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/06/ VIEWS THE POWER OF EXPERIENTAL MARKETING Kevin Jackson, Live Com magazine Bruce Henderson, Chief Creative Officer Jack Morton Worldwide Colja Dams, CEO VOK DAMS Martin Schnaack, CEO at Avantgarde /52/ BEHIND THE SCENES Portopiccolo, Luxury Meetingss on the Adriatic

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NEW EUROPE MEETINGS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE VOLUME XI, ISSUE 3 // September 2017

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QUICK TALK Interview with Mr Peter Grk, Secretary-General of the Bled Strategic Forum Page 24 CREATIVE BREAK Unforgettable incentive in Carinthia

GORAZD CAD Editor of the magazine is in his profession a geographer and historian. He united his professional education and love of discovering new lesser-known convention destinations with love and passion for the meetings industry. In meetologues he will try to share his enthusiasm with the readers. tiny little things that make the big events.

NINA PRAPROTNIK A talkative perfectionist, intrigued with details and a bigger picture in all the things around her. A big hedonist, especially in terms of culinary treats, amazing Slovenian vines, travelling and life in general enjoys in creating beautiful stories for Kongres magazine, Conventa and taking care of other clients regarding content marketing. She believes in personal connection and touch in all aspects, in private and professional life.

Page 76 MEET BUSTERS Bratislava Page 36 SPECIAL VENUES Eco resort beneath Velika planina Kult 316 Jable Castle Page 78 HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST Astoria Hotel Italia Hotel Riviera Maximilian Savoia Excelsior Palace Villaverde Hotel & Spa Grand Hotel Duchi D’Aosta

NIKA PIRNAR Passionately curious, in love with the daily roller coasters rides, interested in anything and everyone (especially fascinated by old people, since they have so many stories to share) and attracted to the unknown and unpredicted days. Otherwise highly organised on regular basis. An old soul trapped in a young body, wearing different colour socks and secretly wishing to be a Red Nose Clown Doctor. Questioning everything and then turning it inside out.

Page 94 CASE STUDIES Conventa Crossover

NATALIJA BAH CAD An unforgettable member in the editorial board of travelogues, who at each destination adds her icing on the cake.

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.

Page 62 BEEN THERE Thailand - Kingdom of Bleisure Page 69 YOUNG TALENTS Maj Blatnik Zorica Lazič Page 44 HOW TO How to organise the perfect MICE press trip Page 86 INSIDE LJUBLJANA Lubljana new venue Modna hiša The Švicarija creative centre

ROBERT COTTER Alongside his work for Kongres, Rob is a regular contributor to MPI’s One+ magazine as well as MICENET Asia and Eventbiz Japan. He attends international MICE events to seek out best practice and share this with the international meetings community.

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A WORD Kongres FROM Magazine THE EDITOR

EXPERIENCES THAT LAST Immersing all five senses GORAZD CAD EDITOR KONGRES MAGAZINE

I

often find myself at events that should, at least on paper, emotionally impress me, fill me with new energy, and if it is a sales event, even get me to buy a new product or service. But as you will see, not everything is smooth sailing at events: the atmosphere can be killed by an inappropriate stand-up comedian who doesn’t fit the event profile, a moderator who hasn’t practiced interacting with participants, a long and boring video insert, a clumsy waiter who spills champagne all over the guests, loud music that limits conversation, or a bathroom impossible to find at precisely the moment when you need it the most.

Football and event organisation are two topics that everyone seems to be an expert on nowadays.

However, event organisation is a very important strategic marketing tool that requires a lot of knowledge and experience. I always ask the question: “Would you rather build a house with your own hands and knowledge or leave it to the pros?” Well, most people would probably answer with the latter, unless they have some solid experience in construction. The same goes for events and no wonder that so many of them become bad publicity for your brand, carefully built up over the years.

In the past, marketing was a one-way street with only one mission in mind. But things have changed; now

@GORAZDCAD

it’s all about provoking emotion, communicating with the consumers and telling a great story. The better we become at it, the higher the chances of our company succeeding on the market. This form of marketing has been around for quite a while, but only started gaining in popularity in the digitalisation and personalisation era.

In this issue of Kongres, we have talked to the masters of brand and consumer interaction from all over the world. Our pick includes representatives and CEOs of the best agencies in this field: Bruce Henderson, CCO, Jack Morton Worldwide; Colja Dams, CEO Vok Dams; Kevin Jackson, Live Com magazine; Martin Schnaack, CEO at Avantgarde; Göran Göhring, Managing Partner of STAGG & FRIENDS, Düsseldorf.

According to them, this industry has been given a lot of names, but at the end of the day it is always about communicating values and the personality of a brand through live interaction. The way to move ahead is to allow consumers to feel your brand with all their senses, and the same philosophy has been used when organising events.

The development of our industry is always connected to new philosophies, models and approach-

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es. In the last couple of months, a lot of buzz has built up around “FESTIVALIZATION” of events and I haven’t really decided if it is a true novelty or a logical development of an industry to fulfil the needs of participants. With that said, mega trade shows like IBTM and IMEX will finally get a more human and personalized dimension, get closer to participants and breathe some fresh air. We are excited to see where this development takes us in the future.

But let me get back to the topic of failed events. Why is it that so many excellent companies entrust their finances and brands to incompetent agencies and self-proclaimed event organisation ‘gurus’. To separate the best from the rest, we will continue with our selection of the best events in the region, as we believe it is the only way to show providers how it’s done. You can read more about it in the Conventa Best Event Award 2017 article in Kongres Magazine.

With that in mind, pay close attention when choosing an agency for your next event –your success relies on it!

Gorazd Čad Editor in Chief

Kongres Magazine VIEWS

THE POWER OF EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING

Welcome to the era of the Millennials, to a time in which we are overwhelmed by material items, a time in which we are all bombarded by all kinds of ads – those by the road, in newspapers, on social media, on TV, on the radio…in whatever direction you turn, you can’t help but bump into an ad.

Yet believe it or not, this is the perfect opportunity for brands to connect more deeply with their target audience through experiential marketing.

It is not only Millennials who prefer to spend money on experiences than on material things

– it is all of us! By providing your audience with memorable experiences you have reached the point of establishing a positive customer-brand relationship, as experiential marketing actively seeks to engage customers at events and goes by the idea of “try, show, experience” and believe/ see it for yourself. When a consumer relates to a product and its a great experience, they will also recommend it to their friends/people they know, and so the chain is connected through “mouthto-mouth” marketing. Ask yourself: who would you believe better? The people you know or TV ads? Start with interactive brand experiences,

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two-way dialogue, and see for yourself what successful marketing of the 21st century is all about.

Experiential marketing is undoubtedly delivering a greater long-term ROI as a core part of the marketing mix, as opposed to other methods.

Don’t just create an atmosphere – create engaging activities!

Welcome to the 21st century of marketing and read what the great masters of experiential marketing have to say about it.

Kongres Magazine VIEWS

AN EMOTIONAL LINK BRINGS PEOPLE INTO THE STORY OF THE BRAND KEVIN JACKSON, Live Com magazine INTERVIEW BY GORAZD CAD PHOTO CREDIT LIVE COM MAGAZINE

Q: What is the difference between events, brand experience and experience marketing?

For me, in truth, there is no difference. All events should be a brand experience, all brand experience is experience marketing. Experience marketing for me is the catch-all that includes all of the techniques and tools that we use. Brand experience is the way we exploit those tools to create that emotional link between the brand and its most important audiences.

Q: Why do experiential marketing events work best?

They work best because brand experiences and experimental marketing events have to portray the truth of the brand. Brands are just like people, they have beliefs and purpose, traits and behaviours and experiential marketing lifts the lid off the brand and

brings the audience into those beliefs, behaviours and personalities. You get a true sense of what the brand is through this. That’s where the emotional linkage is and that’s what brings people into the story of the brand.

Q: What kind of results can experiential marketing bring in comparison to other marketing activity?

The results you achieve are a deeper connection with the brand and the audience and it doesn’t matter which audience, customers, clients or consumers.

Research shows that more people feel closer to the brand and they are more likely to purchase as a result of going through a brand experience. They’re more likely to recommend that brand to friends and family and they are more likely to have an ongoing relation-

ship with that brand.

Q: What are the latest trends in experiential marketing?

As we are always talking about the behaviour of the brand, the trends are the same. What’s changed is how we get there. Because of the growth in social media and social influencers, the new amplification and outreach models are often based on influencer groups. There are any number of brand experiences happening in homes across countries where small groups are brought together by micro-influences to experience a brand or a brand’s products and service.

Around a dinner table or at a party, to do with vacuum cleaners, frozen foods or cleaning products for example – those experiences are happening right now.

Q: What experiential marketing campaigns have inspired you in the past year?

Again, it’s those micro-experiences that I’m really in love with – Dyson working in homes, Birdseye fish fingers holding fish finger parties, cheese brands holding cheese parties in houses. Those experiences that are true to the brand, true to the audience and true to the person who’s putting them on are really powerful and really inspiring.

Q: What’s been your favourite project to work on so far and why?

I’ve been lucky to work on lots and lots of projects and I admire Cisco Live massively. I admire creating a true brand experience as they do for 15,000 people.

I admire the way they use social media to boost their application and reach. I admire the way they’ve build their partner relationships. I’m inspired by the way they bring their brand to life through a true brand experience created by George P Johnson.

Q: What is the best book you’ve read on experiential marketing or marketing in general?

I want to use this opportunity to plug The Event Professionals Handbook I created last year, which is on Amazon as a free download. It talks about all aspects of event marketing, experience marketing and brand experience – how to create it, how to think about it, how to plan it and how to deliver it. It’s worth downloading.

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Kongres Magazine VIEWS

MEMORY AND EMOTIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO BUILDING BRANDS Bruce Henderson, Chief Creative Officer, Jack Morton Worldwide INTERVIEW BY GORAZD CAD PHOTO CREDIT JACK MORTON WORLDWIDE

Q: What is the difference between events, brand experience and experience marketing?

At Jack Morton, we think of events as being (usually live) experiences that are targeted to specific audiences—like CES, or a press launch for a new product, for instance. Brand experiences connect brands with people, take place in both the physical and digital worlds and cover a wide range of experiences that could accurately be described as such. From a pop-up store, through to an activation at a festival or a piece

“Since memory and emotions are crucial to building brands, experiential marketing events work best when they are simple, moving and original”

of online content - what is different about all these experiences, compared to other forms of marketing, is that they have the potential to fully immerse people with the essence of a brand. In terms of experience marketing, we like to think of what the activity is designed to deliver. If advertising—in all its forms— is intended to convey a brand’s promise, experience marketing is meant to deliver proof of that promise.

Q: When do experiential marketing events work best?

Since memory and emotions are crucial to building brands, experiential marketing events work best when they are simple, moving and original. In our business we have a tendency to think that people spend a lot of time thinking about our brands. They don’t. So we need to keep our experiences, and by extension what we intend to convey, simple and easy to understand. Also, since human beings make most decisions emotionally, what people feel about our brands is as important, if not more so, than what they think. So we must move them. And people tend to notice and talk about experiences that are novel and fresh, so we always try to bring something new to every experience we create.

Q: What kind of results can experiential marketing bring in comparison to other marketing activities?

Since experiential marketing can provide the proof of a brand’s promise, it can forge long-term relationships in a way that other forms of marketing cannot so easily achieve. Specific results in experiential, however, will depend on the category, the business objectives, and the quality of the idea and execution.

Clients who are willing to do bold things that haven’t been done before tend to get better results, particularly when the objective is to create awareness, engagement and earned media.

Q: What are the latest trends in experiential marketing?

VR has been quite trendy over the past few years, and we love the technology and the possibilities it offers.

We also see increasing usage and a lot of potential in 8

the experiential space for AR (augmented reality), for a couple of reasons. It can offer an intriguing alternative to building physical material for an experience, and it can allow you to deliver valuable and potentially more personalized contextual information in an experience. Technology, of course, is ubiquitous and will continue to develop rapidly with wearables, AI, etc. But we also see a trend toward more analog physical installations. One thing that never changes is that great ideas are a whole lot better than mediocre ones.

Q: Which experiential marketing campaign has inspired you in the last year?

Nike Unlimited Stadium, which we produced in collaboration with BBH in Singapore. It was a beautiful idea and execution that used technology in a frictionless way to inspire runners and augment their training regimens.

Q: What’s been your favourite project to work on so far and why?

We do a lot of interesting work, so it’s very difficult to name one favourite. Our New York office of Jack Morton has been doing some work with the 3% Conference (a non-profit organisation dedicated to increasing the ratio of female to male creative leaders) over the last year or two that is close to my heart.

We worked with the founder Kat Gordon to devise activities within the conference that would create more interaction between attendees, and we are also designing a book that captures the thinking of many of last year’s attendees.

Q: Which was the best book that you’ve read on experiential marketing (or marketing in general) so far and why?

It’s difficult to say one book on experiential is the best, as there are a number of solid ones out there.

One that I read recently and found very useful was Experiential Marketing by Kerry Smith and Dan Hanover. It gives a thorough overview of the practice and its practical application informed by real-world case studies of experiential marketing created by some of the world’s most valuable brands. I think it’s a valuable read for anyone who’s interested in experiential.

VIEWS

AN EVENT IS NO LONGER JUST THE FUNCTION OF A MEDIUM, BUT ALSO THE MESSAGE AND CONTENT PROVIDER Colja Dams, CEO VOK DAMS INTERVIEW BY GORAZD CAD PHOTO CREDIT VOK DAMS

“Successful campaigns are Live Campaigns! It is not daring to make the thesis that successful brand communication without live campaigns is no longer possible – Live Campaigns put the hybrid event at the centre of campaign planning.”

Q: What is the difference between events, brand experience and experience marketing?

The umbrella term would be experience marketing – or “Live-Marketing” – that’s what we call it. This includes all elements of a brand or product campaign, where customers meet the businesses in person. Live marketing contains the strategic consideration of an event, also the conception and implementation of all elements. Brand experience generally means the encounter with the brand. This works most successfully with Live-Marketing. Events are the implementation measures on site, the operational part of the Live-Marketing.

Q: When do experiential marketing events work best?

Experiential marketing events are then most successful when they meet the needs of a user. The following factors can be derived from the consideration of the trends for successful marketing communication: Authenticity, relevance, emotion, added value, and storytelling.

• Authenticity – or, in other words, ‘honesty’.

• Relevance - or the content must have something to do with my life, my experience world.

• Emotion - or the message must touch, move, make me laugh or cry.

• Added value - or the communication must take me forward, must offer me new experiences, must expand my knowledge.

• Storytelling - or how can I share the experience to my friends, acquaintances, family, etc. through a short story

“Experiential marketing events are then most successful when they meet the needs of a user. The following factors can be derived from the consideration of the trends for successful marketing communication: Authenticity, relevance, emotion, added value, and storytelling.”

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The viewpoint of the participant on the brand or the product is always important for experiential marketing events.

Q: What kind of results can experiential marketing bring in comparison to other marketing activities?

It is important that I connect the live experience with the possibilities of online communication (mobile application, social media, location-based services),

Kongres Magazine VIEWS which we call ‘hybrid events’. The success factors of hybrid events against other marketing activities are: • More Brand Exposure and Brand Awareness Successful live communication always aims at consolidating, changing or extending certain patterns of thought.

• Additional range, contact duration and intensity Through the use of virtual elements, hybrid events can increase the range and contact duration of live communication significantly.

• Strong activation favours more involvement Through additional activation, hybrid events can help many elements of the event leading to more involvement.

Q: What are the latest trends in experiential marketing?

This can be answered relatively simply: the stateof-the-art and absolute innovation trend are live campaigns. The impact of the digital revolution is only now becoming apparent, whilst in the meantime, the B2C is moving on to the development of B2B communication, which means that it has also finally arrived in live marketing. On the one hand, the Internet offers a lot of possibilities, but on the other it also shows the dangers I need to confront with communication skills. Here events or live marketing is of particular importance, as they are the channel that lets us experience companies, brands and products in personal communication, which means communication through direct dialogue. It is therefore a logical step that events and live marketing measures are now the focus of communication campaigns. Successful campaigns are Live Campaigns! It isn’t daring to make the thesis that successful brand communication without live campaigns is no longer possible – Live Campaigns put the hybrid event at the centre of campaign planning. This means that an event is no longer just the function of a medium, but also that of the message and the content provider. As

a result, the event becomes information that can be picked up and further processed within all the other communication channels.

Q: Which experiential marketing campaign inspired you in the last year?

This is, of course, difficult to answer, as I have influenced many experiential marketing campaigns.

The anniversary event of BMW THE NEXT 100 YEARS is a very successful one and took many awards. The event had to highlight and emphasize BMW’s visionary shift from a company delivering the ultimate driving machine (BMW’s highly successful brand positioning over the last decades) to a new perspective, focusing on the ultimate driver and its driving lifestyle. The main focus would be a journey through BMW’s history and future through a narrative storyline highlighting a number of watershed moments. All 4 BMW Group brands (BMW, MINI, Rolls Royce and BMW motorcycle) were to play a significant role in the storyline, underlining various aspects of BMW’s vision coming through 100 years of mobility. The connection and synergy of people and technology was to be the essence of the storyline with a connection between history and future. This was done by designing 12 multimedia vignettes with song, dance and poetry support, all telling the story of BMW throughout the years and the story being told by German master storyteller Rufus Beck, all supported by BMW employees where relevant and culminating in the launch of a new concept vehicle, embodying BMW’s vision for the future.

Q: What’s been your favourite project to work on so far and why?

Again, I can’t actually make a single choice, but the BASF Creator Space tour project was a lot of fun. The Creator Space™ tour engaged stakeholders as active participants in inspiring, interactive events that connected people in an inspiring space to co-create sustainable solutions, thus not just adhering to BASF’s strategy (“We create chemistry for a sustainable future”) but also being live proof of it. The diverse topics of the local Creator Space™ tour stops show

the flexibility of the concept while strongly communicating a consistent BASF brand message. Local teams chose locally relevant hot topics, e.g. clean water accessibility in Mumbai, or responsible food consumption in Barcelona, and all with the same aim: to broaden the network, generate ideas, and bring some forward for implementation. Due to the flexibility of the setup and the heavy involvement of the local BASF teams, there were ca. 10 sub-events at every local Creator Space™ tour stop, from creative workshops to inspirational keynote speakers to 24 hour “creatathons”, live concerts and movie nights right through to serious, highly technological solution-finding and entertaining and motivational fun and games. Each local event was different in content, but all resulted in genuine, realistic solutions for local real life challenges. A live communication strategy generated multilevel and multichannel communication on a global scale.

Q: Which has been the best book that you’ve read on experiential marketing (or marketing in general) so far and why?

My favourite book is Seth Godin: Tribes: We need you to lead us. In this fascinating book, Seth Godin argues that now, for the first time, everyone has an opportunity to start a movement – to bring together a tribe of like-minded people and do amazing things.

There are tribes everywhere, all of them hungry for connection, meaning and change. In an increasingly complex world the longing for orientation rises – this is one of the secrets of Word-of-Mouth and thus of Influencer Marketing. The aim of a brand is to combine the highest possible adherence and in modern marketing literature one speaks also of ‘tribes’. Tribes are wider than simple brand fans, because the products have a symbolic meaning for the tribe. Social media did not directly change consumer behaviour, but it simply needed followers, visibility and the possibility of online shopping. These opportunities have dramatically changed consumer behaviour.

Barbara Jamison, Head of Business Development Europe at London & Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional agency and convention bureau for London “Brands all over the world are having to deal with ever stronger competition, and to set themselves apart they need to make sure their marketing strategy is impactful. Experiential marketing does just that, by allowing them to connect directly with their audience.”

“London has become increasingly successful in attracting experiential activations. The city offers a wealth of potential customers for B2C activations, as well as a strong expert base for B2B events in sectors such as finance and the creative industries. On top of that, the British capital is a fantastic and very recognisable backdrop to any event.”

“Germany has proved to be a key market for London, and earlier this month (October), we welcomed the longest running Erdinger Oktoberfest to the Greenwich Peninsula, organised by the bergmann-gruppe and the Kostiuk Gruppe. Still this October, we’ ll be welcoming the “Hamburg on Tour” festival at The Old Truman Brewery, in the heart of east London.”

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Kongres Magazine

London’s Experiential Playground report, by Event Magazine in association with London & Partners.

Event magazine is published by Haymarket Media Group, www.campaignlive.co.uk/experiences

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Kongres VIEWS Magazine

EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING GOES BEYOND PHYSICAL EVENTS Martin Schnaack, CEO at Avantgarde

“Experiential marketing creates emotional links between the brand, its products and the consumers – thus building a stronger brand affinity than conventional marketing activations.”

INTERVIEW BY GORAZD CAD PHOTO CREDIT AVANTGARDE

Q: What is the difference between events, brand experience and experience marketing?

Events are typically quite amorphous in nature, taking on many different forms with a prismatic focus on the exposure of a particular product, cause or organisation. Typically, the event can be centred on digital and physical channels ranging from music festivals, pop-up shops, social media events and even sporting events.

A brand experience is the direct result of an individual’s interaction with a brand. It is through the

brand’s holistic attributes and qualities, in which an individual perceives a brand in a personal manner. It can therefore be described as interactive and transactional in nature. This is through the creation of meaningful experiences with a brand that can be activated through events, experience marketing and other methods. This can either increase or reduce an individual’s perception of the brand.

Experience marketing, on the other hand, relies on an active participant’s engagement with content produced by a brand. This is a type of marketing that

can elicit the creation of a brand experience. This can be accessible through events and other media that a brand commissions, with a specific purpose of creating a tangible and engaging experience for the individual. This can in turn produce an ‘experience’ for a particular brand that is perceived by the individual through direct engagement with the content. It can produce physical and emotionally resonant experiences for the targeted individual through a proactive engagement with the brand and the experience it wishes to produce.

Q: Why do experiential marketing events work best?

Experiential marketing goes beyond physical events; it immerses customers in the brand’s world.

Experiential marketing creates emotional links between the brand, its products and the consumers – thus building a stronger brand affinity than conventional marketing activations.

It is more important than ever to deliver truly immersive experiences. Expectations of brands to entertain are high, especially from younger consumers. With brand touch points at people’s fingertips, it is important to achieve a sufficient cut-through.

Q: What kind of results can experiential marketing bring in comparison to other marketing activity?

Experiential marketing activities evoke deep emotions like joy, fun or trust. At the same time, these emotions are tied to the brand providing the activation. Experiential marketing builds emotional links between brand and customer, thus building a stronger brand affinity and loyalty.

Experiential marketing makes a brand tangible for its consumers, drawing the audience into the brand’s world of values. As soon as the consumers start to identify with a brand they become brand ambassadors – real brand fans – who are carrying the brand’s values by word of mouth. For us, this is marketing at its best.

Q: What are the latest trends in experiential marketing?

Experiential marketing moves from singular events

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KongresVIEWS Magazine and brand activation towards brand platforms that offer recurring touch points in both real life and digital channels.

These platforms merge experiential marketing into content marketing (social media) and influencer marketing.

Q: What has been your favourite project to work on so far and why?

A lifestyle boutique for a luxury automotive brand.

This was a departure from the conventional dealership sales model, taking the brand to a new younger audience. The boutique pops up at premium shop-

ping centres and invites shoppers to immerse themselves in ‘the home of the brand’, mixing physical and digital experiences with art curation and conversation spaces, encouraging personal content creation and amplification.

More recently the Cadillac House Europe comes to mind. Cadillac opened the first branch of the original Cadillac House USA for Europe. It was designed and structured as a meeting place for the public where innovators, creative minds and curious people get together and inspire each other. The Cadillac House Munich hosted the showroom of the future.

The newest car models are shown in an interactive, informative and attractive surrounding. Flanking the exhibition space, the exhibition ‘Letter to Andy Warhol’ took place at the Cadillac House in Munich for three weeks. It was the only place in Europe where the unique art collection was shown.

Q: What is the best book you’ve read on experiential marketing or marketing in general?

Maybe not the latest release, but to me Brian Solis’s ‘X: The Experience when Business meets Design’ still holds its ground.

“Experiential marketing activities evoke deep emotions like joy, fun or trust. At the same time, these emotions are tied to the brand providing the activation. Experiential marketing builds emotional links between brand and customer, thus building a stronger brand affinity and loyalty.”

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VIEWS Kongres Magazine

LIVE EXPERIENCES CAN STIMULATE ALL FOUR SENSES – HEARING, SIGHT, SMELL AND TOUCH Göran Göhring, Managing Partner of STAGG & FRIENDS, Düsseldorf INTERVIEW BY GORAZD CAD PHOTO CREDIT STAGG & FRIENDS

Q: What is the difference between events, brand experience and experience marketing?

Why do we want to make it so hard for the customer?

Such terms are mostly just positioning terms used by agencies. I do not actually use the term ‘experience marketing’ at all, because it is not about “marketing” here, but about a certain communication form of marketing. Whatever you want to call it, it’s important that the content of an event, a brand experience or a live experience is created around the brand and the product, as well as the specific target group, otherwise even the best idea will fall flat. Furthermore, it is essential that the process reliability is continuously secured in the implementation, because an event is always live – there is no second chance to put your message across.

Q: Why do experiential marketing events work best?

It always depends on what you want to achieve. There were already really well thought-out events in the past, which were actually a live experience and as such worked admirably as a format. What is important is the further development of the event formats in line with the brand and product development. Here you need strong content-based thinking, as well as good ideas and solutions from the agency.

The Daimler Global Training Events is a good example. These face-to-face training sessions are held each year for sales and after-sales staff. They are always strategically designed around the brand and product, continuously developed through digital formats, and always on the premises: every idea has to support the training goals, increase the sales of the products and thus contribute to the added value of Mercedes-Benz.

Q: What kind of results can experiential marketing bring in comparison to other marketing activity?

I believe in the communication trio of: classic digital - live. The live experience will play a much bigger role in future than today, because digital brand and product touchpoints with the target group are

“I believe in the communication trio of: classic - digital - live.” very important. These can then be meaningfully supplemented and extended by live experiences.

Furthermore, in contrast to other measures, live experiences can stimulate all four senses (hearing, sight, smell and touch) at once and thus generate a stronger emotionalisation and recognition of the messages.

Management conferences are a good example of this, especially for globally active companies that are in a continuous process of change, where it is important that the top management carry out regular face-toface events, because purely digital communication cannot fully convey the wealth of core messages.

Management meetings are then more than just three days of Powerpoint battles across the sessions; the successful concepts are those that provide a common thread when it comes to core messages – from the prior communication and all the formats of the actual conference – including team building, networking and workshop elements through to the cascading of the messages outside of the event. This is the only way that live communication can deliver.

Q: What are the latest trends in experiential marketing?

Currently, campaigns in which digital and analogue formats are interconnected are very successful. Last year, we designed and implemented various projects that fully support this. By way of example, in the training for the SEAT Ibiza there was a digital game that was played by participants in the run-up and also during the training. In the evaluation, we then established that the learning results of all the event participants had increased precisely due to this gamification format. The well-trained sales force then makes an optimised contribution to improved value creation.

Q: What experiential marketing campaigns have inspired you in the past year?

