÄ?nik Ljubljana ACCOMMODATION Glamping tents Camplet and Herbal Glamping resort

FOOD AND DRINK As going in line with scouting custom, you will prepare most of the food yourselves and we, as organisers, will provide you with the necessary ingredients to prepare the courses. To wrap things up, you are invited to the Herbal Glamping resort in Ljubno to try their superb cuisine.

GATEWAYS Bohinj is an hour away from the airport.

Glamping is located in the heart of the Upper Savinja valley and is an hour away from Ljubljana.

94 MADE IN SLOVENIA // SLOVENE INCENTIVE PRODUCTS

48 incentive hours through Slovenian socialist past

HEROES OF EX-YUGOSLAVIA 2 NIGHT INCENTIVE //

SHUTTERSTOCK

Experience socialism as a bit of European exoticism! If you have never experienced socialism first hand, this incentive programme offers you the chance to see and experience Slovenia in a completely different way. The journey will reveal some of the most typical features of the socialist period, during which you will be able to admire its architectural styles and see the way of life once lived behind the Iron Curtain. You will experience the 25th May, the Day of Youth, and will be introduced to the highlights of Yugoslav design as well as culinary, lifestyle and motoring fads.

ITINERARY DAY 1: SOCIALIST REALISM

DAY 2: NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT

10:00 Arrival at Ljubljana Airport

08.00 Breakfast at Vila Bled A typical breakfast as Tito would have preferred it is an excellent introduction to exploring the hidden corners of the estate that lies on the shore of the most beautiful lake in the world.

11:00 Bicycle tour of modern Ljubljana An exploration of the urban streets, places and buildings that reveal Ljubljana’s modern architectural character. It is Edvard Ravnikar to whom Ljubljana owes her modern look, as he was the first to apply Le Corbusier’s architectural and urban-planning principles to the city. You will learn about the basic elements of modern architectural aesthetics.

13:00 Rally of the non-aligned We will then take our journey into old-timers to set off on a historical drive to the Technical Museum of Slovenia, where we will admire the collection of Tito’s protocol vehicles. You will also get a chance to personally see the Yugo, a car that was derided by the entire Hollywood scene, but that was actually a real “people’s” car.

16:00 Tito’s residence - Brdo Our rally tour continues on to Tito’s most favourite residence, Brdo.

The property, where he hosted politicians from all over the world, was also Tito’s last residence - in January 1980 he went straight from there to Ljubljana’s Medical Centre, where he died on 4th May. 20:00 Dinner at Vila Bled At Vila Bled you will experience a wine and culinary evening as it was experienced by all the political guests Tito hosted in his favourite residence. After dinner we will watch the legendary movie “Battle at Neretva” in a room where Tito watched movies with his guests.

09.00 Made in Socialism The most famous Slovenian trademarks blossomed during the socialist period. We will take you to the birthplace of one of the most renowned

MADE IN SLOVENIA // SLOVENE INCENTIVE PRODUCTS 95

trademarks in the world, the Elan skies, after which we will continue our journey in an old-timer bus to visit Tito’s Velenje, a monumental city that best represents the former Yugoslav economy and vision.

11.00 Velenje - Experience socialism The city built by the graft of hard working men will reveal itself to you in a very unique way and you will be a unique part of creating a complete impression of it: if you belong to the younger generation you will acquire important knowledge in better understanding socialism’s heritage, whilst for others it will revive memories of the days growing up either in a socialist society or in a world with socialism as a big part of it.

14.00 Underground adventure After this we will for a short time put on a mining helmet and delve beneath the surface of the earth to set off on the interesting path of the once active galleries of the Škale cave, which are today part of the museum. As part of a teambuilding programme you will learn about the traditional mining values of comradeship, solidarity and unselfish aid.

