KONGRES MAGAZINE SUMMER ISSUE by KONGRES MAGAZINE

/ 24 / BEHIND THE SCENES VILLA MENEGHETTI, Bale, Croatia

/ 89 / OUTDOOR VENUES 2014 Best outdoor venues 2014

/ 64 / KONGRES TELESCOPE by Robert Cotter

/ 12 / EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW’S GEORG UNTERKIRCHER, General Manager at Falkensteiner Punta Skala TOMO ČEH, General Manager of Union Hotels

/ 42 / CROATIA ADDENDUM by Daniela Kos Vespa World Days 2015 in Biograd and Zadar, Croatia Reboot Develop 2015: Game of Thrones attracted international gaming community to Dubrovnik A Year of Grand Unveilings: New Hotels and Conference Halls along the Adriatic coast

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NEW EUROPE MEETINGS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE VOLUME IX, ISSUE 6 // July 2015

SURFING THROUGH THE CONTENT

Creative content for meetings industry

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GO DEEPER, RIGHT TO THE HEART! Over 8,000 karst caves are located beneath the surface of Slovenia.

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THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS ISSUE

Page 6 In Focus

MICKEY SCHAEFER, Decision to Attend Study: Positive Tourism Experiences = Maximazing Attendance DAMJAN OBAL, Tourism, why do your products suck? Designing experiences and telling stories in touris Page 23 Meetings Rock’n’roll

ENERGY AT MEETINGS - How to organise meetings that Rock

GORAZD ČAD 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. ŠPELA JERUC With her youthful energy Špela carries out even the most difficult journalistic tasks. Over the past two years she has become an important part of the Kongres team and is now ready to conquer the media world

Cruisin’ Along South East Europe With the Conventa Team Kongres Face2face

Page 35 POREČ vs ROVINJ Page 40 KRAKOW vs. WARSZAW Page 56 Hidden Congress Guest

Regent Porto Montenegro Radisson Blu Split Hotel Pučić Palace Dubrovnik Hotel Evropa Sarajevo Valamar Diamant Poreč Hotel Ambasador Opatija

NATALIJA BAH ČAD 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. POLONA SIMŠIČ The knowledge and experience she accumulated with organisation of advertising festivals and conferences, she successfully transfers to the meetings industry. She tells stories of the project Conventa and takes care that they are always up to date and fresh.

Page 64 Kongres Telescope

All Together Now Bankgkok Convention Centre: Top of the World Marriot’s Meetings Muscle How High in Shanghai Page 79 Conventa - Experiencing is Believing

10 Facts you need to know about Conventa Experience Conventa Meet Busters Is it Worth it? Return on investement of exhibiting at Conventa? Partners about Conventa

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Editor in Chief Gorazd Čad Assistant to the Editor in Chief Špela Jeruc Editor of Croatia Addendum Daniela Kos Editor of Kongres Telescope Robert Cotter Design Nenad Cizl dtp and prepress Premedia, Andrej Juvan Translation Špela Jeruc Proofreading Rob Cotter

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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.

DANIELA KOS Daniela Kos graduated from Zagreb’s Faculty of Business and Economics. An entrepreneur with a specific interest in marketing, after starting her career in the IT industry and culture Daniela has gone on to today run the first Croatian media for the meetings industry.

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Frankfurt 19–21 May 2015

How much do you know about IMEX? As the countdown to IMEX 2015 begins, take our quick quiz and find out…

1. How many people from

the international meetings industry attended last year’s IMEX? A) Just under 5,000 B) Just under 10,000 C) Just under 15,000

2. Which of the following

subjects will be included in IMEX 2015’s 10-track education programme? A) Marketing B) Technology C) Wellbeing

4. Which benefits do Hosted Buyers receive at IMEX?

A) Free travel and accommodation B) An exclusive lounge with free wifi C) A friendly concierge service

5. Which destination held

a screaming contest on their stand last year? A) Mexico B) Norway C) Japan

3. How big is the company behind the show?

IMEX. A small, friendly company hosting a big, friendly event. Come and join us 19–21 May 2015 in fabulous Frankfurt. imex-frankfurt.com Call +44 (0)1273 227311 Email info@imexexhibitions.com @imex_group Register now for IMEX 2015 imex-frankfurt.com/register

A) Under 60 people B) 60 –120 people C) 120+ people

The worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.

Answers: 1. C 2. A,B&C 3. A 4. A,B&C 5. B (They’re not as shy as we thought, obviously.)

A word from the editor

FIELDS OF GOLD ”NA OVIM PROSTORIMA"

Gorazd Čad, Editor, Kongres magazine

‘I don't care what you call this place – “a region”, “something from the past”, “SouthEastern Balkans” or “Yugoslavia”. In my world it’s a unified region.’ Boris Dežulović I couldn't agree more with this famous Croatian columnist’s response when the word put to him was in reference to the places of the former Yugoslavia. “Does something like a region exist in the meetings industry?” is a question I myself often get asked from my colleagues of "Old Europe". My answers very closely mirror Dežulović's mindset. When you understand the area, and I mean properly understand the area, so without needing a translator and you don't have to order a coffee in English, then this is certainly a ‘region’. This applies more so to the older generations with their historic memories, but it is also starting to filter through to the younger generations through music and art, and more and more also through congress projects. Consequently it is fair to say that the ups and downs of the meetings industry of Serbia affect me as strongly as those in Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia or my homeland of Slovenia. These are all problems and challenges that are mutual and that we face together. The regional congress map is already starting to resemble the former Yugoslavia - that is simply the reality and not in any way a wished-for utopia, and most certainly not with any lingering sense of Yugo-nostalgia. The reality of it is best understood by some of the region’s more dynamic DMCs and it is by no accident that the biggest of these is from Dubrovnik – a city has understood the idea of regional business relationships from time immemorial and for which five hundred years of mastering Balkan trade has certainly provided a solid platform for properly understanding the region. With all of this in mind, this year promises to be a good congress season for the region and we can continue to build the small congress world of our dreams. In a somewhat selfish way I wish the greatest success to our regional colleagues, who after all of the difficult stages of development they have been through now deserve the business success they are getting. It now

@gorazdcad

"As a new initiative we will be introducing a column in which we compare the levels of key personal meeting participants expenses in some of the most popular cities of the region – we hope you enjoy it" seems that the difficult infrastructural phase of growth in the region is pretty much complete and we can now boast a number of truly excellent congress centres the whole way along the Adriatic coast (Danijela Kos offers a more detailed story in this issue on a broad range of infrastructure projects in Croatia, where many new hotel openings are scheduled). All three main capital cities – excluding Zagreb, which

is still waiting for the long-promised construction of a convention centre – are now on a level playing field. Furthermore, the key regional convention bureaus have all effectively been established as the independent contact points for event organisers. Where we are quite behind in the region, however, is in the field of creative agencies of the type that should be everywhere, especially when taking into account our unique Balkan inventiveness and creativity. There is a common occurrence when we organise logistic deals for European creative agencies, and that is that the cream often stays in Germany. Georg Unterkircher, the man whose background helped bring the BMW premiere to Zadar, gives his opinion on this situation in this issue. Our region, in the congress and meetings industry sense, is unquestionably an uncut diamond, but the harsh reality of the congress and every other industry is the big corporations that won't readily engage with this part of Europe and its micro-business. Regardless of this, what we have in abundance is creativity and authenticity, which for purveyors of fine events is hard, if not impossible, to find anywhere else in Europe.

In Focus

DECISION TO ATTEND STUDY: Positive Tourism Experiences = Maximizing Attendance

Text by Mickey Schaefer, FASAE, CAE, CTA

In 2013, after spending three years and over 2,000 hours of primary research, TEI succeeded in developing the industry’s only consumer-driven standards by which destinations can measure the total visitor experience and take action on ‘Things That Matter’ to visitors (e.g. attendees, business travelers, and leisure travelers). TEI’s consumer standards helped define the Decision to Attend Study, the purpose of which is to examine the behaviors behind the decision to attend. Phase One of the study, released in January 2015, included an extensive 6-minute survey that delved into myriad behavioral factors that impact why people choose to attend conventions/expos — or not. The survey was distributed by ten U.S. organizations with large conventions/exhibitions which serve the industries of medicine, education, engineering, automobiles, banking, and more. Industry leader, Mickey Schaefer, FASAE, CAE, CTA, has been honored in many ways including induction into the Hall of Leaders of the Convention Industry Council (CIC) and named five times to the 25 Most Successful in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings magazine. Her trio of companies help destinations deliver positive visitor experiences through the Certified Tourism Ambassador™ (CTA) program, CTANetwork.com; on-line education through the newly launching Visitor Engagement Academy™; and aligning businesses to measure and improve the visitor experience through The EXPERIENCE Institute® (TEI) standards and its ExperienceDedicated™ Destination (EDD) accreditation program, TheExperienceInstitute.org.

oday’s attendees are consumers, discerning travelers who base their decision to attend on both the educational content and the EXPERIENCE they perceive they will have at the host destination/city. That, and more, comprise the findings of the recent Decision to Attend Study conducted by U.S. based The EXPERIENCE Institute® (TEI) in cooperation with the International Association of Exhibitions & Events (IAEE) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

A remarkable 7,171 attendees responded, with very interesting findings: PROPENSITY / LIKELIHOOD TO ATTEND • The Future of Face-to-Face Conventions is Strong: 92% indicate a high propensity to attend across all generations, with younger generations (Gen X and Gen Y Millennials) trending slightly higher. • Attendees Want to Learn: Over two-thirds (68%) are attending the same or more educational events. Even the younger generations trend strong as adult learners. ATTENDEES AS CONSUMERS • Attendees Fuel Destination Spending: One-half reported they’d be likely to Extend Their Stay, Turn the Trip Into Vacation, and Bring Others with them; with 75% reporting they’d be likely to get Out and About during the conference. • Positive Experiences Drive Repeat Visits and Repeat Attendance: If the destination experience is POSITIVE, 84% are likely to return for the same event and 78% are likely to return to the destination for leisure. If the experience is NEGATIVE, less than 10% will return for either — showing the sale isn’t made when the convention is booked, the sale is made when the convention leaves.

ATTENDANCE DRIVERS • Key Drivers are Education, Staying Abreast, and Networking: 95% attend for education and to stay abreast of their profession, with 75% attending for networking opportunities with ‘people like me’. • The Destination Matters: 80% report the destination impacts their decision to attend, with frequent attendees and younger generations rating it highest. THE DECISION PROCESS • W ho Makes the Decision: 73% decide themselves; 35% of younger generations need approval to attend. • Barriers to Attending: Prominent barriers are Cost, Time, and Destination/City Appeal. Younger generations asked for installment payments to pay the registration fee, cost reduction for airport transfer, and more. It’s bridging the gap between the desire to attend with the ability to attend. • W hen Do They Decide: 80% decide 2-6 months prior, with Gen Y Millennials most likely to register within 30 days, as they are considering lodging options and ‘things to do’. A free copy of the full report of the study’s findings may be obtained via the Contact Us section at TheExperienceInstitute.org What’s next? Phase Two is underway, which includes the development of a behavioral profile template to identify the top 3-5 specific behaviors and interests of that event’s attendees, e.g. interests in arts, sports, outdoor, nightlife, etc. from which event organizers and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) can target promotional messaging in order to MAXIMIZE ATTENDANCE. After all, our mutual objective is to turn the thousands of attendees into fans – ‘raving fans’ who are key to increased attendance, enhanced visitor spending, and positive word-of-mouth for the event and the destination. If successful, everyone wins.

In Focus

TOURISM, WHY DO YOUR PRODUCTS SUCK? Designing experiences and telling stories in tourism

Text by Damjan Obal

in what he calls the “dreaming” state. It is the stage we, as consumers, find ourselves so often, yet as Andraž pointed out, that in tourism almost no-one cares about it. They rarely sell us stories about magical places that will reunite us with our inner selves. Or about experiences that will leave us breathless. At best, we see a pretty picture and a catchy tagline without any meaning, or, god forbid, story behind. The IT industry seems to care more about the dreaming state we find ourselves before buying shiny objects like computers. Apple is the king of experience marketing. And they, for sure, don’t sell computers and mobile phones. No, no, they sell dreams, they sell empowerment and enrichment. Apple is selling us their story! And we’re gladly buying it, over and over again. DAMJAN OBAL, Edgartells.me Damjan Obal is UX guy with a PhD, storyteller and hobby magician. Love magical places where design, technology and stories meet. Launched a couple of products and 2 startups. Last one is Edgar - the startup that brings the power of brand storytelling to SMBs.

s an avid traveler, I’m a sucker for cool destinations and places that inspire with their weirdness. I rarely plan much in advance, so I consider myself a tourist by chance who’s open to serendipity. So, I’m your target persona if you do innovative tourism products for impulsive buyers. Wanna sell me a detour to Delft on my way to Amsterdam? You can. But you don’t. Why, because hospitality and tourism often lack any storytelling. Weird, right? Stories and memorable experiences should be the default priority for anyone working in tourism and hospitality. Yet, all they seem to care for is to optimize the buying process. GIVE THEM DREAMS Andraž Štalec from the digital marketing agency Red Orbit raised this same issue at the latest Travel Zoom conference, urging anyone working in the travel industry to re-consider their efforts

DREAMS ARE STORIES What Apple sells are nothing more than stories. Same with all the powerful brands you try to hate, but keep returning back to. You trust the German car manufacturers because of stories, you go for a coffee at that small barista because of stories. It’s the same when you travel, but it is often your personal experiences, your stories that guide your decisions. Of course, you’re influenced by well-designed leaflets or cool Facebook campaigns. But most importantly, you’re motivated by the price. And the tourism industry knows this and, therefore, bombards you with “special offers.“ After you click on the banner saying “Sicily in your pocket for €450” you land on a website that looks the same as all the others. Generic photos rotating in the header and a big red “Book” button. Where’s the mobsters story? Or the story about a nun making the best homemade pasta in the world? There are exceptions, but too often you see same, generic photos and cheesy punchlines. When the organisers asked me to have a talk and a workshop at the Travel Zoom conference, it was a no-brainer. I could finally share my frustration with the relevant stakeholders. As a UX guy, I could rant about their boring and too sales-y websites and their overly crowded interfaces. Instead, I decided to try and help them understand why at all should they care about offering pleasurable experiences. And try to shed some light on how to tell better product stories. 8

STORIES ARE EXPERIENCES When you travel, for work or pleasure, it’s about the experience. Traveling is an adventure: packing the essentials, waiting for the flight, excitement before takeoff, fear before landing, losing your luggage… You know the drill. You always come home with stories. About the clumsy bellboy at the official conference hotel, about the camel herder you met on the family trip to Tunisia. Marketers in tourism should be more aware of this and create environments open for stories. Open for serendipity, where tourists co-create memorable experiences that last in the form of epic stories. But what makes a good story? Here are six elements I think are key to every good story nowadays. A good story is: honest, authentic, consistent, quirky, responsive and personal. THE STORY OF ICELAND One of my favorite destinations ever is Iceland. The island is nothing less than magical. Its people are crazily creative, the landscape is breathtaking and the whole experience of Iceland is… a story to remember. On the other hand, Iceland is a country that almost went bankrupt in 2010, plus it’s a country with regular volcano eruptions. So, you would think they spend millions to cover this up and promote the island as a peaceful destination for rich tourists. Right? Wrong. Let’s see how they use the six elements to create memorable experiences. HONEST I believe honesty is the cheapest and most successful method ever. As weird as it sounds (right, ladies?) it always works. Well, almost. Especially if you create a lovely story around it. Let’s see how Iceland reacted after the volcano eruption that grounded half of the airplanes in the world for weeks. They were honest about it. So what if you have regular volcano eruptions. So what if you are broke. There is no point in hiding something that is obvious. People are not stupid, so stop faking and pretending that you are something that you are not. We, as human beings, often think bad of ourselves and hence find shelter in pretending. Apply this to brands and you get companies spending mil-

In Focus

lions to re-invent themselves, to resemble the big players. This is even truer in tourism where destinations try to be something they are not. Imagine Iceland trying to promote themselves as the top destination for hordes of middle age Europeans searching for their yearly dose of beer and sun. AUTHENTIC Instead, Iceland tries to find their true self, their uniqueness. Being honest is one of the things that makes Iceland authentic. Some would say, they have an easy job, as they are a truly unique destination because of the geysers and volcanos. But this is not what makes them truly authentic. These are simple artifacts. What makes them authentic is the attitude of its people, the whole Iceland experience. Which is much more than geographical phenomena. Iceland is embracing its history, its mythology and the roots. They are proud of it and share it with the tourists. For example, there are numerous people traveling to Iceland to experience the old Norse religion that has been revived in Iceland. Being authentic should be the core of every good story, every experience. This is what makes you unique. It’s what I call the Hat. The hat makes the difference and it pays out if you invest heavily in finding yours. This does not mean inventing something new, your authenticity often lies hidden in the stories, in history. For example, I come from Slovenia, the only chicken-shaped country. It is also the only country with the word “love” in its name. But which one do you think has more story potential? Well, I strongly disagree it’s the latter, but sadly the officials disagree with me. CONSISTENT Once you find what makes you stand out, what’s special and truly authentic about you, you should stick to it. Consistency is extremely important in crafting powerful stories. You must master transmedia storytelling and have your message flow from the tagline on your website to the “thank you” note in your hotel room. When we work on stories at Edgar we always design the story world first. This is the world with a clear user journey, where the rest is open for the users to experience in their own way. As a user

experience designer, I follow the same principle: you can not design the whole experience, but you can think about all the possible outcomes and design a place for joyful interactions to happen. Again, Iceland does a great job here, from the moment you step on an Air Iceland plane to when you interact with their official Twitter account. It’s the same quirky personality that is Iceland. QUIRKY Quirkiness is what makes Iceland really unique, authentic, and it is their quirky tone that follows you the whole time. It’s a bold move, to be known as the weird, quirky country. But it worked extremely well for Iceland. We love to be entertained, especially with smart, witty humor. It’s not easy to be funny if you are in the tourism or the hospitality business. But you should try it. And don’t forget, you don’t have to be super fun in the old fashioned way. Pretending to be fun can always backfire, so please be careful. If you don’t have it in you, there’s no point in pretending. Instead, just be original, relaxed and have a bit different tone of voice than the rest. RESPONSIVE Another element of a good product story is responsiveness. No matter in what industry you are, you can’t afford to be slow and ignorant. If you run a hotel in a place that suddenly became famous for the best blueberry pies in the world… well, hop on the train and have your say about it. Also, if your customers are taking funny selfies with your weird hotel logo and post them on Instagram… join the hype and make fun of yourself. My point is, your story needs to be close to your customers and has to be where they are. Iceland is again a great example here. They use Tumblr for fast and responsive blogging and they use Twitter for speedy interactions. Both use the 9

same quirky tone of voice that is also quickly adopted by others. Another great example of a good responsive campaign comes from Croatia. They found out that coaches of both teams in the SuperBowl Finals (American Football) have Croatian origins. They decided to invite them for a vacation to Croatia to help them discover their roots. But this is not the end of it, they went on Twitter with the hashtag #SuperBowlCroatia and invited everyone to participate. The response was amazing for the Croatian National Tourist Organisation and Croatia in general. PERSONAL - THE WHY Finally, the most important thing is your own Why. As Simon Sinek said: the Why powers the most successful brands. Why does your company exist? What is the story behind? What is the story of the place you’re promoting? Get personal with it. We all love to hear a story that feels honest and personal. Tell the story behind your employees or the story of the hotel owner. Or even better, tell stories about the little people at your destination. Make them heroes of your story. If you do that, people will relate. And when customers relate, when they feel emotionally connected, then you have fans for life instead of happy customers. THE END These are the six elements I believe make a good product story. They work extremely well when applied to tourism products and designing pleasant, memorable experiences. And this is what traveling is all about, right? Creating memories that transcend into stories.

CVB BRIEFING

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER The value of content marketing for an emerging destination

Text by Miha Kovačič Photo credits: Katja Jemec

eing an emerging destination certainly has its advantages as well as its disadvantages. The main advantage is definitely that meeting planners are always on the lookout for new destinations through which they can offer their clients something fresh, new and exciting – a destination that they have not experienced before, a country that their competitors are not offering – and thus at the same time give themselves a stronger competitive edge. The flip side of the emerging destination coin, however, is the disadvantages. The meetings industry is a buyers’ market and an emerging country is not an easy one to sell, as often neither a meeting planner nor a client has a ready image of the country. Therefore seeing is believing, or even better, experiencing is truly believing. However, there are several steps to be made before we can even come close to that stage. To begin with, we might have several decision makers in this process, depending on the type of the event we are talking about. To make it easier to understand let’s pretend we are talking about a corporate event and the meeting planner working for the event agency is preparing the proposal for the corporate client, who we call the end client. Meeting planners are by and large overwhelmed by country, destination, hotel, venue, DMC and incentive presentations. When preparing an offer for the end client they usually prepare a selection of destinations as per client wishes or instructions. As part of this there is usually a place for one or maybe two emerging destinations, but no more than that. The big question then is which destinations will make it on to this shortlist. I am not talking about a destination or a venue that simply fulfils the technical criteria – I am thinking here about a destination that is completely new for the client. The emerging destination first of all needs to get on to the priority list of the meeting planner, otherwise it will not stand any chance of being part of the proposal. The same story comes into play with the end client – there

must be some physical or at least mental connection with the new destination, otherwise there is absolutely no chance of it being on the list of potential hosts for the next event. Emerging countries do now have national, regional and local convention bureaus behind them, and their governments and the national industry understand their crucial role in the development of the product and their international promotion. There are also the venues and agencies who are properly proactive in bringing business to the country. If all these stakeholders are working strategically and hand in hand then there is the framework for a long-term success for all of them. Fundamentally, though, the meetings industry is a people business; people listen to and believe other people who they know or who they have some close connection to. For emerging destinations that are not so well established in the international environment it is even more important that they have many supporters and champions who can help them build their networks. For all of this and for the development of the image of a new destination content marketing is an essential tool. When meeting planners and end clients are constantly receiving high quality information about opportunities in a new country supported by positive feedback of events organised by reliable international clients, then success becomes more and more inevitable. The messenger, the one who delivers the message to the client, also plays a key role in this process. The message has a much higher value if it comes from a reliable resource, and often it can even be the decisive factor. Trust can really be the King or the Queen in our business. I can attest to all of the above experience by working with international partners such as TMF from Germany and Soolnua from Ireland. Further concrete proof of it is the Conventa experience that the Slovenian Convention Bureau organises annually in Ljubljana.