The Philharmonic Orchestra Hamburg case of Jung von Matt, where over 100 musicians performed together at more than 50 locations in Hamburg. A technical masterpiece, but above all a great idea for a live experience.

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Q: What has been your favourite project to work on so far and why?

As I have designed and implemented events and live-experience formats since 1992, it is very difficult for me to highlight one event. We have very successful projects in the agency every year. In 2016 alone, we won 17 awards.

Q: What is the best book you’ve read on experiential marketing or marketing in general?

I read a lot, so I will recommend one of the books I read most recently: “Start with why” by Simon Sinek.

VIEWS Kongres Magazine

Göran Göhring is the managing partner of the agency STAGG & FRIENDS, which focuses on live experiences. Together with his agency team he has been creating events for more than 20 years, from face-to-face and digital training courses to press events and management conferences.

STAGG & FRIENDS is today one of the leading communication agencies for live communication. For nearly fifteen years, the approximately 50-member team has developed extraordinary live experiences of brands and products at the Champions League level for automotive companies such as Daimler, Volkswagen, Volvo and other DAX 30 companies. At their Düsseldorf base, the team creates strategic and creative communication concepts that are always dependable and have good process reliability. STAGG & FRIENDS is the only communication agency with a focus on live-experience to be a member of the GWA (German Association of Communication Services).

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COOL EXAMPLES OF EXPERIMENTAL MARKETING

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CNVOS #nulapet (#zerofive) PREPARED BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT CNVOS

Short description of the project – idea, strategy: By way of the campaign #nulapet (#zerofive), CNVOS (Centre for Information Service Cooperation and Development of NGOs) was promoting the option to anyone who pays personal income tax in Slovenia to give up to 0.5% of his or her income tax to non-governmental organisations.

Every taxpayer can choose up to five organisations and thus give a half of one percent of his or her income for their further services. Such a donation does not cost anything, as the half percent would otherwise be going to the state budget, so people could decide to give up 0.5% to non-governmental organisations instead, which are active in the public interest. With such a donation people would be contributing to a better fire safety provided by voluntary (non-governmental) firefighting societies, to several packages of assistance for people living in poverty, to several beds for homeless people, to holidays for the children of the poor, for local sports and culture and much more besides.

Challenges: 60% of Slovenes didn’t decide to take this step – and so almost 5 million euros remains in the state budget.

In numbers this means, for example, half a million additional dietary packages or holidays for 16,000 children from socially at risk families, and the list of examples goes on. It means that millions of funds in the state budget remain unallocated each year, although this kind of money could have a significant impact on the development of a local sports club, fire brigade, animal shelter, cultural institute, environmental or charitable organisation...and an additional long list of those striving for a higher quality of co-existence in our current society.

Solution: On November 28 2016, CNVOS took a media campaign #zerofive online and also through traditional media. The simple and memorable #zerofive is a call to those who do not devote their half of a percentage income tax to anyone. The action immediately met a remarkable response, with more than 100,000 people

watching videos on Facebook.

The campaign was communicated at a number of levels – locally through municipal media and nationally via social networks and mass media. And the budget for campaign? Zero euros! The campaign was also supported by various Slovenian celebrities who prepared video clips with an appeal to everyone to devote #zerofive to one of the NGOs. After the event – overview, effectiveness: The result of the campaign was a huge success! In the past year, 25,000 more people than the previous year decided to follow up with the #zerofive project, altogether 441,562 taxpayers collecting over 600,000 euros more than the previous year. According to the Financial Administration, the taxpayers dedicated part of their personal income tax to 5,054 different beneficiaries (last year 4,814) to the total amount of 4,603,843 euros, against last year’s 3,999,802 euros.

LOCATION SLOVENIA EXECUTION END OF 2016 TYPE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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Kongres Views Magazine

SECRET DINER LJUBLJANA

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Kongres Views Magazine

PREPARED BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT SECRET DINNER LJUBLJANA

Short description of the project – idea, strategy: Secret Dinner is a monthly pop-up event for those who love good food with accompanying wines and drinks, all spiced up with excitement and some uncompromised secrecy. The best Slovenian chefs, unusual locations, thematic menus and great company are the common themes for these evenings.

Menus are inspired by the chosen location and the chef ’s enthusiasm; here rules only exist mostly to be disobeyed. Only the chef ’s name and time of the events are known; the exact location of the pop-up restaurant is revealed three hours before the dinner.

After the guests arrive they get to know about the dishes they are about to taste. The central idea is to attract and connect a colourful bunch of attendees that share the same passion and to present Slovenia’s best, enriching our country as a destination with yet another tasty and trendy reason to visit.

Challenges: As the menus (and locations) are a well-kept secret, it is hard to cater for people with special needs or specific dietary requests. Chefs love to spread their wings and their imagination is limitless, especially when it is a one-off event that doesn’t need to be typically conditioned to a format within which they prepare food in their restaurants. The menus are also developed as part of a story that the location inspires and for some people it is sometimes hard to understand that this event is not meant to be a typical restaurant with multiple menu choices, shiny toilets, ideal temperatures, comfy seats or valet service, but a special event that is all packed into a unforgettable story.

Everyone is taking part in the risks here – the guests not knowing what they have paid for and risking that they might not like it all, and the organisers in trying to cater for as many needs possible in the best way possible, making the guests experience a great

evening to remember.

Solution: When guests inquire about the possibilities for changing the initial menu due to their diets and it is too radical for a chef to be able to do something extraordinary, we usually give them the fair advice not to join the party, as they would simply not have the complete experience. This is also set out on the website application, yet interestingly most of them agree to even take less, simply to be able to join the experience and feel the special atmosphere. As for the chefs, they try to meet most of the needs and changes in diets, but it has to be borne in mind that is not a restaurant and there is no fully equipped kitchen nearby.

After the event – overview, effectiveness: The first Secret Dinner was held on the 12th of September in Križevniška church in Ljubljana, with Bine Volčič, the widely respected head chef of Monstera Bistro, who produced a delicious, modern four-course meal that was inspired by the flavours and ingredients supposedly used in The Last Supper, as some historic researchers have claimed. Guests enjoyed the historic atmosphere of a magnificent church, tantalizing dishes and some well selected wines to go with them, all with The Doors rock anthems creating a relaxed atmosphere at the long, black candle-lit tables. For the second, also sold-out dinner (revealing the secret these days…), that will be catered by Uroš Mijailovič, chef of the Arboretum Golf Club Restaurant, there will be some home returnees – so they must be doing something right!

To become one of the many satisfied guests at future Secret Dinners, head over to www.skrivnavecerja.si to reserve your spot.

LOCATION SECRET (ANYTHING THAT DOESN’T EVEN CLOSELY RESEMBLE A RESTAURANT EXECUTION ONCE A MONTH TYPE POP-UP DINNERS 19

Kongres Magazine VIEWS

RED BULL CLIFF DIVING MOSTAR

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Kongres Magazine VIEWS

PREPARED BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT RED BULL Short description of the project – idea, strategy: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has been the most elite global competition in cliff diving since 2009 and in 2014 a Women’s World Series was also introduced. It involves three seconds of acrobatic free fall from heights of 27m (men) and 21m (women) at venues ranging from natural wonders of the world and visual feasts to historic sites and lesser known terrains. Reaching speeds of up to 85km/h, elite athletes such as Orlando Duque, as well as young up-andcoming talents, offer exhilarating action and dives of ever-growing complexity. The series follows the traditional high diving format and is a mix of rules from the Red Bull Cliff Diving Sportive Committee, FINA and HDA. Red Bull Cliff Diving is pure – no protection and only concentration, skill and physical control. It is both breathtaking and packed full of pure adrenaline.

Special Features: The only Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series event where competitors leap from a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mostar holds a special place in the divers’ hearts. The action is centred on the 16th-cen-

tury Stari Most bridge, which has a diving tradition stretching back almost 450 years. In a city with such a strong diving heritage, everyone wants to serve up the winning effort, so expect some big performances as divers fight for every last championship point.

Challenges: In Mostar, the city where bridge jumps are an important part of the culture, it is the locals who are participating in most of them, but on this occasion Red Bull took things a step higher. An additional diving board built on the bride was seven metres high, so altogether making the 27-metre height required for cliff diving jumps. One of the first key challenges is the Neretva River, with its strong current and cold water giving it a rating as one of the most difficult locations in the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championship. The performance of each competitor therefore requires perfect body control and complete concentration – and this is also the only protection that jumpers have when performing, since the sport is incredibly technically complex and also dangerous if not done properly.

After the event – overview, effectiveness: 17,000 spectators gathered around the city’s Old Bridge and fearless cliff divers from all over the world plunged 27 metres into the Neretva River. It was a stunning event – to see, to experience and to be a part of.

DID YOU KNOW? • The standard height for cliff diving jumps is 27 metres.

• The free fall from a height of 27 metres takes only 3 seconds. 3 seconds!!

• Speeds that can be can reached when diving from 27 metres high: 85-90 km/h.

• 4-5G. This is the G force in the dive, which means that the diver creates a force of five times his/her weight.

• Pancake. The fall of the plush (as a “pancake”) to the surface of water from 27 metres has the effect of falling to concrete from 13 metres.

• 5 metres. Minimum water depth required for dives from 27 metres.

DATE 15th AND 16th OF SEPTEMBER 2017 LOCATION MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA TYPE ADRENALINE

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EXCLUSIVEINTERVIEW INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE

10 YEARS OF SERBIA CONVENTION BUREAU Interview with Mr. Igor Kovačević, CEO of the Serbia CVB

INTERVIEW BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT SERBIA CONVENTION BUREAU

“We are always on the move, trying to identify new unique selling points.”

Successfully combining academic and business careers, Igor Kovačević has been part of the Serbia journey from being a “non destination” to the leader in the region and among the TOP 50 in the world. Over the last 10 years he has been focusing mainly on working closely with international associations.

Igor holds an MA degree and is currently working on his PhD thesis. During his lectures as teaching assistant at the Faculty of Economics in Belgrade he is doing his utmost to introduce the latest applicable knowledge to his students.

He has successfully managed over 80 bids for international congresses.

Q: In the 10 years of the Serbia Convention Bureau’s existence what has been the most difficult challenge, the most successful event and the most beautiful experience?

Ten years ago, the Serbia Convention Bureau has been established as a department within the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia and since then all of our activities and plans have been well coordinated with colleagues dealing with the leisure segment, securing the best and most synergistic results. Strategic support from the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia is something that we always rely on.

Over the past decade the Bureau has managed to increase the quality of service to the level of the most developed destinations, such as Germany, the USA and others. The meeting infrastructure grew and the

Bureau matured in parallel with this, leading a strong platform of proactive sale and bidding.

At the beginning, the biggest challenge was to earn the trust of the meeting industry, but now I am proud that the meeting industry in Serbia is united and willing to support all of the activities that are focused on raising Serbia’s profile on the international market. Together with the academic sector, the Bureau has initiated the ‘Congress Ambassador’ programme that gathers together all the major experts and professionals from the various fields that have stepped out from the comfort zone and “fought” for events to happen in Serbia. The Bureau has led more than 120 bids, and in the last 2 years alone more than 30 events have been secured. At the same time, the Bureau actively works in the fields of corporate and 22

incentive market.

The greatest experience I have had is that we manage to make people understand events not just as an important financial instrument for the economy, but more as a knowledge based society platform. The long term effects of meetings bring marketing and branding exposure of domestic expertise and knowhow to the world.

Q: Are you happy with the past 10 years of achievements, and what are your plans and wishes for the future?

In just the past 18 months the Bureau has initiated 68 bids, out of which 24 have been won and 44 are still in process. Confirmed events will generate over 20,000 delegates, 66,000 overnight stays and 24

EXCLUSIVEINTERVIEW INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE Q: You have come a long way to this 10-year celebration. Is there anyone or any organisation you would like to mention and thank them for their great support along the way?

Ten years ago we started with our first industry training and networking in one very small, windowless room. On 22nd May 2017, we had our Gala Celebration of the first 10 years. Over 250 guests – and I want to thank each and every one of them – over 100 hotels, agencies, providers and more than 100 professors, doctors and professionals, as well as more than 25 special guests from around the world.

Without industry support and the constant push to do new things, the results will not come. Without our congress ambassadors, the legacy of events can not exist. On that evening I realised that the Bureau is more than 3 employees; I realised that we have made changes and added value to our economy. Now we need to make it more sustainable and visible. The big conclusion is that we have just started and anyone who is willing to support is more than welcome to join.

Local, traditional recipes in combination with homegrown products are something that puts a smile on clients’ faces! million euros of income. Those in the pipeline will potentially generate 65,000 delegates, 210,000 overnight stays and 65 million euros. Our success rate is 85-90%. On top of this the branding effects are much larger. The biggest association event we are bidding is for 10,000 delegates, and for corporate it is 5,000 delegates. We could not do this without our industry and our academic partners. In the period ahead we expect to increase the total number of bids, and with further infrastructure development there is the potential to increase by approximately 40%. This can launch us into the top 40 destinations in the world.

Besides these figures I am honored to say that Bureau is recognized by local associations, professors, doctors and professionals as an organisation that is there to support all of their initiatives.

Q: In your opinion, what are Serbia’s most important USPs to attract people from the MICE industry?

In the highly competitive market, being a “new and fresh” destination is not something extraordinary anymore. This was our emerging selling proposal. Now, we are focusing on experience

based storytelling and reference list. Of course, for every bid we do our best to fully customize the brand of the destination and to match the needs and wants of the client. There is no room for error, as we still need to earn the trust of clients, and that is the reason why we make a play on professionalism and the service level of our industry.

Q: In your opinion what kind of marketing is the most effective?

General marketing activities are too expensive and usually too broad. With budget and human resource limits, we have learned to proceed and progress step by step. Maybe this is a slow process, but it has given us results. The most effective thing is to know the client – first I need to walk in the client’s shoes before we submit the bid. Then we need to show that the destination is capable of fulfilling requirements, and only then can we go further. Finally, we need to be aware of our weaknesses. From the concrete tools at our disposal I think that FAM trips are the most effective, if client selection is done correctly. Just last year we hosted over 240 clients, and we can already see results.

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Q: Which country is your greatest competitor and how do you address this?

Experience has taught me that every destination is a competitor. We have been bidding against some of the world’s best congress destinations, but also have been in competition with some small destinations as well. And you always need to respect competitors and always to say the best things about them. Competing destinations make us work harder and better. We are always on the move, trying to identify new unique selling points.

Q: Describe your favorite meeting spot in Serbia.

I cannot select just one spot. However, the common ingredient for every event in Serbia is our food. Local, traditional recipes in combination with homegrown products are something that puts a smile on clients’ faces!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Kongres Magazine IN FOCUS

UNFORGETTABLE INCENTIVES IN CARINTHIA Following the trail of Carinthian Incentivs

TEXT BY GORAZD CAD

The entire Carinthian region is a hospitable, easily accessible and safe destination, set amidst alpine incentive destinations that are amongst the most attractive anywhere in the world. The prestige hotels and an excellent culinary offer are where Carinthia really shines and its incentive package with numerous programmes puts it at the very top of the offer in Europe.

Connecting different incentive programmes and bringing them together is the Carinthia Convention Bureau, an entity that takes a strategic approach to incentive travel. They offer over 60 programmes, usually a combination of education and active fun, but the one binding aspect of them all is that quality always outweighs quantity in Carinthia.

In Carinthia they are also conscious that incentive programmes organised by companies for their employees have a positive effect on sales, productivity, loyalty and overall satisfaction. As incentive travel is a highly structured and strategic activity, it’s useful to go over the building blocks that make up Carinthia’s complete incentive product.

What is incentive travel?

‘Incentive’ or ‘motivational’ travel is a term we use to describe group trips organised by companies for their

loyal employees. You can think of it as an award or an encouragement to keep good mutual relationships between the employees and business partners. They differ from classical group trips by being based on clearly stated and measurable targets and goals. Help with their organisation is usually provided by local DMCs (Destination Management Company) who know the local incentive products best.

What types of incentive programmes are out there?

The best way to categorize individual incentive programmes is to look at what their goal and purpose is, and they shouldn’t be mistaken for team building programmes, which are usually on the itinerary of classical group trips.

The most common types of incentive programmes in Carinthia are: • Sales Incentive The main goal of such programmes is to influence and motivate employees in the field of sales and thereby drive results, a typical example being a programme that only the salespeople with the best results can attend. That gives the activity some extra competitiveness within a

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corporation.

• Rewards and Recognition These programmes are a reward for a great team effort, usually carried out at the end of important strategic projects of a company. They are a big morale boost and are one of the most common forms of incentives.

• Employee Motivation The goal of such programmes is to strengthen team bonds, improve motivation in the workplace and eliminate conflicts within the team.

The integral part of these programmes is strategic team building activities in connection with an authentic experience of the destination they take place in.

• Customer Loyalty A reward for the most loyal subscribers or partners who have achieved great sales results within the scope of your contract. By nature, this is one of the more exclusive types of incentive.

• New Product Incentives When a company launches a new product, an incentive programme is usually a great way to motivate the buyers. These programmes are

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Kongres Magazine IN FOCUS

a common thing in the automotive industry, where car companies organise a whole array of incentive programmes for journalists, sales representatives, GMs and the whole service network.

Carinthia has all the conditions to make your participants depart with positive impressions and it will undoubtedly tick all of the following boxes: • Improved collaboration within your team • Greater employee loyalty • Improved morale and a positive climate within the company • Improved work satisfaction • Stronger motivation to take on new challenges • More creativity TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF INCENTIVE PROGRAMME IN CARINTHIA Adrenaline Carinthia offers a rich palette of adrenaline programmes all condensed into a hugely picturesque area that will leave you with an unforgettable experience.

The most popular programmes are: 1. Rafting Carnica Rafting Centre Carnica offers numerous terrific programmes with the aim of bringing you closer to the adrenaline-fueled world of water sports.

2. Bike Tours With The Alp Brothers Christoph and Thomas are officially certified and licensed mountain bike instructors who started the Alpbrothers brand offering tours for complete beginners, mountain biking aficionados and anyone in between.

3. Adventure Park Ossiacher See Their state of the art “Fly-Line” system was the first zipline rollercoaster in Austria and enables participants to feel like they are flying between trees and ravines.

Active & Fun Fun games and creative programmes for groups of all sizes in the stunning setting of Carinthia’s Alpine summits and crystal-clear lakes.

The most popular programmes are:

1. Alpine Horse Riding Together with their business partners, Landgut Moserhof ’s experienced riders organise riding tours high above the tree line, through enchanted forests and into the seemingly impenetrable summits at more than 3,000m.

2. Canoeing on the Faaker See Led by a canoe guide, you set off from the Karnerhof dock to explore some of the more secluded spots on the Faaker See. Driven on at a pace dictated by your own power, the team will enjoy a unique experience at the foot of the picturesque Karawanke mountains.

3. Skiing With Ski Legend Franz Klammer It may still be dark outside, but hopefully you’ll be wide awake at just before 6:00am - because the slopes are calling you! And also waiting for you at the slopes is no less than Olympic medallist and ski legend Franz Klammer, who will be your skiing companion.

Cultural & Educational The ‘land of three countries’ is also known as the ‘land of a thousand lakes’, heavily defined by its borderland position. It’s a land where three nations have left their heavy imprints of their cultures and you can explore it for yourself through these programmes.

The most popular programmes are: 1. Affenberg – “Monkey Mountain” Have you ever wished that zoo animals (the non-dangerous ones, of course!) were loose and roaming freely around you? Well, you can find it at the “Monkey Mountain” in Villach, where you’re no longer an observer staring into cages.

2. Fine Art In Kunsthaus Kollitsch The Kollitsch collection is a private collection of contemporary art with an international perspective and has been steadily built up over past years. “Schau” is the biggest group exhibition in Kunsthaus Kollitsch.

3. Architectural beauties of Wörthersee Wörthersee Architektur has put together a comprehensive collection of the most eye-catching buildings around lake Wörthersee, together with a detailed map and other relevant facts.

So, why not take a drive around the lake, or better yet, rent a boat and experience the architecture up-close.

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Culinary Carinthia is well known as one of the most developed and attractive culinary hotspots of Europe. Through their fun, interactive and educational culinary programmes you will get the chance to experience the true depth and richness of the Alpe-Adria cuisine.

The most popular programmes are: 1. Carinthian Caviar Every autumn the unique char caviar – which is now well known beyond Carinthia – is harvested. Using a specific process developed by the Sicher family, the caviar is preserved in a completely natural way.

2. Cooking Class with Sissy Sonnleitner If you yourself are not a connoisseur but want to become a cooking professional, you can take part in one of the cooking seminars in the Sonnleitner restaurant or take one of their online cooking courses.

3. Tracking down the Carinthian salmon Kärnten Fisch is a household name amongst locals, but they also offer incentive programmes where they will show you how to catch fish and tell you everything you should know about them.

5 GOOD REASONS TO ORGANISE AN INCENTIVE IN CARINTHIA 1. High standards of infrastructure and an equally high quality of living 2. A stunning alpine location with crystal clear lakes and pristine nature 3. A wide range of meeting venues 4. Regional food culture with excellent dining spots 5. Endless incentive ideas and exceptional delegate experiences SITE: “Incentive travel is a global management tool that uses an exceptional travel experience to motivate and/or recognize participants for increased levels of performance in support of organisational goals.”

SITE: “Incentive programmes can increase performance of an individual by 22% and of a team by 44%.”

SITE is the international association for the motivational events industry.

Exclusive interview EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

12th BLED STRATEGIC FORUM Interview with Mr Peter Grk, Secretary-General of the Bled Strategic Forum INTERVIEW BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT BLED STRATEGIC FORUM

Q: This year’s Bled Strategic Forum is already its twelfth consecutive outing. Why did the organisers decide to host one of the most powerful international conferences in Bled? What do you find to be the advantages and disadvantages of organising such an important event in this city?

Bled has been home to the Bled Strategic Forum since its inception 12 years ago, providing on the one hand a symbolic, famous and world-renowned Slovenian location, and on the other an environment that is far from the everyday hustle and bustle. Our participants have the possibility to focus entirely on the discussions and the issues that we expect to address in Bled. There are many responses received from our participants, speakers and important guests who like to remark on the location, always praising the idyllic environment that offers a peaceful and inspiring setting for discussions on the pressing problems of today’s world.

Bled is an appropriate, logical and correct location for the organisation of this type of event and the local community has welcomed us very well during these years.

Q: Each year the conference provides a platform for discussions on key regional and global issues.

How do you make the decision on which topics are really important and most worthy of tabling?

The forum is growing and becoming more recognizable in both regional and global terms from year to year, which is reflected in the strong interest in participation. This year, for example, we hosted over 1,000 participants from very diverse backgrounds – coming from the worlds of diplomacy, politics and public affairs, as well as from the economy, entrepreneurship and technology, all supplemented by academics, civil society and representatives of civil society organisations, as well as young people. It is precisely because of this type of participants that the themes we address are varied, and each year they follow a common story: the red thread.

This year, the panels offered a reflection and discussion of the new reality in which we live - things are changing rapidly, and our perception of reality around us is trying its best to follow these changes.

More specifically, the events around us are repeated, the situation is often unstable, apparently uncontrollable. This is not a something new in itself, however our response is different, and our perception, which is influenced mainly by the way of receiving information and perceiving the external reality. With digitization and globalization, information that is often 26

completely unfiltered comes to us more quickly and is constantly involved in our daily lives, which makes us feel closer and more important.

In line with our ambition to bring key representatives from politics, the economy and civil society together in one place, the topics we address are adapted to all three groups – the challenges that the world is facing are common and our programme is the result of careful consideration, monitoring of current events around the world and in the region, and at the same time, of course, Slovenian engagement in these areas.

Q: Do you think that such discussions can influence decisions taken internationally?

A look at this year’s list of participants shows that at the beginning of September an exceptional number of extremely important agents and decision makers from the regional and international levels came together in Bled. It is precisely for this reason that it is expected that the discussion, to a certain extent, will of course influence both the course of meetings that take place in Bled on those days, as well as the agreements that follow in the coming days and weeks. It is not a direct influence, but certainly it is a question of intertwining topics, which at the moment urgently need to be actively addressed, as well as the thoughts that

Exclusive INTERVIEW interview EXCLUSIVE decision makers develop in dialogue and cooperation with other representatives.

Q: The conference is of a closed type, organised at a high level. Have you considered that in the future that at least part of the meeting could be organised in a more informal and/or public spirit, in line with the beliefs and expectations of the millennial generation who hanker for technologically advanced, informal and more free forms of meetings?

Each year the Forum also follows the development of events and trends in this field too, with certain new approaches and formats of debates being introduced, and this year we also had the opportunity to see several events and discussions that took place in

different, innovative formats, between which were confrontations and the so-called ‘fishbowl’ approach.

Certainly, in the field of technology, trends are followed, and of course it always responds primarily to the needs that the forum and its participants have.

FACTS & FIGURES Number of participants: 1,100 participants.

Countries from which participants came from: 66 countries, including the whole of the European Union and its adjoining territories, the USA and Canada, Africa, the Middle East and Africa.

The main topics of this year BSF: New reality Within the framework of the forum: vision and

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future in the new reality, nuclear safety and threats, water for peace and security, digital diplomacy, development and the future of the European Union, transformation of society for a better future, Southern Mediterranean, human rights, Western Balkans and the enlargement of the European Union.

As part of the Business Forum: new reality and a changing business environment and innovation – innovation in organisations, the role of innovation, their global dimension and contribution to sustainable development, innovation in Europe.

Under the BSF for young people: electronics, ecology (environment) and economics.

HOTSPOTS SPOT HOT

WHY SCENIC ROADS MATTERS? A surprise behind every turn As you know that you can have more fun in a car with a full tank than with a barrel of booze, are you ready to hit the road? Slow down though, not so fast! You might think that the journey is sometimes more important than the destination when driving down a scenic road, traveling through a country of natural and cultural beauty.

And, well, yes – you’re right to say so. Yet scenic roads are not just about fun, leisure travel and stunning views; they also offer

unique exhibition options and outdoor car launch possibilities! Think about it: wonderful scenery, fresh air, wide open roads leading to freedom – is not that what cars are all about? Beauty and freedom on a set of wheels? From winding mountain roads to glistening city streets – it’s all about finding the best locations to show off a car’s abilities and looks. Combining an amazing location, postcard environment and the perfect light to catch the true character of a car is a ticket

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to heaven. When I think about a car, I think about a mirror: it will reflect everything surrounding it – and it was at this point that we decided to gather together some of the most amazing scenic roads around Europe to make your life (and decisions) easier.

Read through and imagine not only driving through the majestic countries and the roads, but also finding your favourite spot for a car commercial.

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MOST SCENIC ROADS AROUND VENICE, ITALY

TEXT BY URŠA SVETELJ AND VENICE CONVETION BUREAU

Italy offers numerous amazing car trips that will, quite simply, leave you speechless. From the high mountains to the meandering fields, the forests, lakes, historic cities and amazing coastines, there is something to suit everyone’s taste in Italy. The only disadvantage with that is when it comes to having to choose just one road, near Venice, which becomes nigh-on impossible! However, we decided for a Giro d’Italia route covering 115km and requiring about two hours of journey time.