17.00 Socialistic foodism Tito was considered a great esthete and indeed some kind of a “socialist foody”. He admired the beauty of the Logarska Valley and therefore loved staying at Pension Plesnik there. He especially appreciated the famous local sausage that kings, presidents and former political elite have also loved for its exquisite taste. On arrival to the Logarska valley we will treat you to the legendary sausage, “the Savinjski želodec”, and prepare you for the evening teambuilding exercises.

18.30 ‘Slovenia, my country’ We will then continue the evening with the photo safari, where you will look for the traces of marketing history. You will shoot a continuation of the famous advertisement, “Slovenia my country”, which was recorded right in the picturesque Logarska valley.

20.30 Nostalgic Cockta bar in Hotel Plesnik We will end our tour with a cold buffet, introducing you to some typical culinary and some food and drink brands that continue to impress consumers in the region, a typical example of one such socialist brand being Cockta, in which you yourself will have to prepare your own winning cocktail.

DAY 3: DEPARTURES 09:00 Transfer to the airport, with the possibility to extend the stay in the wellness centre.

Moments of Zen

Visit to Vila Bled, Tito's former residence

Quality time

Walking tour through Ljubljana's modern architecture

Must see

Brdo pri Kranju, Tito's former residence

Must do

Admission to Pioneers into Juniors in Velenje

Our pick

Miracle of Socialism, Tito's Velenje - life in the period of companionship and "rebellion"

GETTING THERE Airport Jože Pučnik Ljubljana ACCOMMODATION Boutique hotels: Vila Bled in Hotel Plesnik FOOD AND DRINK Brdo estate, Vila Bled, Hotel Plesnik, different locations on the road as well world-class culinary strongholds.

GATEWAYS The programme includes visiting some of the most beautiful tourist icons of Slovenia, which in the past delighted both visitors and the top politicians of socialism.

We start in the European Green Capital, continue in the Alpine pearl, experience a plot in the currently most beautiful Slovenian town of Velenje and witness a disentanglement in the picturesque Logarska valley.

KONTAKT: Natalija Bah Čad Meetings & Event Manager Toleranca Marketing d.o.o.

Event & Marketing Agency Štihova 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana T: +386 1 430 51 03 M: +386 40 822 444 E: natalija@toleranca.eu

OMG! IT’S CONVENTA!

11th CONVENTA EXPERIENCE NEW EUROPE EXHIBITION FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENTIVE TRAVEL 23 - 24 January 2019, Ljubljana, Slovenia

www.conventa.si

CONVENTA 2019 97

CONVENTA EXHIBITION FLOOR IS FILLING UP FAST NATALIJA BAH ČAD //

KONGRES MAGAZINE, JANI UGRIN

The numbers show that the interest in exhibiting at Conventa is now bigger than ever. Almost 70 percent of the available exhibitor stands at the trade show have already been booked. Conventa’s organizers are especially excited to welcome new meeting providers making sure hosted buyers attending the trade show truly get acquainted with the meeting industry offer of the entire region of New Europe.

Conventa 2019 will remain a boutique trade show offering only 140 exhibition stands. Meeting industry providers from New Europe that intend to exhibit at Conventa 2019 don’t have a lot of time left for registration. Stands at the upcoming trade show are selling out quickly.

The largest portion of exhibitors that have already confirmed their participation comes from Austria, followed closely by Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, Italy, Hungary and Slovakia.

Miha Kovačič, Conventa organizer, comments: “We are excited that in ten years the Conventa show has earned credibility and recognisability to attract an ever-increasing number of meeting industry providers from the entire region. This truly makes Conventa the prime marketplace for the meeting industry of New Europe.”

DON’T MISS Are you a Conventa follower?

Like our FACEBOOK page to get the latest scoop on the trade show’s happening.

Follow us on TWITTER to be the first to know what’s happening at Conventa. Use #conventaexperience to share your personal experience with the Conventa tweeting crowd.