»Seeing is believing, or even better, experiencing is truly believing.«

SLOVENIA MEETINGS Feel the people. Taste fresh ideas.

www.slovenia.info

www.slovenia-convention.com

Exclusive Interview

GEORG UNTERKIRCHER, General Manager at Punta Skala Resort Collecting working experiences in different positions and departments in F&B, Rooms Division and Sales & Marketing in Italy (South Tyrol and Sardegna), Spain (Mallorca), Czech Republic (Prague) and Austria (Tyrol, Carinthia, Vienna), then moving up as F&B Manager and later Resident Manager before becoming Assistant General Manager of 2 Hotels in Vienna with his first pre-opening experience. After that being GM for 5 years in Falkensteiner Hotel in Carinthia, since 2008 GM of Punta Skala Resort with the properties Hotel & Spa Iadera***** (opened 2011), Family Hotel Diadora****S (opened 2009), Senia Residences****(*) (opened 2010) with Premium Living Services and Apartments Petrcane**** (opened 2013), in total 781 units with approximately 500 employees during the summer months, and in 2013 also Interim GM for Schlosshotel Velden***** on Woerther Lake.

Exclusive Interview

HOTEL IADERA IS ABOUT CREATING EXPERIENCES WHILE PROVIDING A SUPERB QUALITY OF SERVICE Exclusive interview GEORG UNTERKIRCHER, General Manager at Punta Skala Resort Text by Gorazd čad Photo credits Falkensteiner Punta Skala Resort and Kongres Magazine

Q: You recently hosted the World promotion of the new BMW 2-series Grand Tourer. In your opinion what was pivotal in your resort being chosen to host this event? The main reason for choosing Punta Skala Resort, namely our Falkensteiner Hotel&SPA Iadera, was the infrastructural and destination advantages that we have in Punta Skala. As you know, the Punta Skala resort is a carefully planned project with three stand-alone properties that are positioned in different segments, from family to upscale leisure and MICE. Our resort is a destination with 30Ha of function space connected with scenic driving routes and sophisticated infrastructure. We have a large, covered and secure garage with washing facilities, a large space in front of all hotels for cars display, as well as the possibility to enter with vehicles into the majority of our outdoor and indoor venues. Our hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, which is an additional guarantee for service excellence, and in Punta Skala resort within two minutes walking distance you have a variety of accommodation options also run by Falkensteiner: from 4 star superior to a 5 star hotel and upscale vacation rentals. This gives to an organiser options for smooth operations, desirable service for VIPs and staff, as well as safety and security in handling the project. BMW recognized all of the above mentioned aspects as our strengths. The last, but definitely not least, aspect is our team of experts who have planned and carried out the demanding operational requirements set by BMW and responded with an utmost professionalism to all of the client’s demands. I would like to mention that BMW is, so far, the most complex project taking into account the length of time and the manpower involved. However, in the past we have also done Chevrolet, Mini Cooper, Ferrari, Harley Davidson… to name just a few. Q: To what extent did the power of the Falkensteiner brand and your personal acquaintances contribute to securing this event? The Falkensteiner brand is known in the German-speaking market, where it stands for quality performance and a ‘welcome home’ service. Those are values that have been rec-

ognized through projects, including those of BMW too. We all gave our important contribution as a company and as individuals to make the BMW project a roaring success. This project started almost 2 years ago with BMW’s first visit to the destination. Back then we were in competition with France, Spain and Italy. Personally I was very much involved in helping guide my team to conduct every process to getting this business confirmed with us. As a team we were quick, creative, assertive and very enthusiastic about this prospect. It required lot of effort from my team and me personally, but it paid off and I was very happy when we realized that Punta Skala won over destinations such as the Cote d Azur. Q: As a general manager what do you expect from your employees at such events? I except from my team in such events and in general team work and spirit, mutual respect, efficiency, creativity and integrity. Those are values essential for any aspect of hospitality, especially in the MICE segment where a team is often forced to think outside the box and find creative solutions for challenges it faces. I expect 13

a full focus on operational excellence and on fulfilling guests’ needs. Our resort is about creating experiences while providing a superb quality of service – my team is focusing on that daily. Q: To be able to host more similar events what does a destination such as Zadar need? I am happy to see that some improvements to destination management of Zadar have been made since I moved to Croatia eight years ago. However, more intensive destination management has to be implemented. It is important that all the stakeholders of the Zadar tourism scene work with the same goal in mind, and that is the development of destination infrastructure and the general offer. In Punta Skala we do a lot for the promotion of the Zadar region. We promote our resort and our company, but also Zadar city, the nearby islands and the vast natural beauty that we are surrounded by. Technically speaking, a convention centre would increase interest among the international MICE planners, as would better connectivity with flights in pre and post season.

Exclusive Interview

Q: What kind of congress projects are ideal for the Punta Skala resort? We focus on the automotive industry for which we can offer our unique selling points. In addition, we build up international incentive programmes, as we feel that Punta Skala has so much to offer, starting from cooking classes, watersports activities, adventure programmes, biking and hiking routes as well as the excellent dining possibilities. In the resort we have a few dining concepts; the fine dining restaurant Bracera basically on the Adriatic cliffs, traditional Planika konoba on the beach, and La veranda Tratorria, dining al fresco by the pool. People come to us for sports possibilities too. Running, swimming and biking is important at the moment and in our surroundings you have routes that can be compared with best Italian or French biking options. As I said before, having this amazing space in front of us we are not just hotels, we are also destination management creators trying to offer the best of the destination with a special Falkensteiner touch.

Q: What are the key success factors in the management of the hotel? People, product and positioning. The team makes all difference, even if the product is not in the best shape. We are in hospitality â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an industry of people that can shape what might perhaps not be the best experiences into the amazing ones. Maintaining product excellence is a challenge that I personally like very much, as well as finding the strategy for how to position our properties in the best way to deliver desirable results. To be successful in hotel management one needs to have knowledge and understanding of every aspect of a hotel: operations, sales, revenue, finance, controlling and marketing. It also requires an understanding of product differentiations and what it entails to manage a property of 3 or 5 stars. Without that successful management, I believe it is not possible. I am lucky and grateful to have been trained and involved in all aspects of hotel management, as seeing the big picture and knowing how your product can be developed inevitably brings success to it.

Q: What makes Iadera Hotel different from the other hotels on the Adriatic? Our Iadera property is a unique, contemporary hotel that has best of both: leisure and MICE. On one side you have ACQUAPURA SPA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the world of wellness and wellbeing that spreads over 6,000sq.m with the most sophisticated treatments one can imagine, and one the other side you have a smaller but well planned conference centre with state of the art facilities. Our F&B concept is unique on the Adriatic as we combine culinary wisdom from the Alpine and Adriatic regions. But the most distinguished factor is my team, one that relentlessly plans and executes very many sales and operational activities in order to meet targets that are ambitious. Q: What qualities must a good General Manager of the resort have? Very good listening skills and patience and understanding for challenges that are coming our way. The GM must also celebrate team success and communicate any omissions through learning experiences. The General Manager of the resort should seek to have a broad understanding of

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everything about it, from landscaping, the water supply system and entertainment programmes in hotels to the contracting of major tour operators and KPIs. A GM does not necessarily need to be involved in all of that, but must have an understanding of processes in order to be able to lead the team and make the right decisions. In addition, one has to have a very flexible family to support the lifestyle of a GM, which is long working hours and a concern for the team, operations, sales and revenue results. Q: How do you rate destination management and cooperation at the destination in general? The part of this question I’ve already answered before; positive improvements are there, but many things yet to be done. Additional investments are needed, especially in opening more five stars hotels that shape up a destination and in a way force other tourism businesses to deliver a better service. The hinterland of Zadar has so much potential, but at the moment it lacks sustainable development. This must be taken in respect of the land, as it is fertile and can be great for wine making and creating au-

thentic rural experiences. I see sports, especially biking, as a good option for extension of season. However, consistency is the key factor for the development of destination management. I welcome a Croatia 365 idea and this can be a first step to more serious destination management development.

locally and abroad. Our marketing department is involved in developing the optimum visibility of Iadera for the MICE segment and when we do that we never leave out Zadar and other nearby places. I think consistency is the key factor in the promotion of a destination as a congress one, but also the infrastructural development.

Q: Does Zadar provide enough to a congress tourist? What could be further improved? Our two resorts, Punta Skala and Borik, are an essential part of MICE destination development, as we have a higher market share of conference rooms in the destination. As for now for smaller MICE – up to 200/250 pax - there is a satisfactory offer. However, should Zadar as a destination decide to develop this segment on a larger scale, we need to have flights, more meeting facilities and a more developed off-site offer, such as restaurants that can handle larger groups.

Q: Where did you receive your formal education? College graduate in “High School for modern languages”, finished in 1996. Study of “Management for Hotel and Gastro nomy” from 1996 to 1999 in “Fachhochschule Kaiserhof”, Postgraduate Management education for “Hotel and Gastronomy” Meran/South Tyrol in cooperation with the Faculty of tourism in Munich/Pasing.

Q: How can you attract more congress guests to Zadar and how would you improve its visibility? From Iadera’s side, our team is participating at MICE trade shows and is doing acquisitions 15

Q: How long have you been in the Falken steiner Hotel Group? For 15 years in different positions and departments and as GM since 2004.

Exclusive Interview

"I SEE THINGS AS POSITIVE AND THAT IS MY ATTITUDE TO WORK AND ESPECIALLY, PEOPLE" Tomo Čeh, General Manager of Union Hotels Text by Gorazd čad Photo Mankica Kranjec

Q: You have been at the helm of Ljubljana’s largest accommodation provider since last year. What has been the biggest change in the hotel industry since you began working in it? There were many changes, but the biggest one has occurred in the digital space and the consequent increased number of tourists – I’m mainly talking about the impact and the scope of social networks and the growth and effectiveness of online booking agencies. Q: Following your arrival, Hotel Union now seems to present a fresh and renewed image. What kind of energy do you wish to instil into Union Hotel? I do strive towards and continuously work on surrounding ourselves with a positive, dynamic energy that does not seem to expire in this amiable atmosphere of our hotel ambiance. Q: A successful spring conference season is now behind you and you’ve achieved great results. Can you tell us what the formula for your success is? I see things as positive and that is my attitude to work and, especially, people. That is where the key to success lies - in a positive approach and accepting the diversity of the employees, guests and business partners. Q: What possibilities does Slovenia have in the field of the meetings industry? Slovenia is a jewel in the MICE segment. Small, yet large and unique in its offerings, it holds tremendous potential for growth and development in this area. We must merely bolster our connections at the national level to improve promoting it. I am convinced that we will be able to make good use of this particular advantage of Slovenia and Ljubljana.

(Ljubljana is the European Green Capital 2016), the diversity of the offer, the colourfulness of the country and last, but not least, decent air connections. Q: What are the realistic possibilities for a serious congress breakthrough for Slovenia, and what role do Union Hotels play? I believe we have quite a good chance if we approach the goal together. Union hotels with the four buildings in the city centre plays an important role here - Grand Hotel Union is the largest hotel and conference centre in Ljubljana with an exceptional tradition and renown in the area of congress tourism. That is something we’re especially proud of. Q: What is the current state of Ljubljana’s Hotels from a congress tourism perspective? There’s plenty of room for development, mainly regarding air links. There are many possibilities and even more wishes and ideas. We only need to use and implement them in a proper manner and by working together. Q: You are an active supporter of the Slove nian Convention Bureau and their activities. What could be improved in order to make the Bureau more successful? I see only one option and that is to increase the bureau’s promotional budget. Q: What are the country’s untapped tourist and congress opportunities? We do engage and we do work on developing new products, entering new markets etc. One of the underutilised markets is Germany, which is especially close due to the favourable transport connections.

Q: What are Slovenia’s biggest competitive advantages in congress tourism? I see the comprehensiveness of the offer in this small country as unique: short distances between major Slovenian cities, closed city streets for transport and walking distances between hotels and congress centres in Ljubljana, a clean city

PERSONAL: Q: What is the foundation of your success? Honesty and a positive outlook while accepting all and everything around me. Q: What do you miss most after coming from the coastal Primorska region to Ljubljana? A bit more sun, please? I think I’ve got everything else covered. Q: What kind of wine would you recommend to your guests? During the winter, we opened a wine library in the Grand Union Café and launched monthly wine events with the explicit purpose of allowing people to taste more wines and to taste something new. I always recommend and invite people to wine tasting events. Q: Where do you like to travel most in your free time? My favourite destination is Greece.

Been There

CRUISIN’ ALONG SOUTH EAST EUROPE WITH THE CONVENTA TEAM Discover the beauty of the South East Europe, by driving one of region's most scenic routes Text by Gorazd čad Photo Kongres Magazine

outh-East Europe is a region that encompasses many different cultures, ethnicities, languages and histories. Grouping all of these countries under a single designation can sometimes be problematic; experts, scholars and those living there label parts of the region according to varying sets of criteria. However, the truth is that South-East Europe and all of its sub-regions is a culturally, geographically, and historically fascinating place, and this site chooses to celebrate the region as a whole whilst 18

acknowledging the differences of each sub-region and each nation within that sub-region. The Conventa team visited 4 amazing countries in 6 days and discovered the depth of beauty by driving one of region’s most scenic routes. In less than a week, the Conventa team had spread their message to more than 25 hoteliers, tourist boards, DMC’s, event agencies and Convention Bureaus all the way from European green capital 2016, Ljubljana, to natural attraction of Zadar.

Been There

1. Streets of Sarajevo 2. Sarajevo Čevapčiči 3. Rafting on Drina and Tara 4. Sarajevo garden of hotel Europa

5. Sarajevo Panorama 6. Hotel Europe Sarajevo 7. Montenegro Wild Beauty 8. Miha Kovačič wih Šemsudin Džeko, Tourist Board Sarajevo

STAGE 1:

Ljubljana (Slovenia) – Slavonski Brod (Croatia) – Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) The starting point for the road trip was Slovenia - a South-Eastern European country that is making a name for itself as a destination that anyone can enjoy - and specifically its capital city, Ljubljana. The Conventa team travelled through Zagreb and Slavonski Brod, Croatia, to arrive at the first scheduled destination of Sarajevo. In Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, they visited the Tourist Organisation of BIH, Hotel Evropa, Promo Tours, Radon Plaza Hotel, Hotel Ilidža, Hotel Hollywood, Hotel Bristol and last but not least the Hotel Residence Inn by Marriott. Sarajevo’s Winter Olympic Games in 1984 united the tourism and meetings industry of former Yugoslavia. To execute the games the strongest tourist agencies of that time came together. The games had a number of accompanying congress events and increased the number of tourists to Sarajevo. Vučko, the games’ mascot, and Jure Franko, Slovenian medal winner, remain in our hearts.

STAGE 2:

Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Foča (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Podgorica (Montenegro) Podgorica in Montenegro, which also means “black mountain”, is just 239km from Sarajevo and is a land of haunting, mist-encased peaks and rocky terrains. Towards the border of Montenegro the team passed Foča, a municipality situated on the Drina river. Eastwest Voyage, Ramada Podgorica Hotel, Hotel City, Hilton Hotel Podgorica and National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro were all visited in Podgorica and Cetinje. Podgorica is not usually on Montenegro’s list of its sexiest destinations, sitting mostly in the shadow of Lovčen, Kotor, Budva and other places loaded with history, culture and charm. It therefore seems that it became the capital of the small country, and thereby took the primacy of the royal capital of Cetinje, more or less by chance. Less known is the fact that this is one of the oldest towns of Montenegro, which is somewhat inconsistent with its current image.

Been There

9. Avala Resort and Villas 10. Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro 11. Hotel Splendid Budva 12. Naval Heritage Collection in Porto Montenegro

13. Podgorica 14. Miha Kovačič with Romana Vlašić, Dubrovnik CVB 15. Skadar Lake 16. Beekeper near Cetinje, Montenegro

STAGE 3:

Podgorica (Montenegro) – Cetinje (Montenegro) – Budva (Montenegro) Budva Old Town is a walled, historic centre on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro that has been compared to Kotor and Dubrovnik. The Montenegro coast has become one of the hottest European incentive spots, partly due to extremely strong and aggressive marketing. Montenegro Stars Hotel Group, Budva Tourist Board, Avala Resort & Villas and Talas Montenegro DMC were all visited in Budva, Montenegro.

On the Montenegrin coast congress tourism is being very seriously and ambitiously considered as part of their elite tourism. The destination, which is promoted as a wild beauty, is on the right track to become a congress gem, but to achieve this goal they will have to do much more, especially in the field of infrastructure and moving their thinking from the summer season to more yearround activities.

STAGE 4:

Budva (Montenegro) – Tivat (Montenegro) – Dubrovnik (Croatia) The Conventa team then visited Tivat, the smallest municipality by area in Montenegro, and visited one of the TOP places – Porto Montenegro. Today, Tivat is one of hottest tourist spots on the Mediterranean because of Porto Montenegro – a new, modern marina for luxury yachts, with an amazing backdrop.

As a town, Tivat didn’t start developing before the late 19th century, when the naval seaport Arsenal started to become significant. Up until the construction of the Arsenal the landed property in Tivat was mostly in the hands of feudal noblemen from Prcanj, Perast, Dobrota and Kotor.

Been There

17. Hotel Falkensteiner Iadera 18. Pučić Palace room with a view 19. Radisson Blu Split 20. Split

21. Zadar 22. Market in front of Pučić Palace 23. Miha Kovačič with Tine Brodnjak, Falkensteiner Iadera 24. Radisson Blu Hotel Dubrovnik

STAGE 5:

Dubrovnik (Croatia) – Split (Croatia) – Zadar (Croatia) The highlight of the entire coast is Dubrovnik, one of the great walled cities of Europe and a triumph of 17th century urban planning. Dubrovnik has a long tradition of welcoming foreign tourists, and an almost equally long tradition of tourists complaining about the other tourists. In Dubrovnik, Croatia, the team visited the Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera Hotel, Dubrovnik Tourist Board, Rixos Libertas Dubrovnik and DT Croatia – Dubrovnik Travel, Adriatic Luxury Hotels, Importanne Resort, Radisson Blu Resort & Spa – Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, while the Tourist Board of Split, Radisson Blu Resort Split and Le Meridien Lav Split were all visited in Split, Croatia, which is 228km away from Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is once again well established on the world tourist map as a leading tourist destination in the region. Given the extensive tourist infrastructure, locals would want to stretch the summer crowds out over the rest of the year. In addition to the legendary and iconic hotels like the Excelsior, the city offers a variety of hotel accommodation and for restaurants and entertainment it is lively day and night.

STAGE 6:

Zadar (Croatia) – Ljubljana (Slovenia) Zadar is becoming very developed and with it a viable meetings city, which boasts an exceptional cultural offer. With such potential, it can compete with Mediterranean destinations such as those in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Turkey. The Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera was visited in Zadar, Croatia, after which the Conventa team continued their way to Ljubljana and arrived there within 6 hours. This road trip was a very rewarding and exciting journey. 21

Zadar is the celebrated spot of the peace treaty of 1358 – The Treaty of Zadar – signed between the Venetian Republic and the Croatian-Hungarian Kingdom. The treaty freed the Croatian coast and islands from Venetian occupation and opened a long period of social and economic prosperity of the city of Zadar, as stressed by Skunca Stanko, Guardian of the Monastery where the treaty was signed and where the original document is filed. The location of the signing emphasizes the important role of the Franciscans in the achievement of peace and the signing of this treaty.

Viewpoint

RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR EVENTS VALLEYS OF INSPIRATION Crisis gives you wings Text by Gorazd čad

ne of the current central themes of the Slovenian media is the prohibition of organising events inside one of the festivals that is held across the country these days. I have to admit that I fully agree with organisers and I share the anger over the rigid bureaucrats who are able to destroy everything they touch. This is a serious and irreparable damage, which may be initiated by either stubborn individual bureaucrats or environmentalists. In either case, the incident has revealed a much broader issue that very much concerns all of us in the field of organising events. It is necessary to begin with a clear difference between public and private interests. As an organiser, you must know where your private profit interest collides with the public interest. This eternal conflict drives the majority of similar crisis stories around the world. 22

We should therefore be thinking about event crisis management much earlier than just a week beforehand, perhaps before an arbitrary decision by officials to destroy your project. Each private event organiser must clearly define the objectives, from increasing brand awareness and direct sales to a very simple profit. When an event is organised by a private organiser, the likely key objective is probably profit-making, which will bring happy participants and full pockets. The main reason for participants to attend is the basic programme that the organiser has promised to meet. In my experience, the cancellation of a main programme is neither forgiven nor forgotten. Can you imagine a rock festival, for which you pay an entrance fee, but suddenly the main stars are cancelled? A key commentator has likened the situation of an event as to similar as if rock was left without a guitar. Pleading public interest of an event won’t help here, much less will moaning that due to the ineptitude the entire economic chain, from accommodation providers, local tourist organisations, caterers and organisers will all be financially harmed. The story is even more crystal clear to sponsors who in such situations require immediate repayment of funds via lawyers and for even more money as they will claim to have suffered moral damages. Therefore, it is necessary to think about crisis situations well before they occur. Risk management is not an empty phrase; I’m learning from my own mistakes, but the basic message that I learned in Cankajev dom was to always have prepared A, B and sometimes event C scenarios. Therefore, the current spin in the direction of paging media, problematic conferences and protest gatherings is much different from the real problem. We live in a complex world and what is happening in the field of event management is the specialization of knowledge and experience. In the flood of events that break out every summer it seems then that nothing could be easier than to make money with the organisation of festivals, events and celebrations. However, the reality can be cruel, and sometimes even brutal. Every time I hear of such a similar situation, I cannot forget the memory of our dear colleague, Rok Klančnik, who tackled crisis management in tourism head on. Lessons are very useful for event organisers and, as Rok would say, teamwork, support and cooperation is necessary to overcome the crisis, whether the carriers are local, regional or national companies. In other words: the lonely rider will struggle to survive in a crisis!