Travel route: Osoppo, Bordano, Verzegnis, Tolmezzo, Ovaro, Monte Zoncolan, Sutrio, Arta Terme, Tolmezzo, Cavazzo Carnico, Osoppo.

The road itinerary was followed at various times by the caravan of the Giro d’Italia, with the finish of the race on top of Mount Zoncolan, at a height of 1,750m above sea level, making it the hardest climb in Europe. Fear not, however, as your car or motorcycle will easily tame it.

You follow streets and criss-cross towns that offer the typical products of Carnia, such as Tolmezzo, which is in a very favourable position set in the valley.

You will also traverse a road that existed back in the Roman age (known as lulia Augusta) and through which the Monte Croce Carnico pass leads to Austria.

Your journey takes you on towards Villa Santina,

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where several scenes of the film Black Feathers with Marcello Mastroianni were shot. In Ovaro you will pass a Parish church that is situated on a hillock stemming from the 4th century and that was first mentioned back in the year 1,119.

If you’re a fan of animals and nature you’ll also enjoy characteristic places such as Bordano, the town of butterflies that also has a famous zoological museum.

Continue on the road along the Lake of the Three Municipalities (Lago dei Tre Comuni), a green pearl set in the Carnic pre-Alps, and then on the way back you will also pass by Arta Terme, an important spa where you can properly pamper yourself and make sure that you wrap your trip up in style.

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SCENIC ROADS AROUND MONTENEGRO: THE CIRCUIT & KORITA

TEXT BY URŠA SVETELJ AND MONTENEGRIN MINISTRIY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM PHOTO CREDIT MONTENEGRIN MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM (PHOTO KARSTEN SCHÖPFER)

With its manageable cost, friendly locals and relaxed vibe, Montenegro offers a whole host of charms.

For anyone who loves travelling by car and enjoying incredible scenic views there is a further charm in Montenegro: we strongly recommend the area called The Circuit around Korita.

Route and places of interest on the way: Podgorica - The Monument of Novak Milošev - The Fortress of Medun/The Museum of Marko Miljanov- Ubli – Orahovo - Kučka Korita - Grlo sokolovo – Zatrijebač – Delaj – Stjepovo – Rudine – Fundina – Rašovići.

Montenegro‘s ‘panoramic roads’ lead you into the constantly changing landscape, culture and nature of this small, lovable country. There is a lot to discover across four different route suggestions, ranging from the beautiful Adriatic coast to the wild romantic mountains of the country’s north. “The Circuit around Korita“ – Krug oko Korita – is the first fully signposted panoramic road in Montenegro. It starts in the capital, Podgorica, and stretches 65km into the mountainous area of Kuči and to the edge of the Cijevna Canyon, making it an excellent day trip, as just a few hours on the road will suffice to escape from everyday life and immerse yourself in a different

world. The route passes through different landscapes and an area characterized by different cultures and religions. A highlight of the route is the easy hike to the “Grlo Sokolovo” (The Falcon’s Gorge) scenic viewpoint.

The ‘Krug oko Korita’ panoramic road is fully paved and a lot of the route will take you along narrow, winding roads. It tops out at a height of 1,400m above sea level, so the suggested season to best enjoy the tour is the summer, any time between May and October.

Although the road is only 65km long, it’s a good idea to plan a whole day to have sufficient time for all the sights along the way, as well as for any minor detours.

Allow at least 1.5 hours for the light hike to the viewpoint at Grlo Sokolovo, which is well worth it.

Interesting fact: The ‘Krug oko Korita’ panoramic road goes into an area that is referred to by the locals as ‘Kuči’. This is not only the name of the region, however, as it also denotes the clan inhabiting this area. The Kuči clan is considered unique in the Balkans, because people of three faiths – Orthodox, Catholics and Muslims – live peacefully there together. Respect for family, neighbourhood and for marital relations has a long tradition here.

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Additional great ideas for the trip › Lake Bukumir (Bukumirsko jezero), 50km (25km one way), predominantly paved, partly on very narrow roads, with the last section (about 1km) unpaved. › Lake Rikavac (Rikavačko jezero), 32km (16km one way), unpaved mountain roads, suitable only for SUVs/4WDs. The route can also be linked with the trip to Lake Bukumir to form a round trip (about 50km).

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MOST SCENIC ROADS IN INSTANBUL AND TURKEY

TEXT BY URŠA SVETELJ AND ISTANBUL CONVENTION BURAU PHOTO CREDIT ISTANBUL CVB

Home to a diverse culture and a vibrant crowd, Istanbul offers an infinite number of possibilities for incentive ideas. Having the Bosphorus separate a city as well as continents, Istanbul also presents the opportunity to experience some of the most scenic and fascinating driving roads anywhere in the world.

Before experiencing any driving roads elsewhere in Turkey, driving near the Bosphorus is a must to take in the beautiful views when you drive right at the spot between Europe and Asia. There are many places near Istanbul where in less than an hour’s drive you find yourself in a completely different environment, such as at Ağva, located between the Göksu and Ağva rivers, and dating back to the 7th century BC when it was part of ancient Bythinia. At 97km from İstanbul, the village is an ideal choice for a peaceful holiday, as well as a paradise for tourists due to its history and

also its hotels, especially those near the Göksu River.

Turkey Turkey in general has many spectecular scenic roads, such as the Istanbul-Ankara motorway between Duzce and Abant junction. Here are some real stunners that are worth putting at the top of the list: Antalya to Fethiye The winding road by the Mediterranean Sea is simply stunning to experience. It takes almost two hours longer than the express connection, but the small towns located along the way and the ancient cities worth visiting make this drive more suitable for a 3-day itinerary. At any point on the trip you are ready to jump into the water whenever you find a beautiful beach or a quiet corner, of which there is no shortage.

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Canakkale to Bergama This is one of the most scenic roads on the Aegean coastline. Canakkale city is located at the entrance to the Dardanelles strait, which is right across from the Gallipoli Battlefields. To get to Bergama, you will then have to cross Kaz, one of the most challenging mountains of Turkey. The ancient cities of Troy and Assos are also located on this road.

Kusadasi to Bodrum After visiting Ephesus Ancient city, The House of The Virgin Mary and their environs, you can continue your trip to Bodrum by car and you will have ticked off two of the Seven Wonders of the World: Artemis Temple and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus.

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SCENIC ROADS NEAR INNSBRUCK

TEXT BY URŠA SVETELJ AND CONVENTION BUREAU TIROL PHOTO CREDIT CONVENTION BURAU TIROL

Innsbruck, the ‘capital’ of west Austria, is nestled between mountains and ski slopes that give its locals amazing views every day of the year. It’s therefore no surprise that so many roads surrounding the city offer amazing trips whether by car, motorcycle or bicycle.

Close to Innsbruck: Kuthai road This classic yet challenging tour goes from Innsbruck to Kühtai and include ascents into the mountains that require both strength and endurance. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic panoramas, rapid descents and idyllic villages.

Route: The route begins on the tarmaced Innradweg in Innsbruck itself and from there heads west. After the airport continue along the highway on the northern banks of the Inn towards Telfs, after which it’s across the river in a southerly direction towards Ötztaler Höhe. Turn right at the roundabout and then head towards Ötz, from where the challenging ascent to the highest point in Kühtai begins, passing through Ötzerau and Ochsengarten. The steepest section contains a gradient of 18% that has to be conquered and Kühtai itself is a peaceful place

in summer with a few restaurants offering their fare. From this point the route then veers downhill towards Kematen, along a quiet road, although other road users will need to be respected. The route then flattens out from Kematen to your return destination of Innsbruck, for which we recommend leaving the highway at Zirl to join the Innradweg.

Day trips departing from Innsbruck • Visit the Kaunertal Glacier Road, a route that will take you to the glacier at up to 2,700m and for which a round trip is 240km. The Kaunertal Glacier Road is a real highlight for road bikers and one of the most spectacular climbs anywhere in the Alps. From the village of Prutz it winds its way through 29 corners and up 1,900 vertical metres to a peak altitude of 2,750m.

It has featured several times in the Tour of Austria and also hosts the annual “Kaunertaler Gletscherkaiser” race for the fastest rider from bottom to top.

• Visit the Ötztal Glacier Road, a 13.5 kilometre stretch that has an average gradient of 10.5% and leads to the highest point in Austria accessi-

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ble by road bike – 2,829 metres above sea level.

Built in 1972, the road is a challenge for even the fittest of riders and starts out from the village of Sölden before going through the spectacular Rettenbachtal Valley and up to the glacier ski resorts at the end of the Ötztal Valley. After 14.5 kilometres and after passing through the Rosi-Mittermeier-Tunnel, the highest tunnel in the Alps, riders reach the Rettenbachferner and Tiefenbachferner glaciers. The total trip is 180km.

Visit the Ötztaler road that connects Italy and Austria. At 238km in length and with altitude differences of 5,500m, the Ötztal Cycle Marathon is the most revered marathon amongst road cyclists: it is, quite simply put, legendary. However, if you split the distance into two full days of cycling, you can savour an intense, yet more enjoyable experience of all of the high points of the “Ötztal” Tour, such as Kühtai, the highest intra-Italian mountain pass and, of course, Austria’s highest pass itself, the Timmelsjoch. The trip includes four mountain passes and in total is 240km long.

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SCENIC ROADS NEAR SALZBURG

TEXT BY URŠA SVETELJ AND SALZBURG TOURISM PHOTO CREDIT SALZBURG TOURISM

Salzburg is one of Europe’s leading driving experience and automotive product event destinations, and for good reason. Many suppliers complement the panoramic and scenic roads in the province of Salzburg, and the one we’d love to uncover for you is Hotel Gut Brandlhof. They have a brand-neutral showroom that is used by motorbike and car producers for different events. The space also provides a car wash, mechanical garage with hydraulic lifts and showrooms, including meeting space for up to 700 people with 200 bedrooms that can also serve smaller or large conferences.

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road The Grossglockner High Alpine Road leads from Fusch-Ferleiten in Salzburg to Heiligenblut in Carinthia. The origin of the high alpine road – suitable for car, bus, motorbike and bicycle traffic – can be traced to road engineer Franz Wallack and the forward-looking state governor of Salzburg, Franz Rehrl. The road is like a decoration of ribbons placed between green mountain pastures, colourful flower meadows, rocky terrain as well as ice and show. It

nestles up against hills, follows the course of the natural ground and hugs the mountains like a glove.

Gushing waterfalls, the shrill whistling of marmots and the howling wind in the summit regions create an unforgettable, high-alpine soundscape. And then, all of a sudden, he appears: his majesty, the Grossglockner, the black mountain! Join us for a journey beyond compare up high to the perpetual ice of the glacier!

Other scenic roads opportunities Gerlos Alpine road Gerlos alpine road is the one leading from Salzburg to Tirol and, following its course, there is the chance to overlook the highest waterfalls in Europe – Krimmler.

It also connects the village centre of Wald with the district of Königsleiten, a renowned and popular ski region. Located in the far west of the Pinzgau, part of the province of Salzburg, the mountain road is a great way to explore the alpine landscape between Krimml and the Tyrolean Zillertal. The most beautiful time to experience the alpine road is between

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May and late October. During the winter months, the Gerlos Alpine Road leads directly to the Zillertal Arena ski region. The absolute highlights of the mountain road are the WasserWelten Krimml and the Krimml Waterfalls, plunging deep into the valley from a height of 380m.

Rossfeld panoramic road Come any time of the year to enjoy the breathtaking journey on the Roßfeldpanoramastraße (horse field panoramic motorway). The road leads from Salzburg towards Bavaria and you can either take your car out for a leisurely spin or use the bus to go from Berchtesgaden in Bavaria via the Obersalzberg to the alpine mountains or take the road from Unterau via Oberau. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the stunningly beautiful views of the monumental massif of the Hoher Göll, the Kehlstein, and the Tennen and Dachstein mountain ranges. Let your eyes wander over the Berchtesgaden and Salzburg area. The hiking tours in the summer and skiing paradise in the winter simply demand a trip there to experience it at least once in your life.

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CARINTHIA’S MOST SCENIC ROADS

TEXT BY URŠA SVETELJ AND CARINTHIA CONVENTION BUREAU PHOTO CREDIT CARINTHIA CONVENTION BUREAU

Whether you are a petrol head, car launch organizer or just looking for your next incentive idea, the Carinthia region in Austria is definitely worth paying a visit. It offers some of the most scenic and fascinating driving roads in the world, which also served as magnificent backdrops for many popular movies.

Twisty bends between green mountain meadows, panoramic views of the Alps, healthy mountain air and roads to die for make it an unforgettable experience for both motorists and cyclists. Here is our pick of the “must drive” roads in Carinthia: 1. THE GROSSGLOCKNER HIGH ALPINE ROAD ONE OF AUSTRIA’S TOP 3 DESTINATIONS AMIDST THE ALPS 48 kilometres long, 36 hairpin bends and an artistically planned-out route distinguish this beautiful scenic road in the Carinthia region in Austria. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is like an ornament of ribbons located between green mountain pastures, colourful flower meadows, rocky rubble, ice and show. It nestles up against hills, follows the course of the natural ground and fits the mountains like a glove.

Located at the foot of Austria’s tallest mountain, the High Alpine Road takes you up as high as 2,571 meters above sea level. The end is the Kaiser-FranzJosefs-Höhe high above the Pasterze, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps. Whooshing waterfalls, the shrill whistling of marmots and the howling wind

in the summit regions create an unforgettable high alpine soundscape.

Once the road has been laboriously cleared of snow in spring the Grossglockner High Alpine Road can be opened to traffic every year in late April/early May. Guests from all over the world experience the fascinating alpine world on a road that is accessible to everyone until late October/early November.

2. THE VILLACH ALPINE ROAD SPECTACULAR MOUNTAIN ROAD UP TO THE DOBRATSCH There is no doubt that the panoramic road up to the Villach Alp is one of the most beautiful in all of Austria. It offers fantastic views of the city of Villach, the Julian Alps and the prominent south-flank of the Dobratsch, the largest landslide region in the eastern Alps. The reward of conquering 1,200 altitude metres from Villach-Möltschach up to the Rosstratte car park at 1,732 m above sea level are sensational views of the karst summits in the neighbouring countries Slovenia and Italy. Look forward to 16.5 adventurous kilometres amidst Carinthia’s oldest preservation area while breathing healthy mountain air.

Tip: the bikers’ point on the Rosstratte and numerous car parks along the Villach Alpine Road offer the most varied views of the Dobratsch and its surroundings.

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3. THE NOCKALM ROAD GENTLE MOUNTAIN ROAD NUMEROUS ATTRACTIONS

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Inviting, unhurried and overwhelmingly beautiful: soft green mountain pastures, pink alpine rose in bloom, sparse larch forests, rustic cabins and easy hiking trails line the 35 kilometre Nockalm Road.

The road located between Innerkrems in the north and Ebene Reichenau in the south is, without a doubt, one of the most varied and beautiful alpine roads you can experience by car, motorbike or bus.

The panoramic road winds up and down between the “Nock’n” through 52 bends and numerous turns with gentle incline. Numerous free exhibitions can be discovered in the Nockalmhof Biosphere Park Center and hiking in the habitat of the treasured spike lavender plant is just as much fun as visiting the numerous alpine huts and mountain inns.

4. THE GOLDECK PANORAMIC ROAD FANTASTIC VIEW OF THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE ALPS The Goldeck Panorama Road, with a length of 14.5 km runs from Zlan to “Seetal” Goldeck terminal parking area at an altitude of 1,895m. It offers the perfect mix of driving entertainment and hiking fun.

The road leads to a viewpoint with a particularly beautiful panorama of the Millstatt Alpine Meadow and Lake Millstatt, the Nockbergs, the Gail Valley, Karawanken and the Drau Valley. It can also be the starting point of many walks, hut hikes and mountain tours.

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SLOVENIA’S MOST SCENIC ROAD: VRŠIČ MOUNTAIN PASS

TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT IZTOK NOC, JAKA HRASTNIK, MATEVŽ LENARCIC, ARHIV HOLIDAYS KRANJSKA GORA, TURIZEM KRANJSKA GORA, ROK ERŽEN

Ready to twist the turns?

Are you getting around Ljubljana by motorbike, car or bicycle? Maybe looking out for the perfect and even legendary scenic road that has featured in numerous foreign movies and commercials? Well then, the road you are looking for is the one that leads to the Vršič mountain pass, which also happens to be the highest road crossing in the Eastern Julian Alps, reaching the peak of 1,611m. The road is a link between two valleys, Sava and Soča, so the view from it is simply astounding, looking down upon an emerald river while you ascend and tackle several road serpentines.

Fancy trying to count them? Let’s make it easier for you – the high mountain road from Kranjska Gora via Vršič to Log in Trenta has 50 serpentines, 24 on the Kranjska Gora side and 26 on the Trenta side.

That should be enough for you!

Today the Vršič Mountain Pass represents an important starting point for mountaineering and alpine climbs. It is also the starting point for a very interesting and diverse path leading towards the Adriatic Sea, one that captivates visitors to it due to its wonderful beauty. Another advantage of the road is also it being a short cut for guests visiting Slovenia from Central and Northern Europe in the warmer months.

When taking the road up to the mountain pass, it will take you on asphalt and paved roads, and if taking it from Kranjska Gora you will pass the Jasna lake and six mountain huts before reaching the hut on Vršič. These huts offer an excellent starting point for hikers and alpinists, and also serve for tourism matters, but they also used to be military posts during and between the two world wars.

The wooden chapel, dedicated to St. Vladimir, was built by the surviving Russian war prisoners in memory of their dead during the construction of the road across Vršič.

The Russia-Slovenia Link At 1,200m one will pass also the Russian chapel, which was built by the Russians in the years 1916 and 1917out of wood and bark. The chapel has a special Russian style, having two towers, and stands as a monument to and a reminder of the futility of all world wars, and it represents a bond between the people of Slovenia and Russia.

The path to many mountains If you’re visiting Slovenia to climb its mountains, you’ve definitely come to the right place! When hiking around, however, be sure not to miss two

highlights that you might only see in Slovenia – “Ajdovska deklica” or “The Pagan Girl” – a face in the cliffs the and Prisank Window.

The Pagan Girl looks so real that it’s fair to say you’ll be more than just a little surprised – you might even think it is the work of human hands, so real it is, despite being made of stone. This work of nature can be found along the way to Vršič, on the northern face of Prisank, and can be best seen from the viewpoint at “Poštarski dom”, a mountain hut at Vršič.

According to legend, the mythical creature, Ajdovska deklica, prophesied to the son of a hunter that he would shoot the Goldhorn. Other heathen women got upset because of this vile prophecy and turned the prophetess into a rock...

Prisank Window itself is of an enormous scale, into which you could fit the Ljubljana Skyscraper, and it’s definitely another amazing natural attraction.

The window on the upper edge of the Prisank northern wall is the most renowned window in the Julian Alps, at 80m high and 40m wide. It was formed by a collapse that subsequently expanded into the current orifice as a result of weathering. The window can even be seen from the road, but if you go from Vršič along the ridge towards the top of the Prisank Mountain the path leads you past the window, from where you can even look through it into the valley.

DID YOU KNOW? Do you have any idea where you might be able to find the oldest living “thing” in Slovenia? Before you start googling, we’ll save you the trouble and tell you that the “thing” is actually a larch tree, whose age is estimated at between 1,032 and 1,370 years old. It can be found in the Mala Pišnica valley, at a height of 1,460m, about 200m below the path leading to Tamar. The larch is 22m high with a range of 417cm – which makes it also a champion of the thickest larch tree in Slovenia contest.

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special venues

ECO RESORT BENEATH VELIKA PLANINA Eco Resort beneath Velika Planika is set in unspoilt nature, surrounded by breathtaking views and dedicated to the herdsfolk’s traditions and traditional goods. If you’ve never been to Slovenia, be sure to do a Google of Velika Planina located in the Kamnik Alps, which is one of the most beautiful pastures in Slovenia and anywhere in Europe. At Eco Resort at Velika Planina the magical and unique herdsfolk’s traditions have been replicated and have now been brought even closer for visitors to enjoy.

TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT ECO RESORT BENEATH VELIKA PLANINA, JANI UGRIN www.meetinljubljana.com

LOCATION Eco Resort is located in the village of Godič near Stahovica, just a few kilometres from both the Kamniška Bistrica valley and the starting point for the ascent to Velika Planina, or even easier to say that it is just 25 kilometres from the capital Ljubljana.

Among other things, Eco Resort offers an excellent opportunity for family holidays or a romantic escape back to nature. Each of the houses (altogether there are 17, which can accommodate 68 people) can host four to five people and they consist of a living room, bedroom, kitchen area, bathroom and a terrace and in the colder months they are heated. Within the Eco Resort offer there is a café, a farm with indigenous Slovenian animals, a garden with seasonal vegetables, a beach along the Kamniška Bistrica River and a forest wellness area with massages and a sauna available. Creative workshops also take place for adults and children, where they can learn about old Slovenian customs.

VENUE ADVANTAGES In considering the benefits of the Eco Resort, it’s essential to point out its location at the foothills of the Kamnik Alps, its unique architecture of real herdsfolk’s huts, its cosy environment and its restaurant on site. When hosting an event, one can enjoy the intimacy of the resort, the amazing nature all around

and the enormous spaces at hand for any kind of incentive ideas or sports.

CATERING SERVICES When hosting an event at Eco Resort, your taste buds will be truly tantalised, as within the resort the restaurant’s friendly staff will be happy to prepare traditional dishes of Velika Planina. So perhaps you might fancy the shepherd’s appetizer, consisting of cold cuts, Trnič cheese, sausage, salami and homemade bread?

You like your meals fresh and local? Not a problem, as the lettuce and other ingredients have been grown and picked from their garden during the season to prepare your delicious dishes. Ever tried a homemade apple strudel? No? Well, now is the time to do so!

When you visit the Eco Resort, a miniature of a shepherd’s village, you’ll be amazed at the landscape around you, the shepherds’ houses and the peace and tranquillity, whilst the catering on offer is just another bonus that will definitely not leave you wanting.

INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES Despite the Eco Resort not offering any kinds of organised incentive programmes, they are happy if you outsource one that your team might like to have and bring it on site. If you’re not local, they would be more than happy to help with all of the organisation.

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If you’re more the outdoorsy type and would like to experience some fresh air activities, you’ve definitely come to the right place. The resort offers bicycles rental and their wonderful surroundings offer numerous cycling trips for both recreational and mountain cyclists. You can either set out on your own or join an experienced guide, and for the more daring there is also a cross bike trail available within the resort.

In addition to biking there are also numerous hiking tours that will lead you into the heart of the KamnikSavinja Alps. They are suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers, and you can explore them on your own or in the company of a guide.

Fancy a spot of golf? Then head over to the nearby Arboretum Golf Course with its 18 hole facility. If it’s some pampering that you’re after, however, make your way to the SPA Snovik, located just 12 kilometres from the resort and which is known as the highest altitude spa in Slovenia.

CONTACTS T: +386 30 462 407 E: info@sloveniaecoresort.com W: sloveniaecoresort.com/en/

Kongres special Magazine venues

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special venues

KULT316

KULT316 is a unique and very typical example of the modern educational practices occurring in the fields of catering, tourism, food and nutrition. The new premises of the Biotechnical Educational Centre Ljubljana, covering 1.300 m2, offer the opportunity for students to gain practical experience in real learning environments, as they are open to the public.

TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT KULT316 www.meetinljubljana.com

LOCATION Kult316 can be found at Prušnikova 74, which is just 7 kilometres from Ljubljana’s Old Town, and its unique offer and idea takes place in a relatively small building. The building brings tourism and cuisine together at its best – students here have got a marvellous opportunity to practice what they have learned in their school days in a real hotel scene, in conference rooms, in wine cellars and in microbreweries, managing a café and restaurant with both real and ordinary guests. In short – they get to practice in a real environment everything that their study covers.

VENUE ADVANTAGES The KULT316 conference hall is equipped with modern technical equipment and is suitable for conferences, professional seminars, training sessions, business events and social and casual meetings. The hall offers various layouts and accommodates from 55 to 100 attendees (cinema layout 100, school setting 55, reception 100 and banquet layout 60 attendees).

The hall has technically advanced equipped with a sound system, microphones, projectors and projec-

tion screens, speaker tables, laptops, projectors and a WI-FI connection is also available Students of the Biotechnical Education Centre Ljubljana participate in event organisation, whereby the hall serves as an education platform for the fields of the meetings industry, tourist animation, or other related fields.

Furthermore, they offer other premises for hosting various events: a computer classroom that can host 32 people, a demo kitchen for 25 to 30 people, a teaching kitchen for 16 persons, a wine cellar for 30 persons, a restaurant for 54 persons, and a café for 30 persons.

CATERING SERVICES Catering services are located at the venue and KULT316 gives a lot of attention to dishes from the Region of Central Slovenia gastronomic area, but dishes from other gastronomic regions in Slovenia are also available. It’s important for them that the dishes put on their menus are prepared with local 38

ingredients and seasonal, and they are also happy to provide clients with gluten-free or vegetarian meals, or to satisfy other individual tastes per request. Their dishes are prepared according to the season and the theme of the meeting; they have already been preparing various dishes from Thailand, France and dishes with beer.

INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES At Kult316 they have already hosted various events and are delighted to prepare any kind of additional programme that may be required. Companies normally decide to take over their “school” kitchen and attendees are then invited to a culinary workshop.

At the request of their clients, they can organise numerous animation activities in the form of dance evenings, thematic parties and culinary workshops for closed groups.

CONTACTS T: 00386 (0)1 235 52 60 E: tomaz.leben@bic-lj.si ; kult316@bic-lj.si W: www.kult316.si

special Magazine Kongres venues

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EXCLUSIVE Kongres INTERVIEW special Magazine venues

JABLE CASTLE Jable Castle can be found in a carefully selected location at the source of the stream and on the edge of rocky slopes. The castle was first reported in written sources in 1268 and reputed to have been built in the year 1530. Of an original medieval design, the present architecture preserves the Renaissance character but also reflects the image of the latest reconstruction that was completed in the year 2004.

TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT JABLE CASTLE www.meetinljubljana.com

LOCATION In the region of Central Slovenia and just 15 kilometres from the heart of Ljubljana Old Town, one can find this astonishing, renaissance character castle. Removed from the city’s hustle and bustle and set in a pleasant and natural environment, the castle offers the perfect venue with all the necessary infrastructure, modern equipment and multifunctional support.

VENUE ADVANTAGES If thinking about an event that would be suitable in a specifically medieval ambiance, then make your way without delay to Jable Castle – the venue will provide you with all the technical and professional assistance or organising and implementing your event. They are experts in organising protocol visits, various events, receptions, seminars, lectures, celebrations, knight games, concerts, meetings, congresses and weddings.

The venue offers 11 types of space for organising an event. The Auditorium, with an area of 238m2, can accommodate 150 attendees with a passage space or 200 without the passage.

A wedding or festive dining room has an area of 121m2 and can accommodate 80 attendees in

banquet or 100 in cinema layout. The third space, the Knight’s Hall and with an area of 107m2, can host 33 attendees in O layout, 80 in cinema layout or 28 in U layout.