98 CONVENTA 2019

YOU WILL SEE US NEXT AT THE IBTM SHOW IN BARCELONA NATALIJA BAH ÄŒAD //

KONGRES MAGAZINE, JANI UGRIN

We invite you to visit the Conventa stand (i20) at the upcoming IBTM exhibition held from 27 to 29 November 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Conventa team is expecting to welcome you with the latest developments on the Conventa trade show.

Look for the stand i20 where Conventa Team will greet you with open arms, answer your questions, explain how you can benefit from attending Conventa and introduce the novelties planned for 2019.

ence and personal approach. The upcoming edition promises to add extra value and create an unforgettable experience with fresh educational programme, meetings services spot & incentive valley and great networking opportunities throughout the event.

So far almost 70 percent of the exhibition floor has already been booked. Great interest for Conventa has also been shown by meeting planners from all around the world. By January organizers expect to confirm 250 hosted buyers.

Since the last edition of the show was extremely successful and broke several records, the expectations for the ninth edition are set pretty high. Conventa will again highlight a personal experi-

To find out more and see what Conventa can do for you, visit us at IBTM. We look forward to seeing you in Barcelona!

CONVENTA 2019 99

100 CONVENTA 2019

CONVENTA MEET BUSTERS 2019 MYTH: Conventa is the world’s first trade show.

PARTLY CONFIRMED: Conventa is always the world’s first - the first to open the trade show season, that is. It is traditionally organised every January.

MYTH: Coffee at Conventa is on the house.

CONFIRMED: Conventa invites every guest to a cup of coffee. In 2018, over 3,500 cups of coffee were served. The aroma of coffee will be filling up the room also next year.

MYTH: Over the years Conventa has hosted around 2,000 hosted buyers and facilitated 20,000 meetings.

BUSTED: In ten years, Conventa attracted 2.582 international hosted buyers from 48 countries and 1.322 exhibitors from 18 countries of New Europe. Over the years 33.162 one2one meetings have been held during the show.

MYTH: Conventa is a hosted-buyer driven show.

CONFIRMED: Conventa is solely a hosted-buyer driven show where every exhibitor concludes on average 25 One2One meetings with quality hosted buyers.

MYTH: Conventa helps meeting planners and meeting providers save money.

CONFIRMED: Only at Conventa can an investment of 55 EUR brings hosted buyers a VIP treatment worth 1.200 EUR, while exhibitors pay only 9 Euros for a lead, which is one-tenth of the price paid by the exhibitors at other major trade shows.

MYTH: Conventa accepts only meeting providers from South East Europe.

BUSTED: After Conventa also opened its exhibition floor to meeting providers coming from New Europe in 2015, exhibitors from Poland, Turkey, Greece, Germany, Ukraine and Russia have joined the show.

MYTH: The number of destinations at Conventa has not increased over the years.

BUSTED: The number of countries meeting providers come from has doubled over the years.

MYTH: Hosted buyers at Conventa are always the same.

BUSTED: At Conventa more than 80% of buyers are new every year.

MYTH: The idea of Conventa was a strategic decision made at a partners meeting.

BUSTED: The idea of Conventa was born in a more relaxed atmosphere - not while drinking coffee, but while drinking beer!

MYTH: Conventa exhibitor stands are made of wooden crates.

CONFIRMED: Conventa stands are made of wooden crates from naturally dried domestic pine that are re-used each year. It takes around 3,500 wooden crates to set up all of the Conventa stands.

CONVENTA 2019 101

MYTH: Conventa strives to be as sustainable as possible.

CONFIRMED: Conventa is fully committed to reducing the negative environmental impacts of a trade show by implementing sustainable practices that add value to every participant and the local community. In 2011, Conventa won the Sustainable Stand Award at EIBTM. MYTH: Hosted buyers and exhibitors are satisfied with Conventa.

CONFIRMED: On a scale from 1-5, average satisfaction of hosted buyers with the show is 4.59. A whopping 88.9 % of exhibitors think investment in exhibiting at Conventa will pay off completely or at least partly. The reputation of Conventa has been rated with 4.52 points.