Meetings Rock’n’ Roll

ENERGY AT MEETINGS How to organise meetings that Rock Text by Gorazd čad

ame, sang, performed, thrilled. Have you ever talked in a style of stage energy and on this stage it was incredible and contagious? ‘Sound is energy that propagates through the space as a wave’, is the textbook definition. It spreads like a fuzzy noise, or with its height, colour, strength and duration like a superior tone. At an event or congress we have to deal with these challenges. We want to transform this fuzzy noise into a steady tone of suitable height, colour and dynamics. Pianissimo presentations and fortissimo parties are connected by a special congress energy and the participants feel the sincere warmth and passion of the event. Using cheap tricks won’t work; a guitar is required to play live and to the max and to sing with full lungs. Congress power is similar to the power of music; to reach nirvana, jazz improvisation or top rock pleasures, we have to practice a lot and know the right scales. So, in addition to talent, experience is also invaluable. Put it into context: think about how you feel when you enter the reception area of a conference and can immediately feel the energy. Despite the fact that it is a place full of unfamiliar people, you still know that you are in exactly the right place and with the right people. It’s the same with hotel lobbies - old cats can identify good energy intuitively. I would dare to say that most of the communication at an event takes

place at the energy level, and only a small part at the verbal level. It is therefore surprising that often congress receptions are still so closed and formal, but from a world-class hotel with an excellent reception one can learn what it takes for communication to flow smoothly and more directly. At the opposite end of the spectrum are halls of classic fixed formats, something that can kill the flow of energy. Perhaps it is for precisely this reason that over and over again in halls such as these I feel myself falling into a state of hibernation… All of which means that giving advice on the energy of events is actually very simple. Despite the negative connotation of the word, we congress organisers are MANIPULATORS OF THE ENERGY. Successful manipulators can organise an event with a lot of love and keep any sense of bad vibe out of it, keep it simple and creative, and keep it ethical and moral. It is necessary to provide for the flow of energy between the organisers and participants, the speakers and the audience, between the sponsors and participants. It is necessary to arrange congress spaces in such a way that the energy flows, just as at rock festivals, even inspired by some modern-day festivals, which are the elementary school of energy flow between the audience and the band. This year, alongside the legendary Exit

in Novi Sad, a whole lot of rock and electronic events flashed up on the Adriatic, offering fertile ground for learning for all event organisers. In light of all of the above, if we manage three basic elements of events we get good energy. The first is the element of “surprise”. Some call it a “first impression”. If we can establish a genuine relationship that is spontaneous and natural, we have solved the first part of the energy puzzle. If we are creative, we are usually full of surprises that the participants are looking forward to. The second part, and one that is very important today, is “communication”. Before, during and after the event it creates energy and transmits it all the way through heights of modern hybrid social communication. Third is the effective “dramaturgy”, which has already been discussed, and that includes the scenery ambiance, room design, light and, for rockers, also the true congress rock riffs. The uniqueness of your event is based on its energy. An event can be easily evaluated as successful if it was simply executed well and in line with the objectives, but only a few events are effective, which are those in which an atomic congress energy flows and where participants become part of this energy. Such events raise customer loyalty, reputation and the loyalty of buyers, and create a professional fan club similar to Rock Bands.

Case study: 125 YEARS OF BOSCH ANNIVERSARY How to transfer the energy of innovation and a pioneering spirit to 2,000 selected international guests? With the help of 125 creative employees, who joined forces in a symphony orchestra. Just as with symphonies all over the world an idea first sparked that igniteed innovation. The symphony was accompanied by multimedia projection, performance and overall dramaturgy. The event was accompanied by a top PR and general communication campaign through the Bosch Globe website. This was such an example of the excellent use of all three elements of the manipulation of energy - surprise, communication and drama - that the event generated a ten-minute standing ovation. The event organiser was agency BBDO Live, the event was held on 19th May 2011 in Stuttgart exhibition centre.

Behind the Scenes

MENEGHETTI NOTHING GREAT HAS EVER BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT PASSION

Text by Gorazd Čad

Photo Credits MENEGHETTI

ISTRIA - CROATIA - TUSCANY For the past couple of years Istria has been rightly proving itself not only to be the ‘Tuscany of Croatia’, but one of Europe’s most sought out tourist destinations. Its roads lead you through gently undulating landscapes scattered with small villages and hamlets, castles and the belfries of Roman churches. Today these sparsely populated old villages with their stone houses are mostly home to farmers, yet they still manage to offer everything they can sell to the curious tourists, from the excellent Teran and Malvasia wines to a wide selection of the local spirits infused with aromatic plants, as well as a great number of regional dishes with truffles and honey. Despite the fact that today there is the option to take a modern road that goes right across the so-called ‘Y’, it is so much better to take one’s time and choose the old road for a true adventure and the full enjoyment of the region. There are endless exits from the old road to overhanging and sometimes labyrinthine-like wine routes, from where you can

explore the colourful interior all the way to the picturesque village of Bale. VILLA MENEGHETTI The name ‘Stancija’ or ‘Villa’ in Istria originates from the time when the Southern part of the peninsula was under Venetian Republic rule and the Northern part the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A Villa is a large estate of rectangular shape, which was rented to smaller farmers who grew crops and bred livestock for a certain aristocrat. These renovated villas are now a great opportunity for boutique tourism, of which Meneghetti is currently the most successful and it is also one of just three destinations of our southern neighbours that can pride itself on membership of the prestige chain of Relais & Châteaux hotels and restaurants. That alone is a guarantee of excellence, for both the accommodation element as well as the restaurant itself. And there is one more thing - this estate makes utterly great, if not the best, wine in Istria, and it also prides itself on traditionally good olive oil.

Behind the Scenes

HEAVENLY ESTATE After a few kilometres of offbeat, dusty roads you will find yourself in the middle of this paradise, which was overseen by the co-owners and masterminds of the project, Miroslav Plišo and Romana Kajfež. Miroslav is a partner in the famous Zagreb attorney office Marković and Plišo, whilst Romana is a biologist with her own medicine testing company and also the daughter of the man behind the creation of apavrine, Dr. Franjo Kajfež. The 100 year-old Villa, which is set just two kilometres from the sea, took its Meneghetti name from the first owner, who moved to Bale from Udine. When the Austrians came to Istria in the middle of the 19th century, there was a fortress with 600 soldiers to protect Italy near Villa Meneghetti. However, in the 90s the estate started to decay until it was bought in 2001 by the Croatian attorney. The estate today spreads across 12 hectares of land planted with olive groves and a vineyard and enclosed by a stone wall. With some help from a famous architect, Riccardo Paliago from Rovinj, the new owners have managed to renovate the house and the garden and have been able to successfully merge the new with the old.

Behind the Scenes

HISTORICAL STANCIJA The Villa has become something of a role model for investors who want to renovate a historical building but retain its authenticity and make it adapt to a modern way of living. The entire building is hewn from white Istrian rock and looks almost the same as in the 19th century. The only addition was an outdoor deck and some of the building had to be renewed to make space for an indoor pool. There are four luxuriously furnished bedrooms and bathrooms, a large living room with an open fireplace, a countryside style kitchen, a modern kitchen for the chef, a wine cellar, a pool and a sauna. A garden abundant with the aromatic Mediterranean herbs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one that also serves as the main restaurant area during the summer days â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is rounded off with a covered terrace. The 400m 2 Villa is full of vintage furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries as well as many smaller, authentic details, such as the vintage clocks on the fireplace or the garden table made from old doors of the house. There is an archery range, a golf course and an outdoor pool.

Behind the Scenes

WINE AND OLIVE OIL Two of the biggest passions of the owner are wine and olive oil. There are 1,500 olive trees and 30,000 vines planted on the estate, from which they make olive oil and wine for themselves as well as to sell on the market. Miroslav was taught the art of wine making by the expert Slovenian vinter, Kristančič, and today they produce red wines from the merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc varietals, and white wine from the chardonnay, pinot blanc and malvasia varietals. Their wine is then aged in oak barrels that have been imported from France. UNFORGETTABLE CUISINE A stay at the estate means being treated with special care right from arrival. This care includes absolutely top-notch cuisine, the artwork of the culinary dream team of Danijela Pfifar and Bojan Vuković, who also previously cooked in the famous Valsabbion restaurant. The voyage of flavours begins with a degustation of two kinds of olive oil that awakens the appetite. The following menu is short but rich, and invites the guest to a sea or meat exploration of local delicacies. The simple, fresh ingredients are treated with creative touches in every dish. 28

For morning fare, breakfast is referred to as “breakfasting” and understandably so - you could actually linger over breakfast for the whole morning. Even if they are only preparing breakfast for four guests, every guest is greeted with freshly baked bread, fresh fruit and homemade pastries. BUSINESS MEETINGS WITH CHARACTER A truly special place in the estate is the table placed under the 100-year old oaks with views on to the surrounding vineyards. As an ensemble the estate feels like an island that has been dropped on the mainland, a place where time stops still and in an instant you are relaxed. Everything here is at an extremely high standard, but at the same time oozing genuine warmth. The space is perfect and is just calling out for small business gatherings or social events. The current plans for expansion are ambitious and as they include more capacity for business meetings make this calling even stronger. The property will certainly gain a lot from that, but at the same time may lose a little of the current charm of complete privacy and exclusiveness. In the meantime, get your skates on to feel some of the authentic Istria.

Behind the Scenes

WINE HOTEL, RESTAURANT & WINERY Stancija Meneghetti bb, 52211 Bale, Istria T: +385 52 52 88 00 E: villa@meneghetti.info www.meneghetti.hr

Case Studie

THE 2015 ELECTION CONGRESS OF EUROPEAN ATHLETICS Photo credits Sava Hotels & Resorts Event: The 2015 Election Congress of European Athletics Date: 9 to 12 April 2015 Location: Golf Hotel Bled and Hotel Savica Client: European Athletics and Slovenian Athletic Federation Execution: Sava Hotels & Resorts Type: International congress ABOUT THE EVENT: The 2015 Election Congress of European Athletics was one of the focal international sports events on Slovenian soil in 2015. More than 50 national delegations and in total more than 250 of the most prominent representatives of European and World Athletics gathered in Bled to elect the new leadership of the highest European Athletic organisation after 16 years of leadership. The 3-day event featured the electing element of the congress and numerous supporting activities and events that were also attended by the most important decision makers in the queen of all sports, including, for example, Lamine Diack, president of the IAAF, Mr. Hansjörg Wirz, President of EA, and many other sporting

legends who are now engaged in major sports organisations, such as Sergej Bubka, vice president of the IAAF, Lord Sebastian Coe, vice president of the IAAF and Gabriela Szabo. CHALLENGES: The challenge was to accommodate all of these high profile guests and to prepare a rich and interesting supporting programme that showed Bled at its very best. SOLUTION: Delegations were situated at the neighbouring Golf Hotel Bled and Hotel Savica, both operating under the wing of Sava Hotels & Resorts. The diverse social programme included a boat trip to Bled Island and guided visit of Bled, dinner hosted by the Local Organising Committee, a sightseeing tour for accompanying persons to Bled, Ljubljana and Postojna, and a photo session followed by lunch for the newly elected Council Members and their accompanying persons at the beautiful Bled Castle. AFTER THE EVENT:The Congress was certainly an important contribution to the international recognition and promotion of Bled,

which was presented to the distinguished visitors in its best light. Gregor Benčina, President of Slovenian Athletic Federation, said: “I truly believe that Bled will become a place to remember. Bled, captured in the beautiful alpine landscape, ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts, renowned for its mild, healing climate, breathtaking views and famous legends that make it a true fairy tale place.”

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Inside Ljubljana

LJUBLJANA 5 Incentive Hot Ideas Top incentive ideas TIME MACHINE AT LJUBLJANA CASTLE Discover the roles played by Ljubljana Castle and the Castle Hill throughout the city’s rich history, a historical experience that you will never forget. The costumed characters depicting each period will create a genuinely special atmosphere, which will be both educational and entertaining.

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Fit for Exploring

Accessibility and accommodation

Gastronomy scene, dinning and food

All flights to and from Ljubljana are operated through the Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, which is located 25 km from the city centre. Adria Airways, Slovenia’s national carrier, operates around 200 direct scheduled flights per week from Ljubljana to 20 destinations, mainly across Europe. If you are travelling by car or train, it is useful to know that Slovenia’s road and rail network have been modernised over the past decade to provide an efficient transport system, integrated with the broader European area and specifically its neighbouring countries. Railway connections from Ljubljana to the major cities across the borders are often operated by intercity trains. The public city bus network makes it easy to travel within the city. Ljubljana also has a well-organised taxi service, which is inexpensive, and ‘Bicikelj’, a city bike system enabling you to travel freely by day or night. Ljubljana provides a good range of accommodation facilities (4-star and 3-star hotels). Additional space is available in pensions, bed & breakfasts, tourist apartments, youth hostels and private rooms. Several hotels are centrally located and the remainder are either within walking distance or anything up to 6 km from the Old Town.

Both Ljubljana’s city centre and suburban districts boast a wide variety of different restaurants, whose culinary styles include traditional Slovenian and numerous other national cuisines. Balkan, Italian, Central European and, since recently, a variety of more exotic cuisines, are all particularly well represented. One of Ljubljana’s specialities is also that numerous high-end restaurants offer a selection of special lunchtime menus at favourable prices and a wide selection of high-quality accompanying wines from around Slovenia. Locals and tourists also like to visit The Open Kitchen, a food market where they can experience the delights of freshly cooked food prepared right there in front of them on the market stalls by different Slovenian chefs. On Fridays from mid-March to October, the Open Kitchen at Pogačarjev trg square offers a wide and varied offer of culinary specialities and is a must try experience for those who enjoy good food and company.

BAKING POTICA - A TRADITIONAL SLOVENIAN CAKE Under the guidance of Grand hotel Union chef Janez Dolšak, who heads the Slovenian national cooks’ team, participants learn to bake the potica. This traditional cake, found in almost every home during all the major holidays, is prepared with a variety of fillings, the walnut one being amongst the favourites. The culinary experience that takes about 4 hours is ideal for groups of up to 12 people. SEA KAYAKING ON THE LJUBLJANICA RIVER Enjoy Slovenia‘s capital city from a different perspective - take a boat and a paddle and explore the city by water. The 2-hour trip will take you from Livada past Tromostovje to Ambrožev trg. ‘ESCAPE THE BARN’ Escape The Barn is an “escape the room” type of immersive game, but with a big twist. Unlike typical escape programmes, the event takes places within a larger venue - accommodating up to 70 people – and it can be branded and storified, includes food and beverage, and (in some versions) even live actors. Escape The Barn is a unique incentive experience that guarantees a memorable and fun experience for any group. EXPERIENCE THE ROMAN LJUBLJANA The remains of Ljubljana’s predecessor, the ancient Roman city of Emona, can still be found right in the city centre. Dressed in Roman attire, guests can experience a flavour of its history and lifestyle in the company of an Emonan citizen and Roman legionary.

Photo credits: Visit Ljubljana

Insider’s guide to incentive destination

Inside Ljubljana

5 TOP Special Venues LJUBLJANA OPEN MARKET Another of Ljubljana’s charms is its many public markets where one can buy fresh and genuine produce directly from the farmers, such as herbs and fresh flowers, or even souvenirs, art pieces and handicrafts from Ljubljana and Slovenia. Infused with colour and fascinating smells, not to mention the fabulous architecture of of Plecnik’s colonnade where one of the markets is set, the city’s street markets are a major attraction and a great open-air venue. LJUBLJANA CASTLE A mighty medieval fortress and symbol of the Slovenian capital is an interesting tourist point, whose idyllic grounds for long strolls are a perfect venue for any special event just a hop from the lively city centre. Guests can access the castle by car or by the funicular railway that connects the castle with the old town. The Ljubljana castle is a great venue for different indoor or outdoor events that are especially popular during the summer time. The Castle’s courtyard can hold up to 800 people, while different halls in the castle can take from 35 to 440 guests. DINERS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB LJUBLJANA At Diners Golf & Country Club Ljubljana business events get a whole new dimension. The Diners Ljubljana Golf course is the most modernly-equipped private golf course in Slovenia, just a 10 minute-drive from Brnik airport and the city centre. It is an ideal venue for incentives as well as meetings and seminars. The club’s meeting hall seats up to 70 people and catering is taken care of by the experienced chefs from the Evergreen restaurant. TECHNICAL MUSEUM OF SLOVENIA, BISTRA Housed in a former monastery and grand mansion in Bistra, near Vrhnika, the Technical Museum of Slovenia offers two conference halls and extensive grounds. To add something extra to your event, the museum can organise workshops and demonstrations for groups outside of their working schedule. THE WALNUT GROVE The venue has an amazing rural location, just 2km from Ljubljana’s main shopping centre but with an authentic feeling of the Slovenian countryside. The main attraction of the venue is the ambience, which is best described as ‘eco-chic & vintage’. As a former horse ranch the venue has several farm buildings that have been ‘cleaned and polished’ in a unique way. The icing on the cake is the in-house catering service (specializing in live cuisine) and the event planning/incentive agency.

TOP 5 Things to do in Ljubljana TAKE A DAY TRIP TO THE LJUBLJANA MOORS No more than just a few steps from Ljubljana’s last suburban streets starts the Ljubljana Moors. At almost 16,000 hectares this large, marshy plain is marked by an endless mosaic of grasslands, woodlands, fields, ditches and hedges. It is a serene place where the black palustrine soil sucks up all of the city bustle and the obstinate moor mists cast a spell on any human presence. It’s an ideal trip for those who have a car and two days to spare. EXPERIENCE URBAN FISHING Treat yourself to some serious fishing without having to leave the city. Ljubljana is one of the few European capitals offering good opportunities for fishing only a short way from the city centre. At the Ljubljanica Fishing Resort located between the Ljubljanica Sluice Gate and the spot where the Ljubljanica empties into the Sava you can find large brown trout, grayling, huchen and pike. You can also enjoy ground fishing for barbel and carp, or natural bait fishing for chub, common nase and the Danube roach. VISIT THE LJUBLJANA FESTIVAL Ljubljana Festival is the biggest, oldest and most important festival in both Slovenia and the wider region. Over the years it has become a way of life during the summer holidays for residents and visitors of Ljubljana alike; and for visitors not only from surrounding countries, but from far beyond as well. With its colourful cosmopolitan spirit, the festival contributes a great deal to the life and energy of the Slovenian capital, itself considered one of the liveliest cities in Europe. In its 61-year history the festival has hosted numerous internationally recognised and celebrated names. EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN The historical city centre, well known for its unique architectural aesthetic that is the result of the legacy of the Baroque and Art Nouveau periods and, most notably, the work of the famous 20th century architect Jože Plečnik, can easily be explored on foot. Start at the Triple Bridge, visitLjubljana’s Central Market is more than just a place to shop Ljubljana’s Central Market and make your way to Ljubljana Castle to the most beautiful views of Ljubljanaenjoy the most beautiful views of Ljubljana. Don’t forget to take a peek into the Town Hall and to take a stroll down Ljubljanica river embankments, where lively cafés offering outdoor seating are perfect for a short break before further exploring the city’s hidden treasures.the historical city centre, well known for its unique architectural appearance, which is the result of the legacy of the Baroque and Art Nouveau periods and, most 33

notably, the work of the famous 20th century architect Jože Plečnik. FIND OUT WHO JOŽE PLEČNIK IS Jože Plečnik (1872-1957) was the famous architect who tried to model Ljubljana on ancient Athens. The multitude of his creations in the city, referred to as a whole as “Plečnik’s Ljubljana”, is considered to be one of the 20th century’s most important total works of art. Plečnik’s best known works include the National and University Library building, the Ljubljanica river embankments and bridges, the most notable among the latter being the Triple Bridge and the Cobblers’ Bridge, the Central Market, the Križanke Summer Theatre, the Bežigrad Stadium, the funeral home at the Žale cemetery, and the Church of St. Michael in the Marshes. Plečnik’s best known works can all be explored on foot or by bike and include the National and University Library building, the Ljubljanica river embankments and bridges (the most notable among the latter being the Triple Bridge and the Cobblers’ Bridge), the Central Market, the Križanke Summer Theatre, the Bežigrad Stadium and the funeral home at the Žale cemetery.

Best-kept incentive secret Out of the box idea for incentive SWING AND ROCKABILLY SHOW ‘Vintage’ is a Slovenian swing-rockabilly society that unites swing dancers, rockabilly, surf and jazz music enthusiasts, specialized musicians, dance instructors, choreographers and many more people. It established the first swing dance school and organises everything from concerts and dance events to weekly swing and rockabilly parties where guests can learn the basic steps of these dances. They also organise the biggest swing evenings in Slovenia that are held every Tuesday at the Grand Hotel Union in Ljubljana. Try something different with this active incentive programme - slip on your dancing shoes and learn some new dance moves!

DIRECTORY Contact: Mrs. Tatjana Radovič Ljubljana Tourism / Convention Bureau Krekov trg 10, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia T: +386 1 306 45 84 E: tatjana.radovic@visitljubljana.si W: www.visitljubljana.com/en/ www.visitljubljana.com/en/meetings/

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2 NIGHT INCENTIVE / 48 INCENTIVE HOURS IN DOLENJSKA AND BELA KRAJINA

OVERVIEW: Destinations in Dolenjska and Bela Krajina often go unnoticed, even though they are brimming with pristine nature and a diverse range of natural treasures. The soul of these destinations is in the hardworking and entertaining people of the Dolenjska region. The soft landscape of Dolenjska is characterized by vineyard cottages and hayracks, as well as by premium culinary options. We have connected a range of small touristic pearls into an interesting incentive programme. 1. MOMENTS OF ZEN: Carpe Diem – Zen garden by the Krka river at the Javornik farm 2. QUALITY TIME: Land of hayracks – great dimensions of Slovene architectural heritage 3. MUST SEE: Otočec castle 4. MUST DO: Kayak trip down the Krka river 5. OUR PICK: Bela krajina and its natural heritage

ITINERARY DAY 1: ROLLING ON A RIVER 10:00 Arrival at the Ljubljana airport and departure to the Krka river 11:00 Active day by the Krka river A cultural and kayak experience in the Dolenjska region and on the Krka river. A kayak descent on the Krka to the town of Žužemberg with some adrenaline rushes. All in all, this is a picturesque and easily manageable kayak trip. What follows is getting to know the culinary art of the Dolenjska region at the idyllic Javornik farm by the enchanting Krka river. 14:00 Carpe diem - Lunch at the Javornik farm Experiencing a tourist farm in the truest sense of the word. Trout is their main specialty, but

DAY 2: EDEN 08.00 Breakfast at the Otočec castle hotel 09:00 Departure to Bela krajina Bela krajina (white landscape) was named after its many white birch trees, growing by the warmest Slovenian river, the Kolpa. The entire border region received the title of European Destination of Excellence of 2010. 10:30 Eco-Ethno safari through Bela krajina A half day long exploration of the Kolpa Nature Park, which takes place near the farmstead “Šokčev dvor” in Žuniči. The trip in the park will lead you through history and the traditions of people living in Bela Krajina, which you will be able to document with your camera. The photo safari is great for teambuilding and lets you experience the nature of Bela Krajina in an authentic way. 14:00 “Belokrajnska pogača” flat bread – lunch at the Prus farm A team competition in preparing flat bread, a typical dish of this region, will be complemented by a culinary journey, including lamb and suckling pig. 16:00 Wine event “Vinska Vigred” The Prus homestead in Krmačina near Metlika is the centre of viticulture in Bela Krajina. The wine cellar of the Prus family is known for its naturally sweet wines honoured with countless medals and awards. The blind tasting accompanied with outstanding culinary delights will open doors to a completely different wine experience. The wines range from sec white and red wines to sweet wines, including naturally sweet wines. 18:30 Balnea Hotel, Dolenjske Toplice, relaxation in the thermal spa. 20:30 Farewell dinner DAY 3: Departures 09:00 Transfer to the airport, possibility to prolong the stay in an awarded wellness centre 34

HOURS OF SUNSHINE: 1832

GETTING THERE: Airport Jože Pučnik Ljubljana – distance ca. 60 km Airport Zagreb – distance ca. 80 km BOUTIQUE HOTELS: Otočec Hotel Alternatively Pule Estate EAT AND DRINK: Open-door farm Javornik GATEWAYS: In the heartland of Dolenjska we can find the thermal spa of Dolenjske toplice, where, according to historical records, a thermal spa existed as early as the 13th century.