Liechtenstein Hall has an area of 128m2 and can accommodate 100 attendees in cinema layout, 80 in banquet and 60 in classroom layout. Count’s Hall, with it 107m2, can accommodate 80 attendees in classroom layout, 80 in banquet and 120 in cinema layout.

Yet another of the special spaces is the Round hall, with an area of 76m2 that can accommodate 40 attendees in cinema layout or 30 in classroom. For meetings behind closed doors, the protocol office is also available – with an area of 42m2 it can host up to 10 attendees seated around the table.

The dining room is then suitable for smaller and larger groups, as it is stretched over two floors. On its 236m2 it can host 150 attendees on both floors, or 60 on a single one.

Maybe you’re looking more for wine cellars? No problem, as they also have one! With an area of 121m2 it can host 60 attendees in classroom layout, 60 in banquet and 80 in cinema layout.

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On a lovely autumn, summer or spring day, hosting an event in their inner courtyard is the perfect option.

With an area of 439m2 the courtyard can host 400 guests standing. For larger groups, there is also the outer courtyard available with its 1,000m2.

CATERING SERVICES A 433m2 space at the Jable Castle is intended for the catering business, wine cellars and kitchen. Currently, they offer catering for events at the castle, but are looking forward to offering the gourmet delights to all guests visiting the castle.

INCENTIVE IDEAS When hosting an event in a specific location such as this, a special time machine will suck you in. Are you ready for the knight games, medieval feast, wine tasting or anything else like this? Then get in touch with the castle team and upgrade your magic event with a touch of the medieval lifestyle back then.

CONTACTS T: +386 1 / 560 86 00 E: info@jable.si W: www.jable.si

EXCLUSIVE Kongres INTERVIEW special Magazine venues

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW INTERVIEW Kongres Magazine

KERRY PRINCE, PORTFOLIO DIRECTOR AT IBTM EVENTS “At ibtm, we are proud to be playing a leading INTERVIEW BY GORAZD CAD

Q: What are the vital statistics of the 2017 ibtm world?

The ibtm portfolio’s flagship show, ibtm world, is now in its 30th year and is the leading global event for the meetings, events and incentives industry.

Taking place in Barcelona from 28 – 30 November 2017, some 3,000 exhibiting companies representing over 150 countries will attend and over 70,000 pre-scheduled meetings are set to take place over the three-day event.

Ibtm world delivers three inspirational days of business, networking and education to a community of international suppliers and buyers, helping drive their business into the future. The show attracts over 15,000 elite international and domestic MICE delegates each year.

This year we are celebrating our 30th birthday with a spectacular 80s themed birthday party, plus lots of other exciting birthday celebrations.

Q: What have been the keys to ibtm’s success? ibtm has a strong and successful history gained over 30 years in the industry. Because of this knowledge and experience, we have been able to refine our of-

role in supporting and inspiring the industry to take a sustainable approach to business and events.“ fering over the years, ensuring that we always deliver tangible value for attendees. The MICE industry is constantly evolving and we pride ourselves on listening and adapting to the ever-changing needs of the market.

We always look to innovate through every aspect of our business to ensure that we remain ahead of the curve in terms of our offer and that we continue to deliver the very best service for our customers, who are at the very heart of everything we do.

This year for example, in response to feedback from our exhibitors and Hosted Buyers, we are rolling out an invitation-led Hosted Buyer process. This allows us to be even more targeted in ensuring the very highest calibre Hosted Buyers attend, and enables us to be more responsive to our exhibitors’ needs, meaning that we continue to offer the very best opportunities for doing business successfully and efficiently.

Q: What makes your trade show different?

One of ibtm world’s key differentiators is its market-leading Knowledge Programme. We continually

develop this programme to ensure the most up to date content for attendees, giving them tangible learnings to take back to the workplace on the latest industry talking points and developments. At ibtm world, we regularly attract world-class speakers and this year we are hugely privileged to be welcoming Dame Stella Rimington, author and the first female director general of MI5, the UK Security Service. Given the current climate, safety and security is a much discussed topic, and we know from our customer research that it is a subject about which there is huge appetite from our attendees to learn more.

At ibtm, we are also proud to be playing a leading role in supporting and inspiring the industry to take a sustainable approach to business and events. As such, this year we are a Platinum sponsor of Positive Impact’s campaign to tell the story of the power of events in support of the UNWTO International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

Positive Impact will be unveiling their latest research at ibtm world 2017 and we will be hosting a panel session during the show, attended by the UNWTO. The panel will discuss the findings of the research and further the debate on the global role the events industry plays in bringing people together to create

“Plan your time; ibtm world is a huge event with over 3,000 suppliers and over 50 different knowledge sessions, as well as lots of on-floor feature areas and networking opportunities, so it can be a bit daunting.

Decide what you want to achieve and what you want to experience in advance in order to get the best from the event.“ 42

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW INTERVIEW Kongres Magazine

solutions for the future.

Another area in which ibtm world stands out is its market-leading Innovation Zone and Technology and Services Zone. Footfall to these zones increases year on year as they provide a much-anticipated opportunity to discover and interact with the latest new and emerging technologies and solutions.

Q: Where is the greatest competition and how do you face this?

There is plenty of space for more than one event to operate effectively in the market. Competition is a healthy thing and we continue to run very successful events which are growing year-on-year.

Q: What trends are you seeing in the global meetings industry?

Over the last few years, we’ve seen the impact of Millennials on the MICE industry. Millennials value being constantly connected – to their phones and to apps - often live streaming events for their social media feeds and recording their show experiences in real time on social media. This is an exciting new development for our industry and one to be embraced.

Another trend we have noticed is the trend for experiential marketing, with many of our exhibitors meaningfully involving event planners in what they have to offer and in doing so, creating a lasting impression of their brand.

Q: What do you see as crucial marketing elements to lure meeting planners?

Our enhanced Hosted Buyer programme, which sees ibtm events pre-selecting and qualifying Hosted Buyers, is a fantastic benefit to Hosted Buyers as it allows them to be fast-tracked through the process. As a result of the move to predominantly invitation-led, the registration process for Hosted Buyers has been reduced by approximately two thirds.

A select group of elite invited Hosted Buyers will benefit from a new VIP experience which will include limousine transfers to and from the airport, access to an exclusive VIP lounge for the three days of the event, 5-star accommodation and a more flexible diary of appointments.

3,000 suppliers and over 50 different knowledge sessions, as well as lots of on-floor feature areas and networking opportunities, so it can be a bit daunting.

Decide what you want to achieve and what you want to experience in advance in order to get the best from the event.

Hosted Buyers attending the event benefit from multiple networking opportunities as well as ibtm world’s market-leading Knowledge Programme which provides attendees with innovative and inspirational educational content; a major draw for attendees, with numbers at the sessions increasing by 15% year-onyear in 2016.

Event planners can apply to become hosted buyers and make the most of our matchmaking technology.

The event’s sophisticated matchmaking system pairs Hosted Buyers and exhibitors based on their profiles and preferences, creating mutual matches which then allows Hosted Buyers to pre-select appointments with those they are interested in, in advance of the event.

The ability to pre-select over 30 one to one appointments in advance of attending allows Hosted Buyers to make maximum use of their time at the event.

Make the most of the fantastic networking and educational opportunities on offer. Invite-only networking events create further opportunities for those all-important face-to-face meetings, and knowledge sessions cover valuable industry insights and the latest trends in meetings and events. Learn from the experts, share best practice and enhance your professional skills whilst building your network.

Q: What is the value of tradeshows and exhibitions?

Despite the growth in remote access technology over the years, people still place a high value on face to face contact; the maxim that people do business with people remains as true as ever. Whilst at ibtm we embrace new technology and the important role that it plays in our industry, trade shows and exhibitions provide a unique environment for making meaningful in-person business connections and help bind an industry together as a community. Not only that, but they also provide a platform for customers to interact personally with businesses, through the use of immersive and experiential marketing.

When exhibitions are highly tailored, by matching exhibitors with Hosted Buyers for example, they provide an unrivalled opportunity to connect a business with its target audience in a focused and targeted way.

Q: What’s your top tip for meeting planners?

Plan your time; ibtm world is a huge event with over 43

Finally, enjoy it!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Kongres HOWMagazine TO

HOW TO ORGANISE THE PERFECT MICE PRESS TRIP TEXT BY GORAZD CAD

Journalists are a tough and demanding bunch to please, and so careful organisation and planning of a press trip is all the more important. The first characteristic of a carefully planned and thought out press trip is a well communicated and logistically sound programme. A big crowd pleaser is also a well put together itinerary. Based on personal experience we have gathered the 10 most practical tips and tricks that will help your destination organise the best possible MICE press trip.

Before getting into the nuts and bolts of organisation itself, you need to establish who your focus group is, which means identifying a geographical target and building up a clear image of a structured group.

In the past the editorial board of Kongres Magazine has had the chance to visit numerous different press trips and, trust us, we have really seen it all. So: 1. ‘LESS IS MORE’ Every destination is full of interesting stories, but unfortunately a two- or three-day programme just isn’t enough to show them all. It’s important to incorporate stories that are part of a destination’s unique experience, while keeping in mind their newsworthiness from a journalist’s perspective. Destinations that are already strategically developing those stories and can present them in the field have a huge advantage.

Authenticity is one of the most important criteria for reporters and attempting to show too much will only bring the opposite result of what you wanted to achieve.

2. STORIES TOLD BY REAL PEOPLE The easiest way for a reader to find a story interesting is when he or she finds themselves actually in it. That connection happens when we identify ourselves with those people presented in the press trip and as most media addresses meeting planners then you need to make sure they meet them on the press trip. A proven recipe are some good practice cases or definite congress stories, told by professional organisers of international congresses or incentive trip planners.

3. PREPARE A PRESS RELEASE FOR ALL THE PARTNERS INVOLVED It happens too often that press trip participants get bombarded with tonnes of promotional material. In addition to it being a non-ecological approach it is also impractical and hard to carry on to the plane.

Nowadays it has become so easy to build a micro-portal online and showcase all of the important information, attractive photo galleries and PR messages. If all else fails, saving everything to a USB will make things much easier. What’s important is that everything is in one place and easily accessible. Journalists are also under time pressure and you need to be making their job easier rather than more difficult.

4. LEAVE SOME FREE TIME The biggest mistake I see press trip organisers making is not letting journalists even catch their breath. A programme packed with hotel visits, destination presentations, receptions and interviews is not as easy as it sounds. In line with point number one, leave the participants with some free time. It is the best way to achieve a quality reportage, as most journalists have some curious spirit in them and will take advantage of the free time for their own explorations. If you believe in the quality of your destination, it is a guarantee for great news coverage.

5. DOUBLE CHECK TRANSPORTATION Transportation can easily become the most annoying part of a press trip. It is also the part upon which organisers have the least influence, which is why 44

working with a reliable partner and double checking potential mishaps is that much more important. If bad weather keeps the participants stuck in traffic for hours, the overall impression definitely won’t have a positive effect on the reportage. You always need to have a plan B, or sometimes even plans C and D. The maximum time spent between locations that would be tolerated by participants is usually around 2 hours.

6. ANALYISE SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES The single best way to find out more about the participants attending your press trip is by checking their social media profiles. You can easily see what their interests are and personalize the programme accordingly, or maybe even prepare some special surprises.

You should stay connected with them throughout the programme and make sure they tag and share about the press trip with their followers.

7. TAKE CARE OF JET LAG One of the worst things about intercontinental flights is “jet lag”, a quick change of time zones that can result in serious grumpiness, a lack of sleep and an overall feeling of exhaustion. If you leave the participants with at least a day of free time to adapt to the environment their total experience will be so much

EXCLUSIVE HOWINTERVIEW TO more enjoyable. It’s entirely inappropriate to await your guests with photo reporters and Hollywoodstyle glamour the second they step off the plane, as their mind is probably already thinking about fresh bed sheets and a nice shower.

8. LEAVE TIME FOR INTERVIEWS News reporters are curious by nature and like to experience stories first-hand. If you give them some time to interview important individuals from point number two above, they will gladly accept the offer.

In addition, your destination will get some extra promotion. An average “quick talk” interview will take about half an hour and a good idea is having a photographer with you to take some attractive shots to go with the text.

Instead of a conclusion, here are 5 DON’Ts of any MICE Press trip: 1. Don’t go overboard with showing hotel rooms, especially if they the ones are where the journalists will be sleeping!

2. Go easy on memorabilia and avoid items that will be hard to carry onto the plane.

3. Don’t forget to clearly define the dress code

9. KNOWING HASHTAGS IN ADVANCE Social media and content marketing are nowadays a match made in congress heaven and the different types of media are well aware of that. If you give your press trip the right branding and boost it with some attractive hashtags, then journalists will love to use it for their stories. That way you can attract meeting planners who follow certain media to your webpage and potentially make the press trip go viral.

10. BE DIFFERENT A press trip needs to be built on the culture of your congress destination and speak to the feelings of participants. It should help build a bridge between the journalists, the destination and the readers.

Organisers need to build it around unique stories and not just some generic experiences you see on postcards – the sun and the sea are not enough for congress media. These stories need to be tested, heard and experienced in a way that brings all six senses of the participant into play.

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according to the level of protocol at each event.

4. Don’t’ forget to pay attention to little details in the field of communication with the participants – a smile can turn the biggest frown upside down!

5. Don’t forget to do a follow-up after the event – it is the guarantee for the highest level of guest satisfaction.

Kongres EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW HOT Magazine SPOT

EVENT EXPERIENCE THROUGH CATERING 46

Kongres EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW HOT Magazine SPOT

“INSTITUTION UNDER THE ROOF” When you eat –make sure the others do too TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT ZAVOD POD STREHCO/INSTITUTION UNDER THE ROOF

Zavod Pod strehco (“Institution Under the Roof ”) started operating in 2013, where in Ljubljana the folk kitchen was primarily opened for socially deprived people, who pay €0.50 euros per meal. The financial hole that was created by preparing meals for those who are socially disadvantaged was solved in a very simple way: the restaurant is open for ordinary guests, who can choose between 6 menus daily, spend €3.00 euros on lunch, and with this cheap meal they either subsidise a meal for someone who couldn’t otherwise afford to have lunch or they contribute to the water and electricity bill.

Care for others and be socially responsible Catering is also on offer to generate additional financing for the institution. The main difference between regular catering and theirs is that the catering is prepared and managed by volunteers under the guidance of an excellent professional chef. We can therefore confidently assert that the price of their services is more favourable and the major difference is its social

effect, as the entire profit goes to the fund for social meals, from which the necessary assistance meals are financed.

Greece and others.

Roman and his team cater for all your desires In the institute they try to cater for all of the requirements of a client – Roman, their chef, is the master of the preparation of all types of meals and can easily satisfy even the most demanding guests. Their sustainable drive ensures that all of the food is properly used to ensure that after an events nothing is discarded. Not only does the profit go to a good cause, but also any surplus of food prepared goes directly into hungry mouths of those in need (and not into the waste chain).

Good food = good mood. Happy client = full tummies.

A thematically coloured event they are really proud of was the one prepared for LIDL Slovenia. They also took care of all the required decoration for the event, such as hanging casks, straw cubes, wooden plates, bread bowls, and even made an artificial forest of live spruce. For all of this the guests’ responses were invaluable. For an event in Bled, organised by the “Never Give Up” humanitarian society, they provided 1,500 meals in just 24 hours and all at a symbolic price – with all the profit going into the fund for social meals.

Thematically coloured menus for various events follow the seasonal offer, with a fresh spring, light summer, colourful autumn and robust winter offer.

They prepare grilled dishes and various meals from popular culinary countries, such as Italy, Mexico,

CONTACTS Zavod Pod strehco T: 00386/70-332-299 E: info@podstrehco.si W: www.podstrehco.si

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Kongres HOT Magazine SPOT

ROBIN FOOD Think of the planet. Go for sustainable catering.

Waste no food – you can’t eat money!

TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT ROBIN FOOD

In Slovenia, 24 kilogrammes of food per capita are annually discarded. Add this to the waste generated during food production and this number rises to as much as 72 kilogrammes per capita, or 150 thousand tonnes of food annually. Do these figures seem insane to you as well? Then let’s reduce them together and make sure that edible food doesn’t end up in the rubbish, but on a plate. Go for sustainable catering – go for Robin Food!

How it all began…

The Robin Food team pondered on why they would discard food if they could prepare a real feast out of it? They prepare delicious and unique menus to make use of food before its expiry date. Many people might ask themselves if something is wrong with this food?

The answer is simple – of course not. It is simply surplus food from factories and shops, food before the expiry dates, or food where the packaging is

tainted and therefore not ‘good-looking’ enough for the shelves.

work sustainably with food excesse and try to keep on track with a clear focus.

About the catering…

In the field of catering, Robin Food is really trying to reduce the amount of discarded food. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the menus prepared are not of good quality and tasty – the difference is just that the dishes are made from surplus food that would soon be discarded. Precisely because of this mentality and the way they think and work, they are able to offer you a lower catering price, whilst remaining flexible in forming a menu according to clients’ wishes. They strive to create unique dishes, play with flavours and use all of the food otherwise set for disposal with the minimal waste. Robin Food catering is both sustainable and more responsible than other providers.

They are certainly also more suitable for those more sensitive to gluten and other such requirements. They

So, are you now more able to imagine enjoying some delicious “waste” food whilst also helping out our planet at the same time? There is no better feeling than a happy tummy and being able to think about the future of our planet. At the end of the day you can’t eat money, but you can eat the food that would otherwise be destined to go straight to waste. Go green – go Robin Food!

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CONTACTS Robin Food T: 00386/40-861-321 T: 00386/40-861-321 E: team@robin-food.com W: robin-food.com

Kongres Magazine

Contact our amazing event team: 49 308 1198, +386 1 386 event.sales@union-hotels.eu

MEGA PROJECTS

ISTANBUL’S MEGA AIRPORT WILL BE A CONGRESS TOURISM BOOSTER A futuristic facility with the most advanced security - a vital measure for Turkey TEXT BY GORAZD CAD

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Kongres MEGA PROJECTS Magazine

The project of Istanbul’s new mega airport, costing more than 10 billion EUR and being constructed by 30,000 people, is estimated to be able to handle more than 150 million passengers every year.

With more than 15 million inhabitants, Istanbul is already recognised as Europe’s biggest megalopolis.

Its size also makes for some quite impressive stats on air traffic at two of the main city airports: last year almost 90 million passengers travelled through both of them, the majority flying from Atatürk Airport and a lesser number from the city’s Sabiha Gökçen airport.

An increased flow of travelers through Atatürk Airport and the lack of space were two major reasons for the consortium of Turkish construction firms to start building the third airport back in 2013.

Planning for the mega airport was left in the safe hands of respected designers at Grimshaw Architects of London and the Nordic Office of Architecture from Oslo. The project’s design takes inspiration from Istanbul’s geographical position as the bridge between Asia and Europe, whilst at the same time being an intersection of international air traffic.

The new airport is located 35 kilometres to the

north of the city and stretches across 7,594 acres of land by the Black Sea. The airport will comprise of 6 runways, a giant parking lot for 70,000 vehicles and will be connected to the city by new metro and highway connections. Just to put all that into perspective, the current Atatürk International Airport only covers an area of 1,227 acres.

The binding part of this mega project will be the biggest airport terminal in the world, which is slated to open next year. It will be able to accept 114 planes at one terminal, or 347 altogether. Plans also include building the largest Duty Free Shop in the world, which will spread across 53,000m2. The management of the airport for the next 25 years has been entrusted to IGA Airport, who will be paying a rent of 1.05 billion EUR per annum.

Construction has been taking place in four stages, with the first stage anticipated to be finished by October next year, when the building of the new terminal will open its doors to an annual 90 million passengers. Building the second terminal and all of the accompanying facilities will follow after that, with the entire project expected to be completed by the end of 2023, when the Turkish nation will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of their new country. For the

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first phase, only three runways will be in operation and the airport will be able to handle 2,000 flights a day, but eventually a new city will grow around the airport that was initially intended for the 2020 summer Olympics that unfortunately Turkey didn’t win the right to host.

According to the Daily Sabah magazine, 57% of the airport has already been completed and considering the project leader’s estimate of 120 million passengers travelling through the airport by 2025, then things already seem quite rosy for Turkey. If they do manage to reach that number, the airport will be the new world record holder, surpassing the HartsfieldJackson airport in Atlanta, the busiest in the world right now. Authorities also say the airport will create more than 225,000 new jobs, which is excellent news for the local economy.

When we last visited Istanbul, plans of the airport were on special exhibition organised by Turkish authorities. Together with some other jaw-dropping projects, Istanbul will without doubt strengthen its competitive advantage on the international congress market with this new infrastructure. With its new airport it will become the meeting point for Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Kongres behind the Magazine scenes

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behind the scenes

PORTOPICCOLO LUXURY MEETINGS ON THE ADRIATIC Monaco’s little brother TEXT BY GORAZD CAD PHOTO CREDIT PORTOPICCOLO SISTIANA

Some years ago, in the Bay of Sistiana that stretches out towards Trieste, an ambitious idea of one of the biggest Italian construction companies based in Udine to build a luxury tourist resort in an abandoned quarry first took root. The entrepreneurial de Eccher brothers behind the company were subsequently able to transform their dream into a reality, one that is today worth well over 350 million EUR. The entire project was a joint venture between different investors, but the lion’s share of the financing came from the the Rizzani De Eccher construction group and the Rilke real estate fund.

In August 2014 the resort, together with its own marina, luxury Hotel Falisia, spa centre and unique congress centre, was officially opened to the public, and already today the resort is likened to prestige destinations such as Saint Tropez, Porto Cervo and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Architectural makeover The resort was designed by mastermind architect Francesco Lupparelli from nearby Sistiana, who has made the building look truly stunning from any viewing angle. The complex stretches across 3.5 acres of land and was planned as a compact seaside town, perfectly complementing the existing cliff shore. There are 460 units of accommodation in the form of villas, terraced houses and independent apartments that make up the complex. Portopiccolo has also received the Green City certificate, meaning it is 100 percent ecologically geared. Electric energy

in Portopiccolo is sourced from a solar power plant and geothermal energy is used to heat up the water.

Hotel Falisia Part of the prestige American hotel chain Starwood, Hotel Falisia is positioned in their Luxury Collection trademark and was the first five-star hotel in all of the Friuli - Venezia Giulia region. Each and every one of the 65 rooms in the boutique hotel tells its own story. They range from 35 to 120m2, the latter being the size of the presidential suite. The hotel offer includes two restaurants, a wellbeing centre and three conference halls. The interior architecture takes its inspiration from the shipbuilding heritage of the area and subtly resembles the inside of a luxury cruise ship.

Everything conveys an impression of elegance with a touch of timeless exclusivity.

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A town within a town When entering Portopiccolo through the lower entrance of the Sistiana Bay a new world for the truly big spenders opens up – a wide array of shops and fashion boutiques with clothes, shoes and furniture is open for business, and the restaurants and bars are working full steam ahead too. The restaurant choice is very diverse, with everything from the Beach Bar Maxi, serving cocktails and bistro cuisine, to the more prestige Bris restaurant. The offer is topped off by numerous bars and the now legendary home-made ice cream shop Gelateria Fiordilate. The morning hustle and bustle resembles the vibe of a Mediterranean coastal city, but instead of fishing boats it is luxury yachts and sailboats that are adorning the marina.

Congress Capacities Congress Centre Portopiccolo Pavillion can host 372 participants in the Neptunia Hall and makes a strong impression with its terrace for coffee breaks or receptions that offers sea views. Its exclusivity makes it a particularly popular choice among wedding planners. The integral parts of the centre consist of two spacious and excellently equipped conference halls – Saturnia, with space for 215 participants, and Victoria, with space for 100 participants. The resort itself isn’t lacking in other venues as well – on the clifftop stands an administrative building with a smaller conference centre and halls with views of the entire bay of Trieste. Hotel Falisia also houses a smaller business centre with space for 35 guests. As you would expect from a resort of this calibre, all

behind the scenes of the halls are excellently furnished and have great access, as there is an underground car park with 1,220 parking spaces.

Events on the beach They call ‘the artificially crafted beach part’ of the Beach Club resort, a posh beach with pergolas in terraces by the turquoise sea by day and a perfect venue for receptions and parties by night. The Marina & Yacht Club is another picturesque venue, very quickly adopted by organisers of automobile/maritime themed events. There is no lack of venues for all kinds of corporate events scattered around the resort and meeting planners have been using them for incentives, workshops and new launches for cars, yachts and other products. These special event spaces total a whopping 6,490m2 altogether.

Sublime Mediterranean Cuisine The cuisine is something that is taken very seriously at the resort. The entire culinary story is concentrated in the Bris restaurant, where the menu follows a “less is more” philosophy based on authentic and local Mediterranean cuisine. In a place like this the influence of the sea is unavoidable and one can verily say that Portopiccolo is a seafood heaven. The menu is complemented by an excellent selection of wine from the Karst and Goriška Brda regions and it was something of a surprise to see that they haven’t gone crazy with the prices in this segment. Their culinary philosophy can also be packed into a very admirable catering package for different types of events. As far as we can see, they provide one of the best catering services anywhere in the Adriatic.

Spa pampering Soon after opening its doors, Portopiccolo SPA by Bakel became synonymous with being the best spa in the Alpe-Adria region. Its fame can be accredited to the elegant architecture, soothing Mediterranean climate and a holistic experience that all blends into a harmonious ensemble, all of which can best be felt in the luxurious Panoramic Spa Suite. The 3,600m2 of the elegant wellness centre houses different saunas, indoor and outdoor pools and a fitness centre. The offer also features beauty treatments with high quality Bakel cosmetics. The spa is also popular among day time visitors, coming from all over the Alpe Adria region for a Sunday trip, a weekend self-indulgence or just an afternoon jump in the pool after work.

An attractive incentive destination North of the Sistiana Bay, an incredible view of a town called Duino opens up, inviting guests to come and enjoy the historic atmosphere of the Duino Castle. On the south side of the bay, you are just a proverbial hop away from the enchanting Miramare Castle and its magical and pleasantly cool castle gardens. And one cannot visit Portopiccolo without stopping in metropolitan Trieste, which is only a couple of minutes’ drive away. The Karst outskirts are also known as an excellent incentive destination with bucket loads of possibilities.

Accessibility Portopiccolo is centrally located in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and just 20 km from Trieste.

Daily flights from the Airport of Trieste connect Portopiccolo to the main national and international destinations: London, Vienna, Munich, Brussels, Valencia, Rome and Milan. It takes less than two hours by car to reach Venice, Treviso and Ljubljana.

Portopiccolo is the closest seaside location to Vienna, Klagenfurt, Munich and Salzburg.

A paradise for incentive organisers Despite the resort being targeted at the rich and famous, more and more regular congress guests and incentive travel organisers are coming to Portopiccolo. It sometimes even seems like the resort was designed solely for them, looking at all the possibilities it offers. Due to the professionalism of their staff, which is setting new standards in the region, ‘Monaco’s little brother’ will await you in top shape and allow you to carry out an unforgettable incentive or congress experience.