MYTH: Hosted buyers travel short distances to come to Conventa.

BUSTED: The farthest distance a hosted buyer travelled to come to

Conventa is 9,212.69 km. To explore the 11h Conventa, a hosted buyer travelled 6,969.50 km air distance.

MYTH: It never snows during Conventa.

BUSTED: Conventa loves winter time. Did you know that in Ljubljana the snow is typically at its deepest on January 25, with a median depth of 12.5cm; the depth exceeds 30.9 cm only one year out of ten. The snowiest Conventa was the 5th Conventa.

MYTH: Once in a while people also fall in love at Conventa.

CONFIRMED: Conventa is a matchmaking platform in every sense of the word. A hosted buyer from Italy who met a buyer from Russia at Conventa 2015 is now getting married to her in Slovenia.

SIZE MATTERS THE RIGHT

FOR

YOUR EVENT

39.257 m2 exhibition space

65.665 m2 outdoor area

< 5.000

people congress capacity

10 minutes

to the International airport / main train station

Salzburg

Exhibition & Congress

Center

congress@messezentrum-salzburg.at

www.messezentrum-salzburg.at

Event diversity – all unter undereinem one roof Veranstaltungsvielfalt Dach Messeundexpo Kongresszentrum Convincing and congress Salzburg begeistert center in Salzburg Ein und meeting Tagungsbereich mit21 TheKongresscongress and area offers 21 Räumen für Ideen mit variablen rooms in which ideas sorgt can come to life. VaTrennwänden vielseitige Nutzungsmögriable dividing für walls guarantee a wide range lichkeiten.

Zusammen mit den unterteilof applications.

In combination with the baren Multifunktionshallen 1 und 1010, sowie divisible multifunctional halls 1 and and der nahtlos angrenzenden Salzburgarena a seamless link-up to the Salzburgarena, bietet er Platz fürbe Kongresse congresses can staged formit upbis zu 5.000 Personen. to 5000 guests.

Everyjährlich year, Salzburg & GäsDas von mehrExhibition als 600.000 Congress Center attracts 600,000 ten besuchte Messeund over Kongresszenguests.

The venue consists of a ring of trum Salzburg besteht aus insgesamt ten interconnected halls. Theverbundenen 39,257m² zehn ringförmig miteinander of expoDie space are ideal for trade fairs, Hallen.

39.257 m² Ausstellungsfläche congresses and corporate events. eignen sich perfekt für Messen, KonSalzburgarena is a very special 2,545m² gresse und Firmen-Events.

Die Salzburgstage for corporate arena mit stars ihren and 2.545 m² bietetevents. eine ganz besondere Bühne für Stars und Firmenveranstaltungen.

Multifunktionshalle 1 erstrahlt All-new multifunctional hall 1 in neuem Glanz The completely renovated multifunctional Seit Oktober 2016 präsentiert sich die hall 1 has been available since October generalsanierte Multifunktionshalle 1 in 2016 and features some magnificent herausragender Architektur.

Zusammen architecture.

Together with the ultra-momit der modernen, neunfach unterteildern, 9-fold divisible hall 10,siethe baren Halle 10 beheimatet imfirst floor here accommodates ultra-versatile 1.

Obergeschoss denthe vielfältig nutzbaren congress and area. There is über a Kongressundmeeting Tagungsbereich, der well-illuminated SkywalkSkywalk that joins the die einen lichtdurchfluteten über two halls. beiden Hallen hinweg miteinander verbunden ist. of call international •• First Ersteport Adresse fürfor internationale congresses Kongresse

New catering partner guaranKulinarischer Genusshas ab been Juli 2017 teeing culinary pleasures since 2017 von neuem Catering-Partner SV Österreich has been the SV new catering Das Catering-Unternehmen Östercompany contract with Salzburg reich ist abunder Mitte Juli 2017 neuer Partner Exhibition & und Congress Center since middes MesseKongresszentrums July 2017. Die TheZusammenarbeit comprehensive cooperation Salzburg. umfasst dealbreites includes a wide range of culinary serein Spektrum an gastronomivices for public access functions and schen Leistungen für Publikumsund closed corporate events, forEvents shows,intrade Firmenveranstaltungen, der fairs and congressessowie held in the Salzburgarena.