CONTACT US: Blue Ljubljana Office, Štihova ulica 4, SI1000 Ljubljana, T: +386 (0)1 430 51 03, F: +386 (0)1 430 51 04, E: info@blue-red.si, W: www.meet-blue.com

BACK TO NATURE

to those of you who are not fond of lake fishes, there are plenty of other dishes as well. To top it off, try out their delicious desserts and tasty spirits. 16:00 The land of hayracks – a historical experience In the land of hayracks you will get to know the importance of this heritage and the Slovenian timber culture. You will experience the extraordinary sense for using natural materials and the mastery of the carpenter tradition through nine adventures. 19:00 Arrival at Otočec castle, which has been refurbished into a highclass hotel 20:00 Castle dinner at Otočec A castle jewel with a unique restaurant and high-quality culinary services.

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POREČ vs. ROVINJ A current comparison of the closest competitors on the 2014 ICCA scale following the Kongres travelogue methodology – meetologues.

POREČ

ROVINJ

Mercer Quality of Living 2013 NA

Population: 16,696

Population: 14,294

Mercer Quality of Living 2013 NA

Sunshine hours: 2,388

ICCA Country and City rankings 2014 NA

Sunshine hours: 2,409

✚ The world’s media has for some time been putting Istria on the map for being amongst the best lifestyle destinations, not to mention the best wine and gourmet destinations too. It seems that the hotel revolution in Poreč also isn’t ready to stop just yet. Every year there are new hotel openings and the relay race of them coming on stream switches between Valamar and Plava Laguna, two of the leading hotel providers in the region. All the way from the tourist resorts of Lanterna to the Green Lagoon (Zelena laguna), there is enough by way of capacity for organising high quality events. The capacity is matched by special venues and rich surroundings, with huge potential for incentive programmes The congress centre on Saint Nikola island is Poreč’s newest acquisition and helps put it on the congress map. Larger events can be organised in the Žatika multifunctional sports hall, which is an architectural gem. The congress offer is getting better, and at a rapid pace. An excellent tourist offer in one of the most recognized Croatian tourist destinations is a good base for expanding the season, namely into the field of corporate incentive stories. In our opinion, alongside sport and cuisine, congress tourism is going to be one of the key tourist products of the future.

✚ When “Red Bull Air Race”, the Formula One for the air, chooses you for its venue, then you know that you are certainly an attractive and charming tourist destination. This is also shown through the beautiful transformation of industrial heritage into functional halls for the most demanding events that occurs each year at the renowned Weekend Media Festival. With all this Rovinj is becoming a trendy and modern congress destination, which will soon be a serious competitor to the more renowned Croatian congress destinations. When a destination has drivers who have clear goals and who look at congress tourism strategically, then in a short time it is possible to achieve a lot; it is possible to revitalise old factory premises and build a superior conference hotel. In doing this, Maistra in Rovinj has undoubtedly left its mark. Taking into consideration Rovinj’s geographical location as one of the closest Mediterranean congress destinations for Central and Western Europe, the future of the industry here is guaranteed. A convention bureau is the next natural step, one that would know how to step out of corporate governance of the destination and be able to serve as an attorney of the meetings industry, through which the forecasts of Mayor Sponza that Rovinj will be more exclusive than Dubrovnik can at some point be realized.

Poreč meetings flashpoints: 1. Villa Polesini - The restored Villa represents an elegant and exclusive venue for the organisation of elegant weddings, business meetings and gala events. 2. Hotel Laguna Parentium - The recently renovated hotel with rooms ideal for all types of conferences. 3. Valamar Isabela Island Resort - on the Saint Nikola island, with 334 rooms and a small congress centre. 4. Hotel Valamar Diamant - Enjoying a prime position on a tranquil, pine-covered coastline and with professionally designed and superbly equipped conference rooms. 5. IUSTITIA - incentiveshow is the best proof that Poreč tells its story primarily with its rich history and cultural heritage. Programme that introduces you to the soul of the old Poreč and the life of its inhabitants.

Rovinj meetings flashpoints: 1. Cap Aureo Conference Centre - the best-equipped regional conference centre that is comprised of 20 halls, the largest seating up to 650 people, while the total capacity of all of the auditoriums is almost 2,000. 2. Hotel Lone - the first 5* design hotel in Croatia is a unique, extraordinarily well designed and fantastically located hotel. 3. Adris Exhibition & Convention Centre - the former tobacco factory complex. Main auditorium has a seating capacity of 1,800 and the second largest hall can accommodate 1,100 delegates. 4. Red Bull Air Race World Championship - gathers the world’s best pilots who combine speed, precision and skill to operate exceptionally fast and manoeuvrable planes. 5. SPACIO - The batana ride across the peninsula, dinner in old tavern, musicians singing old fishermans songs... An impressive way to represent how fishermen and farmers used to live in Rovinj.

STAY: Valamar Isabella Island resort

STAY: Design hotel Lone

3.76 / 5

3.95 / 5 35

AND THE WINNER IS

Incentive Ideas

MARIBOR 5 Incentive Hot Ideas Top incentive ideas BY CABLE CAR TO DINNER Evening entertainment may begin by a ride up to a height of 1050m. On arrival at the hilltop you will be greeted by accordion musicians. The tones of the accordion and torches will help guide your way to the cottage in the pleasant atmosphere of which you will continue to discover homemade beverages and tasty food. JAMES BOND On this exclusive adventure the secret agent 007 is sent on a rescue mission. The untouched nature of Pohorje is a tough terrain and many challenges await the teams. Agent Bond is equipped with modern technical gadgets to fight both time and enemies. Expect strong experiences and emotions with this team bonding and building exercise.

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Accessibility and accommodation

Gastronomy scene, dinning and food

Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city, lies on the crossroads from West to East and Southern Europe, and is just 11 km from the Austrian border. There are many airports in the vicinity of Maribor, the nearest one being Graz Airport in Austria (60km), followed by Zagreb Airport in Croatia (130km) and Ljubljana’s Jože Pučnik Airport (150km). Maribor also has its own airport, Edvard Rusjan Airport, with a lesser frequency of international flights.

The Maribor region and its surroundings are renowned for good food and excellent local wine. Tourist farms and wine shops on the three wine roads are prime places to visit during a stay or trip to Maribor and at the same time a pleasant way to end a tiring day. There you can sit and relax with a glass or two of an excellent vintage wine. Likewise in the city and its superb restaurants, inns and pubs, where you will be treated to culinary delights.

With good traffic infrastructure the city can easily be reached by car, train or bus. The Maribor motorway network exits lead towards Austria, Hungary, Ljubljana and Zagreb; the railway junction towards Graz, Klagenfurt, Ljubljana and Hungary. Maribor offers a good range of accommodation facilities (especially 4-star and 3-star hotels) and excellent spa retreats. Guests visiting the city can also decide to stay in one of the many apartments and hostels, while those exploring Maribor’s surroundings can enjoy nature and decide to keep it local by staying at tourist farms and guesthouses.

GET YOUR ADRENALINE PUMPING Adventure park Betnava, located in the most beautiful forest in Maribor, brings new and genuine adventure. 55 different elements, 6 different routes, different grades of difficulty, 638m of climbing routes through trees, bars and gangways, 2 cable runs of 50m and 100m length and 20 different directions to take. Test your skills and team up for different adrenaline challenges. A RAFTER’S CULINARY DELIGHTS For an entertaining and relaxed atmosphere let a rafter and a rafter’s girl look after you during your trip and to keep the spirits high there will be national music played by the Rafter’s Trio. You will get to taste the traditional rafter’s culinary delights and also see a real rafter’s christening of one of the passengers. After the raft docks there is the chance to enjoy a walk along the river Drava embankment of Maribor’s famous Lent, all the way to the Old Vine. COUNTRYSIDE EXPERIENCE Inspire your senses with some quality time spent in the countryside. From cycling to horseback riding, archery, helping with farm chores, wine tasting, baking bread... any option offers a real rejuvenation and motivation for your team.

Photo credits: Slovenian Tourist Board

Insider’s guide to incentive destination

Incentive Ideas

5 TOP Special Venues CONGRESS CENTRE HABAKUK The Habakuk Congress Centre offers 1,600sq.m of space. It boasts six different halls, seating 830 people in total. It also features two foyers providing the perfect setting for banquets, receptions, special events and exhibitions. HOTEL BELLEVUE At an impressive location, where the alpine air eases the mind and away from the city bustle yet within easy reach of the Maribor city, the Hotel Bellevue offers different size meeting facilities. A large summer terrace adds to the number of options one has to organise an event at Bellevue.

TOP 5 Things to do in Maribor A WINE TASTING TO REMEMBER The Maribor Wine Road will take you to wine shops in the centre of Maribor, where you will have the chance to learn all about premium quality Styrian wines and their makers, as well as relish the excellent local cuisine. This wine path ends by the city jewel - the most important city sight, Old Vine, the “Oldest Vine in the World”, which is also heralded in the Guiness book of records.

RESTAURANT “THE THREE PONDS” The restaurant “Pri treh ribnikih”, with a 300year old tradition and a beautiful wine cellar, is situated in the magnificent surrounding of the town’s park. Great for different outdoor events in natural surroundings or for indoor events that can be complemented with a wine tasting at their rustic wine cellar. Guests can enjoy dishes based on traditional Slovenian and regional recipes that are prepared and served with a modern twist.

FILL YOURSELF WITH GOOD ENERGY A number of wellness centres in Maribor and its surroundings allow you to take a rest from the fast pace of everyday life. In the unspoiled nature between Pohorje and the wine-growing hills you can recharge your batteries and prepare for new challenges with the help of highly qualified staff. Wellness centres like Terme Maribor are just a stone’s throw away from the city.

Best-kept incentive secret Out of the box idea for incentive

REGIONAL MUSEUM MARIBOR Maribor Regional Museum located at Maribor castle can be rented for various cultural, protocol and other events. A beautiful Knight’s Hall with Rococo staircase can fit up to 100 people, while the Arcades or Castle’s courtyard have space for a standing reception of 150 guests or can easily seat 100 guests. NARODNI DOM MARIBOR CULTURE AND EVENT CENTRE Narodni dom Maribor is the home of numerous cultural events and shows. Its beautiful halls are perfect for different events and congresses requiring style and sophistication. The largest hall seats 333 people, and by adding the balcony to the venue you gain another 50 seats. The two foyers are great for receptions and exhibitions.

rience of the city and its surrounding areas. The main festivals take place from July to October and include Lent, Wine festival, Arsana Festival, Maribor Theatre Festival and many others.

GOLF IN WINTER? WHY NOT! In close vicinity of hotel Arena, Sports Centre Pohorje offers a unique experience - Golf on Snow, an amusing experience accompanied by mulled wine, grog, red bull and fondue. TAKE AN INSPIRING CULTURAL WALK THROUGH MARIBOR Find out why Maribor wore the ‘European Capital of Culture 2012’ title. While walking through Lent you can see most of the attractions: the mighty buildings and wonderful frontages, monuments and fountains that adorn the city’s squares, bridges that link the banks of the river Drava, towers that rise into Maribor’s sky – creations all of which have given the city a unique seal. Take the chance to visit them!

SAIL THE RIVER DRAVA You can row, sail or surf on the Drava River and the reservoir but you certainly cannot miss one of the most famous tourist activities – rafting on the Drava River with traditional rafts. You can also take a ride with the Dravska Vila Boat. GET TO KNOW THE CITY OF FESTIVALS Maribor is home of many international festivals – music, theatre, wine, gastronomy and more – all of which ensures that the pulse of the city never drops and offers a unique and unforgettable expe37

DIRECTORY

Contact: Maribor - Pohorje Tourist Board Ms. Bernarda Karo Tkalski prehod 4, 2000 Maribor, Slovenija T: +386 (0)2 234 66 08 F: +386 (0)2 234 66 23 E: bernarda.karo@maribor.si www.maribor-pohorje.si

Enjoy business. Feel pleasure. Bernardin Group. Perfect combination.

Hoteli Bernardin d.d., Obala 2, SI-6320 Portoro탑, Slovenia

Tel . +386 5 690 70 00 congress@bernardingroup.si

www.bernardingroup.si/mice

Case Studie

PEUGEOT CAR LAUNCH Event: PEUGEOT CAR LAUNCH Date: 5 – 10 June, 2015 Location: Grand Hotel Bernardin Client: EMI INTERNATIONAL – Official Organiser Execution: Grand Hotel Bernardin, Europa Convention Hall Type: Car launch ABOUT THE EVENT: In June, GH Bernardin and the Europa Convention Hall were the hosts of the new Peugeot 208 and Peugeot Partner car launch for the Slovenian market. The car launch consisted of: 5th June: Official launch of the two models 8th – 10th June: Training and test drive

SOLUTION: There is a big elevator with a 4.5 tonne capacity that allows for cars or even a bigger van to be installed in the convention hall from the ground floor directly to the 12th (top) floor. AFTER THE EVENT: “The event is over, successfully performed and the greatest satisfaction is to have a satisfied customer. He was pleased with the organisation where Grand Hotel Bernardin played an important role. Working together with the hotel and its excellent team were a pure pleasure, so we hope that we will be able to collaborate also in the future.” Branka Foršček, EMI INTERNATIONAL – Official Organiser

Photo credits: Bernardin Group Hotels & Resorts

CHALLENGES: A major challenge was to get two Peugeot cars into the Europa Convention Hall.

Face2Face

BRATISLAVA vs. KRAKOW A current comparison of the competitors on the 2014 ICCA scale following the Kongres travelogue methodology – meetologues.

BRATISLAVA Mercer Quality of Living 2013 NA

Population: 425,459

Sunshine hours: 2,168

ICCA Country and City rankings 2014 134th place, 18 meetings

KRAKOW Population: 761,900

Mercer Quality of Living 2013 NA

ICCA Country and City rankings 2014 60th place, 40 meetings

Sunshine hours: 1,489

✚ One of the smaller and most likeable European capitals, it is compact enough that you can explore its many beautiful parts by foot, as the old town is closed to traffic. Slovakia’s administrative and economic centre is currently also a fast growing Slovakia congress brand. For now, Bratislava remains an undiscovered European congress capital that is slowly and steadily penetrating the congress market. It represents something fresh for the international congress market that impresses with the kind and welcoming aspect of its city centre, but also because as a place it has not been excessively commercialised. Bratislava has for a long time lived in the shadow of neighbouring Vienna and Prague, but today as a fresh destination full of new energy it courts international congress organisers. The city is very friendly for both congress organisers and participants and it offers a more personal congress experience.

✚ Of all the Polish cities Krakow is the one with the greatest soul and is the one most fraught with history. Being the main tourist city it has excellent conditions in place for the development of congress tourism and with the construction of the new convention centre it has also received a real affirmation of this. In Poland Krakow will be the destination of the new generation, which will soon be recognised as a high quality, compact and most versatile meetings destination due to the cultural heritage, new meetings capacities and because of its huge scientific potential. The activities of the Convention Bureau are a good indicator of what the destination is capable of and what expectations it can meet. Krakow’s recipe is successful and a case of good practice for other, more traditional central European destinations.

Bratislava meetings flashpoints: 1. Falkensteiner Hotel Bratislava – a stylish venue with modern meeting facilities. 2. Hotel Sheraton Bratislava – the first Starwood hotel in Bratislava with 700 m2 of flexible conference space. 3. Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel – directly in the heart of the city, an ideal place for corporate meetings. 4. Incheba Expo Bratislava – the area of more than 165,000 m2 contains interior space, large outdoor areas and 2,500 parking spaces. 5. Reduta - Slovak Philharmonic – built under the reign of Maria Theresa, it quickly became a gem representative of Slovakia that is also used for ceremonial banquets and memorable events.

Krakow meetings flashpoints: 1. ICE Kraków Congress Centre – brand new Congress centre with a view of the Wawel. 2. Krakow Opera – modern building opened in 2008 with three halls, the largest one for 760 people. 3. Folwark Zalesie – a large conference complex on a hill, 25km from the centre of Krakow. 4. Wielliczka Salt Mine – event chambers located over 100m deep in the mine can host from 40 to 600 people. 5. Under the wings – the Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego offers its new building and hangars for 100 to 900 people.

STAY: Kempinski hotel Riverpark

STAY: Radisson Blu Hotel Krakow

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Croatia Addendum

CROATIA ADDENDUM 43

1 Daniela Kos A YEAR OF GRAND UNVEILINGS: NEW HOTELS AND CONFERENCE HALLS ALONG THE ADRIATIC COAST 2 Daniela Kos VESPA WORLD DAYS 2015 IN BIOGRAD AND ZADAR, CROATIA 3 Daniela Kos REBOOT DEVELOP 2015: GAME OF THRONES ATTRACTED INTERNATIONAL GAMING COMMUNITY TO DUBROVNIK

Croatia Addendum

A YEAR OF GRAND UNVEILINGS: NEW HOTELS AND CONFERENCE HALLS ALONG THE ADRIATIC COAST

text by Daniela Kos Photo Poslovni turizam

his year Croatian tourism can boast the highest level of investment in the past decade. Although the overall structure and capacity of hotel accommodation remains generally unfavourable in relation to private accommodation and camping, hoteliers have decided to uplift the image through investments of around half a billion Euros in the renovation of existing hotel facilities and the construction of new ones. A large number of either new or fully refurbished hotels are opening this year along the Adriatic coast and here we present some of them, with a special emphasis on hotels with congress facilities. DUBROVNIK AND THE DUBROVNIK RIVIERA One of Croatia’s oldest hotel companies, HUP Zagreb, which has been operating on the Dubrovnik Riviera as well as in Zagreb, this year invested 80 million Euros, the highest single figure amongst all of the investments being made! After years of bureaucratic delays they have been able to announce this summer’s opening of brand new hotels in Mlini and Srebreno, half way between Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik airport. The Sheraton Hotel Dubrovnik Riviera, the second Sheraton hotel in Croatia, has now taken the place of the former Orlando Hotel in Srebreno that was demolished. In addition to its 250 rooms and a range of other facilities, this hotel will have one of the largest congress centres in

Croatia, with a hall capacity of 900 seats alongside 4 smaller halls. In the neighbouring town Mlini has opened the doors of the smaller, 4 star boutique Hotel Milini, with its 85 rooms. Hotel Astarea, which is also located in Mlini, was last year renovated by the same owner and there are now approximately 750 rooms and suites available along a several-kilometre long promenade. From beginning of this year several hotels in Dubrovnik have been thoroughly refurbished. The luxury Rixos Libertas invested in the modernisation of its 190 rooms, which have now become “smart rooms”. A new look was also given to the restaurant, reception, lobby and piano bar. A large congress centre is equipped with the latest technological innovation and a central motif runs through the new rooms with panelised photos of the Old Town. The popular Hotel Neptun, set in the Impotanne Resort in Babin Kuk, has this season received a complete revamp that has brought innovative technological solutions, such as energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and cost-effective lighting. Importanne Resort continues its multi-year investment cycle; after the construction of the luxurious Royal Princess hotel, guests now have 14 multi-functional congress rooms at their disposal. Laying out 104 million Kuna the biggest investment of the Adriatic Luxury Hotels Group will be on the opening of the renovated Kompas hotel in late August, with a completely new look as a sophisticated 4-plus star hotel. The new hotel will feature 173 sophisticated bedrooms and suites with elegant décor and unique styling details, as well as a hall for 400 persons with daylight for business guests. The leading Hotel Company on the island of Marco Polo, HTP Korčula, has together with their strategic partners invested 50 million Kuna in the recently opened refurbished hotels in Korčula – Hotel Korčula De La Ville, Hotel Liburna and Korkyra Gardens apartments. The Korčula De La Ville hotel has an esteemed history, built in 1912 and with a lengthy list of famous guests who have rested their heads on its pillows. There is a special view from the Liburna Hotel that has encouraged many travellers to write about it - it is a depiction of Renaissance Korčula as a dream rising from the sea mist. This hotel fully refurbished its 112 rooms in modern

Croatia Addendum

style to acquire 4 stars and there is a conference hall with 100 seats and 2 smaller meeting rooms in the neighbouring Hotel Marko Polo, with another of up to 350 seats in the town conference centre (at a distance of 500m away). ISTRIA AND KVARNER The second largest investment, worth 250 million Kuna and coming from the company Valamar, has produced the new complex of Valamar Isabella Island Resort on the island of St. Nikola across Poreč. The entire 1,200 square metre islet was fully revitalized with new infrastructure, as well as the old Hotel Fortuna and a once noble summer retreat, the castle Isabella. The resort also has an apartment building, Miramare, and several villas, swimming pools, spa, sports facilities, beaches, restaurants, bars and other facilities, with a total of 334 accommodation units to choose from. The resort offers interesting incentive and teambuilding opportunities to complement its four meeting rooms, the largest of these having a capacity of up to 400 people. Rovinj’s Maistra recently transformed the oldest Rovinj hotel, Adriatic, which now has four stars. In addition to the new rooms, special attention has been paid to the stylishly designed restaurant and a coffee shop. Further south, the company Arenaturist in Pula renovated the old Hotel Park,

which has come under the Park Plaza brand and is now the Park Plaza Pula Arena. A 50 million Kuna investment saw the arrival of new and upgraded rooms offering a variety of amenities. Hotel Omorika in the city of Crikvenica was re-opened in late May with 115 renovated bedrooms and a new congress hall for 250 people. This hotel belongs to a government Hotel Company, Jadran d.d. Lošinj Hotels & Villas is continuing the investment cycle it started in 2007. They have invested 25 million Euros into the renovation of Hotel Alhamber along with Villa August in Čikat Bay and Villa Hortensia. ŠIBENIK AND SPLIT Both of these destinations have recorded record tourism growth and are now approaching the levels of popularity of Dubrovnik and Zadar. In July, the opening of a brand new D-Resort in Šibenik Marina Mandalina is anticipated, a property being delivered by the Turkish Dogus group. D-Resort has hired one of the leading Croatian architects, Nikola Bašić, to create a modernist masterpiece, brilliantly embedded in the environment of the peninsula and the marina. The hotel has 69 luxury rooms, 3 exclusive villas and a congress room for up to 160 people, which is divisible into three smaller rooms. In Split everything is prepared and ready for the opening ceremony of the cult Hotel Park. The hotel, which has hosted all of the important events to take place in Split, is today a meeting place for many people from Split and their guests. The hotel terrace is particularly popular, with its access to Split’s most popular public beach, Bačvice. Ptestas company, the hotel owner, has invested 100 million Euros in the renovation, of which the lion’s share was obtained from EU funds. With this work Hotel Park becomes a five-star hotel with 73 luxury rooms, a large conference hall for 250 people, a winter garden, an outdoor swimming pool and many other facilities, not to forget the first charging station for electric cars in Split.