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Portopiccolo Strada Costiera Km 137+125 Sistiana - Trieste Italy t +39 040 291 291 info@portopiccolo.it www.portopiccolosistiana.it

KONGRES TELESCOPE

CAMBODIA TRAVEL MART Sokha Siem Reap Resort & Convention Center, Siem Reap, Cambodia

17th - 19th November 2017

The inaugural Cambodia Travel Mart aims to a leading annual international travel event selling Cambodia and the region to the world. CTM will feature Leading Travel Industry Suppliers from Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and will attract regional and international buyers and media buying and reporting on these destinations. Buyers, suppliers, trade professionals, association leaders and media partners from the tourism and travel organizations meet and exchange the latest and new developments in the industry and develop more business growth.

212 Booths, 200 Sellers, 200 Buyers, 50 Media 200+ Buyers 200+ Exibitors

from China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India and EU (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Scandinavian

from travel agents, hotels, and airlines including other fields from education, restaurants, hopistal, spa, massage and other related sectors.

50% MICE | 50% Leisure Organized by

Supported by

www.ctmcambodia.com

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KONGRES TELESCOPE

CAMBODIA TRAVEL MART (CTM) 2017: SOUTH EAST ASIA’S NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

TEXT BY ROBERT COTTER PHOTO CREDIT CAMBODIA TRAVEL MART

Slovenia is a smaller sized European country squeezed in between more muscular neighbors that for many years have already been making heavy inroads into both the MICE and leisure tourism markets. In recent years, however, both business and leisure travellers have been discovering the plethora of gems, hidden corners and wonderful infrastructure that Slovenia has to offer, and it is now fair to say that the secret “is out” and it is rapidly establishing itself as one of the finest and much less trodden European destinations.

There is a similar story in South East Asia that has strong parallels to what’s happening in Slovenia, and it is that of Cambodia. Whilst Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (the latter for the phenomenal Angkor Wat world’s largest temple complex) have been on the itinerary of the FIT for many years already, the country has undoubtedly remained in the shadow of its eastern powerhouse neighbour of Thailand, as many countries in the region have, and also of its western neighbour of Vietnam, which has been making strong progress in leisure travel for some time and is annually edging deeper into the MICE sector to enhance its global profile.

From being previously sat its neighbourly shade,

however, Cambodia is starting to emerge and is making moves to establish itself as a confident and welcoming destination in its own right for the business as well as the leisure traveller. The clearest example of this new self-belief is the maiden Cambodia Travel Mart (CTM), an event in collaboration with Slickbooth Holding and supervised by TTG Asia Media & Events that is scheduled to take place this November 17-19 and to bring the best of the region together in the stunning Sokha Siem Reap Resort & Convention Centre.

The CTM event was initiated by His Excellency Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism Cambodia, and back in 2015 was principally approved and permitted by the Royal Government of Cambodia. The event will provide a further boon to a country that has been experiencing healthy tourism growth in past years under the successful tenure of Prime Minister Samdach Ahka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen – in 2016 there was a 5% growth in tourism and stats available for 2017 are suggesting that it will follow this trend, with the trajectory showing an expected 7 million tourists set to visit the country in 2020.

Over the three days of the event CTM will offer a 56

business tourism forum between tourism companies, tourism operators, tourism experts, a range of national and international media, and a total of 500 companies and agencies. It is supported by tourism organisation of ASEAN member state countries to improve local and regional tourism and the event is the opportunity to promote tourism destinations, trade service packages, exchange experience and make business partners. Alongside the ASEAN nations participating at CTM the opportunity for extra business is further enhanced by other Asian big hitters having pavilions at the show, particularly China and South Korea.

“Cambodia Travel Mart 2017 organised from 17-19 November in Siem Reap will be the best tourism business platform in Southeast Asia for buyers and sellers from different countries to participate in tourism business networking and business opportunities,” said Dr. Thong Knon. “CTM 2017 will showcase tourism products and services in Southeast Asia and promote tourism potential in the region.”

Kongres Magazine looks forward to attending the maiden CTM and will be reporting live from the show as well as providing a post-show review in our November issue.

Kongres Magazine

www.ameistanbul.com # aceofmice

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21-23 February 2018

TOR SEC E C WITH MI NES E V CON

Istanbul Congress Center – ICC

5

Th

The

CONGRESS, MEETING AND EVENT INDUSTRY EXHIBITION

AME’17 IN NUMBERS ● 15.000+ professional visitors ● 220 exhibitors ● 746 hosted buyers from 39 coutries ● 9.791 B2B appointments ·● 19 sessions, 35 speakers ● 4.975 m² stand area ●

3.410.242,00 media coverage value ● 160 sponsors & partners

T:(+90) 216 465 95 56-57 F: (+90) 216 465 95 58 E: info@ameistanbul.com

57This fair is organised with the permission of TOBB’in accordance with the law No: 5174

KONGRES Kongres TELESCOPE Magazine

IT&CMA 2017 – A DOUBLE LANDMARK

TEXT BY ROBERT COTTER PHOTO CREDIT IT & CMA

This year’s IT&CMA offers twice as much cause for celebration, as 2017 heralds a very special double landmark for the event: the 25th birthday of IT&CMA itself as well as the 20th birthday of its younger sibling, CTW Asia-Pacific, that has been accompanying it at it’s Bangkok home for just over a decade now. As with any special birthday, it is always a good time to take stock and reflect, so here are some of the highlights that Asia’s premier MICE event and only double bill has managed to notch up over the years.

With age of course comes wisdom, and such has been the case with IT&CMA as it has matured into its mid-20s. Back in the day when seminars and plenary sessions were tacked on as supplementary activities at tradeshows, IT&CMA already recognised the need for delegates to take inspiration from education that better complemented their business objectives. Over time, this knowledge-building was crafted specifically to the diverse goals of MICE professionals by developing education tracks tailored to different segments, including hands-on Campfire Knowledge Sessions, a dedicated Association Day programme (2013), and the ASEAN MICE forum (2015), all set in motion to advance the Asian market. The Future

Leaders Forum, in partnership with IMEX, MPI and MCI, was another initiative kick-started in 2003 to inspire the very best students and young adults to challenge conventional thinking and practices within the industry and to begin carving out their own MICE careers.

As we get older, we also learn how to better choose our friends and company, again just as IT&CMA has also taken on board. Taking its cue from events to which everyone was invited, its own networking events evolved to include targeted sessions that suppliers and partners could take advantage of to build an audience exclusively around their brand. Engagement was thereby made easy and relevant, increasing ROI for sponsors. From the first sponsored luncheon way back in 1993, requests for branded hosted luncheons, dinners, and networking cocktails have been a steady feature of the event, and from 1996 pre- and postshow tours by NTOs and CVBs were also designed to give buyers a hands-on experience of the products and services available and to take engagement beyond the trade show days. At 2016’s edition, 18 NTOs, CVBs, corporates and organisations snapped up close to 30 captive engagement sessions, propelling networking possibilities higher than ever before and 58

giving a foretaste of just what this year’s celebratory event holds in store.

Another characteristic of the ripening of one’s years is simply doing, and knowing how to do, better business. In this regard, IT&CMA has come a long way in its twenty-five years – it was in 1995 that pre-scheduled appointment capabilities were added to facilitate structured meetings between buyers and sellers, eventually incorporating features such as perfect-matching (1996) and online diary facilities (2005). Today, 100% of appointments can be made ahead of arriving into Bangkok and is one of the key value propositions delegates can access to better plan their business conversations and maximise their time on the show floor.

A further factor in the growth of CTW Asia-Pacific over the decades has been the ability to identify and share latest business opportunities, so in keeping abreast of challenges and trends through the panel discussions Corporate Travel influencers and decision makers have been able to explore and procure solutions on the floor to better meet the changing requirements of their stakeholders. Table-top sessions have allowed buyers to reach out to suppliers

KONGRES Kongres TELESCOPE Magazine and the conference room through social settings such as coffee breaks and luncheons, sponsored events, FAM trips, and so on, to encourage the exchange of ideas between peers and to weave their connections into their professional and personal networks.

Whilst the annual get together of many of the top MICE industry professionals in the Thai capital is indeed a high point – as it will be this September 26-28 at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld when the region’s and the world’s premium sellers and buyers come together for a threeday birthday bash of intensive business and bonding – it is also the culmination of arduous efforts throughout the year by all of those involved in making sure the event has become the recognised success that it is, one for which 90 local Thai buyers were treated to a sneak preview in July when IT&CMA, together with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), put together a special preview roadshow in Bangkok to showcase the event.

and solution providers to source on behalf of their company and a chance for suppliers to connect with corporate travel professionals across different industries. In 2003, CTW Asia-Pacific started its 1st hosting Corporate Travel Manager programme to validate and ensure only the most qualified corporate travel professionals attended, creating the biggest hosting programme in the region, scheduled appointments to take business further, and a dedicated CTW Knowledge Hub and Pavilion (2016), bringing suppliers and CTMs even closer.

Sharing experience and joy Last but not least, and as with any truly worthwhile celebration, the focus is firmly on the shared experience and shared joy, as it has been with Asia’s premier double bill. Developing the conference programme to include panel-led sharing sessions and moderators moved away from the traditional speaker-led gatherings to encourage corporate travel managers to speak up, share and learn not just from experts but from like-minded peers. CTW Asia-Pacific also found a way to help delegates network beyond appointments

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“IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific’s longevity is a result of our unwavering mission in helping our industry, and all the people in it, grow,” said Ooi Peng Ee, General Manager–Events, TTG Asia Media. “Our commitment in establishing valuable and sustainable partnerships, working with entities like TCEB and events like these to co-create value, have been key to our success.”

As IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific adds another year to its colourful journey, Kongres magazine looks forward to continuing its long-term partnership in this success story and to raising a toast to a very special celebratory year.

KONGRES Kongres TELESCOPE Magazine

20 - 22 March 2018 Shanghai • China Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing

THE WORLD IS BUYING MICE IN CHINA ARE YOU? Source IT&CM China’s wide range of destinations and solutions on us!

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PRIORTY HOSTING CONSIDERATION FOR KONGRES READERS! For MICE and Association Buyers Only!

Successful applicants enjoy hosted flights and accommodation in Shanghai, and full buyer privileges.

APPLY AT www.itcmchina.com/hostme/kongres KNOWLEDGE GOALS Curated educational sessions by renowned experts on key topics impacting the industry. Benefit from our keynote address, a dedicated Association Day, Campfire Knowledge Sessions, and more.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES From hosted luncheons, dinners, cocktails and late night functions, to pre- & post-event tours, and buyeronly lounges. Come benefit from the ultimate IT&CM China experience.

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itcmchinabuyers@citsmice.com.cn | (86) 10 8522 7997 Organised By 主办单位:

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www.itcmchina.com

KONGRES Kongres TELESCOPE Magazine

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Kongres BEEN THERE Magazine

THAILAND: KINGDOM OF BLEISURE #IMFT2017

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Kongres Magazine

Anja Project Manager: Panic is not her middle name.

Not at work and not at crime books that she loves.

Tina Head of Department: Mother of three. Yes, three. Tidiness, organisation, discipline, overview and energy. At work and at home.

GR-LJUBLJANA Exhibition and Convention Centre

Mojca Project Manager: Smile, action, smile.

At events and at the tennis court‌ always a challenge never an obstacle.

Ana Sales Manager: Always on the run. Always smiling. Between international trade shows and kindergarten.

Plane or bike‌ catch her if you can.

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Amela Project Manager: Architecture, design. Planing events and their concepts in the empty hall. With pleasure, good will and creative solutions.

Miha Project Manager: Man of tactics and strategy.

Using them thoroughly at work and while playing games.

www.gr-congress.si

CASE STUDY

NO MORE BORING MEETINGS IN SLOVENIA TEXT BY URŠA SVETELJ PHOTO CREDIT TINA RAMUJKIC

Jungle spirit at Conventa Crossover: amidst music, trees, animals and fruit This year’s Conventa Crossover was all about the main conference question: how to survive the marketing jungle? 150 MICE experts, event managers, hoteliers, marketing specialists and tourism enthusiasts gathered at Hotel Lev’s Karantanija hall that became a real jungle for two days. It can definitely be said that the space brought a real wow moment for everyone entering the room. If you’re wondering what the secret is and how we designed the space, then here is your answer: A Jungle on Every Corner Together with the Union Hotel’s team we designed a space that gave everyone the cosy feeling of a living room and at the same time the wild feeling of being in a jungle. With big bamboo shoots and palm trees the space took on a green sprit, and the coloured trees everywhere were perfect in connecting the space and the host jungle animals, specially designed for this event. The fruit dispersed around livened up the trees and gave a funky feel to the hall, with bananas, pineapple and coconuts in abundance. The animal kingdom chocolate bars (Slovenians know them as “Životinsko carstvo”) took care of enough sweetness

in the day and the cooks prepared some real jungle-inspired delights for lunch. As sound and music pamper the ears, we also focused on music during the event, with a professional DJ played jungle sounds during the speeches and jungle rhythms could be heard, as well as rain and animal sounds surrounding the space. During the break, attendees could enjoy the jungle photo booth and turn into jungle animals themselves.

Moderator and stand-up comedian, Adam Fields We believe in the power of the meetings and we also believe in the power of a great moderator. Adam Fields from Masters in Moderation gave the event a special energy, joined up all the dots, entertained the audience and made sure that the event was lively and interactive with the help of a catch box microphone.

Adam’s charisma, energy and experience in the standup field blew participants away and kept them alert.

He also got in touch with event speakers before the event via Skype and talked to them about their story.

This allowed him to make great introductions and prepare nice connecting questions in advance of each speaker.

Highlights of Conventa Crossover 2017 Based on the survey carried out, the venue set up is 64

something that impressed the participants. There is probably no need to mention that we attained our goal – ‘to impress and be impressed’. As Gorazd Čad, CEO of Toleranca Marketing and Founder of Conventa Crossover, said in the interview: “My biggest wish is to enthral the participants, since they are the future ambassadors of this new way of event organisation. The industry needs a revolution, as new generations will probably just swap boring meetings for virtual reality and a virtual future altogether. Furthermore, we will shine the light on how to make your events more interesting, different and efficient.”

Let’s not stop at the setup of the venue, which is undoubtedly important, but not as much as the main ingredient: content. Content is still the king, and Crossover is here to serve up answers to most of the questions that are stirring up the scene in tourism, “live experience” agencies, hoteliers, tourist agencies, and venues.

The real highlight of this year’s lecture series was without any question Adam Fields, presenter and stand-up comedian from Masters of Moderation.

Pretty much anyone can moderate, but not everyone can animate. How best to keep the focus of the at-

CASE STUDY

tendees, how best to keep the energy high? The key is in having an amazing moderator!

How best to succeed when pitching? For David Beckett from Best 3 Minutes the question is really simple to answer, and now it is also as simple to carry out for our attendees who had the opportunity to listen to his session and attend the workshop. As he pointed out: “The first 60 seconds really matter.”

Can you imagine doing something to connect a whole city, something involving all its citizens in one event that takes place every three years to keep the locals happy about living there and not think of having to escape from the city? They do it in La Louviere, an industrial city in Belgium, where urban opera “Decrocher la Lune” takes place. Anne Roelandt, who is the Vice-President, Managing Director and Artistic Producer at Luc Petit Creation, presented this amazing project.

The political situation and worldwide crises forced Turkey to have to think and act differently. Eda Ozden, director of Business Development at MEP, talked openly about the challenge that their DMC has been facing since they lost 90% of their business.

As their budgets shrunk and they started to think there was no way out, they found the solution: digital marketing.

Live conferences do bring profit and events do matter, but even more important is the ‘human touch’, faceto-face meetings and events where people can meet and network. Lara Vodlan, the Marketing and Communication Manager at Microsoft Slovenia,

proved that NT conference is a great project with a long tradition, one that gathers IT companies in Slovenia together in one place.

Pecha Kucha is a challenging format of presentation, which gives you 6 minutes and 40 seconds to impress the audience and to get straight to the point with your message. And our speakers nailed it! Melinda Rebek, LJFW Executive Producer, was one of those who did a great job sharing insights into Ljubljana Fashion Week, its challenges and its success.

How to link an event, food and music? We asked the expert, Tomaž Nedoh, who is a musician and founder of MENU-ET-EXPERIENCE. He wrapped up day one with some amazing saxophone music while playing various tones to different food images rotating in the background.

The second day of the conference was about the workshops, destinations and venue marketing. Ciara Felly from Conference Converter held one of the workshops, where she revealed what hotels and venues do that drives event planners mad. Amazed by her workshop, we gained new skills when it comes to making clients happy and business to grow.

There is no doubt that we were all eagerly awaiting the session held by Saša Zor from the newly opened, first five-star hotel in Ljubljana, InterContinental.

The opening of such a hotel is a big deal and they were greeting every guest personally when the first guests arrived. Their vision with actions will surely make a change in the hoteliers in Ljubljana and we cannot wait for a new profile of guest to visit Ljubljana.

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On the flip side, Maja Dimnik presented the success of the first ‘glamping’ ever created in Slovenia – Bled garden village. They reached the stars in no time, and their success lies in the large media coverage that they received free of charge, due to the great photography and unique setting.

Is there any better way to wrap up a conference than by presenting some good case practice exampls?

Marina Krizman from Envy Croatia, who is focused on online branding in the travel industry, presented great examples of online branding in the travel industry in cases such as Lone Hotel and Ultra Europe festival. She also pointed out the amazing relationship they have with their clients and how they trust the agency when delivering on everything promised.

And they also had a prizewinning game for all of the Crossover attendees by winning a weekend stay in the Lone Hotel. #crossovergoestolone The second edition of Conventa Crossover had to end and we have all got much more to learn. But as a bottom line we can point out that attendees are hungry for new knowledge, applicable topics, amazing case studies and as many know-hows as they can get. Nobody wants to be part of a conference where promotional presentations are the norm and where only a stiff business environment is considered acceptable.

That’s why we say: Power to the Meetings!

CASE STUDY

INTERVIEW WITH GORAZD ČAD, CONVENTA CROSSOVER FOUNDER “The industry needs a revolution, ‘Future generations won’t even dream of attending meetings (unless we change them)’ Q: What inspired you to create the Crossover conference?

For quite some time now, I’ve been witnessing a shift in habits of event and meeting participants. I’ve also spent a lot of my time at boring meetings, where I came to the conclusion that we need to change the way we organize meetings, otherwise future generations won’t even dream of attending them. Their lack of interactivity and dynamics is what makes them boring. After getting to know the Danish concept called “Meetovation”, we decided to test our ideas and to think of our own model, adapted to the needs of our environment. What sprouted was a unique event organisation methodology under the slogan ‘Power to the Meetings’, which led to the Conventa Crossover conference.

Q: What do you see as the difference between Conventa Crossover and other MICE conferences or events?

Firstly, we thoroughly examined and analysed the results of last year’s Crossover and tailored the programme to the needs of our participants. We envisioned the event as a two-day festival, a meeting point for everyone who wants to learn new things, have fun and exchange ideas in the field of marketing, tourism and event organisation, all in an informal, festival-like atmosphere. What’s special about the conference is how we create the space. This year it

as new generations will probably just swap boring meetings for virtual reality and a virtual future altogether.”

was an entwinement of festival spirit, jungle vibes and a living room set-up that made for a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to that we use innovative and efficient presentation methods and formats, such as PechaKucha, TEDx, Elevator Pitch and others. All of it is tied together by an expert host who gave the event its own rhythm and created a special energy amongst participants. What we are most excited about is participant opinions, as they are usually the victims of boring and senseless meetings. The main goal of this entire project is to change the way people attend meetings through an innovative event format.

Q: You base your events on the “Power to the Meetings” methodology. How will that transfer to Crossover?

Instead of the word ‘methodology’, I’d rather use the word ‘toolbox’. Through ten segments of different tools for meeting planners, we aim to create the right event format and content. The secret and the main ingredient to successful events are good stories that exceed the participants’ expectations and teach them new values and discoveries. We try to tie them into a holistic experience, an experience that requires all six of your senses. The main ingredients are music, cuisine and a special atmosphere, actualized by a space arrangement, decoration, furniture and the element of surprise. We are certain that through our experience of all the senses we get the energy between organisers, participants, speakers and the audience flowing.

Q: This year’s theme is ‘surviving the marketing jungle’. What are your own survival strategies?

We are creating opportunities and enthusiasm is nowadays mostly achieved through digital platforms.

These digital platforms are hungry for good stories and quality content marketing. I like to explain it with the story of the digital beast that is always hungry for good content. If you want to survive the marketing jungle, you need to be feeding the beast with quality content, as it is the only way to achieve success in sales and all of the marketing activities.

Most importantly, we need to be educating ourselves and growing. It is what Crossover is all about. I tell all my colleagues to travel more and travel the world with open eyes and mind. We live in an age where everything can be measured and analysed, and the same thing goes for marketing. It is the only way to improve, and that’s where a lot of people go wrong.

They are rooted in their proven models and refuse 66

to learn new things and make progress. The power of modern content marketing is that it can side with your clients – meeting planners – understanding them and giving them the right solutions at the right time.

Q: What were you looking forward to most at the event?

My biggest wish was to enthral the participants, since they are the future ambassadors of this new way of event organisation. The industry needs a revolution, as new generations will probably just swap boring meetings for virtual reality and a virtual future altogether. I was also excited about the fact that we would give answers to most of the questions that are stirring up the Slovenian tourist scene right now.

Furthermore, that we would shine a light on how to make your events more interesting, different and efficient. We’d prepared an interesting programme and invited representatives of some of the biggest international “live experience” agencies, influential hoteliers and representatives of different tourist agencies and venues to come to the event, and it delivered.

Q: Crossover is basically Conventa’s baby. How do both events relate to each other?

From the very beginning, Conventa has been presenting a professional platform for creating business opportunities and exchanging expert knowledge in a fun way through numerous different activities. In all our years of organising the event, we have realized that we need to separate the educational and trade show segments of events. Both events are fuelled by our creative minds, quality execution, and professionalism. User experience, based on perfectionism and new knowledge, is at the forefront of both events. Crossover is a new platform that is extending Conventa’s reputation as a high-quality trade show.

A lot of thinking goes into making the buyers and exhibitors pleased, so we spend a lot of time figuring out what their needs and expectations are. We believe that Crossover is a tool that allows partners to develop their competitiveness in the market. I dare even say that partners who aren’t part of the story will face a serious crisis within a matter of five years.

Q: If Crossover was an animal, which one would it be and why?

A dolphin, as it is one of the most intelligent species of the animal kingdom that loves to play, socialize and learn new things.

BEEN THERE

CONVENTA CROSSOVER

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CASE STUDY

STOŽER – BOUTIQUE AGENCY Toleranca marketing rebranding PREPARED BY NIKA PIRNAR

Short description of the project – idea, strategy: When people from Toleranca contacted us about the rebranding, we started to research who they were and what they did. Soon enough we realized that they are more than just another event agency and that actually we have a lot of in common. So, from the beginning we had a feeling that this is going to be an interesting project to work on…and the brief they sent also helped a lot.

DATE SOMEWHERE IN RECENT PAST / LOCATION 45.8097855, 15.952125799999976 / CLIENT TOLERANCA / EXECUTION NO PLEASE / TYPE ANY!

Challenges: The real challenge was how to represent Toleranca as a company that’s not just about events, but one for which there are various levels in the way they work and think. We wanted that the new logo represents their approach to work and clients; we wanted to make a clear representation of their work philosophy.

Another thing that we should mention, and it always makes things a bit more difficult, is that we haven’t had the chance to meet. All the correspondence was through email and most of the time, if we can, we like to meet our clients. It’s just easier to represent them through design if you meet them first. Luckily for everybody, however, this was one of those occasions where things just clicked from the start. We eventually met in Ljubljana, but design wasn’t the reason – it was more about beer, wine and good company!

Solution: The logo represents a strong and clear basis/skeleton that is needed when starting a project, especially events. We used a monoline approach to express minimalism of a start/beginning and the potential the project/event represents. The skeleton of a project is its starting point and is always upgraded in the later stages of a project. We tried to do the same with colours; use of different colours represents the possibility to adapt to any situation or project demands.

After the event – overview, effectiveness: Well, you better ask guys from Toleranca Rebranding is a process that takes some time and we are doing it step by step in close collaboration with Toleranca. We have agreed on different phases in which the new brand will be implemented. Our approach is that rebranding should be a process in which some degree of planning is involved. The whole transition should be smooth and every application of the new logo studied. Honestly, it’s a cool project so we are deliberately dragging it out a bit…

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YOUNG TALENTS 2017

YOUNG TALENTS / FRESH FACES INTERVIEW BY NIKA PIRNAR

Name and surname: Maj Blatnik Company: Union Hotels Position: Designer Career Path: An architect by profession, designer by heart, with an eye to details. In love with drawing, traveling, honest & straightforward people. Proud owner of an endless bucket list.

Q: What is your favourite meetings brand?

Definitely Union Hotels – it is a good meeting point with a long tradition and with people who believe in what they do. You can feel the warm-heartedness of people working here at every step and I believe that the people and their hearts make the soul of a space.

Q: What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

I started following what I believed was the right thing, changed my way of living and followed my heart.

Q: What’s your alternative career fantasy?

When you feel the beauty that surrounds you and you are blessed with talent it’s easy to see yourself in different careers. My first love was architecture, so I could see my heart also in industrial design or in car design.

Q: What are you obsessed with at the moment?

My ideas are my obsession, no matter what the idea is about.

Q: Your goals before reaching 50?

I feel that setting limits kills ideas. And I see goals as limits and 50 as young

MAJ BLATNIK 69

YOUNG Kongres TALENTS Magazine 2017

YOUNG TALENTS / FRESH FACES INTERVIEW BY NIKA PIRNAR

Name and surname: Zorica Lazić Company: Union Hotels Position: Online Marketing Specialist Career Path: As a Master of Strategic Marketing Communications, Zorica has always been connected to marketing in one way or another. She found it very dynamic, especially online marketing, as there is always enough scope to learn more, expand her skill set and grow as a person. The career path has taken her across different industries and a few years ago it brought her to hospitality.

Q: What is your favourite meetings brand?

When I think of meetings, I think of Union Hotels.

It really is a brand that caters to every aspect of the sector. Not only does it offer all-round meeting services, but it does so with years of experience and know-how. The amazing Union Hotels’ team works hard to make every event a complete success.

Q: What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

I’ve lived abroad, I’ve bungee jumped, I’ve even swum with sharks … but that was all fun. The bravest thing is following my intuition and my heart, even if the outcome is uncertain. Every time you face your fears, it changes you for the better.

Q: What’s your alternative career fantasy?

I would be a graphic designer. It is something I’m very interested in; I like how every project is a unique creative challenge.

Q: What are you obsessed with at the moment?

I love travelling and photography. There is something about putting on your backpack and getting lost in places you’ve never been before, and also catching those unique moments when the universe aligns itself for the perfect shot.

Q: Your goals before 50?

I want to keep pursuing the things that fulfil me and never stop learning, exploring and wondering.

“The bravest thing is following my intuition and my heart, even if the outcome is uncertain. Every time you face your fears, it changes you for the better.”