Salzburgarena Messen und KonGuests are treatedwerden to the wie excellent range gresse.

Die Gäste gewohnt of culinary goods and services they have mit einem qualitativ hochwertigen Gastrocome to expect, typical national nomieangebot mitincluding landestypischen aber dishesinternationalen and internationally-influenced fayre. auch Einflüssen verwöhnt.

Vielfältige Hotellerie fürfor unterschiedA wide range of hotels a wide range of expectations lichste Ansprüche There is everyincategory of hotel room Hotelzimmer allen Kategorien befin-just around corner and now we –also have den sichthe in unmittelbarer Nähe zudem a very recently-built hotel just a short seit Kurzem ein weiteres, gänzlich neu walk acrossHotel the concourse at Messezenerrichtetes in fußläufiger trum Salzburg.direkt am Messezentrum Erreichbarkeit Salzburg.

•• View Aussicht aufnew dasexpo neuehotel Messe-Hotel of the

sweeping view ofdie theBergkulisse mountains •• A Panoramablick auf Austrian EcoLabel: Österreichisches Umweltzeichen: Green Meetings Green Meetings & & Green Green Events Events Als Lizenznehmer zumfor Österreichischen Being a license holder Austrian Umweltzeichen für Green EcoLabel-approved GreenMeetings Meetingsund and Green Events enables können wir Veranstaltungen us to certify events nach den Kriterien des Umweltzeichens according to the criteria specified for the zertifizieren undtobei einer the entsprechend EcoLabel, and ensure planning and nachhaltigen Planung und Durchführung implementation guarantee environmental unterstützen. sustainability.

Getting here is simple from home Einfache Anreise aus dem andund abroad InAusland W.A.rund Mozart airport is an international Mit 1,8 Mio. Passagieren jährlich ist air travel hub within ten minutes’ der internationale Flughafen W.A.drive Mozart, of the exhibition congress vom center. It der in etwa zehnand Autominuten welcomes around 1.8 million passengers Messezentrum entfernt liegt, der größte every year, making it theÖsterreichs. largest regional Bundesländerflughafen airport in Austria. Frankfurt, Wien, Berlin, Die Drehscheiben Most of the airports at Frankfurt,Köln Vienna, London, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, London, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, und Istanbul werden großteils mehrmals täglich angesteuert.

SeitIstanbul 2017 sind Cologne, Brussels and are served multiple times a day. Munich zusätzlich unter anderem Brüssel Airport und is around 90 minutes away and Vienna Paris angebunden.

Der Flughafen Airport canistbe Salzburg München in reached rund 90 from Minuten und der railway station in approximately Wiener Flughafen vom Bahnhof 170 Salzburg minutes. in etwa 170 Minuten zu erreichen.

Der Salzburger Salzburg’s mainHauptbahnhof railway stationist is ein a voll fully integrated into the Bahn integrierter Bahnhof desDeutsche Netzes der rail network.Bahn.

ThereEine is a öffentliche special public Deutschen Vertransport link-up mit witheigener a bus stop on the kehrsanbindung Haltestelle grounds of theeine venue.

TheAutobahnMessezentam Gelände, eigene rum has sowie its ownrund motorway link-road and ausfahrt 3000, teilweise on-site parking for 3000am vehicles, some überdachte Parkplätze Gelände of whichfürare covered, to ensure sorgen eine bequeme Anreiseguests aus arriveRichtungen. in comfort, wherever allen they come from.

We are looking forward to Wir uns auf Ihre Anfrage: yourfreuen enquiry: kongresse@messezentrum-salzburg.at congress@messezentrum-salzburg.at

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