Croatia Addendum

VESPA WORLD DAYS 2015 IN BIOGRAD AND ZADAR, CROATIA

text by Ana Matusina

his year’s Vespa World Days 2015, the largest to date, was held in mid-June in Croatia and organised by the Vespa Club Croatia. Biograd na Moru and Zadar were awash with popular Vespas of all ages, colours and models and from many parts of the world. The meeting of Vespa fans is accompanied by a number of entertainment activities, concerts and tours, and particularly the colourful Vespa parade from Biograd to Zadar. Rafael Čuljak, president of the Vespa Club Croatia, revealed how Croatia managed to run for hosting this world meeting and how they dealt with organising it. Q: How satisfied are you with this event? How many Vespa drivers and clubs were registered and how many visitors attended? A: I find it hard to answer on how satisfied am I, because we are still gathering all of the impressions. There were mistakes, but I have to mention that professionals were not involved in the organisation and the entire work other than for for decorating Biograd and the concerts were done within the club and volunteering members. I am pleased with the reactions of visitors, who are sending us mails and thanking us every day. Everybody is thrilled and our social network pages are literally “on fire” with positive comments. It will take a while to calm our emotions and impressions and to understand what a great thing we did. As for registration, we restricted the number of participants to 5,000 and there were still a lot of inquiries after filling this number. I guess a large number of unregistered participants showed up, but I don’t have enough experience to estimate the number. Q: The Vespa Club Croatia consists of ten Croatian Vespa clubs, and together you are members of Vespa World Club, whose president is Martin Stift, one of the co-organisers of the Vespa World Days. What are his impressions of Croatia? A: Martin couldn’t stop praising us during the entire meeting. I have to mention that this time the Vespa World Club had no obligations, which was a big surprise for them. Before the meeting and especially in recent months, we could feel doubt and fear of failure in their tone, precisely because we refused any involvement of event agencies, which are usually

hired for big events. We don’t blame them, since we already heard such suspicions before. Most of these suspicions were stressed by presidents of major national clubs, while most apologised for all the mistrust they had expressed before the event. There are many emotions that are difficult to explain. This is a world meeting, held only once a year, and very important to all national clubs. The success or failure is reflected in the next event. The most concerned was the president of the Vespa Club France, the club which is organizing this meeting next year in St. Tropez. At the end, she jokingly said that she hates me, because this will be difficult to repeat. LONDON MEETING PUSHED CROATIA TO HOST THE EVENT Q: How did you manage to bring such a large event to Croatia? What kind of conditions does a destination have to meet to be accepted as host and how long did Croatia’s candidacy last? A: It was very difficult, because we are one of the smaller clubs in the Vespa World Club. Although the size of the club is not one of the conditions, of course it affects the decision. Conditions are more related to the tourist experience of the host city, accommodation facilities, cultural and tourist attractiveness and connectivity with the Vespa brand, as well as the experience of the club in organising big international meetings. Croatia was already nominated back in 2009 in Austria and despite lobbying and endless persuasions and presentations, we were not included in the nomination until 2012. The meeting was then held in London and there were many problems, because this megalomaniac city literally swallowed the event. The English organisation was poor, because they were not prepared for surprises. There was no plan B and this proved to be a very unwise decision. Two weeks before the meeting, they had to change the location and this pushed the organisation into the abyss. All of this was reflected in the thinking of other presidents, and we “pushed” the opinion that the meeting has to be held in a smaller city where it will be the main event. For that one 2,500 Vespa participants in London were completely unno-

Croatia Addendum

47 ticed. Once we found out that our rival was the great city of Milan, we assumed that this would be reflected in their candidacy. After our presentation, which mostly emphasized the beauty of our country and our general experience in tourism and accommodation facilities, as well as the wishes of the host city to accommodate us, there followed a long period of silence, after which came a huge round of applause: in the end, we won! Lovre Katalinić, former secretary of the Vespa Club Zadar and a man of exceptional social intelligence, had a huge role in lobbying in London that impressed all of the presidents before and after the presentation. I would stress that our annual national meeting – Crovespa, which has a great reputation, had a large impact on getting candidacy. We are simply excellent hosts and our rival could only be someone who hasn’t already experienced our hospitality. Q: How did you decide on Biograd to be the host of Vespa World Days? A: We knew we needed strong support of the local club and therefore we asked all the major Vespa Clubs in Croatia to nominate themselves. At the beginning of 2012 several Vespa Clubs, including the Vespa Club Zadar, held presentations to the Council of Vespa Club Croatia. Biograd has organised HOG Days, a meeting of the owner of Harley Davidson motorcycles, which helped them. I have to mention that the city authorities were not involved in the selection at the time. THRILLING DETAIL Q: The Vespa World Days lasted 4 days, every day with a different event. Apart from Biograd, the meeting was also held in Zadar for one day, with the exhibition of vintage Vespas in the St. Donat church. Can you tell us more about the supporting events that attracted the visitors? A: The basis of the programme was set a long time ago, in 1954 at the first meeting in Paris, and we could not change it a lot. We agreed to make maximum use of every part of the set programme, but to add unexpected details that would surprise people. The members were carefully chosen, which led smaller groups of participants on tourist trips on Thursday

and Friday. Some of them were selected because they had to be prepared for any questions, some because they were fantastic entertainers who know how to raise the atmosphere at all times, and there were also good mechanics there in case of failures. They all had to know every detail of this trip, know how to slow down when needed and speed up because we did not want them waiting in a column in regular transport. Participants upon returned, often sang our songs, and in once case even carried one member on their shoulders. This speaks of how successful these trips were. Saturday’s ride was very important to all the participants and the custom is that the convoy returns to the same place. We wanted to avoid this, so we asked the City of Zadar to help us. I must emphasize that everyone, including Mayor Božidar Kalmeta, was delighted with our proposal and told us that they would provide all the support and do whatever was required of them. They had great ideas about planning a gala dinner in the Višnjik hall and provided the beautiful church of St. Donat for the museum. It’s one of those added details, since the church itself is very attractive to visit. The icing on the cake was the experience of Biograd in organising similar meetings, the positive reactions of Mayor Ivan Knez and the extensive work of Deputy Mayor Marijan Stopfer in the organisation of the after party. CHALLENGING FINANCES Q: The organisation of such a large event certainly had peculiar challenges. What’s been the most difficult one and how many people participated in the preparation and organisation of the event? A: For the organisation ten people in the board and about a hundred members participated in different tasks during the event. These are all people who have dedicated their professional and personal time to the success of the event, and I very much appreciate that. The biggest challenge was the arrangement of a financial structure, because we really had no experience in the procurement and organisation of such a large number of people. In the organising Committee we agreed that the Club would continue to function well only if

Croatia Addendum

we finish with a positive zero. We wanted to avoid any unpleasant debate on the purpose of any remaining funds. It’s hard to end such a major project with a positive zero, as there are unexpected costs around every corner. Furthermore, in our first calculations we thought that we would get significant discounts in purchasing T-shirts, bags, metal badges, key chains, stickers and everything else that makes the standard welcome package for each participant. We did receive discounts, but not as much as we had originally thought. We were most surprised with the price of dinner, because we did not know that beyond a certain number of diners, the price per participants increases rapidly due to the necessary infrastructure. We are still finishing the calculations, but I can already say that we have succeeded in our intention. I would like to thank all the host cities free public areas and facilities as well in covering certain costs generated by their desire to make participants feel comfortable. I think they have succeeded in that and that their inputs have already been returned. We also had two minor sponsors from the private sector - Atlantic Trade with Cockta provided the welcome drink and Saturday package, and VIPnet provided technique for registration. Q: Do you organise any similar events for Croatian Vespa Clubs and, if so, which are your favourite destinations in Croatia? A: Each Vespa Club annually organises a small meeting and one of the clubs our main international meeting – Crovespa. Favourite destinations are certainly those by the sea, because of the infrastructure and the general kindness and help we get from the tourist offices. Five years ago, we organised Crovespa in Zagreb and, with all due respect to my hometown, I think we will not go back anytime soon, although we

received information that Zagreb Tourist Board is more open to this kind of tourism, so it certainly remains an open option. VESPA LOVE Q: How did you fall in love with Vespas? Which Vespa do you drive and which is the most interesting and most unusual experience you have had with a Vespa? A: I really don’t know how it all started, but I can say that from an early age I knew that if I ever sit on a motorcycle, it will certainly be a Vespa. If I knew the reasons, it would not be true love. It just happened, and is essential that this love lasts and increases daily. I drive five different Vespa models, and I love and appreciate each of them very much. I like to see one of the oldest models of the late 40s or 50s of the last century, but I prefer the period of the 60s. The reason is purely practical. I love to ride a Vespa on long distances, and I want them to be in the technical sense at least approximately aligned with my current needs, which are primarily safety and sufficient cruising speed. The Vespa that I was driving on World days was manufactured in 1964 and does a satisfactory 90km/h, which allows me to go fast enough to where I want and I don’t cause a traffic jam. Most of my experiences with a Vespa are positive. One negative is when I had a rear tyre blowout in the tunnel beneath Graz, on my way to Belgium. I think I broke all the record times of changing a tyre with buzzing cars a couple of inches from my back spurring me on. Every new journey brings new challenges, but also a great amount of satisfaction. Those who were in Biograd could feel the positive energy of a Vespa meeting. This keeps us motivated for doing what we do.

Croatia Addendum

REBOOT DEVELOP 2015: GAME OF THRONES ATTRACTED INTERNATIONAL GAMING COMMUNITY TO DUBROVNIK How this fantastic location was used for event marketing and attracted more than 300 participants from the gaming industry text by Daniela Kos

t the end of April Reboot Develop 2015, the biggest game developer conference in South-East Europe, was held in Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Dubrovnik Sun Gardens and attracted more than 300 attendees from 20 countries and more than 300 world’s biggest media in gaming industry to the beautiful, historical city of Dubrovnik. The attendance was strictly limited to gaming industry professionals, being from the fields of either developers, artists, audio artists (both senior and indie), PR and marketing experts, or sales and publishing representatives. The conference was jointly organised by Reboot, the biggest gaming magazine in the Adriatic region, and PR agency Kapsula Komunikacije. The international attractiveness of Dubrovnik and its reasonably good air connections are reason enough to choose Dubrovnik for event location, but an additional motive was certainly the extraordinary popularity of Dubrovnik through the TV series Game of Thrones, which is very heavily regarded in the gaming community. The strength of this motive was threaded through all of the promotional channels in regional and international media and Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, which is a superb conference hotel located by the sea, was able to provide the adequate multi-purpose hall and exhibition space for the event. The conference managed to attract a large number of important speakers and ranked among the most attractive events in the area. Legends of the gaming industry such as Peter Molyneux, Patrice Désilets, Rami Ismail, Charles Cecil, Ragnar Tørnquist and a number of others were all speakers at the conference. According to the organisers it was quite a challenge to convince them to participate, given that they are all very active people with loaded diaries, but twenty years of experience in the industry and the personal acquaintances of the organisers managed to twist their arms. PROMOTION OF THE CONFERENCE AND CONTENT MARKETING In order to attract participants from around the world, the organisers created an interesting promotional concept, which the destination itself contributed to in large part. The main story was making the greatest game developer conference in this part of the world and gathering the best speakers and

members. A conference of this industry not only has never been organised in the region, but also in a much wider area of Europe. The conference was primarily promoted in the region through its own specialized magazine for video games, Reboot, through social networks and advertising on them, newsletters and though several specialized regional media partners. These generated international media partnerships with the largest specialized media in the gaming industry, such as GamesIndustry.biz, Gamasutra and Pocketgamer.biz. During the conference, organisers were constantly communicating with participants either on the spot, through social networks or the casual newsletter. Some of them shared information about the event, through classic word-of-mouth inside their game development studios, and also through new acquaintances made. Members of interest groups and professional associations also communicated through their own channels within those groups. An important part of the overall communication and promotion was the use of tools for content marketing, primarily of content, which was created a year previously for the conference. The aim of this was to set out evidence of the quality of speakers as well as the locations of previously held conferences. A key factor in this was definitely the marketing of the entire visual content related to the attractiveness of the location – the city of Dubrovnik and the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Dubrovnik Sun Gardens, which were the biggest trumps alongside the specific quality content. BIG PARTY’S ICING ON THE CAKE The three-day conference was designed through a parallel system of three halls (tracks), within which 18 lectures, including panel discussions, took place. The open exhibition space business-to-business area connecting directly to lecture halls, together with the indie expo area intended for meeting space between developers, service and tools providers, investors and publishers, were also central features of the conference. The exhibition space was made up of eight large exhibition units and the 22 smaller exhibitions units within the Indie Expo Area. The conference had a series of technical demands in terms of AV equipment, from advanced HD projectors to providing

Croatia Addendum

51 high bandwidth Internet and inclusion of web streaming. These technical aspects were carried out to the expectations of the organisers and with good preparation and support. With business flowing, the networking and social programme at such conferences is a must and the “icing on the cake” was a big party held inside the attractive Ginja Lounge Club & Restaurant in the resort, while another very successful cocktail (drink/social mixer) event organised by Epic Games/Unreal was held by the Lemonia Pool & Bar. ‘We are extremely happy with the event, because we have already surpassed all the targets that we have set ourselves

in its second year of existence,’ said the satisfied organisers, who have already started preparing for Reboot Develop 2016. ‘Reboot Develop 2015 has ranked the event, as well as Croatia, among the top for the international gaming industry. In addition, we have managed to raise the bar of quality among conferences of this kind, becoming one of the most special and most attractive events in the industry. For the hotel and its personnel we have only superlatives, whether we talk about the fantastic location and surroundings, design, functionality and friendly personnel, which have facilitated the organisation of the whole event extremely well.’

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Incentive Ideas

POREČ Insider’s guide to incentive destination

5 Incentive Hot Ideas Top incentive ideas Iustitia Tour around the historical centre of Poreč guided by actors performing trial and execution of notorious and infamous thief Domenico Furlan and original Baroque dinner. Wine degustation at Kozlović and Kabola Wineries (near Poreč) Both kozlović and Kabola are amongst the most famous Istrian wine brands. At both wineries guests are offered a guided tour of the wine cellar and wine production process.

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Fit for Exploring

Accessibility and accommodation

Gastronomy scene, dinning and food

All flights to and from Poreč are operated through the Pula international Airport, which is located at 50 km from Poreč. 20 Airline companies operates per week around 100 scheduled, low cost and charter flights. If you are travelling by car, you should know that the motorways system in Croatia has greatly improved in recent years thanks to some rather extensive road building. Road to Poreč is of a pretty good standard. You are unlikely to encounter any problems when driving to Poreč. Even if you do come into some difficulties, most local people will be more than willing to help you. Railway connections are only from Buzet or Pula, which are located 20 – 30 kilometres away from Poreč and operated by intercity trains. Poreč is a minor destination in relation to buses, which means that the number of direct connections to cities further away are limited, in those cases you will find more buses if you travel from Poreč to Rijeka and then from there on to your final destination. Poreč provides a good range of accommodation facilities from hotels (mostly 3*** and 4****), apartments - tourist resorts, camping sites to private accommodations and even in traditional Istrian houses and country estates.

Both Poreč’s city centre and suburban districts boast a wide variety of different restaurants, whose culinary styles include traditional Croatian and numerous other national cuisines. Particularly well represented are Istrian and Italian cuisines. The Poreč area’s most plentiful wine is world renowned Istrian Malzavija, a variety of white wine. One of Poreč’s specialities is that also numerous restaurants and Taverns offer a selection of specialties with Adriatic fish, crabs and shellfish, Istrian prosciutto, spring delicacies with wild asparagus and autumn gastro-creations with aphrodisiac truffles. Locals and tourists also like to visit different Food and Wine festivals, which does not lack in Poreč. The largest is International Exhibiton of Wine - Vinistra and many others such as Open wine cellars day in Istria, The Malvasia Wine festival, Exhibition of traditional Istrian sweets – Sweet Istria and many others.

Mare the Witch (near Poreč) Dramatic story based on local legend with participating on trial of Mare Radolovich, the herbalist and healer of Svetvincenat, who was accused of witchcraft. After participating on her trial, enjoy in delicious Renaissance dinner. Istra Offroad – Wine and truffles Route (near Poreč) An amazing and unique way to discover the beauty of nature of Istrian peninsula. On Istrian “white roads”, you will have spectacular views of vineyard and olive groves. Here you will have wine and food tasting (Istrian wine and brandy, olive oil and cheese with truffles). Discover Istrian towns and small villages. Wine and Art Tour The central point of this journey is the olive orchards and vineyards of Agrolaguna, the largest in Croatia, and the “City of Artists” Grožnjan. The journey leads you through the picturesque surrounds of Green Istria, the fertile valley and fields above which there are medieval fortified towns all the way to the complexes of olive orchards and vineyards, through which a bus passes with stops along cellars and wineries.

Incentive Ideas

5 TOP Special Venues Villa Polesini The villa offers a selection of indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate both large and more intimate celebrations. Indoor capacity ranges from our smaller rooms seating 30 - 40 persons to larger rooms seating up to 100. The outside terrace offers 80 seats and up to 300 people can be accommodated for a cocktail garden reception. Their outdoor spaces benefit from striking sea views, especially at sunset when the horizon burns orange and red. Heritage Museum of Poreč This museum is housed at the baroque Sinčić Palace which dates from the 18th century. The museum houses more than 15000 exhibits from all the periods of human life in the Poreč area from the Palaeolithic era to the present. It can accommodate up to 210 people. Sveti Nikola Island Only 5 minutes by boat from the renowned tourist centre of Poreč, from now on you are able to revel in a traffic-free resort island with an abundant flora, an array of beaches and a noble history. Valamar Isabella Island Resort 4* offers 1 event hall for up to 400 persons in a total area of 500 m2, divisible into two sections and 1 meeting room for up to 30 persons. Saint & Sinner Poreč Saint & Sinner offers the possibility to organize various events, parties, fashion shows, promotions….etc. Agrolaguna tasting room in Poreč It has been completely refurbished and adapted to the needs of wine, cheese and oil lovers who can taste their products in pleasant atmosphere. Funtana blevedere, located in the homonymous vineyards, offers possibilities for organizing various events and tastings, while a new road crossing the Cervar olive grove invites passengers to tour the largest Agrolaguna single olive grove and also the biggest one in Croatia.

TOP 5 Things to do in Poreč Play golf Golf Courses ensure top-notch enjoyment for every golfer who plays at the golf driving range, in beautiful Molindrio Cove at the entrance of Zelena Laguna not far from Poreč. A place made for golf, with an impressive view and intense scent of the sea, it is possible to practice practically all the putts of this popular game. The driving range offers the possibility of attending golf school after which you are granted a golf license. This is the place for golfers and those who want to become golfers!

Best-kept incentive secret Out of the box idea for incentive Istrian Best kept secrets Beautiful scenery, good people, quiet and peaceful life, this is Istria! Drive with legendary Lada Niva Jeeps and visit beautiful Istrian hinterland, hidden places and abandoned villages. Seek truffles with truffle seeker and his specially trained dog, taste Istrian wines and olive oil in family run vineyards or olive yards and have lunch at Istrian family serving home-made food.

Visit Adrenalin park Akros Akros is the universal took for adventure and challenge. It offers controlled and safe adrenalin fun and it can also be used for recreation, study, development and therapy. Visit Street Art Festival Poreč Street Art Festival promises to animate this ancient town, thrill its spirits, bring laughter and fun to passers-by, inhabitants and tourists alike, and remain in your memories as the unforgettable moment of the summer. Hosted by the Public Open College of Poreč, the festival includes all forms of artistic expression, from music and stage performances, to visual art projects and various types of street acrobatics and performances. Dive with Diving center Poreč Dive into the underworld of Poreč and enjoy one of the longest Mediterranean diving seasons. You will find clear unpolluted water, meet lobsters and several families of mediteraniean fish. The underwater terrain is furthermore and ideal home of cuttle fish, seahorse, nudibranch, crabs and colourful sponges, soft corals as well as treasures from ancient times. Professional dive team will make your dive safe and unforgettable. Explore Poreč’s historical sites Poreč old town is located on a small peninsula, surrounded by the sea. To this day, Poreč perserved a typical layout of an ancient Roman town. Street’s layout is symmetrical with two main intersecting streets and Forum: Decumanus Maximus running east to west to the main square – Forum (today Trg Marafor), and Cardo Maximus connecting north and south. Poreč’s Euphrasian Basilica dates back to 4th century, and today it’s UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Other attractions include Neptun’s Temple, Romanesque and Gothic houses like House of Two Saints, and Zuccatto Palace, round and pentagonal towers, and Istrian Council House.