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Kongres APP SCENE Magazine

“SAY GOODBYE TO PAPER BUSINESS CARDS” The MoveShake system is a digital card platform with applications for digital business cards and mobile tickets. It includes a central website with design tools to create webCards and mobile apps for both Android and iOS platforms to view & organize received webCards and send one’s own webCards.

These webCards can also be created in the mobile app by selecting from a wide variety of available templates. The mobile card has a card directory or ‘virtual rolodex’ to store received cards and a separate one for storing the user’s webCards. One of the powerful & useful features of the app is the ability to

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export vcf or vcard info of the cards in the directory.

The export can be directly to the ‘Contacts’ of the smartphone or in a .vcf file that can then be imported or loaded into external email (Gmail, Outlook, etc) or to CRM apps such as SAP or Salesforce.

MEETOLOGUE

MTLG 2017 - TALLINN Singing and skyping destination TEXT BY GORAZD CAD

Over the last couple of years, Estonia has been heavily presenting itself as a technologically advanced country and the birthplace of tech giants such as Skype, Hotmail, and Kazaa (an early file-sharing network).

On our last visit we were struck by the revelation that Estonia is unjustifiably one of the most overlooked countries out there – it was the first country in the world to introduce on-line elections; it has the most developed broadband internet connection; its citizens pay their parking tickets using mobile phones and it was one of the first countries to store medical details in digital form. This all started when the then Prime Minister, Mart Laar, and his young government laid the foundations of the Estonian economy back in 1992, at a time when the average age of ministers was well over 35. One of Laar’s innovations was to allow for the speedy establishment of new companies without any major bureaucratic procedures, a move that saw the founding of a lot of tech companies, most of them going on to flourish in the international market. Through their actions the young ministers solidified Estonia’s internet future, creating a spirit that can also be felt in the capital city’s dynamic congress industry.

OLD FOR NEW Coming back home from my visit to Tallinn, one question in particular kept sparking my curiosity: What makes Tallinn so attractive for tourists and meeting planners? I realized that it is an intertwinement of the city’s history, its heritage and its fastpaced tempo set by dynamic digitalization. The main city square, old gothic city hall, church belfries and the ferry port are just some of the interesting elements that make up the historic mosaic of this city. The picturesque old city core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making cultural tourism an important part of Tallinn’s economy. The new city centre, where traditional Estonian wooden houses merge with glass skyscrapers, lets you know that things are changing and that Tallinn is also a city of the future, the heart of e-Estonia. It’s a city that has changed the way things are done, whether that be health, finance, education, security, civil obligations or filling out tax returns – Tallinn is bringing things into the digital era.

TEHNOPOL AND TECHNOPOLIS One of the goals of the Estonian government is the digitalization of society, with the help of information and communications technologies (ICT). Tallinn’s Technopol science park is one of the biggest technological centres in all of the Baltic countries. Built in 2003 by the Republic of Estonia, the city of Tallinn

and Tallinn University of Technology, it was designed to support the development of growing start-up companies. More than 200 companies, employing 4,000 people, including 14,000 students and 1,300 researchers, found their home under Technopol’s roof.

The companies cover a vast number of different fields from ICT and health to medical and environmental technologies. It acts as an incubator for up-and-coming companies, giving new opportunities to over 30 start-ups. These kinds of projects are a huge encouragement for the congress industry, through which they are achieving major multiplier effects at their events.

TRADITION AND A SPROUTING REVOLUTION Estonia’s booming fashion scene is closely tied to an ingenuity that proved helpful even in Soviet times, Scandinavian minimalism and the rich folk customs sourced from their past. One of the more prominent parts of their cultural heritage is undoubtedly the Estonian folk and choir singing. It’s been 27 years since the Baltic movement for independence started, called the “singing revolution”, and it is still going strong. Back then, two million people held hands and formed a 600-kilometre-long human chain that connected the three Baltic capitals – Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius – in a symbolic act that demanded democracy and the end of Soviet authority.

special gastronomically-ethnical affair – candlelit and to the sounds of the medieval music, waiters dressed in traditional costumes graciously dance around the big wooden tables with hands full of earthen bowls and plates. It’s the signal that it’s time for an abundant Estonian feast: luxurious mushroom soup, exotic bites of salmon and wild boar, quail eggs, raw salmon, black bread, a spread of herbal cottage cheese and, last but not the least, the honey beer.

BALTIC DESIGN The medieval core of Tallinn is home to numerous boutique shops of famous Estonian fashion designers. Ivo Nikkolo is one of the oldest and most renowned Baltic fashion brands and their first shop was opened by a group of brave designers back in 1994.

Today their clothing for men and women has become a fashion statement across Scandinavia and can be found under the Baltika Group trademark. Estonia has proved that Scandinavian design stretches much further than just Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

By joining its bigger and more famous neighbours, Estonian fashion now demands every modern design aficionado to have at least one piece of Estonian fashion or industrial design in their collection.

TALLINN CREATIVE HUB Tallinn Central Power Station was probably one of the most unusual congress venues in the past (19131979). After its 2015 renovation, the venue has become an exceptional congress and cultural centre that has this year been hosting most of the events connected to the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The specialty of the building is the building itself as it kept the majority of its industrial spirit, including the 16-metre high ceilings, tall chimney and gigantic water heaters built between 1948 and 1949.

The revitalization of the building is a success story and today this is certainly one of the hottest concert, congress and culture venues in Europe. The Power Station got its cult status when the famous Russian movie director Andrei Tarkovsky filmed the movie Stalker there. The building today carries a combination of industrial and modern Estonian ‘feel’, as shown in the the furniture and interior design (Saaremaa spa chairs). The Tallinn Central Power Station undoubtedly represents the perfect example of how to revitalize abandoned industrial buildings.

GASTRONOMY Tallinn also offers some surprises through an extremely rich culinary experience. It doesn’t offer just the traditional Estonian cuisine, but also Thai, Georgian, Indian, African, Greek, French, Japanese, Italian, Serbian, Russian, Turkish, and much else besides. Restaurant Olde Hansa, for example, is a

CONGRESS VOX POPULI Estonia’s congress offer has been glorified and the EU Presidency that Estonia took on from the UK this year has certainly added to this. As the former European Capital of Culture (2011), Tallinn has a well developed infrastructure and so could take over the Presidency without any issues. The engine of

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MEETOLOGUE

the local industry is the quality educational institutions, including the technical university, the largest English academy for film and media in Europe, and the Estonian academy of arts. The full congress facilities offer, which is rich and diverse, is tied together by the Tallinn Convention Bureau. The list consists of 55 providers, all the way from the largest hall, the Nordea Concert Hall, to the numerous hotels.

The city also offers a surprising number of special venues – we counted at least 25, among them a few (Seaplane Harbour, Tallinn Airport Old Terminal, and some others) without any kind of comparison in the European area. Furthermore, the agency scene is also completely developed, with its many PCO, DMC and event agencies that are capable of producing the most demanding incentive events.

Given their renowned work ethic, Estonian people

have acquired recognition through the wide use of the newest technologies. It also goes without saying that this is true for Tallinn’s congress industry too. With its diversity, breadth and top-notch organisation, the Tallinn congress industry can stand as an example to any destination operating with much larger funds.

Estonia and Tallinn, after many years of an inferior position in the business, has today become one of the fastest growing congress destinations.

Destination grade: 4.28 –QUALITY MEETINGS DESTINATION Individual grades: 5 excellent meetings destination 4 quality meetings destination 3 recommendable meetings destination 2 average meetings destination

1 so-so TALLINN INDIVIDUAL GRADES 2017 Natural and cultural factors: General and transport infrastructure: Tourist infrastructure: Meeting infrastructure: Subjective grade: Marketing Buzz: ICCA index: Numbeo Quality of life Index: Numbeo Safety Index: ACI Airport Connectivity Index DESTINATION MARK:

4.58 4.65 4.68 4.75 4.84 4.80 3.62 3.28 4.30 3.34 4.28

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Natural and cultural factors: 4.58 Tallinn’s old city centre is rightly called the medieval pearl of Estonia, as it is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. With its cute squares and views over the Finnish bay the city centre is a real paradise for medieval architecture lovers. For this reason, the city offers experiences that attract numerous tourists.

2

General and transport infrastructure: 4.65 The fact that in 2013 Tallinn became the first European capital with free public transport tells a lot about its infrastructure. Furthermore, the traffic in the city has been limited. The quality of living in the city is to a high level and this offers the residents of the city, as well as congress participants, a user-friendly advantage – after all, almost all of the congress locations can be reached on foot, and that is before we start to discuss the supreme digital infrastructure.

3

Tourist infrastructure: 4.68 The engine of Estonian tourism is Tallinn with its excellent tourist infrastructure. For example, an inspiring number of 45 hotels, most of them either

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MEETOLOGUE new or renovated, and categorized at 3-5 stars, is suitable for congress events. The majority of the hotels are located in the city centre and offer 7,300 rooms, more than enough for the city’s needs. Besides the numerous coffee spots and restaurants more suitable for tourists, the city also offers really good pubs and inns that keep up the local tradition. For these reasons Tallinn is renowned as the most touristy city among all three Baltic capitals.

4

Meetings infrastructure: 4.75 Even in much larger congress destinations would one have difficulties in finding a complex congress offer such as what Tallinn provides. In addition, both the Estonian and the city congress bureaus work well and are adapted to the digital needs of current event planners. One can organise an event either in a classic style or on one of the boats, special venues, museums, etc. Everything is packed into a compact and well-functioning congress product that is both kind to participants and affordable for planners.

5

Subjective grade: 4.84 Tallinn’s trump card is its excellent congress infrastructure, exceptional and special venues, and the feeling that the city will perfectly take care of your and your event’s needs. Everything runs smoothly, and even though Estonian people are more on the introverted side, Tallinn is one of the most tolerant congress destinations. For all of the reasons given here, Tallinn is certainly capable of offers exceeding the size of the city.

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Marketing buzz 4.80 Tallinn is the new congress destination that has quickly become established on the European congress map, mostly because of Tallinn’s excellent marketing. The branding is efficient, clear and it stands out from the average congress industry. In these times of globalisation that have reached even to the realm of marketing, Tallinn’s communication looks fresh and innovative, but most of al it is functional and mindful about the needs of convention planners. The congress industry in Tallinn has also been growing on the back of its presence at all of the important events.

Comparisons with the region In terms of congress needs, of the Baltic triplets Tallinn is probably the most picturesque and diverse. The city has gone through many historical DESTINATION CAPACITY The number of 4* and 5* category hotel rooms The number of 4* and 5* category hotels Destination population

changes, right through from the medieval salesmen and knights of the Teutonic order, to the protestant reformation, Swedish and Russian imperialism, turbulences of both Wars and then to the Soviet Union, before finally independence and the flourishing of its IT-industry and capitalism. All of these events today create a special culture that is the basis for development of a congress industry not lagging behind the competitive destinations. The congress industry is going through a real boom and Tallinn, with this year’s EU presidency, certainly deserves a strong round of applause.

Tourism: Tourism is a branch of the economy that develops fast. According to the “Tallinn 2025” strategic plan, the capital of Estonia could become a centre of festival and event tourism in the Baltic Sea region.

Cool meetings The Local Spirit: Vana Tallinn is a sweet liqueur, invented in the 60s. It is tasty whether drunk hot or cold, straight, in a cocktail or a coffee. With the use of natural ingredients, it presents a smooth but bitter flavour, with aromas of cinnamon, toffee, citrus and warm spices.

WHAT’S HOT 2017 Latitude59 / May 24 - 25, 2017 Latitude 59 is the flagship start-up & tech event of the world’s first digital society. In 2017 it had 2,000 participants, including 200 investors spanning from US to Japan and 150 start-ups spanning mostly from neighbouring Baltic, Nordic & CEE countries.

Transport sector with the perspective of the post2020 EU financial framework.

Tallinn Digital Summit / September 29, 2017 The Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in cooperation with the President of the European Council and the European Commission, is organising the Tallinn Digital Summit to bring together EU heads of state or government on 29 September 2017.

The Startup Nations Summit / November 20 - 22, 2017 The Startup Nations Summit gathers a network of entrepreneurship policy shapers from around the world to identify, test and track innovative policy levers and smart public sector driven programmes for new and young businesses.

DID YOU KNOW The first food meant for space travel was produced in Estonia.

In 1962 a factory in Põltsamaa started producing food in tin-packaging that could be sent to space. It’s fun to imagine Estonian food finding its way to truly the furthest place a man can go.

BEST INCENTIVE IDEA

EAAP Annual Meeting 2017 / August 28 September 1, 2017 The 68th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) with main theme of Patterns of Livestock Production in the Development of Bioeconomy, builds on the success of previous EAAP meetings.

Fast & Furious in Estonia Race one of Europe’s greatest retro Russian cars, the Lada (VAZ), for fun around Estonia’s longest rally track (2.3 km), with two cars racing simultaniously on the same track, or for bigger groups (over 40-50 persons) there will be 4 cars racing at the same time.

Races are for better times and not against each other, so it is all very safe. A professional instructor will explain and teach participants how to drive safely and with the most fun. This exciting and unusual activity is available all year around and it really is brilliant fun. www.balticblues-events.com

Connecting Europe Congress / September 21 - 22, 2017 The Connecting Europe Conference on 21 - 22 September 2017 in Tallinn, organised by the European Commission and the Estonian Presidency of the Council, with the objective to identify policy actions and financing solutions to invest in the

WHO TO CONTACT TALLIN CITY TOURIST OFFICE & CONVENTION BUREAU Vabaduse valjak 7, 15199 Tallinn, Estonia Tel: (+372) 640 4414 E: convention@tallinnlv.ee www.visittallinn.ee/convention

Banquet hall maximum capacity The largest hall in the city (in m2) Maximum hall capacity in theatre style

4.765 45 444,885

MTLG CATEGORY

1,200 3,000 m2 1,892 L-large

L - MEETING DESTINATIONS: Destinations than can host up to 2,000 congress attendees

OVERALL PERFORMANCE Natural and cultural factors General and transport infrastructure Tourist infrastructure Meeting infrastructure Subjective grade DESTINATION FINAL GRADE

4.58 4.65 4.68 4.75 4.84

Marketing Buzz ICCA Index - worldwide ranking - number of meetings Numbeo Quality of life Index Numbeo Safety Index ACI Airport Connectivity Index

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4.80 3.62 3.28 4.30 3.34 4.28

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MEET BUSTERS

BRATISLAVA MEET BUSTERS TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT BRATISLAVA CONVETION BUREAU

you can explore its beautiful parts by foot, but what is even more delightful is to know that the old town is closed to traffic, which makes it all the easier to fully enjoy all the wonders the city has to offer.

MYTH 8: The city is an undiscovered rising star on the MICE scene.

CONFIRMED: Bratislava is an undiscovered congress capital that is getting more and more recognised in the congress market. The city has not yet been commercialized, which makes it even more attractive following its long years of living in the shadow of its two neighbour cities of Vienna and Prague.

MYTH 9: Bratislava is a safe city.

CONFIRMED: Based on the Global Peace Index 2016 that ranks 163 independent states and territories, Bratislava took 24th place with a high level of peace and therefore safety.

What’s your take on Bratislava as a host city for your event? Ever wanted to host a MICE event there, but had some doubts? Well then, read through 10 Bratislava myths you didn’t dare to ask about, or didn’t know who to ask.

MYTH 1: Bratislava is a surprisingly close destination, with two international airports.

CONFIRMED: The Bratislava city airport offers numerous connections and works in conjunction with Vienna airport, which is just 50 kilometres (a 40-minutes drive) from Bratislava city centre. If you are looking for an alternative to flying, then it is also easy to reach Bratislava by road or train, or even by taking the watery option of arriving in the city by the beautiful blue Danube.

MYTH 2: Bratislava is a little big city.

PLAUSIBLE: Let’s just say it all depends on your point of view. The city’s overall infrastructure is suited to medium-sized congresses, hosting up to 1,000 attendees. It is therefore also easy to get around on foot, enjoy its historical heritage and all the other treats Bratislava has to offer.

CONFIRMED: Bratislava borders noth Austria and Hungary, which makes the city the only capital in the world that borders two independent countries, with both stretched on the banks of the Danube River. On a clear day you can see both countries from Bratislava Castle, which is well worth a visit!

MYTH 5: Bratislava is a manufacturing hub with Europe’s biggest auto assembly plants.

CONFIRMED: Slovakia has three car factories – Volkswagen, PSA concern and Kia – and is very soon to have a fourth, with investment by Jaguar Land Rover on the way. Today the automotive industry directly or indirectly employs 250,000 Slovaks and represents 44% of total Slovak industrial production.

If you are in love with mobility and technology, you will be thrilled by the fact that the VW factory is not just a facility for automotive production, but is also a unique and special venue for holding various events.

MYTH 3: It is a Slovak capital with a conservative approach.

BUSTED: Bratislava is an amazing destination with great universities, hospitals and research centres.

Did you know that the award winning start-up “Slido” was born in Bratislava? Bratislava’s start-up scene is booming, which attracts many international investors.

MYTH 6: The wine quality in Slovakia is extremely poor.

BUSTED: The amazing advantage of Bratislava is that within 30 minutes one can reach the Small Carpathian wine region and visit many wonderful wineries. To fully bust the myth we would recommend testing this for yourself, starting with a glass of sparkling wine by the Hubert J.E. company and then moving on to Grűner Veltliner or Devín – refreshing spicy wines. If you are more into red wine, then try the Blaufränkisch, the most widely grown black grape in Slovakia. For lovers of sweetness we would strongly recommend having a glass of sweet Tokaj.

MYTH 4: It is the only capital in the world bordering two countries.

MYTH 7: Bratislava Old Town is busy with traffic.

BUSTED: It is true that the city is compact and that

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MYTH 10: The city has limited options for hosting events and venues are too traditional.

BUSTED: Bratislava is a smorgasbord of historical heritage and modern venues. If you are looking for a modern backdrop the ideal locations are the Old Market Hall and the UFO Tower. For ‘off the beaten track’ locations, we would put Urban Space, the Nedbalka Gallery and the VW factory high on our list of recommendations. For classics lover the list is endless – some iconic locations would be Bratislava Castle, Reduta, the Slovak National Theatre and many other castles in the vicinity of town. Bratislava has all the right scenery, photogenic locations, romantic nature and contrasts between the old/rural and modern to make it ideal for many different kinds of events.

HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST

A TOP-NOTCH CONGRESS DESTINATION IN CENTRAL EUROPE In this issue, we present Friuli Venezia-Giulia, a top-quality congress destination in the heart of Central Europe. We tried out some of the best boutique hotels they have and we also looked behind the scenes at Portopiccolo, the ‘Monte Carlo of the Adriatic’.

In addition, we offer a number of recommendations and further ideas that we think event planners might wish to include in their own programmes, for the very simple reason that Friuli is a top-class incentive destination often overlooked simply as it is in the shadow of its huge neighbour: Venice.

The following specialties were the ones that particularly impressed us: Mountains and sea – a perfect stage for top incentive programmes The Friuli landscape, nature and people are truly exceptional, together forming a unique world in which

elements of the Roman Empire blend with those of Langobard, Venetian, Austrian and Slavic ones.

In the span of just a few kilometres one can see the Roman Aquilea, the Langobard Cividale del Friuli, the town of Udine bearing its Venetian footprint, and the majestic Habsburg’s port of Trieste. Friuli Venezia-Giulia is undoubtedly an ideal landscape for the organisation of top incentive events.

Michelin-starred cuisine You know what they say…the way to a man’s heart…

Although Friuli Venezia-Giulia is the smallest Italian region, its cuisine surprises with every step along the way. Travelling around this diverse area, stretching from the Sea to the mountains, the food is one of the elements that will really allow you to get familiar with the scope of its diversity. A best bet is to visit one of the top inns that can, in our opinion, easily compete with the best inns anywhere in Europe, not to mention their moderate prices that are kind to your wallet.

Visiting winemakers The wines of the Collio Goriziano region and from the hilly landscapes of Udine beautifully accompany the culinary tastes. Participants can enjoy native wine varieties produced by real wine artists and the restaurants also stock diverse and rich wine lists. Compared to other regions it would seems that this one is winning its offers of wine tastings and in matching the wine with food.

Abundance of special locations At every step, the Friuli region is permeated by tradition, old customs and architecture. Individual pearls of cultural heritage span from the remains of simple and modest houses to castles with mighty towers, castle yards, and fortified medieval settlements.

There’s no end to special settings. Thinking only of the Villa Manin, the family Manin’s estate from the 16th and 17th centuries, you will be wowed by the 18-hectare park and the mansion full of excellent spaces for your next event.

Stories, stories, stories The entire Friuli Venezia-Giulia is marked by a common historical event that changed the destiny of the world – the Great War. Outdoor museums and several paths lead one through the stories and places of the 1st World War. During the interesting walks in a beautiful natural environment one can relive the experiences and lives of the soldiers. These fascinating journeys into the past can be combined with visiting other historical monuments that also tell their own stories.

The region provides a complete and diverse congress offer, particularly ideal for organising smaller congresses and incentives.

CONTACTS: Via Carso, 3 Cervignano del Friuli (UD) Italy Contact person: Ms. Brenda Lee Fabbro T: +39 334 6749034 brenda.fabbro@turismo.fvg.it

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HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST

ASTORIA HOTEL ITALIA **** PREMIUM

4.35 FINAL SCORE

Charming Old Dame

CATEGORY **** OPEN SINCE Since the 18th century, renovated in 2008 MEETINGS STAR City Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel with Conference Facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 75 rooms and suites INTERNET PRICE 145 EUR (September 2017, Trivago) ADDRESS Astoria Hotel Italia Piazza XX Settembre, 24 33100 Udine, Italy T. 0039 0432 505091 E. astoria@hotelastoria.udine.it FACILITIES Restaurant, Hotel Bar, Bicycle rental, Garage, Conference Centre EXTRAS Gourmandes will find much to enjoy in one of the many wine bars in Udine where you can also try out some amazing Italian prosciutto and cheese.

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location 4.39 Accessibility 4.67 First impression 4.12 Lobby 4.98 Employee attitude 4.32 Reception 4.23 Hotel room 4.15 Hotel bed 4.19 Bathroom and restroom 4.02 Hotel breakfast 4.21 Bars and restaurants 4.82 Congress hall 4.03 Additional offer 4.36 Total: 4.435 FINAL GRADE Premium Resort Meeting Hotel

4.35

Luxury ***** Premium **** Business *** Economy ** Budget *

LOCATION Udine, the main town of Friulia, is known for its historical centre as well as the many possibilities there are for culinary explorations or espresso indulgences. The population of Udine is approximately 100,000 and in the 13th century it was the registered seat of Aquileia’s patriarchy, given an honourable mention in Ernest Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms. Quite a few of its architectural monuments are well worth paying a visit when in Udine, especially the Udine Town Hall, seat of the patriarchs, Udine Cathedral, The Castle of Udine, where different summer festivals are held, and the central San Giacomo square. The hotel is located in the very centre of town and right by one of the main squares, making it a perfect starting point for city explorations, as all of the key tourist attractions are right at hand.

ACCESSIBILITY With the hotel’s central position you will not only have any problems in exploring the city on foot, but you also don’t even have to worry about parking either, as it is all taken care of by the kind staff of the hotel who will park your car securely in the nearby garage. Once that’s taken care of you can make use of Udine’s well-developed public transport infrastructure, which makes it overall a very user-friendly city. There is a bus stop a matter of just a few metres from the hotel entrance, offering easy and comfortable access to all of the main cultural and culinary hotspots. Due to Udine’s location right by one of the main European traffic corridors, the railway and motorway connections with the rest of Italy are also very strong. Whilst the airport in Venice is one of region’s main hubs, the airline connections in Trieste are also getting better, meaning guests arriving on a flight won’t be facing any problems in having options to reach Udine.

COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics No matter which direction you turn In Udine, you will be surrounded by fine architecture and historical buildings. The biggest architectural footprint was left by the Venetians, having ruled the town for over 400 years their influence can’t be escaped even on the main square where the hotel is located, having been built inside one of the elegant palaces of Casa Caimo-Delfino that dates back to the 14th century. The mighty stairway to the first floor is a solid reminder of the hotel’s rich history, one that started in the 18th century when the hotel first opened its doors. The hotel has changed ownership multiple times up to the present day, but one thing has always remained the same: the design. It is distinctively Italian and full of charming architectural details, and whilst the orientation inside is slightly confusing the overall impression is nonetheless very pleasant. With its retro charm the classical hotel reception really feels like a scene from an old movie.

WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine The staff is incredibly compliant and professional, creating an ambience of everyone trying extra hard to fully

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satisfy the guests, which is the result of great management. This is what separates Hotel Astoria from the rest of the scene in Udine and positions it as clearly one of the best. The hotel is well taken care of and the first impression on stepping into the lobby is definitely a positive one. By Italian standards, the breakfast is above average and quite diverse. The hotel restaurant is solid and offers a wide range of different cuisines. The city is also full of excellent restaurants and most guests take the chance to indulge in the culinary delights scattered throughout the romantic alleyways.

MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services When presented with the antique keys to your room you are immediately transported to a different hotel era, one that continues when in the rooms with their historical furnishings – after all, it is an older hotel that builds its charm on its old world hotel elegance. Contributing to the antique vibe is also the wooden flooring, which in our opinion is a very nice extra touch. The hotel rooms are spacious and the bed and bathroom are especially praiseworthy.

There are six conference halls in the hotel with the biggest one being able to hold 200 participants, making makes it one of the more well-rounded hotels in Udine, further excellently supported by extra halls in the neighbouring palace.

DESSERT - Extras Udine can pride itself on its numerous shops selling Italian delicacies, from prosciutto and local cheeses to the excellent wine and the near-extinct Friulian dishes of “frika” and “gubana”. Other authentic experiences in Udine are the mandatory fruit ice-cream made without milk and an Aperol Spritz in one of the town’s many stylish bars.

- FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES Access to the hotel garage is slightly complicated, but the hotel staff is always on standby and ready to give you a hand. + TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES The prices are not very high, which means you can explore the city even on a tighter budget.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY Hotel Astoria vividly portrays the story of its rich history and will undoubtedly impress the lovers of the kind of hotel institutions that can be found only in Europe. Their honest and kind staff alone could make a good case study, which explains why the hotel has been host to numerous important events and gatherings of international institutions. The smaller conference centre is a great choice for both local and international events, supported by regional cuisine and excellent Friulian wine. You couldn’t imagine a more personal type of hotel service, which is why Hotel Astoria is positioned among some of the best city congress hotels in its region.

HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST

HOTEL RIVIERA & MAXIMILIAN’S 4.65 **** PREMIUM FINAL SCORE

Meetings with views fit for a king

CATEGORY **** OPEN SINCE Opened in 1992, rooms renovated in 2016 MEETINGS STAR Boutique Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel with Conference Facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 58 rooms and suites INTERNET PRICE 149 EUR (September 2017, Trivago) ADDRESS Hotel Riviera & Maximilian’s Strada Costiera, 22 34014 Fraz. Grignano - TRIESTE T: 040 224551 F: 040 224300 www.rivieramax.eu FACILITIES Le Terazze Restaurant, Free parking, Spa, Tennis court EXTRAS One can visit the Miramare Castle, located just a few kilometres from the hotel, or it can also be used as a special venue.