DIRECTORY Contact: Mrs. Jagoda Pintarić Tourist Board Poreč Zagrebačka 9, 52440 Poreč, Croatia T: +385 (0)52 451 293 E: info@to-porec.com W: www.to-porec.com

Hidden Congress Guest

HOTEL REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO ★★★★★ LUXURY HOTEL FANTASY

4.90

Photo credit HOTEL REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO

OPENED SINCE August 2014 MEETINGS STAR Hotel with conference facilities STANDARD Hotel with conference facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 51 rooms, 35 apartments PRICE INTERNET from 298 EUR (for September 2015) ADDRESS REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO Obala BB, Porto Montenegro Village, 85 320 Tivat, Montenegro T: + 382 (0) 32 660 660 F: + 382 (0) 32 660 661 E: reservations.pm@regenthotels.com FACILITIES - The Dining room - Library Bar - Gourmet corner - Regent Spa - Regent Fitness centre EXTRAS Culinary boutique Gourmet Corner is a true paradise for foodies

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location Accessibility First impression Lobby Employee attitude Reception Hotel room Hotel bed Bathroom and restroom Hotel breakfast Bars and restaurants Congress hall Additional offer Total: FINAL GRADE Luxury hotel Luxury Premium Business Economy Budget

5.00 4.25 4.99 4.87 5.00 4.98 4.97 4.91 4.99 5.00 4.98 4.82 4.90 4.90

4.90 ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★

LOCATION In the middle of one of the most picturesque Adriatic bays a prestigious marina has grown, which is also where the new Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro is set. The luxurious hotel offers an unforgettable experience in the middle of a marina with 400 berths for mega-yachts. Mega-yachts of more than 50 meters in length are common and the development of a formerly neglected area has completely transformed the image of Tivat and turned it into a luxury Adriatic tourist destination. The Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro is the second hotel in Europe and seventh in the world of a Taiwanese luxury hotel chain. ACCESSIBILITY The hotel is relatively accessible via three airports with scheduled and charter flights. The nearby Tivat airport is just 4.6 km away, Dubrovnik airport 47 km distant and Podgorica Airport 90 km away. Access is, of course, also possible via the Adriatic, with the Bay of Kotor the largest bay of the Adriatic Sea and arrival by the sea is truly a special experience. COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics The designers of the complex have placed their bets on sustainability and pleasure and have designed a more modern and functional hotel in the style of the Venetian palaces, which bends to traditional Montenegrin hotel clichés. The architecture is the work of Reardon Smith Architects, but Tino Zervudachi, primarily known as a decorator of luxury yachts, has designed the interior. The result is an incredible level of detail that impresses with its elegance. During a visit it was possible to envisage a series of ideas of how an event could be organised: superb landscaped terraces and romantic paradise-like gardens are all in place, and everywhere picturesque views of the marina and the Bay of Kotor frame the view. WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine The hotel has in a short time become a gourmet centre of the region and Chef Jusman So leads three restaurants - the Dining room, Gourmet corner and Library bar - where he innovatively combines Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. We were impressed with the pastry shop, which is a real gourmet’s paradise and where you can buy typical local produce and what is probably one of the best hotel breakfasts in the region is beyond competition. The Library bar is reminiscent of a classic English club, which offers an extensive wine list in a traditional atmosphere. Together with 56

the impeccable service, the Regent Montenegro represents the best of sophistication and luxury in the region. MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services The hotel rooms resemble the much larger and more beautiful of the ship’s cabins and the rooms deserve an excellent grade - this hotel really gets under your skin! Lifestyle events, sumptuous weddings and memorable outdoor incentives are the main events in the hotel. The global jet-set elite have quickly discovered the charms of the Montenegrin coast and the hotel also offers a series of events under their own production. The biggest congress hall, Teodo, accommodates up to 200 guests. Next to this are the salon Boka, 2 Foayer and the Regent Lounge. There is also the impressive Regent Spa. DESSERT - Extras The Navy Museum with its newly renovated submarines and a collection of objects from the rich nautical history of the Montenegrin Littoral.

FLOP – negative surprises Prices can be quite high for ordinary congress guests, but the hotel will repay you with really topnotch service.

TOP – positive surprises You will be surrounded not only by magnificent nature and hi-tech, but also with great employees who have mastered the concept of luxury catering to perfection, where guests can enjoy full privacy. Overall impression and credibility The hotel sets new regional hoteliers’ standards and sets Montenegro among the most luxurious tourist destinations. It is not surprising that it was nominated for World Luxury Awards for 2015. Ratings of its individual criteria speak for themselves; the hotel offers comfort, a range of top quality materials, luxurious elegance and a high quality offer of its spa centre for which a visit is a special experience and why many famous and rich people have already visited Regent Porto Montenegro. You too can book your corner among the VIPs in one of its 51 rooms.

The HIDDEN CONGRESS GUEST section is not paid for. The selection of hotels, which are evaluated by the hidden congress guest, is left to the editorial board. The hidden guest visits the hotels without prior notice.

CATEGORY ★★★★★

Final Score

Hidden Congress Guest

RADISSON BLU RESORT SPLIT ★★★★ PREMIUM COMFORTLINE

4.47

Photo credit RADISSON BLU RESORT SPLIT

LOCATION The hotel took up its spot in a residential area in Trstenik where the former Hotel Split once stood. Today it is a fact that premium hotels have to really impress us and this suburban location might just be the biggest downside of the hotel, but this is easily balanced out with quality services and truly beautiful hotel rooms with a view of the Dalmatian islands. On the main traffic artery it is just 3km to get to the city centre and the hotel beach is a hop from the hotel. As a whole it is a solid hotel resort, which has brought a completely new tourist energy into the more sleepy parts of the town.

CATEGORY ★★★★ OPENED SINCE 2010 MEETINGS STAR Resort meeting hotel STANDARD Congress hotel NUMBER OF ROOMS 246 rooms INTERNET PRICE 369 EUR (BB July 2015) ADDRESS Radisson Blu Resort, Split Put Trstenika 19, 21000 Split, Croatia T: + 385 21 303 030, F: + 385 21 303 031 E: info.split@radissonblu.com www.radissonblu.com/resort-split FACILITIES Health Club, Outdoor pool, Beach Access, The Fig Leaf restaurant, Casper restaurant, The Door bar, The Mistral restaurant, The Mistral Beach bar, Anne Semonin Spa EXTRAS VIP Deck- a beach bar suitable for all kinds of beach parties

RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location Accessibility First impression Lobby Employee attitude Reception Hotel room Hotel bed Bathroom and restroom Hotel breakfast Bars and restaurants Congress hall Additional offer Total: FINAL GRADE Premium hotel Luxury Premium Business Economy Budget

3.98 4.05 4.15 4.49 4.74 4.63 4.57 4.62 4.56 4.69 4.75 4.71 4.21 4.47

4.47 ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★

ACCESSIBILITY Split Airport is only 22km away and in the summer season it is excellently connected to the main European capitals. Zagreb is almost 400km away, but with great road connections it is very accessible and there is a spacious hotel garage awaiting guests arriving with cars. If the coastal location of the hotel is its biggest asset, then getting to the beach can be pretty problematic, because it leads guests through a slightly untidy campsite. COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics Most guests are satisfied with the hotel, although it can seem slightly anaemic in comparison to some regional competitors and it doesn’t leave a lasting impression. The play with colours is something special though, because every floor is painted in its own colour which complements the interior design of the hotel rooms. From an architectural standpoint it could be termed a hybrid hotel, one that connects the main focus groups of the hotel (business guest, city break guests and holiday makers). A bothersome element is an unfinished building standing next to the hotel and also the old unrenovated part, which is a blot on its overall solid image. The landowners are promising to take care of this. WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine After a visit to the restaurant, Radisson has shown that it is culinarily excellent in more than one way. It has a very diverse selection of wine and a solid offer of dishes, which reflect a modernized local kitchen with the influence of current world cuisine. Breakfast, as part of the “super breakfast” standard, is superb. You can easily entrust your congress guests to the Radisson staff, because their catering is also at the top level. As usual with the Radisson chain we recommend the brain food. 57

Final Score

MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services In their basic form the rooms are spacious and follow the Radisson philosophy, which means high standard equipment and quality. It also means functionality and a Scandinavian tidiness of the hotel. All of this results in a good feeling when you arrive and the cosmetic supplies are also worth praise. The cherry on top is the Nespresso coffee machines. There is 660m2 of surface and 9 conference halls available for congresses. The biggest hall is suitable for 380 guests and there are also beautiful terraces and picturesque spots for weddings or private gatherings. DESSERT - Extras Two presidential suites on the seventh floor that can also be interesting venues for exclusive congress events.

FLOP – negative surprises If the hotel is overbooked you might be accommodated in the old part of the hotel, which is in desperate need of a makeover with a Radisson storyline behind it.

TOP – positive surprises For someone who knows what to expect from a congress hotel, Radisson won’t be a disappointment, especially with its excellent services and staff. Overall impression and credibility Radisson Blu is an established trademark, which promises an inexpensive and reliable MICE offer. In Split it is something of an ‘amphibian’, one that offers a pleasant stay for leisure as well as MICE guests. Soon after its opening it became a workhorse for Split’s tourism. In the realm of other hotels that are genetically similar to Radisson you won’t be disappointed, because the hotel is packed with the latest hotel solutions and innovation. They have managed to create a hotel that is simply a great choice for congress guests. With various options available in space, anyone looking for a spacious hotel that is part of an international hotel chain will be happy.

Hidden Congress Guest

HOTEL EUROPE SARAJEVO ★★★★★ LUXURY A CULT OLDTIMER WITH A NEW IMAGE

4.70

Photo credit HOTEL EUROPE SARAJEVO

OPENED SINCE 1882, renovated in 2006 MEETINGS STAR City meeting hotel STANDARD Congress hotel NUMBER OF ROOMS 160 rooms, 14 suites PRICE INTERNET 133 EUR (July 2015) ADDRESS HOTEL EUROPE SARAJEVO Vladislava Skarića 5 71000 Sarajevo, BiH P: +387 (0)33 580 400, 580 500 F: +387 (0)33 580 580 E: marketing@hoteleurope.ba www.hoteleurope.ba FACILITIES Viennese Cafe, Wellness and Spa Hotel terrace, Congress centre EXTRAS The hotel terrace that has been, and is still now, the centre of cultural events in Sarajevo.

4.95 3.70 4.85 4.52 4.79 4.62 4.91 4.92 4.95 4.65 4.59 4.90 4.72 4.70

4.70 ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★

ACCESSIBILITY A hotel in the strictest of terms right in the city centre is easily accessible. For guests with cars the practical solution is the roomy hotel garage. The Sarajevo Airport is nearby and the airway connections are getting better and better. Despite the fact that Bosnia doesn’t have a national airline, the demand and capacity is slowly being taken up by foreign companies. Sarajevo is at the crossroads of all Bosnian routes and they all meet right here in this city. The accessibility will soon be improved when the highway connections are built. The city traffic is well organised, but for congress guests the best solution is to use one of the city’s many taxies, which are among the cheapest in Europe. COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics There isn’t much debate here about architecture: the fact is that the Hotel Europe is an architectural icon, built in times of the Austro-Hungarian rule. After it’s last makeover the building now has a trendy façade and a heavenly garden, which has no match because of the views over Baščaršija and the mixture of church belfries lying below. What is interesting is that the people of Sarajevo voted for the colour of the hotel. With its reincarnation the hotel has once again become an icon, which will defy fashion for many years. Inside they gave the greatest attention to making the rooms more comfortable and modernising the technology. The interesting details and soothing colors of the interior looks properly prestige. WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine Flirting with luxury is something the hotel isn’t hiding and the heart of the business is an excellent staff that really understands the meaning of personalisation. More than 120 employees are constantly on the move to make the guest as satisfied as possible. If one was 58

able to judge the quality of a hotel by the preparation of its coffee, Hotel Europe would definitely be a clear winner. You will be served a top-notch espresso or a classical Bosnian coffee here. The breakfast is very diverse and to the 5 star level the hotel carries. Also worth mentioning is that the hotel has a Halal Certificate for every dish on their menu. MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services The hotel rooms, especially those in the old part of the hotel, are characterised by elegance in every sense, from the looks to a well furnished bathroom. The list of hotel gadgets is very long and covers many useful and sometimes luxurious elements. The heart of the congress offer is a congress hall that can hold up to 350 participants. There are also five smaller conference rooms available. It is a popular congress location in Sarajevo and is loved by congress organisers, also because it offers very good technical support. DESSERT - Extras The Viennese Cafe, along with the Mozart confectionery, is the most renowned cafe in town.

FLOP – negative surprises Occasional bugs in internet accessibility.

TOP – positive surprises The hotel business has been taken forward very seriously and wisely in this legendary hotel. The spaciousness and the quality of their service are two of the biggest assets. Overall impression and credibility It has long been known that hotels need a good story, and not many have a story like Hotel Europa. It started in late 1882 and continued after its renovation. There hasn’t been an important event to characterise the city that didn’t pass through this legendary institution. The hotel is sold to you with its comfort, but the location next to the famous Baščaršija is also something very special. An excellent independent hotel with a top congress offer.

LOCATION Hotel Europe is always in the centre of attention in this beautiful city, despite the fact that there is no shortage of competition. However, you won’t find a location and offer anywhere else in town as good as that in Hotel Europe. The hotel is located in the city centre and is just a footstep away from the main city street and the Baščaršija, making almost all of the main city attractions within close vicinity. When you take a look through the hotel bedroom window the multicultural aspect of Sarajevo will certainly make a huge impression on you: it’s a view that looks out over minarets and belfries of catholic and orthodox churches, as well as and synagogues.

CATEGORY ★★★★★

Final Score

Hidden Congress Guest

REMISENS PREMIUM HOTEL AMBASADOR OPATIJA ★★★★★ PREMIUM VARIED PALETTE

Photo credit REMISENS PREMIUM HOTEL AMBASADOR OPATIJA

CATEGORY ★★★★★ OPENED SINCE 1966, renovated in 2006, rooms renovated in 2013 MEETINGS STAR Resort Hotel STANDARD Hotel with conference facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 200 rooms and suites INTERNET PRICE from 185,00 EUR (June 2015) ADDRESS Remisens Premium Hotel Ambasador Feliksa Peršića 5, 51410 Opatija, Croatia P: +385 51 710 444, F: +385 51 710 399 E: reservations@remisens.com www.remisens.com/hr/hotel-ambasador FACILITIES restaurant „La Fourchette D‘Or“, summer garden restaurant „Hortenzija“, cafe-dancing bar „Palma“, cocktail bar „Manhattan“, Spa Relax Zone, pool area and fitness, swimming pools and private beach (no additional charge), outdoor seawater pool EXTRAS Crystal Ballroom in the nearby Kvarner hotel as a perfect place for a gala dinner RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location Accessibility First impression Lobby Employee attitude Reception Hotel room Hotel bed Bathroom and restroom Hotel breakfast Bars and restaurants Congress hall Additional offer Total: FINAL GRADE Premium hotel Luxury Premium Business Economy Budget

4.85 4.06 4.11 4.32 4.45 4.52 4.39 4.58 4.55 4.23 4.53 4.45 4.52 4.43

4.43 ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★

LOCATION Opatija is itself a tourist and conference pearl of the Kvarner bay. The roots of tourism began in 1884 with the first hotel on the Adriatic coast, Hotel Kvarner. Hotel Ambasador was built in 1966, designed by Croatian architect Zdravko Bregovac. It has a prime location near Opatija’s city centre, but it still maintains its privacy. It is situated above the private beach and Lungomare, a 12-kilometre promenade on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. ACCESSIBILITY Opatija is within a 5-hour-drive radius of some of the most important towns of Southern and Central Europe, such as Zagreb, Split, Ljubljana, Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Salzburg, Munich and Belgrade. There are five international airports in the vicinity, the closest being Rijeka (island of Krk, less than 1 hour’s drive away), and the four others being Pula, Zagreb, Ljubljana and Trieste, all within two-hours’ drive. By train, Opatija can be reached from the railway station in Rijeka (15 km away and by using the Opatija-Matulji railway station).

4.43 Final Score

dinners the outdoor area always offers a fine solution - there is nothing quite so inviting as the scent of the Mediterranean sea and plants. MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services Hotel Ambasador is still the largest convention hotel in Opatija, with a plenary hall for 525 participants and six break out rooms, all of them conveniently located on the same floor. As the MICE business has been increasing over the last years, they are planning to invest in enlargement of the conference capacities in the near future. As the hotel is part of the Liburnia group offering 10 hotels in Opatija, conference social events can easily be organised in nearby hotels. One of the recommended options for a gala dinner is the historical ballroom in Hotel Kvarner. DESSERT – Five elements Wellness & Spa Five Elements covers an area of 1,300 square metres over two floors. It was created as a combination of the ancient Chinese feng shui philosophy and modern wellness programmes.

COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics When decending to the Opatija coast the tallest building in Opatija will grab your attention with its white façade. The architect Zdravko Bregovac is the author of many hotels at the Adriatic coast and without many changes being made during the renovation Hotel Ambasador is still very functional for leisure as well as for the conference guests. WARM APPETIZER – First impression counts If Opatija is often called “an Old Dame”, then hotel Ambasador is its “Gentleman”. Here is a hotel with tradition, where everything is well laid out and well organised. A first impression can only be made once, and there first impression here is helped by professional staff at the entrance, fresh flowers in the lobby, the professional receptionist and the engaging waiter in the lobby bar. Everybody knows what is his or her role and that makes the guest or client feeling relaxed from the first moment. The rooms in the main building were recently renovated in a fresh and modern style, while in the Villa Ambasador, which is also a part of hotel, you can enjoy some of the classic hotel rooms. Breakfast is one of those experiences where you would easily spend some more hours enjoying the selected dishes, especially the wide selection of pastries. For smaller conference receptions, lunches or seated 59

FLOP – negative surprises Room prices for conference guests can be quite high in June, when the tourist season starts.

TOP – positive surprises Organising a conference with the Ambasador team is what professional congress organisers are looking for, as flexibility and willingness to help the client in case of any unpredictable situations is one of the prides of the Ambasador team. Overall impression and credibility If you are considering the Adriatic region for your next event, definitely don’t overlook Opatija. Its charming hospitality tradition stretching back to 1844 will easily convince you to go there. People have hospitality in their DNA and you can feel it with every step you take in Opatija.

Hidden Congress Guest

VALAMAR DIAMANT ★★★★ PREMIUM ONE SIZE FITS ALL

4.05

Photo credit VALAMAR DIAMANT

OPEN SINCE Renovated in 2012 MEETINGS STAR Resort meeting hotel STANDARD Hotel with conference facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 218 rooms / 26 executive suites 128 suites (from April to October) PRICE INTERNET 190 EUR (BB July 2015) ADDRESS VALAMAR DIAMANT HOTEL Brulo 1, 52440 Poreč, Croatia T: + 385 52 408 000, F: + 385 52 460 199 E: reservations@valamar.com www.valamar.com FACILITIES Hotel restaurant, Hotel terrace, Lobby bar, Pool snack bar, Fresh water pools, Pebbled/rocky beach, Multipurpose sports hall, Fitness and aerobic gym, 2 indoor tennis courts / 12 outdoor tennis courts, multi-functional outdoor sports field, Wellness & Beauty EXTRAS Bike hotel (for active incentive adventures with bikes) RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location Accessibility First impression Lobby Employee attitude Reception Hotel room Hotel bed Bathroom and restroom Hotel breakfast Bars and restaurants Congress hall Additional offer Total: FINAL GRADE Premium Resort Hotel Luxury Premium Business Economy Budget

4.01 3.82 3.64 3.82 4.73 4.19 3.89 3.71 3.73 4.29 4.02 4.15 4.65 4.05

4.05 ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★

LOCATION Poreč is a Croatian tourist centre that is slowly being developed towards congress tourism and the hotel is located East of the Plava Laguna tourist village and just a kilometre from the city centre. Among the hotels in Poreč, Hotel Valamar Diamant boasts the longest tradition and has hosted many local and regional events. Its rich sports offer, which is ideal for sporting incentives, makes the location even more special. It is also a great basis for discovering Istria’s many interesting stories. ACCESSIBILITY Thanks to a favourable location, good climate and the beauty of its monuments, Poreč is the region’s leading tourist centre. The best connections to Poreč are by road, which is why the location is mostly suitable for regional gatherings. The logistics can get a little more complicated when it comes to more complex international events and these require the use of nearby Pula Airport (55km) as well as airports in Trieste, Ljubljana and Zagreb. In terms of the primary car accessibility, the hotel offers a car park and you certainly won’t have any trouble finding your way to it, as everything is very well signed. COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics The exterior of the hotel was designed in a typical modernistic hotel style that apart from it’s striking height of 10 floors can’t really be labeled as either prominent or provocative, rather it is just a typical hotel architecture of the 70s. Hotel Diamant doesn’t house any extraordinary creativity either, which can be seen in quite a few recently opened hotels along the Adriatic, but rather an engagement with rationality, comfort and an exemplary horticultural order is something that is more obvious. Inside the hotel the first glimpses are of the typical hotel furnishings that exist mostly for the intense summer season, just as in all large resort hotels. WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine All the hotel staff works very well, which in our opinion is the strongest link in the story and which deserves special attention. Guests especially appreciate the hotel cuisine, which is among the region’s finest and that includes culinary events in attractive special venues. Show cooking is always well received, because of their top-notch chefs and the guarantee of freshly prepared food. The breakfast is also impressive, with a wide selection of dishes and a fast and efficient service. The cleanliness of the rooms is also praiseworthy 60

despite the high occupancy at the time of visit, the hotel was still very tidy and kept to a high standard. MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services Beauty fixes in the rooms and quality upgrades in the interior are the hotel’s main assets, but the hotel rooms aren’t generously spacious and more or less have just basic furnishings. The rooms haven’t been able to shake the impression that, despite the renovation, they are quite worn out and tired, especially after a full summer tourist season. The bathroom in particular is very average and seems to feel just too cheap. The hotel offers a large conference hall and three smaller meeting halls. With some procedures in space the sports hall could also be suitable for bigger events. All of the congress halls are very well equipped and offer good acoustics. DESSERT - Extras A rich sports offer, including a wide array of sporting activities that allow for the organisation of thematic incentive programmes.

FLOP – negative surprises The value for money in an intense tourist summer season. Avoid those summer months, because the prices can really skyrocket. It is certainly much better in the off-season.

TOP – positive surprises An outside pool that can be an excellent venue for pool parties. Overall impression and credibility If large hotels with a broad offer are what you seek, Hotel Diamant won’t be a disappointment. It works as a resort that is capable of delivering practically everything you could wish for. For a more specialized congress guest this might be a turn-off, however, as they are usually seeking a more personalized approach. As for its size, the hotel can scarcely afford a sense of privatization for an event, something that is being offered by some competitive facilities in Istria. With all the competitors who are opening new congress capacities on a daily basis, Hotel Diamant will have to step up its game to satisfy demanding congress guests and to keep within touching distance of the competition.

CATEGORY ★★★★

Final Score

Hidden Congress Guest

HOTEL PUČIĆ PALACE ★★★★★ LUXURY DALMATIAN BOUTIQUE PEARL

4.79

Photo credit HOTEL PUČIĆ PALACE

LOCATION Hotel Pučić Palace is the only hotel in the old city centre of Dubrovnik. The magnificent 300 year-old building is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and is sorounded with rich republican history, which also took place in this hotel. The hotel has been in the old palace since 1895, when it was called Hotel De la Ville and later renamed to Hotel Dubravka. As a hotel guest you couldn’t be closer to the heart of Dubrovnik. You will be awarded breathtaking views along with the special pulse of this amazing city.