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location 4.92 Accessibility 4.49 First impression 4.72 Lobby 4.77 Employee attitude 4.68 Reception 4.95 Hotel room 4.82 Hotel bed 4.49 Bathroom and restroom 4.56 Hotel breakfast 4.53 Bars and restaurants 4.51 Congress hall 4.45 Additional offer 4.54 Total: 4.65 FINAL GRADE Premium Resort Meeting Hotel

4.65

Luxury ***** Premium **** Business *** Economy ** Budget *

LOCATION The hotel is located on a cliff near Trieste by the beautiful Miramare castle that was built between 1856 and 1860 for Maximilian of Habsburg, with the man behind the latter’s fantasy-like appearance and setting being Carl Junker, who positioned the manor, later turned into a museum, right by the sea. When in 1992 Gilberto Benvenuti admired the beautiful view from the castle he took the decision to create his own hotel, and today Hotel Riviera still stands right where the first foundations were laid. The views from the hotel stretch across Trieste, its port and the Adriatic Sea, and Gilberto’s legacy lives on through his kids who are now running the hotel and making sure the impeccable feeling of a family-run hotel lasts through the years.

ACCESSIBILITY Hotel Riviera is just a hop from the Trieste-Venice motorway, and Trieste airport and railway station are also nearby. It is also possible to catch a regular sea crossing from Guignano marina to Trieste. Most guests arrive by car, however, which is why the free parking on the hotel’s large car park directly accessible from the TriesteMonfalcone motorway is hugely valued. Near the hotel entrance there is also a bus stop from where buses leave for Trieste every 15 minutes. For the more pampered traveller, available taxi services to town are also not that expensive.

COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics The architecture of the main villa dating from 1898 has typical Mediterranean characteristics and doesn’t reveal anything of what’s lurking behind the hotel’s façade.

Once inside, however, and a mighty terrace with views of the Miramare castle opens up. The modernist extension of the hotel is quite impressive, blending in nicely with its surroundings and making the whole building feel more dynamic. Among the numerous architectural innovations, what catches the eye is a floating elevator that takes you up to the terrace, from where you can enjoy dinner with an incredible view. The interior design is elegant and relaxing, and the owners clearly took on the matter of design with a great sense of style. A major emphasis was also put on the use of natural materials and the wellbeing of guests.

WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine Just as a family hotel should be, Hotel Riviera is in tip-top condition, something you feel the moment you step into the lobby. Nice flowers and a pleasant scent throughout the hotel might seem like little things, but they make a huge difference when it comes to the overall impression. A staple of the hotels run by the Benvenuti family is their professional and incredibly kind staff. Breakfast is typically Italian and, if weather permits, it is strongly recommended that you enjoy it on the hotel terrace, as the view truly is priceless. The hotel restaurant is solid and offers some classical Mediterranean cuisine, and the hotel beach features an above-average bar that serves snacks 79

and drinks at quite reasonable prices.

MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services The rooms are elegantly and tastefully furnished in a style that borrows from classical Mediterranean design, but modifies it in its own modern way. The materials and colour tones add to the overall feeling of wellbeing. We recommend rooms with access to the terraces surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation. The second ingredient of the rooms that makes a good first impression is the spaciousness and practicality, which makes you feel like you are in a hotel of a higher category. Further adding to that is, of course, the luxury bathroom with a tonne of little details. A major benefit of the hotel is the small conference centre that, according to the owners, will be expanded in the future as part of a new hotel extension.

The conference halls are excellently equipped and offer daylight.

DESSERT – Extras Open-air venues are the most picturesque options for events in Trieste and you can enjoy beautiful views of Miramare and the bay of Trieste on the beach or the hotel’s terrace, with space for 100 guests.

- FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES Some rooms are truly tiny and it’s best to avoid them, so ask for a room with sea views. Another downside is the slow and quite unstable Wi-Fi, which is a big deal for business guests. + TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES Dinner on the beach: the aforementioned funky elevator will take you right to the sea, where special business events renowned for their amazing atmosphere have become a part of the daily routine.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY Hotel Riviera is very likeable, playful and gives the impression of an exclusive resort, positioned at the very top of Trieste’s overall hotel offer. Its rich history makes it the perfect spot to either tell stories at business meetings or to have relaxing weekends at the beach. Its impressive architecture and position on a cliff, all surrounded by the intoxicating Mediterranean fragrances and flavours, is what makes the hotel truly special.

It can be categorized as a small boutique hotel that can host groups of up to 100 participants for dinners or receptions. It also allows complete privatisation and utter discretion, which is why it is so popular among meeting planners. The Benvenuti family have created an excellent story all packed inside a hotel providing great service.

HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST

SAVOIA EXCELSIOR PALACE ***** LUXURY

4.67 FINAL SCORE

Seafront Hotel Charm

LOCATION The imposing buildings of the Habsburg period on the central Trieste square Piaza Unita continue along the central coastal road into an impressive building of the Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel. This historic hotel which opened in 1911, is today exemplary renovated and offers views of the Gulf of Trieste and is only a stone’s throw away from the convention centre. It is reminis- cent of the old glory of the city when it had its own particular identity, which is also Austrian, Slovenian, Croatian, Jewish and above all multicultural.

CATEGORY ***** OPEN SINCE 1911, renovated 2009 MEETINGS STAR City Meeting Hotel STANDARD Congress Hotel NUMBER OF ROOMS 144 rooms and suites INTERNET PRICE 221 EUR (September 2017, Trivago) ADDRESS Savoia Excelsior Palace Trieste – Starhotels Collezione Riva Del Mandracchio 4 Trieste, 34124, Italy T: +39 040 77941 E: savoiaexcelsior.ts@starhotels.it www.starhotels.com FACILITIES Savoy by Eataly Restaurant, Le Rive Bar, Les Clefs d’Or concierge, Night meeting rooms, Garage, Library, Fitness Centre EXTRAS The Savoia Excelsior Palace offers stunning panoramic views across the Gulf of Trieste and authentic luxury dining at the Savoy Restaurant. During the mornings and afternoons it is the perfect spot for coffees, leisurely lunches and elegant afternoon teas.

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location 4.90 Accessibility 4.26 First impression 4.70 Lobby 4.58 Employee attitude 4.54 Reception 4.51 Hotel room 4.89 Hotel bed 4.92 Bathroom and restroom 4.91 Hotel breakfast 4.70 Bars and restaurants 4.47 Congress hall 4.90 Additional offer 4.40 Total: 4.67 FINAL GRADE Premium Resort Meeting Hotel

4.67

Luxury ***** Premium **** Business *** Economy ** Budget *

ACCESSIBILITY For centuries Trieste was an important transport hub and main port of the region. Consequently, the trans- port infrastructure is still very good. Train infrastruc- ture is solid and as part of the Italian rail system is among the more developed in the region. Perhaps the worst part is air accessibility, where the city is depend- ing on the nearby airports in Ljubljana and Venice, as Trieste airport has less frequency. The airport con- nects around 15 destinations with 12 airlines.

COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics Exemplary renovated historical building from 1911 was at its inception one of the most exclusive hotels in the Habsburg Monarchy. After two years of renova- tion, which was completed in 2009, the hotel shines in the former beauty. The external appearance does not stand out as much with its stylish lines, but mainly by its magnificence. For the interior design of the hotel, we can say that less is more. Much more, as they take care to move forward in the internal arrangement of rooms that simply thrills and in which you can easily flow into and which it do not disappoint you.

WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine The hotel convinces with the quality of service. But this is not the only specialty of the hotel. Advanced culinary experience begins at breakfast and contin- ues in the À la carte offer of the restaurant Savoy. No wonder the hotel is a central venue of all important events in Trieste, film stars, politicians and the elite. Guests are pampered with extra luxury at the hotel, which includes a special pillow menu “pillowmania” and a well-stocked bathroom full of little details.

MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services At the hotel Savoia excellence is observed in every step, touch and view. Materials in the rooms are natural, selected and fit nicely with the whole. Especially charming are certain rooms with balconies offering views of the Gulf of Trieste. Nowadays one rarely finds rooms with such high ceilings. Leather seating, warm colours, ambient lighting with the possibility of day-light, all of which offer very tastefully furnished conference rooms.

The hotel has nine meeting rooms. Maximum capacity of the largest one is up to 320 participants.

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DESSERT - Extras Nice library similar to home living room.

- FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES Perhaps the only downside is due to the slow wi-fi. + TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES Trieste is a nice city with a lot of soul and many attractions. City worth a visit and a great convention destination.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY The Savoia Excelsior Palace is definitely a good example of why such hotels are still a big selling hit and a shining exception on the otherwise quite tired Trieste congress-hotel scene. The hotel with its offer is a good starting point for the re-launch of Trieste as a congress destination. Less can be more. Probably the most stylish first category facility also in the wider region.

HIDDEN Kongres CONGRESS Magazine GUEST

VILAVERDE HOTEL & SPA **** PREMIUM

4.65 FINAL SCORE

Teamwork and Teamplay

CATEGORY ****S OPEN SINCE 2016 MEETINGS STAR Boutique Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel with Conference Facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 33 rooms and suites INTERNET PRICE 155 EUR (September 2017, Trivago) ADDRESS Villaverde Hotel & Resort Via delle Acacie, 1 33034 Fagagna (UD) - Italy T. +39 0432 812600 E. info@villaverderesort.com www.villaverderesort.com FACILITIES Villaverde Health Centre, Villaverde Wellness & Spa, Villaverde Golf Academy, Villaverde Hotel & Resort Gym, Bike tours, Meeting Room, Privilegium Restaurant, Villaverde Bar & Restaurant EXTRAS The Wellness Centre – the centre of well-being is equipped with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, offers massages and is an excellent way to spice up your congress day.

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location 4.86 Accessibility 4.49 First impression 4.91 Lobby 4.39 Employee attitude 4.71 Reception 4.78 Hotel room 4.69 Hotel bed 4.74 Bathroom and restroom 4.77 Hotel breakfast 4.64 Bars and restaurants 4.43 Congress hall 4.85 Additional offer 4.24 Total: 4.65 FINAL GRADE Premium Resort Meeting Hotel

4.65

Luxury ***** Premium **** Business *** Economy ** Budget *

LOCATION The northern suburbs of Udine boast numerous exceptional restaurants and one of the best golf courses in the region – Golf Club Udine stretches across a wide lowland region surrounded by majestic mountains, oak and beech tree forests, and the enchanting backdrop of the Julian Alps. The course on which the club was founded in 1972 features 18-holes and an integrated 85 acres of playing space, always offering the golfer breathtaking views. The hotel by the golf course is still fresh, as it was only opened in 2016, and its rooms with views of the Alps and its excellent location make it the perfect place for classical meetings and an even better one for incentive experiences. There are numerous programmes to be explored in the region and the birthplace of the best Italian prosciutto San Daniele - is just a few kilometres away.

ACCESSIBILITY The new, luxuriously designed hotel lies in the small town of Fagagna, in the heart of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Opened in February 2016, the hotel is a strategic foundation for future investments, easily accessible by car, private plane or helicopter. It only takes about 15-minutes to get to Udine and guests coming by car will love the fact that there is a big car park in front of the hotel. The Villaverde Hotel is a great starting point for exploring the region and its incentive products. The closest airport is located in Trieste and the Marco Polo Airport in Venice is an hour away, very well connected to the more remote overseas destinations.

COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics The man behind the looks of the hotel is the award-winning architect Alessio Princic, who has Slovenian roots.

His main idea was to make the architecture live in symbiosis with nature, creating an almost lyrical and harmonic landscape. Connected by a bridge across the Fagagna– San Daniele road, the hotel and the golf course, as well as the bridge itself, are cleverly integrated into the environment, or more accurately they are hidden below ground.

For a geographer, the entire complex might seem like an artificial Karst cave that allows natural light to make its way into the building. The curved lines of the architecture follow the natural configuration of the terrain and at the same time enclosing the space, establishing a feeling of safety and homeliness.

WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine Sea, mountains, wineries and culinary tradition is a short way to capture the offer of the Friuli region. Golfers are known gourmets and have been praising its culinary story for ages. The restaurant in the hotel offers an authentic dining experience, with guests being able to look into the kitchen. The second restaurant is in the Golf Club’s building, 200 metres away from the hotel complex. Local tradition is what the cuisine is based on and we were especially impressed by the wide selection of exquisite Friulian wines. Waking up to a hearty breakfast served by the incredibly helpful staff and views of the golf course 81

is also probably the most perfect way to start your day.

MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services The hotel was given a four-star superior rating and boasts four floors with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Natural materials are the main theme of the hotel rooms, with modern furniture and designer pieces giving them a luxurious feel. The size of the rooms is above-standard, which is also why they feel very airy and spacious. An emphasis was put on the bathrooms, covered in lavish white marble.

The pearl of the hotel’s congress offer is an oval congress hall that can host up to 100 guests and features stylish blue tiles, designed by Alessio himself. It is full of hightech multimedia equipment and looks like a space ship. It is one of the most original halls in the region, perfect for classical congresses or different incentive programmes.

DESSERT - Extras The 18-hole golf course is famous amongst golfers all around the world, also due to the amazing natural characteristics and charming views of the surrounding mountains. The course has been the competitive scene for some of the most challenging golf competitions in the world.

- FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES Alessio didn’t just leave his mark on the exterior but the interior as well. His signature tiles triggered some different opinions, from complete amazement to utter disappointment. It’s definitely a matter of personal taste, but we think the interior is very original and interesting. + TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES Next to the golf course is also a training ground where you can get more familiar with the sport of golf through different programmes for all experience levels.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY If we had to compare Villaverde Hotel & Resort to a car it would definitely be a luxury SUV. It will impress incentive organisers with its golf course and different activities, and excite your congress guests with a holistic experience on a higher level in the wellness centre. The venue is suitable for smaller meetings with up to 50 participants.

There is no shortage of different activities, which can due to their closeness to the hotel be explored by bicycle. On top of all that, you will find yourself in the heart of the Friulian culinary story, known as one

HIDDEN Kongres CONGRESS Magazine GUEST

GRAND HOTEL DUCHI D’AOSTA **** PREMIUM

4.69 FINAL SCORE

Charming old-world elegance

CATEGORY **** OPEN SINCE 1873 MEETINGS STAR Boutique Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel with Conference Facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 55 rooms and suites INTERNET PRICE 220 EUR (September 2017, Trivago) ADDRESS Grand Hotel Duchi d´Aosta Piazza Unità d´Italia 2 34121 Trieste T. +39-040-76-000-11 e-mail: info@duchi.eu www.duchi.eu FACILITIES Thermarium Magnum, Grotta Adriatica, Parking Garage, Harry’s Bar, Harry’s Restaurant, The Bistro EXTRAS Harry’s Bar in Venice is one of the most popular bars in town and its branch in Trieste is no exception. It has been the social meeting point for the people of Trieste since 1972.

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location 4.98 Accessibility 4.53 First impression 4.78 Lobby 4.56 Employee attitude 4.69 Reception 4.70 Hotel room 4.56 Hotel bed 4.91 Bathroom and restroom 4.63 Hotel breakfast 4.74 Bars and restaurants 4.91 Congress hall 4.32 Additional offer 4.71 Total: 4.69 FINAL GRADE Premium Resort Meeting Hotel

4.69

Luxury ***** Premium **** Business *** Economy ** Budget *

LOCATION Encircled by regal palaces, the Piazza Unità d’Italia is extremely unique and represents the epicentre of Trieste’s rich history and political heart. During the Habsburg Monarchy, it was simply known as the ‘Big Square’ (Piazza Grande), as it is one of the six biggest city squares in all of Italy. In 1873 a hotel sprang up on the square, and at the time certainly nobody would have thought that it would go on to become an icon of Trieste’s hotel offer.

The hotel was recently fully renovated, but the design team managed to keep the spirit of its era intact, for this is what separates it from other hotels in the city. The hotel is walking distance from main city attractions and is run by the Benvenuti family, who work with a lot of passion and attention to detail. The hotel stands as a reminder of the past and at the same time an embodiment of this Adriatic city’s unflagging spirit.

ACCESSIBILITY Trieste is easily accessible and has excellent motorway and railway connections, as well as one of the most famous ports in the world. Air accessibility is getting better every year and more and more airlines are starting to fly from the Ronchi del Legionari airport, 40 kilometres from Trieste. If that doesn’t cut it there is also an airport in Venice, located 150 kilometres from the city. The hotel is positioned in the very centre of Trieste, so it’s best that you leave parking to the hotel staff or find a nearby parking spot. Public transport in the city is quite smooth and modern. Probably the single greatest thing about the hotel is its location, as you are always just a few steps away from all the main tourist attractions.

COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics The Varnoli Palace was built by architects E. Geiringer and G. Righetti in 1873, when it replaced the former Ostarie Grande and fell into the hands of Assicurazioni Generali insurance company. The company turned it into Hotel Duchi d’Aosta, which was renamed to Hotel Vanoli in 1908. After the second world war, the building was completely renovated and nostalgically renamed Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta. The architecture of the hotel borrows from a very late-renaissance style and has become a trademark of Trieste. After its last renovation, the façade of the building regained some of its former glitz and the mighty Corinthian pillars finally became noticeable.

Inside the hotel, attention to detail and sophisticated furniture make you feel like you are one with the spirit of this mighty city. The style of Grand Hotel Duchi is best described with the words vintage and elegant.

WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine As in any true hotel institution, the staff in Grand Hotel Duchi is welcoming, professional and where you want them to be at all times. From this perspective, the hotel can easily rival some of the biggest names in the regional hotel world and always justify its reputation. Breakfast is included in the overnight and offers a wide selection of freshly baked pastry, yoghurts, natural juices and, of 82

course, the world-famous Trieste coffee. Harry’s hotel restaurant is solid, but you won’t have trouble finding culinary adventures for your congress guests throughout the city. We recommend a visit to the legendary Harry’s bar, a great way to finish off the day. The Mikeze & Jakeze Bistro also offers some great Mediterranean cuisine at reasonable prices.

MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services A stunning design and antique pieces create a romantic ambiance in the rooms, which aren’t the biggest, but comfortable nonetheless. The fact that they were able to portray the spirit of time when the hotel was built with the interior design and a clever selection of furniture is quite special. The above-average bathroom also surprises with its excellent cosmetics. There is a smaller hall for events, part of Harry’s restaurant with views of the Piazza dell’Unita. Weather permitting, you can also use the hotel terrace, probably the most exclusive boutique conference space in Trieste, which is also very popular among wedding planners.

DESSERT - Extras Trieste has become one of the most important coffee ports in Europe, so no wonder that the numerous coffee shops in Trieste always smell of freshly roasted coffee and tell the story of its rich history. These cafes are places where great writers and poets used to spend their free time and where lovers of good coffee can now enjoy a cup of their own.

- FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES The only downside of the hotel could be problems with finding a parking spot, but that’s easily outweighed by being directly in the city centre. + TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES Thermairum Magnum is an intimate spa that follows the roman tradition of well-being. Visiting the spa can be a nice end to your stressful day.

OVERALL IMPRESSION AND CREDIBILITY One can easily say Grand Hotel Duchi D’Aosta is one of the reasons why taking time to visit Trieste is always worth it. It’s basically a city institution, where numerous crowned heads and celebrities, including the notorious Giacomo Casanova, used to reside. It’s also not a classical congress hotel, but more of a boutique hotel suitable for smaller incentive groups. The cherry on top is provided by the excellent staff, amazing details at every corner and an overall kindness that will always make you feel welcome stepping into the lobby.

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INSIDE LJUBLJANA

INTERCONTINENTAL LJUBLJANA The first five-star hotel in Ljubljana TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT INTERCONTINENTAL LJUBLJANA

LOCATION At just a 10-minute walk from the heart of Ljubljana’s Old Town and 26 kilometres (or today a 20-minute trip) from the country’s main airport – Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport – can one find the brand new luxury hotel, and not to forget the only five star hotel in the Slovenian capital.

SPECIAL FEATURES The InterContinental has 5 functional meeting rooms located on two floors (the 19th and -2nd) and

that offer flexible solutions for any kind or corporate or social event for from 5 to 300 attendees. The hotel boasts 530sq.m of event space with a self-contained conference centre located on -2 floor with enormous branding possibilities. There is a wide range of set-ups available in multifunctional rooms with state-of-theart in-built equipment (Bose sound system, EIKI projector and Sennheiser equipment).

The most impressive part of the venue is the contemporary interior design with sophisticated

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details reflecting Slovenian authenticity and the banquet menus inspired by their Michelin star Chef consultant.

VENUE ADVANTAGES Depending on the size of your event you can choose from the 530sq.m of meeting space, including a ballroom that can host up to 300 attendees as well as 4 flexible breakout rooms.

On the 19th floor can be found the Ekorna

INSIDE LJUBLJANA Kongres Magazine

Boardroom I, II, that can be turned into a unique venue for standing receptions or private seated meals from an exclusive boardroom. The venue is ideal for board meetings, press conferences, receptions and breakout sessions for groups from 30 to 60 attendees. Thinking what its main advantage might be? It is most definitely the panoramic views over Ljubljana that it offers - wonderful!

On the -2 floor can be found the Emona Ballroom

I-II, which is a pillar-free, square-shaped functional ballroom offering two identical sections. This venue is appropriate for conferences, gala dinners, workshops and exhibitions. The uniqueness of the ballroom is its private space, high ceilings, advanced in-built AV and breakout room proximity. It is ideal for group sizes of 50 to 300 attendees.

CATERING SERVICES The cuisine at the Hotel InterContinental Ljubljana

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is inspired by their Michelin star Chef consultant, Alfredo Russo. The exclusive menus are prepared under his supervision as well as the hotel’s Head Chef, Komnen Bakić, thereby offering a variety of international dishes with locally sourced ingredients.

CONTACTS T: +386-59-128023 E: ljuha.salesdepartment@ihg.com W: www.ihg.com

INSIDE LJUBLJANA Kongres Magazine

LJUBLJANA’S NEW VENUE: TEXTILE SHOP MODNA HIŠA (FASHION HOUSE) Ljubljana’s former fashion monument

The Fashion House, Ljubljana’s former fashion monument, was bought by Union Hotels at the beginning of this year and is a place where new, fresh and creative stories will from now on be created. The specialty of the house is its several levels and multiplicity of spaces that allow each event to be set in a different, unique environment, offering a new experience for all attendees. The new location for the Ljubljana scene is of special importance, but to understand the whole story we need to wind the clock back to the year of

1961, when in December the house actually first opened its doors…

SHOPPING MECCA WITH TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS With the then newly opened Fashion House, Ljubljana acquired its first escalators and an offering of textiles that exceeded only the domestic brands, while at the same time it was the first clothing and textile store with self-service sales. Back in those days,

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the Fashion House was the centre of fashion events, as fashion parades, called “Tea at Five”, were held on Tuesdays during spring and autumn. On the catwalk the models were put up with clothes that were sold in the store, and because the Fashion house’s offer was different it quickly achieved a reputation in society.

RATHER THAN SHOPPING, IT’S VENUE FOR AMAZING EVENTS Nowadays, the Fashion House is dedicated to busi-

INSIDE LJUBLJANA Kongres Magazine

ness and social events, especially for event organisers looking for a different space to offer creative stories.

The venue is a part of the Grand Hotel Union congress and meetings offer, which has altogether 21 halls.

The setting of the venue can be fully personalized, so event organisers can set it up according to their wishes. The Fashion House itself offers 3 floors. The single floor has 420m2 of net floor area. The building itself has a rectangular shape and the façade on the

front is dressed in glass.

A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD FOR UNION HOTELS The long-term plan for the Fashion House will see the construction of a new hotel that will have an innovative concept. Union Hotels want to position themselves in the lifestyle segment, a new generation of boutique hotels whose key features are creativity, socializing and innovation.

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Whilst we eagerly await the new lifestyle hotel in Ljubljana, we cannot wait to see more events being organised in the Fashion House in its unique environment with a priceless history. Long live fashion – and the Fashion house!

CONTACTS T: +386 1 308 11 98 W: www.union-hotels.eu E: barbara.jensterle@union-hotels.eu

INSIDE LJUBLJANA

THE ŠVICARIJA CREATIVE CENTRE From wooden guesthouse to holiday home to hotel and lastly home for artists, today it combines a creative centre and a special venue located in the heart of the park with a city vibe.

TEXT BY NIKA PIRNAR PHOTO CREDIT MATIC KREMŽAR

The Švicarija Creative Centre operates as part of the International Centre of Graphic Arts (MGLC), a venue that is on the site of a former wooden guest house opened back in 1835. In 1909, architect Ciril Metod Koch designed and built the Tivoli Hotel on the same spot, which became a renowned gathering place for various artists and bohemians. After World War II many Slovenian artists made their working home in the building, a tradition that lives on until today, with Švicarija providing working and living studios for local artists and residential space for international ones. The hall on the ground floor and the courtyard in front of the building are available to rent for a variety of events.

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Kongres INSIDE LJUBLJANA Magazine

LOCATION In the city’s Tivoli Park is the recently renovated Švicarija Creative Centre, a building that could easily be missed on a first visit, as it is located behind the Tivoli Mansion that serves as an International Centre of Graphic Arts. Tivoli Park is by far the town’s most beautiful park, designed by the French engineer Jean Blanchard in 1813 and stretching right into the city centre. The park covers an area of approximately five square kilometres and blends into the slopes of the adjoining Rožnik Hill.

When hosting an event in Švicarija Creative Centre it’s worth keeping in mind the boutique size of Ljubljana, as it will take you only 20 minutes to get from the Triple Bridge, the heart of the city, to this venue set in the park.

SPECIAL FEATURES Švicarija, as the former Tivoli Hotel in Ljubljana has been nicknamed and preserved, has since 2013 been recognised as a cultural monument. The Creative

Centre, with which Ljubljana acquired a new cultural, educational and social centre, houses studios, galleries, residential facilities and a multipurpose space.

As it was in the past, the building of the former hotel will once more be both a gathering place for artists but this time with a bonus – nowadays the venue will also serve as a gallery presenting their works too. The multipurpose space is available for hosting various events, next to which a smaller coffee shop is located.

VENUE ADVANTAGES With this new venue one can decide on hosting an event in the middle of the city, but at the same time in the middle of a natural setting and thereby enjoying the best of both worlds.

A hall and a garden are available to rent at the Švicarija Creative Centre. The hall, which goes by the name Radetzky, can host 220 attendees in cinema layout, 180 attendees in classroom layout, 210 attendees for a reception and 150 attendees in banquet/seating buffet. The entire hall area covers 240 square metres

89

with a ceiling height of five metres. Impressia is the name given to the garden, where 700 attendees can be seated in cinema layout, 320 attendees in classroom layout, 600 attendees for a reception and 350 attendees in banquet/seating buffet. The total area covered by the garden is 800 square metres.

CATERING SERVICES When hosting an event at the Švicarija venue the catering will be taken care of by the “Meta in bazilika” catering company, who also operate together with the Švicarija coffee shop located on site. For additional information feel free to get in touch with them directly via e-mail at info@metainbazilika.si or you can also reach them on their mobile at 00386 51/350-755.

CONTACTS Ms Petra Klučar T: 00386 1 241 38 08 E: petra.klucar@mglc-lj.si W: www.mglc-lj.si

Kongres Magazine

90 102

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More information: WWW.SPA-CE.SI |INFO@SPA-CE.SI|+386 1 430 5103

ENSPA 2017

SPA-CE, unique B2B event presenting thermal European Natural Spas & Wellness Conference SPA-CE, uniqueinvites: B2B event presenting thermal and natural spas in Central Europe on occasion of 60thand Anniversary of Slovenian Spas Association natural spas in Central Europe invites: EXHIBITORS

HOSTED BUYERS

EXHIBITORS SPA-CE, unique B2B event presenting thermal, natural and medicinalthermal tourist agencies and tour November 16, 2017 thermal, naturaloffering and medicinal spas operators spa, and natural spas in Central Europe invites:

HOSTED BUYERS

tourist agencies and tour spas wellness and medical tourism operators offering spa, wellness hotels and centers hotels and centers wellness and medical tourism EXHIBITORS BUYERS providersHOSTED of spa, wellness and wellness programmes providers of spa,companies wellness and programmes insurance medical tourism services thermal, natural and medicinal tourist agencies and tour insurance companies medical tourismof services destination tourism organizers incentive spas operators offering spa, Postage paid destination tourism organizers of incentive organizations programmes Slovenia wellness hotels and centers wellness and medical tourism organizations programmes providers of spa, wellness and programmes medical tourism services5 REASONSinsurance TO JOINcompanies US destination tourism organizers of incentive TO JOIN and US natural spas the one and only B2B event in CE5–REASONS with focus on thermal organizations programmes the one and only B2B event in CE – with focus on thermal and natural spas new business opportunities – personal contacts new business opportunities – personal contacts first hand experience – exciting post-event destination fam trip first hand experience – exciting 5 REASONS TO JOIN US professional education – spa experts sharing their knowledge post-event destination fam trip • what are the trends in the spa industry professional spa experts sharing their knowledge the one and only B2B eventpre-scheduled in CE – with focus on thermal and natural spaseducation face-to-face meetings forwater effective useused of–your • how can the healing properties of thermal be totime prevent, pre-scheduled face-to-face meetings for effective use of your time new business opportunities – personal contacts renew the physical and psychic energy and preserve health | INFO@SPA-CE.SI | +386 1 430 51 03 More information: first hand experience – exciting post-event WWW.SPA-CE.SI destination fam trip More information: • what are the sustainable and their socially responsible WWW.SPA-CE.SI goals of spas| INFO@SPA-CE.SI | +386 1 430 51 03 professional education – spa experts sharing knowledge pre-scheduled face-to-faceORGANIZERS: meetings for effective use your time • how to encourage the promotion of ofhealth HOST:

Postage p Slovenia

Radenci Spa & Health Resort, Slovenia

Meet the experts, get new knowledge, network and celebrate with Slovenian Spas!

HOST: ting d.o.o., Štihova 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Terme Krka

www.terme-krka.com More information: WWW.SPA-CE.SI |INFO@SPA-CE.SI|+386 1Terme 430 Krka 5103

ORGANIZERS:

HOST:

Slovenian Spa Association ORGANISERS:www.slovenia-spa.si Terme Krka www.terme-krka.com Slovenian Spa Association www.slovenia-spa.si

www.terme-krka.com

HOST: PARTNER: Slovenian Spa Association www.slovenia-spa.si PARTNER: SPIRIT Slovenia, Slovenian Tourist Board www.slovenia.info

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Go.Mice / Toleranca marketing d.o.o.

155 Sava Hotels & Resorts / Health Resort Radenci www.go-mice.eu PARTNER: Go.Mice / Toleranca marketing d.o.o. www.go-mice.eu SPIRIT Slovenia,

PARTNER: SPIRIT Slovenia, Slovenian Tourist Board www.slovenia.info

Toleranca marketing d.o.o., Štihova 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

ORGANIZERS: • what should health insurance companies know

More information: WWW.SPA-CE.SI | INFO@SPA-CE.SI | +386 1 430 51 03

Toleranca marketing d.o.o., Štihova 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

MAIN TOPICS to be presented by international and local experts

Kongres Magazine

CONVENTA EXPERIENCE 10TH NEW EUROPE EXIBITION

onventa Experien enta Experience FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENTIVE TRAVEL

NEW EUROPE EXHIBITION FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENTIVE

EXHIBITION FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENTIVE TRAVEL

Conventa Experie

10th NEW EUROPE EXHIBITION FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENT

25 January 2018 • Ljubljana, Slovenia • www.conventa.si

8 • Ljubljana, Slovenia • www.conventa.si

CON

10 years. Ex

CONVENTA

10 years. Explore. Meet. Create.

24 – 25 January 2018 • Ljubljana, Slovenia • www.conventa.si 93

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CONVENTA ADDENDUM Kongres Magazine

CONVENTA INVITATION FOR HOSTED BUYERS

It’s personal: a boutique show that accepts up to a maximum of 150 meeting providers and provides the perfect balance between meetings and networking

It’s business: you will get to know the region and its destinations, and meet new business partners in a professional but relaxing environment

It’s education: international and local speakers deliver key addresses in an informal ‘Experts Corner’ set in the heart of the show floor

Why become a hosted buyer at the 10th edition of Conventa trade show?

It’s all taken care of by us: flight, transfers, accommodation, one2one meetings, the welcome and official reception, networking lunches, an after-party event and the exciting and informative fam trip programmes.

It’s pleasure: a hosted buyer status guarantees you VIP treatment at all times

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CONVENTA ADDENDUM Kongres Magazine

MRS. BARBARA VAJDA

former Managing Director of Ljubljana Tourism INTERVIEW BY URŠA SVETELJ

Q: What does Conventa mean to you?

Nowadays the meaning of Conventa has changed for me, as I am not actively a part of this business anymore. I am proud that I was a part of Conventa’s first steps and it gives me many happy memories.

Conventa already celebrating its 10th anniversary is the validation of a great project that has managed to grow in both space and time.

Q: Can you share a really memorable experience from Conventa that is hard to forget?

I remember searching for a motive that would represent the content and vision of Conventa at a symbolic level. The working group that I was a part of accepted my suggestion that we use a nice cup with a colourful image of Ljubljana in the background. I am still very

proud of that.

Q: Conventa is celebrating its 10th jubilee in the upcoming year – for you what is Conventa’s message to the MICE industry?

Networking, cooperation and connection is important, also in times when the industry has not been at its best. We cannot survive without networking, and that is what Conventa stands for.

Q: How do you see the impact of Conventa on the region?

Conventa is highly important for the region due to its unique position as the first and only such event in this area. It provides a great opportunity for destinations to present what they can offer to the MICE segment 95

and among wider circles it also brings awareness of the meaning and importance of the MICE segment in the region, generating the development of MICE in the region.

Q: If Conventa were a dish, what would it be and why?

Coffee, since everyone likes it and it stimulates us, makes us alert, enables us to think clearly and brings sparkling ideas. It gives us the energy and power to do our job and to exceed expectations. While drinking coffee we meet, create new business opportunities and make new friends. A cup of coffee as a symbol of Conventa’s visual identity did not come about by chance!

CONVENTA Kongres Magazine ADDENDUM

INTERVIEW BY URŠA SVETELJ

Q: What does Conventa mean to you?

Conventa is a quality MICE industry trade show that is especially important for the countries of Central and South-East Europe.

Q: Can you share a really memorable experience from Conventa that is hard to forget?

There were plenty of such moments, from planning Conventa to the successful realization of the project, but the most important experiences of all are the people, my dear friends and excellent professionals - the Conventa organisers Miha Kovačič, Gorazd Čad and Tatjana Radovič. I will never forget a single moment of when I received the Hall of Fame award when it was first established.

Q: Conventa is celebrating its 10th jubilee in the upcoming year – for you what is Conventa’s message to the MICE industry?

The ten-year jubilee is the best confirmation of Conventa’s success. In my long-term managerial career I have witnessed many attempts to organise MICE trade shows around the world, but only a small number of them have managed to survive. Conventa’s message is primarily to offer quality rather than quantity: a smaller number of quality buyers is always a better choice.

Q: How do you see the impact of Conventa on the region?

Conventa has positioned itself as an important trade show for the area of Central and South-East Europe with a regular place on the MICE events calendar. The establishment of the Slovenian Convention Bureau and the launch of Kongres magazine were important pre-conditions for the Conventa’s successful organisation. I am proud that I was able to provide friendly assistance as a previous director of the Croatian Convention and Incentive Bureau. I see Conventa as a child that has grown up strongly and wisely, especially given the fact that in 2014 the Croatian Convention and Incentive Bureau (up to that time a well-known brand of the Croatian and European MICE industry) was unfortunately closed due to an irresponsible decision. I am hoping for a better future and a return of the Croatian Convention and Incentive Bureau, as I strongly believe that it will have a positive impact on the future of MICE and the development of Conventa and Kongres magazine due to several exhibitors coming from Croatia.

Q: If Conventa were a dish, what would it be and why?

If IBTM World in Barcelona is a starter and IMEX in Frankfurt is the main dish, then Conventa is a great dessert!

NIK RAČIĆ

Director of the Croatia Convention Bureau 96

CONVENTA ADDENDUM

THE CONVENTA EXHIBITION FLOOR IS FILLING UP FAST! The Conventa exhibition floor is filling up fast!

We are proud to say that the Conventa exhibition floor is filling up fast and we’ve never had so many early bird applications as this year. The exhibitors are our guests and we treat them with the utmost respect; we love both old and new faces that arrive at the event and share their business offer.

Thinking of exhibiting at Conventa 2018? Then you’ll need to hurry up and book your place.

Experience Ljubljana, the capital of magical Slovenia, in January, in a magical time when the snow likes to visit us and everything becomes quiet. Except at Conventa – where we like to give everyone a nice boost after their New Year’s parties.

High satisfaction rates The high quality of Conventa always ensures high satisfaction of both exhibitors and invited guests.

Through the analysis of the overall results, participant surveys and individual meetings with exhibitors, we always take great care to improve the quality each year, understanding that this will increase the loyalty of partners and enhance Conventa’s reputation. In the past five years the average satisfaction level of ex-

hibitors was scored 4.23 (from a possible 5), with the average satisfaction level of invited guests even higher, scoring the trade show with an average of 4.44.

Fun facts about exhibiting at Conventa:

Slovenia, Serbia, Austria, Croatia, BIH, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Montenegro, Greece and Germany, but we’re expecting even more different nationalities.

Did you know that…

- Every year 80% of hosted buyers are newcomers?

- Conventa is the leading B2B event in the meet ings industry field for New Europe?

- You will use your time wisely at Conventa, with at least 22 meetings in two days?

- You receive a database of all participating invited guests after the event?

- We make sure to get top quality international and regional hosted buyers?

- We guarantee a lot of networking opportunities with hosted buyers?

- In just two days you will have the chance to meet around 170 international and more than 100 regional and Slovene buyers?

- Conventa communicates with more than 50,000 meetings professionals?

After the past nine years of organising the Conventa trade show, for this year we already have some names of newcomers who have decided to trust us and join us for our celebratory 10th Conventa Edition anniversary! Wondering who might be joining us this year for the first time? Here are some of the names: Esterhazy Events, Austria; Schladming-Dachstein Convention, Austria; Alexander Tour Company Ltd., Bulgaria; The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest, Hungary; Art’otel Budapest, Hungary; Gdansk Convention Bureau, Poland; Dekon.SI, Slovenia and AG VEBO d.o.o., Slovenia. With more to come…

For 2018, we already have registered exhibitors from

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Join us for the 10th edition of the Conventa trade show and be a part of the magic – where pleasure and business go hand in hand, where business connections are made over a cup of coffee.

See you in January!

CONVENTA ADDENDUM

TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THAT IS NOT THE QUESTION! Still trying to decide whether to come along and meet us at the Conventa 2018 edition? Whether to join us at our celebratory anniversary or not? To grab a few more coffees with us than might be recommended on a daily basis? To meet with the right connections for your business and turn these connections into solid friendships? Whether to come party with us and have a blast in Ljubljana?

Well, wonder no more. We have assembled the top 5 reasons why you, exhibitors, should join us and why you, hosted buyers, should take part in this amazing experience! Read on – and we will be looking forward to meeting you on 24th and 25th of January 2018!

EXHIBITORS 1. Saving time and money In only two days you have the chance to meet around 170 international and more than 100 regional and Slovene buyers, all in one place.

What will impress your financial department most is that at Conventa you pay only onetenth of the price for a lead than you would pay at other trade shows.

2. Meeting cherry-picked buyers Around 90% of meeting planners are new to the show each year and they all have to meet the organiser’s strict criteria in order to gain hosted buyer status.

3. Networking every step of the way Conventa is the only trade show that organises joint social events, making sure exhibitors and hosted buyers can continue networking even after the trade show hours.

4. Marketing through Conventa channels Conventa continuously communicates with more than 50,000 meeting professionals – promoting exhibitors and your stories is what we do successfully 365-days a year.

5. Gaining new knowledge It has always been important to offer free of charge professional education to you as a part of the Conventa experience and on the other hand also give you a chance to educate others about what you do best during the show at our Experts’ Corner.

HOSTED BUYERS 1. Discovering new destinations Conventa opens your meetings horizons. The trade show introduces you to around 15 differ-

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ent New European destinations, 140 meeting providers and offers a personal experience of one destination of your choice on a fam trip.

2. All expenses covered The hosted buyer programme includes a complimentary economy return air ticket from selected destinations, local transfers, accommodation, meals, evening receptions and a fam trip.

3. Personal itinerary of appointments You get access to the online hosted buyer zone where you can schedule one-to-one appointments with exhibiting companies of your interest.

4. VIP treatment You will feel like a Royal with the 24/7 support of the Conventa team, enjoying great hospitality and positive energy in a relaxed atmosphere all packed into the one-of-a-kind Conventa experience.

5. Gaining new knowledge Conventa offers several education modules discussing relevant topics, following trends and answering burning questions. All free of charge and led by the best meetings industry professionals!

CONVENTA ADDENDUM

CONVENTA BEST EVENT AWARD CALL FOR ENTRIES IS NOW OPEN Excellence will be at the forefront once again at Conventa 2018 as Kongres Magazine, in collaboration with the Conventa trade show, open submissions for the Meetings Star awards category – best event.

Organisers of mind-blowing events from the New European region are invited to enter the competition that for the second time will acknowledge the best of the best in the event business. The winner will be announced in January 2018 during the Conventa trade show.

Since 2009, Conventa organisers together with the editorial board of Kongres Magazine have been selecting the best meeting destinations, hotels and

convention centres. The Meetings Star Award is the most established such recognition in the meetings industry field that in 2018 will be granted for the 10th consecutive year. For the second year in succession after announcing the first ever winner of the award – TEDxLjubljana Saloon in the air – the winner of the best event will join the rest of the Meeting Star award winners on the Conventa Stage.

The best events are selected by a respected and competent jury comprised of decorated meetings industry professionals. The most important evaluation criteria are innovation and creativity of the event. The expert jury will also take into consideration the execution,

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event results, excellence in communication and sustainable policies. The award for the best event will be given to the one with the most points received by the jury.

The winner will be announced and awarded during the Conventa trade show, held from 24th to 25th January 2018 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

More information available at www.conventa.si/conventa-best-event-award

BRIEFING

SAVA HOTELS & RESORTS

WINNING ICE CREAM WITH A VIEW – ONLY AT BLED!

With the help of the scrumptious ice cream “Sladogled – ice cream with a view” that was prepared in the confectionery workshop of Hotel Park for summer 2017, Bled has won the title of the best ice cream destination in the world. The competition was organised for the third consecutive year by Irish marketing agency SoolNua, under the name “The SoolNua World ICECREAM Index”. The flavour of the Ice cream with a view is a mixture of various refined tastes: dark chocolate with raw cocoa beans that will pamper the part of you that comes to Bled to enjoy the enchanting nature; quinoa ice cream with almonds, cinnamon and raisins, which will stimulate the part of you looking for motivation and reinvigoration; while mascarpone will nurture your romantic side.

You can taste the winning ice cream at Ice cream with a View (Blejska sladoglednica) at Bled, and to enhance its flavour look around you at the most beautiful views of the mysterious lake, the dreamy islet, the romantic castle and the majestic mountains!

BLED STRATEGIC FORUM AIMING TO BECOME REGIONAL DAVOS

Slovenia’s top international foreign political event, the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF), hosted around 1,000 guests from 70 countries, including 15 foreign ministers and top officials of international organisations such as the EU and OECD, in Bled on Monday and Tuesday for talks on New Reality.

Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec highlighted the BSF’s role as an important regional event that has evolved into a recognized trademark since its beginnings in 2006.

This year, the meeting featured 30 panels on topical issues in a time of changing relations and emerging new hubs of power. The main panel and the forum as a whole has been entitled New Reality. Discussions were also held on the EU’s enlargement to the Western Balkans, global nuclear security and the future of the EU, among other topics.

BLED BECAME THE GLOBAL SPORT TOURISM TOWN 2017

The Global Sport Tourism Summit, which took place at WTM London on Monday 7th November 2016, included a Sport Tourism Award Competition where from amongst more than 100 applicants Bled was selected as the best sport tourism town for 2017.

The Global Sport Tourism Town 2017 designation was awarded to the city considered to be delivering an integrated sports tourism town destination approach and so represents the potential of diverse sports experience and customer satisfaction but, above all, the vision of a sustainable touristic development of Bled.

The first Sport Tourism Awards of its kind aims to recognise and reward innovation and achievement in sport tourism from across the world, and Bled’s diversity of sports activities in integrated nature resorts proves that the vision of presenting a touristic destination, including attractive events, has made an outstanding contribution to the sport tourism industry and is acknowledged by a global audience of sport tourism influencers and practitioners.

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CD LJUBLJANA CONGRESS CENTRE CENTRE CONGRESS

THE WORLD’S TOP SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE BROUGHT 681 SCIENTISTS TO LJUBLJANA

The 10th Liquid Matter Conference, central global event in the field of physics and chemistry of liquids, held at CD Congress Centre Ljubljana in July The 10th Liquid Matter Conference, central global event in the field of physics and chemistry of liquids, held at CD Congress Centre Ljubljana in July 2017 welcomed 681 scientists from all over the world. The organizer chose the CD Congress Centre Ljubljana for 3 main reasons: for their great location in the centre of Ljubljana, their excellent technical facilities and the leading Slovenian PCO´s great professional services.

AND ALL THE JAZZ ...

6 jazz days and more than 22 lively concerts at Cankarjev dom, home of the CD Congress Centre Ljubljana, welcomed lovers of this music genre in the beautiful Slovenian capital from 28th June until 2nd July 2017. The 58th Jazz Festival Ljubljana proved again that Ljubljana truly loves jazz and great atmosphere was felt through all the CD Congress Centre Ljubljana, which breathed jazz in almost all of their halls with numerous concerts, exhibitions, workshops and also a pop-up venue with an amazing chill-out sessions right next in the Council of Europe Park. Jazz came back to their halls between 21st and 24th September with hosting the 4th European Jazz Conference, the most important annual meeting of jazz professionals in Europe.

CD CONGRESS CENTRE LJUBLJANA HOSTED THE BIGGEST INTERGOVERNMENTAL EVENT ORGANISED IN SLOVENIA IN 2017

Slovenia is becoming one of the leading countries in the field of Open Educational Resources (OER), hosting the 2nd World OER Congress, held at CD Congress Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 18 – 20 September 2017. The congress was also the biggest intergovernmental event event being organised in Slovenia in 2017 and served as unique opportunity for Slovenia to strengthen its international, regional and local visibility, as well as Slovenia´s relevance in the OER and open education area.

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Kongres Magazine BRIEFING

BRATISLAVA’S UNIQUE URBAN PROJECT: UP! CITY

Stará Tržnica, the renowned and popular meeting spot for both the locals and visitors from all around the world is the place where the “up! city” project came to life.

The project has combined motion, relaxation and fun all in one place, as it connects aspects of mobility, modern technologies and chill-out zones. Right in front of the Stará Tržnica historic building you can find the electric Volkswagen e-up! cars parked there that are ready and waiting to “up&go” for you, either to get down-to business or to just to enjoy and explore the city with your loved ones. The native, Bratislava-born car knows the city by heart and as an added bonus you can choose one of the six routes of the built-in navigation system that help you get to know the city as you drive around in an urban car with a fully electric engine. Each of the routes are thematically focused on architectural attractions, monuments and the natural beauty of the capital, as well as the city surroundings for an even more attractive driving experience.

If you’re more into sports or two-wheeled-transportation, fear not, as the “up&bike” project awaits you! In addition to the typical city bike you can also rent the trendy e-bikes, cargo bikes, and even electric scooters.

NEHERA FROM MANUFACTURER TO CONSUMER

Bratislava has many interesting brands and successful companies. One of them that has been revived and is now proud to carry on its Slovak tradition is the clothing company Nehera. The back story of Nehera extends to the 1930s, when the brand was originally founded in Czechoslovakia by visionary businessman Jan Nehera, and at that time the brand had more than 130 retail stores in Europe, the United States and Africa. Having entirely disappeared from the High Street, the brand was resurrected in 2014 and today proudly re-employs its timeless heritage of Slovak and Czech tailor studies and factories originally founded by Jan Nehera himself. Since September 2015, Nehera is also a part of the official Paris Fashion Week, although the revived brand has no ambition to attract the attention of extravagance; on the contrary, it now meets customer desires for a more discreet form of luxury, combining unique shapes and quality materials with an emphasis on detail. They depend on their tine-honoured strong tradition and high-quality production processes, building a global innovative brand that provides materials that are produced locally.

Nehera is a story of a success resurrected from the last century to nowadays create fashion must-have pieces, all with the thinking that started out in the 1930s: if you wear Nehera, you dress for success. Locally manufactured, high quality and globally innovative.

BRATISLAVA CONVENTION BUREAU THE WHITE NIGHT IN BRATISLAVA

Slovakia’s largest and most visited contemporary art festival is set to take over the streets of Bratislava from 1st to the 15th of October. The White Night is a prestigious international art project with the ambition to present to the public contemporary art forms and unconventional, unrecognized and important places from European cities. It offers visitors a very non-traditional artistic city walk through the night, loaded with fascinating experiences and new sensations. On the second night of October night becomes day, which is when people and art fill the streets. If visiting Bratislava in this period make sure to get a special map that will guide you through the various art spots – from visually attractive installations, concerts and films to theatre pieces, dance and live performances. The organisers’ goal is to point out how non-traditional spots and city streets can be transformed by art during one night out. Whilst in Bratislava also make sure you don’t miss Bratislava Castle, Ondrej’s cemetery, the Medical Garden, Main Square, the UFO and the Pyramid, all in a different light and from a brand new perspective.

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BRIEFING BRIEFING

WORLD RENOWNED EXHIBITION BODY WORLDS VITAL COMING TO SLOVENIA

The leading Slovenian, GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convetion Centre announced they will be hosting one of the world’s most famous exhibition, the Body Worlds Vital exhibition, from 20th October 2018 until 20th January 2019. The Slovenian capital Ljubljana will join over 115 cities world-wide, including Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City with 44 million which have experinced BODY WORLDS Vital.

GR CREATES A MAGICAL SET UP FOR THE 16TH WORLD CONGRESS

In the last day of June 2017, GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convetion Centre hosted the 16th FMF World Congress and again proved they are one of the best congress organisers in Slovenian capital. Their Marmorna Hall was completely transformed into special set up in partnership with Jezeršek Catering for amazin social event where more than 1,500 participants danced the night away ... Once again, the GR slogan “Don’t stress. Relax. GR does the rest.” proved to be correct!

BEAUTY WITHOUT CONTENT IN NOTHING

Miss Slovenia, the most beautiful woman in Slovenia was announced on 9th Septemberr 2017 at a special event at GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convetion Centre in their Marmorna Hall. Providing the best technical equipment for direct TV screening on Planet TV, one of Slovenian major commercial TV station, and beutiful surrounding for the night of beauty and content, where 15 finalists presented itself in all its glory with Maja Zupan crowned as the most beautful Slovenian woman.

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BRIEFING

UNION HOTELS

UNION HOTELS HOSTED THE PRIVATE MICE AUTUMN 2017

With the event organisers seeking a developed meetings industry city that would give attendees the intimate touch, Ljubljana was the only sensible choice, and so the event was hosted in Slovenia’s capital and largest city. A series of networking activities and dinners provided a great opportunity for independent properties and small collections to build great business relationships and the opening night was hosted at Modna Hiša (“Fashion House”), which was once a thriving shopping hall and recently became the venue for unique events with a fashion-inspired setting. The networking and activity opportunities were held in the renovated Union Hall, which can host up to 850 attendees. The exclusive location of the Grand Hotel Union, located in the heart of the city centre and overlooking Prešeren Square and the Triple Bridge, gave its guests the perfect base to explore Ljubljana and its surroundings during their free time.

KARANTANIJA CONGRESS HALL: BETWEEN MUSIC, TREES AND WILD ANIMALS

In August 2016, Union Hotels in cooperation with Conventa Crossover presented a new “out of the box” meeting concept to meeting planners at the Hotel Lev. This year it was time for a real jungle upgrade of the Karantanija conference hall, which can accommodate up to 400 guests. The carefully designed venue with a jungle theme and a precise eye for detail wowed the attendees. The Union Hotels team designed the venue with a cosy living room feeling mixed with the wild vibe of being in a jungle. The big bamboos and palm trees added the lush, jungle theme, while several flying animals created the jungle wildness. Since we believe in the power of all the six senses, Union Hotels did an amazing job when it came to the culinary delights, prepared by their chefs with a special ‘jungle theme’. For any further snacking the hall wasn’t lacking, with more than 100 kilos of bananas, pineapples and coconuts for visitors to enjoy!

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BRIEFING

NATAŠA KERŠIČ RAZINGER IS THE NEW HOTEL LEV MANAGER

Nataša Keršič Razinger has been appointed as the new hotel manager of the four-star hotel and conference centre. For Nataša, a great enthusiast and proud member of the Slovenian hospitality industry, her career started out at the Slovenian Tourist Board, where she worked as an Assistant to Head of Promotion and Marketing. Following that, she joined and became acquainted with the MICE industry as a Sales Representative at the Grand Hotel Union, where she instantly fell in love with the hotel industry. She later joined the team at the Best Western Premier Hotel Slon as Marketing Manager and PR representative, where she remained for four years. Her heart then led her to Slovenia’s hidden paradise, the city of Bled, in 2011, where for the past six years she has been a great success in her role of managing director of the four-star Best Western Premier Hotel Lovec and Hotel Kompas.

Ljubljana’s hospitality industry is now proud and delighted to welcome Nataša back to the capital city, to have her share her knowledge of and positive attitude to the daily routine and challenges that tourism and the meetings industry brings to this lovely city. The Hotel Lev team and the key members are very happy to welcome Nataša on board and are eager for her to bring Hotel Lev and its staff to an even higher level regarding services, the hotel offer and its congress centre.

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