CATEGORY ★★★★★ OPENED SINCE 2002 MEETINGS STAR Boutique Meeting Hotel STANDARD Hotel With Conference Facilities NUMBER OF ROOMS 17 rooms, 2 suites PRICE INTERNET 388 EUR (july 2015) ADDRESS HOTEL PUČIĆ PALACE Ul. od Puča 1, 20000 Dubrovnik Croatia T:+385 20 326 222, F: +385 20 326 223 E: reception@thepucicpalace.com www.thepucicpalace.com FACILITIES Restaurant “Defne” with Mediterranean Cuisine, Restaurant “Café Royal” with International Cuisine, “Razonoda”: Wine bar where local wines together with regional specialties can be tasted EXTRAS A morning visit to the city marketplace is a colorfull and picturesque experience, which makes your morning and hotel breakfast a whole lot better. RESULTS OF ANALYSIS Location Accessibility First impression Lobby Employee attitude Reception Hotel room Hotel bed Bathroom and restroom Hotel breakfast Bars and restaurants Congress hall Additional offer Total: FINAL GRADE Luxury Boutique Hotel Luxury Premium Business Economy Budget

4.95 4.15 4.99 4.82 4.98 4.72 4.95 4.86 4.97 4.99 4.92 4.15 4.85 4.79

4.79 ★★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★ ★★ ★

ACCESSIBILITY It is only a short walk to the hotel from one of the nearby parking lots, where you will start to see the views of the city walls and renesance buildings. You will be assisted by a friendly concierge, who won’t mind telling you a story from Dubrovnik’s rich history. It only takes half an hour to get to Čilipi airport and the air connections are improving every year, with new regular flights. The marina is also nearby and public transportation is quite fluent. The only problem you might face are hordes of tourists from cruise ships that flood the city, which is completely normal for a tourist pearl like Dubrovnik. COLD APPETIZER - Architecture and Aesthetics An island of comfort. The renaissance palace and it’s interior is the exact opposite of the hustle and bustle of the city. A very intimate and luxurius furniture is toped off with a wine bar and two restaurants. Despite it’s age the building has an elevator full of details reminding you of the past. Every room is it’s own story and they really listened to the strict rules of architects and urbanists, as it shows on the meticulously renovated staircase and ceiling with beautiful mouldings. A special story is the hybrid hotel bar, that changes from a breakfast area to a bar and a restaurant, with paintings from local artists and acts as an art gallery. For the finale, a chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. WARM APPETIZER - Personnel and cuisine Waking up in an executive room with views of the city, along with an a la carte breakfast will definetely be a great start of the day. In one of two hotel restaurants they will make sure you have a day like in a fairytale, as you will be served excellent wine and dalmatian tapas after a day of exploring the beauty of Dubrovnik. Arriving to the hotel reception is also something special. A reception like a private living room with full of positive energy and fresh dalmatian flower fragrances is quite a surprise. The Dafne 61

Final Score

Restaurant terrace has to be one of the most beautiful and more intimate venues for a special dinner. The Wine Bar Raznoda isn’t just for tasting wine, as they offer craft beer and top-notch tapas. A wide selection of wine from the most famous croatian winemakers to some prestige foreigners. MAIN DISH - The hotel’s congress services The Pučić Palace consists of 17 luxury rooms and 2 suites. Every rooms has it’s own style and the details are polished to perfection. The interior of the room, which combines authentic characteristics, like the magnificent oiled woodblock floor and interesting wallpaper gives the feel of luxury and complete intimacy. The cheery on top is an excelently furbished bathroom with Bulgari cosmetics for every guest. From a congress guest’s perspective, the hotel is suitable for smaller boutique gropus, that can carry out their strokovni del in one of two restaurants and round it up with excelent cousine on the hotel terrace. DESSERT - Extras A conversion of Gundulič’s square from a morning marketplace to an afternoon hotel terrace for an authentic congress experience of Dubrovnik.

FLOP – negative surprises If you are used to arriving to a hotel in your own car, you will resent the Pučić Palace for a little trickier accessibility.

TOP – positive surprises A personal approach, mastered to perfection, especially in the special reception, which reminds of a living room. Overall impression and credibility Opposite from corporate hotel companies, you will be treated with special attention and personalized service. That is most certainly the case at the Pučić Palace, which is owned by Turkish tourist entrepreneurs. Because of their feel for detail, the hotel was labeled as the best small hotel on the Adriatic in 2014. It also ranked high and didn’t dissapoint after our evaluation. It is suitable for small groups of demanding guests, who will get to know Dubrovnik from a hotel experience. If you have deep pockets this hotel definetely won’t dissapoint.

Kongres magazine

COMPARISION OF COSTS OF KEY PERSONAL MEETING PARTICIPANTS EXPENSES Making the most of what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got in Prague, Bratislava, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Belgrade

Kongres magazine

Average Monthly Disposable Income (After Tax) Ljubljana

Prague

Bratislava

Zagreb

Sarajevo

Belgrade

€1,104.31

€904.41

€816.42

€732.86

€423.98

€383.31

RESTAURANTS

Cappuccino (regular)

Water (0.33 litre bottle)

Domestic beer (0.5 litre draught)

Meal for 2 (Mid range restaurant, 3-course)

Meal (inexpensive Restaurant)

PRAGUE

€1.56

€0.83

€1.22

€22.18

€4.44

BRATISLAVA

€1.74

€0.94

€1.50

€28.00

€4.70

LJUBLJANA

€1.47

€1.56

€2.50

€28.00

€7.00

ZAGREB

€1.37

€1.16

€1.86

€26.54

€5.31

BELGRADE

€1.21

€0.85

€1.25

€23.27

€5.00

SARAJEVO

€1.17

€0.53

€1.53

€16.60

€3.58

CHEAPEST DESTINATION

SARAJEVO

PRAGUE

SARAJEVO

TRANSPORTATION

One Way Ticket (Local Transport)

Monthly Pass

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

Taxi 1 Km (Normal Tariff)

Petrol (1 Litre)

PRAGUE

€0.89

€20.34

€1.48

€0.92

€1.22

BRATISLAVA

€0.75

€26.90

€3.00

€0.50

€1.36

LJUBLJANA

€1.20

€37.00

€1.10

€0.92

€1.34

ZAGREB

€1.33

€47.77

€1.99

€0.66

€1.30

BELGRADE

€0.74

€27.43

€1.41

€0.58

€1.23

SARAJEVO

€0.92

€26.05

€0.77

€0.51

€1.10

CHEAPEST DESTINATION

BELGRADE

PRAGUE

SARAJEVO

BRATISLAVA

SARAJEVO

OTHER

Fitness Club, Monthly fee

Tennis Court (1 hour)

Cinema, International Bottle of wine release, 1 seat in markets (MidRange)

Imported beer in markets (0.33 litre bottle)

PRAGUE

€30.24

€8.36

€5.92

€4.44

€0.97

BRATISLAVA

€24.44

€9.95

€6.50

€5.00

€1.03

LJUBLJANA

€42.25

€14.00

€6.00

€1.33

ZAGREB

€32.76

€8.14

€4.64

€5.31

€1.32

BELGRADE

€24.62

€10.23

€3.74

€3.91

€0.90

SARAJEVO

€26.82

€7.98

€3.32

€4.09

€0.92

CHEAPEST DESTINATION

BRATISLAVA

SARAJEVO

BELGRADE

Hotel prices in selected cities HOTEL PRICES

HOTEL 3***

HOTEL 4****

HOTEL 5*****

PRAGUE

€62.16

€89.62

€141.83

BRATISLAVA

€49.70

€67.66

€149.02

LJUBLJANA

€74.43

€91.83

€135.32

ZAGREB

€81.96

€115.76

€173.76

BELGRADE

€47.36

€68.28

€149.90

SARAJEVO

€62.64

€65.73

€112.13

CHEAPEST DESTINATION

BELGRADE

SARAJEVO

(SOURCE: EXPEDIA)

Source: NUMBEO, July 2015. Numbeo is the world’s largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide. Numbeo provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution. More on www.numbeo.com

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KONGRES TELESCOPE By Robert Cotter

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ALL TOGETHER NOW

peak to any member of any CVB team around the world and all of them will have one viewpoint in common: they will agree that to be able to start attracting an event to their destination, to secure it and then to deliver it is all mightily hard work. Making this difficult job a bit less burdensome can be a sense of team work and all of the key agents working strongly together, helping all of the players in the industry pull in the same direction to create a perfect MICE harmony, just like band players all playing to the same music score. Of the examples around the globe of cities successfully doing this, none does it better than South Korean capital Seoul. Through their Seoul Convention Bureau, a division of Seoul Tourism Organisation, they have for some time been engaging a number of citywide initiatives to enhance their MICE industry allure and have recently indicated that they are ready to go even further. The city has just launched a series of new initiatives aimed at attracting major MICE events, with the new programmes announced by Mayor Park Won Soon, whom Kongres had an exclusive interview with in a recent issue,

during the Seoul MICE Beijing Road Show at the Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel. His attendance was one of many scheduled events as part of his promotional tour to Chinese cities including Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing this week – carrying the tour through to CIBTM at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC) on August 5-6th – showcasing Seoul as a MICE and tourism destination. This high level of political recognition and commitment to the MICE industry is something that other aspiring MICE destinations around the world should take particular note of. In terms of the specific measures being announced at these events, the first offers two options in association with upcoming major autumn events in Seoul. Business events with 50 or more delegates staying at least two consecutive nights can apply for either complimentary reserved seats at the Seoul Mega Concert, a K-Pop musical concert at Seoul City Hall plaza scheduled for early October, or at this year’s Seoul International Fireworks Festival to take place on October 3rd. Seats for either events are to be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. The second measure is open for events from 66

now until June 2016 and offers organisers a package of three benefits, which includes a 10,000 KRW (approx. €7.85) food credit per person, a coach for a city tour and up to 3,000,000 KRW (approx. €2,357) in credit towards a Seoul performance. In other words, the political commitment to improving the attractiveness of Seoul as a leading MICE destination is fully backed up by funded and supported political action. Both of these new measures are in addition to Seoul’s long-standing business event support programme that has recently relaxed restrictions to make qualifying easier than ever for promotional and on-site support programmes and services. Add this to a city that was the trailblazer for the Future Convention Cities Initiative (FCCI) and many years back put in place a Seoul MICE Alliance to get buy-in from a broad cross-section of the city’s supporting infrastructure - before other cities had even considered such an initiative - and the message becomes very clear: making your decision to hold an event in Seoul is getting easier and easier, while events in Seoul promise to get better and better.

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BANGKOK CONVENTION CENTRE: TOP OF THE WORLD

he doors of the Bangkok Convention Centre (BCC) will this September once again swish open to the hordes of delegates eager to get into the serious business buzz of Asia’s premier MICE event, IT&CMA. As the event continues to grow and improve year on year, there is no small part of its success in being held in a venue that offers a complete, ‘under-one-roof’ solution and that from its elevated vantage point never lets delegates forget that they are attending something extra special. BCC is part of the vast CentralWorld complex located in Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit commercial district. Accessed on the 22nd floor and directly adjoining the excellent Centara Hotel that facilitates the many events held here, once inside and away from the baking heat and frenetic pace of the wonderful city outside a day’s solid business can be conducted in the perfectly balanced atmosphere of a cool climate, soothing furnishings and very professional and eloquent staff. First of all there is the large convention hall, which at well over 1,000m2 and pillar-free offers a huge number of potential formats (including

seating for up to 6,000 delegates) and that opens out to a large open atrium lobby with breathtaking 180° views over Bangkok from the huge glass walls of its 22nd floor eyrie position. Supporting the convention hall there are also fifteen suites (the Lotus Suites) varying in size from 58-412m2 on the same floor, all fully equipped with the latest in AV technology and some also offering flexible formats as well as natural light. Upstairs from the business side of BCC and adjacent to the reception of the Centara Hotel on the 23rd floor is the World Ballroom, a further huge pillar-free and high-ceilinged space offering a number of potential formats and with a large pre-function area again offering stunning views over the city. In addition to its capacious size, the ballroom also offers state-of-the-art facilities, sound-proof wall partitions, large screens, top-end AV equipment and an excellent lighting system, all of which has guaranteed the TTG Awards Night at IT&CMA have been very elegant and memorable affairs. After a day’s business and having taken in some of the many evening pleasures that Bangkok has to offer, staying at the Centara 68

Hotel is the perfect way to unwind and prepare for another day of business at BCC. With rooms available up to the 50th floor and beyond, the views from any side are outstanding, the rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished, and the leisure facilities of the hotel, such as its rooftop pool and award-winning spa, are quite possibly the best in the city. As might closing out a day with a cocktail in Red Sky, the open-air bar on the Centara Hotel’s 55th floor, just be the most perfect end to a perfect day in the city. In 2013 Bangkok was the most visited city in the world, taking top position ahead of staples such as London and Paris and consolidating its reputation as a destination not to be missed. As a leading world city there is an expectation that its facilities will reflect this accolade and help bear out its leading role. The tandem of the Bangkok Convention Centre and the Centara Hotel are certainly playing their part in keeping Bangkok right at the top of the MICE industry’s world.

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HOW HIGH IN SHANGHAI?

nd how far too? And how wide as well, for that matter, as it was from far and wide that the many delegates descended upon this years IT&CM China in anticipation of the number of MICE highs that the event was promising. Having made their MICE pilgrimage to the bustling Chinese metropolis, they were not disappointed. This year’s event, its ninth outing and held from the 14-16 April at the new venue of the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Centre of International Sourcing close to the city’s Hongqiao transport hubs, showcased everything that has helped it gain a strong reputation among the major Asian MICE events and also hinted at the direction it will be moving towards in the future. “Since its inception, the show has widened beyond China’s general MICE industry to involve and address the objectives of valuable niches, including local associations through a 2-day programme and corporate travel with the co-location of the inaugural CTW China

travel management conference in partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel, China,” outlined Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media. “These expansions are part of a successful endeavour to deepen the value that our delegates receive, allowing them to better engage, source, network and harness information. Opportunities including destination presentations and campfire knowledge sessions are built on top of the already familiar business, educational and networking highlights.” With the familiar annual highlights of the event living up to their billing and new strands of the event reaching out to the association and corporate markets, of the new additions to the show programme the Campfire knowledge sessions proved to be a particular hit and a boon to its education and knowledge sharing focus. The six programmed sessions catered to specific delegate niches, including suppliers, PCOs, PEOs and corporate buyers, and featured topics ranging from effective selling at tradeshows, talent acquisition, harnessing mobile for meet70

ings and events ROI, to understanding the Chinese corporate travel market, technology trends in China and planning successful and impressive meetings and events. All of this made this year’s education aspect of the event especially enriching. “From our experience in developing conference programmes and organising events for nearly two decades, we recognise the significance of knowledge, education, sharing and engagement as a catalyst to the industry’s growth and sophistication,” explained Ooi Peng Ee, General Manager of TTG Events. “China is no different; delegates come with the purpose of wanting to be inspired by new ideas, concepts and solutions that can take their business further.” “What we have done this year is to tailor different platforms to the objectives of specific delegate groups,” he continued. “Destination presentations are meant for NTOs and CVBs to update our buyers and media on their campaigns, while media briefings are structured

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for companies to engage both international and local press in a captive setting. The Association Days @ IT&CM China programme, which includes forums that offer simultaneous EnglishChinese translation, are specifically meant to draw local Association Executives and professionals into the show, while the brand new Campfire knowledge sessions impart practical business know-how to our various delegates.” With a total of more than twenty of these targeted education sessions on offer and fronted by international and local organisations stretching from Australia to Canada via the USA and Europe, this year’s event had a particularly impressive outreach, something that the Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH, presenting for the first time at this year’s show, were quick to recognise. “Trade Shows are good platforms for sharing information and meeting potential partners, and as we work in a global world understanding other cultures is a key for success,” said Heike Mahmoud, CMP, Director Conventions of the

visitBerlin Convention Office. “Learning together through knowledge sharing to find solutions should be part of our collaborative DNA and we should also create win-win situations to encourage business opportunities. Education sessions like the forums at Association Days @ IT&CM China 2015 are excellent avenues to tailor content to the right target groups.” The emphasis on knowledge sharing as part of an abundant programme for delegates helped nurture a healthy attendance and performance at this year’s event, with a bumper 13,000 business appointments carried out by almost 500 top-end buyers during a two-day hubbub of activity and networking. With next year bringing IT&CM China into a birthday with double figures and the event moving in new and interesting directions for the industry, the 2016 tenth anniversary already looks like Shanghai’s going to get even higher.

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MARRIOTT’S MEETING MUSCLE

Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Puxi/exterior

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Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Puxi/lobby

t this year’s IT&CM China there was a lot for delegates to learn at the new format Campfire sessions, especially so from the session given by one of the show’s largest brand sponsors, the Marriott hotel group, who introduced their all-new approach to meetings whilst taking the opportunity of the event to also showcase some of their stunning new properties through hosting the gala night and accommodating many of the delegates in true style and luxury. “Marriott is setting trends within the MICE industry through technology and innovation like our Meetings Imagined approach and the Meetings Service App,” said Adelina Ye, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, East China. “These solutions were founded on our own research that discovered the seven purposes for meetings: celebrate, decide, educate, ideate, network, produce and promote.” For event planners who have established what the fundamental purpose of their meeting is, the Meetings Imagined approach then offers a veritable smorgasbord of interactive options to tailor a meeting to their detailed and specific requirements, working in close collaboration with the Marriott of choice.

“We have unique services and solutions, such as the complementary meetingsimagined. com website that is curated around the seven meeting purposes and the component building blocks of meetings – setup, food & drink, tech & supplies and experiences,” explained Ye. A quick flick on the website shows that in understanding the changing nature of both meetings and the needs of meeting planners, with this innovation Marriott have really stolen a march on the hotel meeting offer –dozens of potential layouts, formats, food options and anything else that a meeting might need can quickly be viewed and, more importantly, visualised with many images, all of which is bolstered by their own collection of ‘inspiration ideas’. As with any high-end hotel chain, Marriott also promise to bend over backwards to accommodate any meeting planner requests. “The website also houses hundreds of inspirational images and meeting concepts, and allows planners to create and share favourite ideas through social media and email,” added Ye. At the moment Meetings Imagined is available in 21 countries and more than 100 properties, although these numbers are still growing. Supporting and really enhancing this new ap73

proach is the Meetings Service App, which gives meeting planners the excellent – and from time to time, desperately necessary – ability to request, respond and connect in real time, meaning that during the event any spur of the moment culinary, engineering or operations requests can seamlessly be communicated and, of course, equally seamlessly be carried out. For both event planners and venue this initiative not only greatly reduces the chance of any hitches coming up, but also offers the planner a buffer of flexibility for last minute changes without any behind the scenes panic. And all of this, of course, results in satisfied delegates and great events. “We at Marriott are able to create unique meeting experiences by helping meeting planners design and execute their meetings in creative ways to inspire results,” said Ye. We fully agree!

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Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Puxi/swimming pool

Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Puxi/deluxe king

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JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Changfeng Park/Panorama Bar

JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Changfeng Park/Park Cafe

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HERE COMES IT&CM‘AAA’ 2015

f MICE events were being rated the same way as financial institutions or even countries are, then any of the big three rating agencies would immediately award IT&CMA the ‘Triple A’ top grade. The line up for the 2015 outing at Bangkok Convention Centre in CentralWorld from September 29 to October 1 is already promising a Triple A of its own, justifying why this rating would be so well deserved and appropriate. The first of the three ‘A’s is for the new App to be introduced to this year’s show. Custom built and developed in partnership with US-based Guidebook, the native app branded under TTG Events will house event guides to the group’s four MICE and Corporate Travel trade shows and is available on iTunes and Google Play stores. “The mobile app is an excellent way for the industry to stay in touch with our latest event developments and registered delegates and interested participants will have one-stop access to crucial dynamic event information that helps them make the most of their time pre-event and on-site,” said Ooi Peng Ee, General Manager of TTG Events. “The app will also contain private guides for confirmed delegates that contain exclusive content, including buyer profiles, exhibitor directory and the exhibition floor plan.” The benefits of introducing the app to this year’s event will be that delegates can better navigate - at any of the IT&CM or CTW events - by having all of the information that they need right at their fingertips, they learn about every session taking place, curate their own personal schedule and more easily find their way about with interactive maps. The app is also a goldmine of information, with instant access to details such as speaker bios, presentations, exhibitor profiles, sponsor listings, social media feeds and local area information. Finally, Guidebook also facilitates feedback collection via in-app surveys and attendee-to-attendee networking via virtual contact card sharing, bringing information back to the organisers who can then use it to improve on future IT&CM events. “The IT&CM series is a really reputable name in the Asian MICE Market, one that top planners rely on for industry education and networking opportunities,” said Alex Goldberg, Marketing Associate of Guidebook. “So we hope our partnership will give us access to this valuable audience and lend our brand credibility in the Asian MICE industry.” The second A of the Triple A rating stems from the 2015 event placing an even stronger emphasis on its Association component, building on the Association Day held in Singapore in December and organised in collaboration with venue sponsor Suntec Singapore, with further Association Days at future IT&CM events, in-

cluding of course IT&CMA. The Singapore Association Day event successfully drew over thirty industry professionals and executives from various industries – AMCs, finance, energy, engineering, education, insurance and tourism – and was a further signal of the success of this part of the IT&CM portfolio direction. “The IT&CM Association Day initiative is fundamental for industry engagement with the purpose of advancing the associations sector through peer-to-peer exchange,” said Oscar Cerezales, Chief Operating Officer – Asia Pacific | Global Director – Association Services of MCI Singapore and speaker at the event. “The organisers have enabled all the key elements in this one platform to prove they have what it takes to make this happen.” Not only do they have what it takes just to make it happen, but bringing up the third A of the Triple A rating is that they do it with an emphasis on elevating the Academic clout of the association delegates involved in this fresh component of IT&CM suite of events. “Our past three Association Day programmes have told us that the impetus to learn from and network with association experts and their own peers has drawn Association executives across industries to our events,” said Ooi Peng Ee. “In particular, the most recent Association Days @ IT&CMA that featured an expanded 2-day programme garnered top scores from our attendees in terms of content, delivery, interaction and relevance to job.” Many of the association experts are in full agreement with this assertion and concur that it is indeed drawing them from all corners of the globe. “Global competition and the opening up of Asian economies through initiatives such as 76

the ASEAN Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership means that more than ever before, Asian countries need their professional, trade and industry associations to help drive social cohesion and economic growth through vital advocacy, leadership, standards and information services,” said Simon Pryor, Principal Professional Learning and Certification Advisor of the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) and also previous speaker, moderator and panellist at Association Days @ IT&CMA. “So, as these associations develop in response to new demands, it becomes essential for knowledge and education support, such as the Association Day programmes offered by IT&CM Events, to be available to board members and paid staff.” IT&CMA’s Triple A status has already reaped dividends for another A, the Amari Watergate Bangkok, who from exhibiting at the 2014 event managed to secure a sizeable conference hosted in March of this year, a two-day programme for 350 delegates. “Success stories like Amari Watergate Bangkok’s are what IT&CMA is all about – proven business generation,” said Ooi Peng Ee. “Their experience validates the show’s ability to deliver buyers with real procurement power. We look forward to having more exhibitors showcasing their success stories with us, which also represents a good opportunity to highlight their unique capabilities in the entire business process from securing the deal, right up to delivering the experience.” Kongres magazine also eagerly anticipates the success stories of yet another Triple A event in the Thai capital later this year and will report back in our final issue of 2015.

Kongres magazine

www.itcmevents.com

No other event series in Asia delivers

The Largest Congregation of International Convention Visitor Bureaus for a focused MICE experience with serious players in the industry. Associations • Corporates • PCOs • PEOs • AMCs • Agencies • Meeting Planners • Incentive Houses

Apply as a Hosted Buyer to the last IT&CM Event in 2015 29 September to 1 October 2015 Bangkok, Thailand

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Largest Collection of Asia-Pacific MICE & Corporate Travel suppliers Complete access to Education & Networking Opportunities Proven business platform with 40% of buyers confirming procurement on-site last year Up to 100% Pre-scheduled Appointments Complimentary City Tours and Post-Show Tours at Special Rates Use this URL to receive priority hosting consideration

www.itcma.com/hostme/Kongres *Registration is not a confirmation of hosting. All applications are subjected to validation, terms and conditions.

Our IT&CM Events Series

TH NEW EUROPE EXHIBITION FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENTIVE TRAVEL

Explore the emerging destinations of Europe over a cup of coffee

THE BOUTIQUE MEETINGS MARKET IS BACK AND THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL Once you’ve seen what CONVENTA can do for you in two days you’ll never want aything else.

WWW.CONVENTA.INFO

20 - 21 JANUARY 2016, Ljubljana—Slovenia

Conventa Addendum

10 FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONVENTA EXPERIENCE 2.

A closed event that is an essential meeting point of cherry-picked buyers and New European meeting providers.

A trade show organised in a cost- and time-efficient manner.

Never just a number. An individual approach is what Conventa swears by. You will find the personal touch at every step of the way.

A place filled with energy, warmth and great hospitality!

Pre-scheduled Oneto-One meetings were you get to know every potential business partner in person.

Personally experiencing meeting destinations on fam trips.

Social events where exhibitors and hosted buyers can mix and business match even further in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Educational modules tailor-made for exhibitors and hosted buyers.

Friendly and professional Conventa staff available to every guest 24/7.

10.

Tradition, trust, high standards and high satisfaction rate. In seven years 888 exhibitors from 17 countries and 1,702 hosted buyers from 45 countries have conducted 20,668 meetings at Conventa.

Conventa Addendum

CONVENTA MEET BUSTER

MYTH: CONVENTA IS THE WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VERY FIRST TRADE SHOW. PARTLY CONFIRMED: Conventa is always the first - the first to open the annual trade show season, that is, as it is traditionally organised every January.

MYTH: OVER THE YEARS CONVENTA HAS HOSTED AROUND 1,000 HOSTED BUYERS AND FACILITATED 10,000 MEETINGS. BUSTED: In seven years Conventa has hosted 888 exhibitors and 1,702 hosted buyers. Over the years 20,668 one2one meetings have been held during the show.

MYTH: CONVENTA HELPS MEETING PLANNERS AND MEETING PROVIDERS SAVE MONEY. CONFIRMED: Only at Conventa does an investment of 55 EUR brings hosted buyers VIP treatment worth 1,200 EUR, while exhibitors pay only 9 Euros for a lead, which is one-tenth of the price paid by the exhibitors at other major trade shows.

MYTH: CONVENTA ACCEPTS ONLY MEETING PROVIDERS FROM SOUTH EAST EUROPE.

BUSTED: In 2015 Conventa also opened its exhibition floor to meeting providers coming from New Europe and immediately attracted exhibitors from Greece, Azerbaijan and Russia.

MYTH: COFFEE AT CONVENTA IS ON THE HOUSE.

CONFIRMED: Conventa invites all guests for a good cup of coffee. In 2015, around 2,500 cups of coffee were served by the Bernardin Group Resorts & Hotels.

MYTH: CONVENTA IS A HOSTED-BUYER DRIVEN SHOW.

CONFIRMED: Conventa is solely a hosted-buyer driven show where each exhibitor on average concludes 24 One2One meetings with quality hosted buyers.

MYTH: THE NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS AT CONVENTA HAS NOT INCREASED OVER THE YEARS.

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

MYTH: HOSTED BUYERS AT CONVENTA ARE ALWAYS THE SAME. BUSTED: Every year around 82 % of buyers are new at Conventa.

MYTH: IT NEVER SNOWS DURING CONVENTA.

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

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

MYTH: CONVENTA EXHIBITOR STANDS ARE MADE OUT OF WOODEN CRATES.

MYTH: ONCE IN A WHILE PEOPLE ALSO FALL IN LOVE AT CONVENTA.

MYTH: THE IDEA OF CONVENTA WAS A STRATEGIC DECISION MADE AT A PARTNERS MEETING.

CONFIRMED: Conventa stands are made of wooden crates from naturally dried domestic pine that are being re-used each year. It takes around 3,200 wooden crates to set up all of the Conventa stands.

MYTH: CONVENTA STRIVES TO BE AS SUSTAINABLE AS POSSIBLE.

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

MYTH: HOSTED BUYERS AND EXHIBITORS ARE SATISFIED WITH CONVENTA.

CONFIRMED: On a scale from 1-5, average satisfaction with the show is 4.42 (hosted buyers) and 4.27 (exhibitors).

MYTH: HOSTED BUYERS TRAVEL SHORT DISTANCES TO COME TO CONVENTA. BUSTED: The farthest distance a hosted buyer travelled to come to Conventa 2015 was 7,690 km.

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

Conventa Addendum

WHY EVERY SERIOUS MEETING PLANNER SHOULD TRY FOR A HOSTED BUYER STATUS AT CONVENTA In 7 years 1,702 hosted buyers from 45 countries have attended Conventa in search of the new and as yet undiscovered meetings destinations of New Europe. 3,158

2,060

2,125

2009

2010

2,232

2011

2,077

2,062

2012

2013

3,365

2014

2015

In 2016, meeting planners will be able to meet face-to-face with the more than 140 meeting providers from New Europe coming to Conventa to present their meetings offer.

THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

The satisfaction survey conducted after Conventa 2015 showed: 21.6 pre-scheduled meetings per hosted buyer on average 34.5 actually realised meetings throughout the show and social events per hosted buyer 4.29 out of 5 rating of hosted buyers’ satisfaction with the content of the meetings 4.35 out of 5 rating of hosted buyers’ satisfaction with networking opportunities 5 out of 5 rating for 2 out of the 6 fam trips organised for hosted buyers

CONVENTA OFFERS THE FULL PACKAGE Conventa Experience = Endless business opportunities + Emerging destinations + Education + Entertainment + Energy + Emotions The hosted buyer programme is a VIP, tailor-made programme carefully put together to satisfy even the most demanding of meeting planners’ needs. All meeting planners have to do is apply for the programme. The Conventa team does the rest - planning, booking and organising. No fuss, no muss.

Almost 89 % of hosted buyers said that their participation absolutely met their expectations. Did your participation meet your expectations?

88.9 11.1

HOSTED BUYER STATUS OFFERS : Complimentary air ticket

Economy return ticket from selected destinations within Europe.

Overnight accommodation

In one of the Ljubljana’s finest congress hotels.

On-ground transfers

Airport, venue, hotel.

Gourmet meals

The best catering companies present their culinary masterpieces at working lunches & evening receptions.

Networking opportunities

All the Conventa social gatherings are designed in a way to bring together exhibitors and hosted buyers and offer them new opportunities for networking in a more relaxed atmosphere.

One2One meetings

Personal itinerary of appointments that can be pre-scheduled.

Fam trips

Study tours to different meetings destinations are organised before and after the show. It’s a personal experience of the destination one simply must have in order to understand the destination in full.

New knowledge

Fresh educational modules organised throughout Conventa are a great way to acquire new knowledge and catch up with the trends in the meetings industry.

Support of the Conventa team

A professional team always ready to make hosted buyers feel like they’re at home.

Meeting planners can apply for hosted buyer status at www.conventa.si/hosted-buyers.

88.9 % yes, absolutely 11.1% yes, partly

Three quarters of hosted buyers agreed their itinerary fully met their business objectives. Did the itinerary meet your business objectives? 74.6

25.4

74.6% yes, absolutely 25.4% most likely

In the future, hosted buyers will highly likely place business in the destination. How likely are you to place future business in: (1 – not at all likely, 5 – very likely)

The destina- The hotels tion 4.41 4.19

The venues 4.00

The activities 4.02

Conventa Addendum

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO MAXIMUM EXPOSURE AT CONVENTA Conventa offers 365-day marketing support to all those exhibiting at the show. The basic steps to increasing visibility and creating a buzz before, during and after the show are: CONVENTA GAINED NEW DIMENSIONS AND WELCO MED THE NEW WORLD

WELCOME RECEPTION

ACADEMY CONVENTA

MEETING STAR AWARD

7 TH NEW EUROPE EXHIBITION FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENTIVE TRAVEL

COMPANY DESCRIPTION in One2One system and the Conventa Catalogue Write a good presentation of your company that will help you establish quality contacts with hosted buyers and will contribute to your successful performance at the trade show.

21. 01. 2015

CONVENTA, SEVEN YEARS OF SUCCESSFULLY CONNECTING THE REGION

CONVENTA 2009 - 2015 IN NUMBERS

1702 Hosted Buyers from 45 countries 888 Exhibitors from 17

countries

20,668 one2one meetings 137 Journalists / 87 Media partners 4.27 Overall satisfaction with

show (exhibitors on a scale 1 - 5)

4.42 Overall satisfaction with

show (hosted buyers on a scale 1 - 5)

Katja Jemec

The slogan of Conventa is Explore, Meet, Create. With a reason. Conventa offers you fantastic opportunity to explore the New Europe, Meet solution providers from the region and Create new relationships that will enable you to offer new programs to your clients. Miha Kovačič, Exhibiton Organiser

Conventa, New Europe exhibition for meetings, events and incentives, has opened its doors today. With new dimensions, new opportunities and a new personal best, the seventh edition brings to Ljubljana the highest number of international meetings planners and meeting providers in the history of the show. Miha Kovačič, Director of Slovenian Convention Bureau and Organizer of Conventa: “The 7th edition calls itself New Europe and it comes big. More than 130 exhibitors from 15 countries are presenting their offer to more than 160 carefully selected hosted buyers from 31 countries. Although we exceeded all expectations, Conventa is all about quality, not quantity.” From the outset Conventa has strived to connect the region and encouraged the growth of Central and South East European meetings industry. The hard work put

Only a few hours away from Frankfurt or London lies half of Europe that is open wide and is waiting for you to explore it. This trip will be full of positive surprises, meetings with the new convention bureaus, new meeting venues and service providers and last but not least opportunities for new connections between East and West, North and South. Gorazd Čad, Head of Marketing

into the project over the years, the decision to remain a boutique show and the personal approach Conventa swears by, has placed the show among the top European events for the meetings industry. Zdravko Počivalšek, Minister of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia said: “Over the past six years, Conventa has proven to be the leading businessto-business event in the meetings industry in the region, and the best event for meeting prime partners in the MICE business.”

WWW.CONVENTA.INFO

Don’t miss the leading business-tobusiness event for NEW EUROPE! See you in Ljubljana, at Conventa, from 20 to 21 January 2016.

VIDEO INTERVIEW: Conventa Chat Room Become a TV star and be the guest of a 120 second interview recorded in a studio at the event. The video will reach a wide audience, as it will be distributed across all of the Conventa and Kongres magazine’s channels.

Enjoy in discovering NEW European meeting destinations at Conventa 2015!

Continue on next page -->

CONVENTA 2016

ADVERTORIAL - Good practice example in the Conventa Catalogue Show you’ve got what it takes! Select an example of good practice that will highlight your advantages.

Join the #Conventa online conversation and stay updated on the latest news!

Conventa Daily-1 2015.indd 1

21. 01. 15 00:27

SHORT INTERVIEW – Who is Who at Conventa Generate further interest in you and your company. Give interesting and fun answers to the questions in the ‘Who is Who at Conventa’ section of the catalogue. NEWS in Conventa Daily Introduce yourself in the print and digital version of Conventa Daily, the trade show newspaper that is read by every participant.

7th EXHIBITION FOR MEETINGS, EVENTS & INCENTIVE TRAVEL 21 - 22 january 2015

21.240

One2One meetings

VOLUME IX, ISSUE 1 // JANUARY 2015

tin

re at m

CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST EUROPE MEETINGS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE, VOLUME IX, ISSUE 1 // JANUARY 2015

years of SUCCESS

SPECIAL ISSUE CONVENTA CATALOGUE

ADVERTORIAL Conventa Guide in the Conventa Catalogue Short and sweet: thematic presentations of partners and their offer.

years of results

887

exhibitors from 17 countries

1.686

hosted buyers from 45 countries

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW – Voice from the Top Share your thoughts and opinions. Choose the in-depth interview where meetings industry leaders present their own story of success. ADVERTORIAL – different options to choose from A little promotion goes a long way, from destination presentations and product presentations to classical PRs and ADs. The Conventa catalogue is the best publication to attract further attention and maximize your presence at Conventa.

ISSN 1 8 5 5 - 8 6 1 5

www.visitljubljana.com/meetings

9 771855 861009

www.kongres-magazine.eu

TL kongresni oglas 234x287 0613.indd 3

11. 07. 13 11:02

Exhibitors at Conventa are granted special discounts for all of the above mentioned services, while the Conventa team will gladly offer them free advice and help with preparing their individual marketing mix. For further information please write to gorazd@conventa.info.

Conventa Addendum

IS IT WORTH IT? RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF EXHIBITING AT CONVENTA In 2015, more than 55 percent of exhibitors said their participation absolutely met their expectation and more than 60 percent of them would recommend the show to their industry colleagues! A tradeshow is a marketing and sales investment. As with any investment one should expect a return on investment. This table includes a series of simple tools to assist exhibitors in planning for a trade show and to measure performance in delivering a return-on-investment of exhibiting at Conventa.

ROI OF EXHIBITING AT CONVENTA ROI CRITERIA

INDICATOR

RESULT

ACTIVITY 2016

SAVING MONEY

On average an exhibitor gets 15 sales leads.

Conventa guarantees 250 hosted buyer contacts worth 3,250 EUR.

With stricter criteria for hosted buyers Conventa will generate more profitable contacts.

SAVING TIME

Time needed for preparation and checking the contacts (60 minutes per meeting).

An exhibitor conducts on average 22 meetings and therefore saves 60 hours of precious time

Increasing the number of meetings with an additional calendar

ALMOST NO ADDITIONAL COST

Little additional costs for attending the show.

Exhibitor package includes fully equipped exhibition stand, meals and entrance to networking social events.

Upon request Conventa ensures special accommodation prices for exhibitors.

CHERRY-PICKED BUYERS

Exhibitor survey results show that 14 % of meetings are fruitful.

A minimum of 2.5 meetings are successful, which means per exhibitor a business worth 54,540 EUR.

Strict criteria for meetings planners to be granted hosted buyer status.

YEAR-ROUND PROMOTION - DIGITAL

Statistics of the web page (monthly).

Views: 9,500 Unique visitors: 7,450.

Integration of exhibitor’s stories on Conventa page and social media channels.

YEAR-ROUND PROMOTION - DIRECT

Statistics for direct marketing (yearly).

Open rate: 141,000 Unique opened: 55,000.

Integration of exhibitor’s stories in e-marketing campaigns.

FREE NETWORKING

Cost of Social networking.

All social events that bring together exhibitors and hosted buyers are included in the package.

VIP entrance pass for additional representative.

FREE EDUCATION

Cost of Education.

Educational programme is free of charge.

More tailor-made educational modules extended over three days.

INTEGRATED MARKETING

Media publications, media partners, Kongres/Conventa TV.

In seven years more than 70 media and 140 journalists have visited Conventa.

Exhibitor promotion through Conventa media partners. Onthe-spot exclusive interviews.

BUILDING YOUR BRAND THROUGH THE CONVENTA BRAND

Loyal partners and exhibitors.

98 % of exhibitors return to Conventa.

Co-branding with Conventa – extensive promotion.

Conventa Addendum

PARTNERS ABOUT CONVENTA

The Ljubljana Tourism & Convention Team, as well as the whole destination, perceives Conventa not only as an established regional Show, but primarily as The Experience of New Europe. Next year, our city holds the prestigious title of ‘European Green Capital 2016’, which gives us the privilege to further enhance Ljubljana’s reputation as a fresh destination and a hub for creative ideas. We recognize the high value of the Conventa Show by endorsing its development and contributing to its originality as an important partner since its very beginning, adding that over the years it has evolved into one of the most relevant regional meetings industry business events on the European market. Through Conventa’s constant growth, which also embodies quality and innovation, we recognize our partnership as one of our major marketing projects at the destination level, which helps in boosting Ljubljana’s brand and visibility on the international meetings industry market and wider. PETRA STUŠEK, Managing Director, Ljubljana Tourism

“After Conventa’s 7th year the CD Congress Centre recognises this exhibition as one of the key events of its kind by reason of its location (venue located in our home town of Ljubljana) and high quality, with a distinctive mark of being environmentally friendly and highlighting a part of Europe (New Europe) which previously was not so well recognised in the world of the meetings industry.” BREDA PEČOVNIK, Congress & Event Management, CD Congress Centre Ljubljana.

‘’Conventa offers many new opportunities and by that it unlocks new sources of business connections. Let’s face it - no type of advertising can be a substitute for face-toface meetings and the Conventa concept of offering this is a simple and most effective one. Conventa changed the MICE world in Slovenia!’’ TOMISLAV ČEH, General Manager, Union Hotels

“We have collaborated with Conventa from its very beginnings. The seventh show in a row, it speaks of tradition and development, especially regarding geographic expansion to South-East Europe, this year for the first time among the convention services providers from Greece, Azerbaijan, and Russia. We are deeply honoured that each year it has taken place at our venue, the GR - Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre. Here we present ourselves with our exhibition space, promoting the largest convention centre in Slovenia with 20 multipurpose halls. Actually, we are ahead of other providers, because buyers get to discover us live as the Conventa venue. At the same time, they can see our innovative sustainable stands, the building blocks of Conventa. It is a system made of wooden boxes that has been remarked upon in the meetings industry as a huge opportunity for decreasing costs and creating unique sales and marketing opportunities. The model of the stands already won the Sustainable Stand Award at EIBTM 2011, a global meetings & events exhibition, and it became one of the finalists for the prestigious AIPC Innovation Award 2015. Conventa = GR!” IZTOK BRICL, M. Sc. Econ., CEO, GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre

“The Conventa Trade Show has been known among key providers and clients of business or congress events at the European and global level for a long time. The annual event, whose reputation grows by the year, particularly among the professional target public, is a meeting place for more than one hundred providers of congress services in South-Eastern Europe and clients from right across Europe and the world. The Conventa trade show is one of the key business events of Slovenian tourism, which places Slovenia at the top of professionally organised events and thus strengthens the image of the country as an excellent host of important business and tourist events. In 2016, when the Conventa trade show will again be held in Slovenia’s capital, the sustainable aspect of the show will be another factor in the positioning of the event and Slovenian tourism, which is acquiring a special importance. Some years ago, the organisers of the Conventa realised that the orientation of the event towards sustainable development and marketing is essential for the attainment of the desired image among the domestic and foreign public. The commitment to going green will have added significance in 2016, when Ljubljana will hold the title of the European Green Capital. The Conventa trade show again proves the importance of personal communication between providers and potential clients, which remains indispensable, despite growing digitalisation.” KARMEN NOVARLIČ, MSc, Head of the Tourism Division at SPIRIT Slovenia

TOPICS AND DATES / Published  times per year

Kongres Magazine is far from being just a magazine. It is the only provider of integrated congress marketing communications, with which you can make effective dialogue with the meetings industry audience. Because we know what meetings industry payers really need and how to ensure their long-term loyalty, we can make above-average, high-quality, relevant, independent, in-depth and interesting meetings industry stories. In 2015 they will be dedicated to you and your customers even more.

EDITORIAL CALENDAR 2015 JANUARY

2015

CONVENTA DAILY

CONVENTA DAILY 1-2

Daily newspaper, which will be released during the Conventa trade show and which brings to exhibitors and hosted buyers daily news from Conventa.

SPACE CLOSE: 12.12.2014

MATERIALS DUE: DELIVERY: 19.12.2014 21. - 22.01.2015

2015

In Focus: PERSONALIZATION

The old paradigm “size fits all” in the last year has radically altered in the direction of personalization in which the participants of your events are taking the initiative. In the issue, we are going to explore different methods of personalization - everything from CRM tools, match-making innovations and the creation of social and virtual communities for the events of the future. We will examine how to achieve events at which the event participants are in the centre. Hot Spot: EVENT CREATION How to create creative experimental events

SPECIAL ISSUE 1

JANUARY

SPRING ISSUE MARCH

CONVENTA 2015

Special edition, published as a catalogue of Conventa together with extensive destination presentations and presentations of participating partners. In terms of content this is the most comprehensive overview of the meetings industry in the region of Central and Southeast Europe.

Themed supplement: CATERING SURVEY 2015

SPACE CLOSE: 13.02.2015

MATERIALS DUE: 20.02.2015

DELIVERY: 27.03.2015

SPECIAL ISSUE

MAY

SPACE CLOSE: 12.12.2014

MATERIALS DUE: 19.12.2014

DELIVERY: 21. - 22.01.2015

2015

MEETOLOGUE 2015

Since 2010, Kongres magazine has been publishing CONGRESS TRAVELOGUES, which were renamed MEETOLOGUES. International meeting planners thus discover little-known European convention destinations. All existing travelogues of the NEW EUROPE will be issued in a special issue of Kongres magazine, which will be released prior to IMEX trade show. With high-quality editorial content, travelogues completely replace the tedious and irrelevant catalogues of meetings suppliers. Digital versions of MEETOLOGUES are currently the most read sections of the Kongres magazine.

SPACE CLOSE: 10.04.2015

MATERIALS DUE: 17.04.2015

DELIVERY: 15.05.2015

KONGRES MAGAZINE Stihova 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, T: + 386 (0)1 430 51 03, F: + 386 (0)1 430 51 04, M: +386 (0)40 530 112, E: gorazd.cad@go-mice.eu, www.kongres-magazine.eu

PRINT AUDIENCE

TOTAL AUDIENCE of 60.700 readers:

18.000

meeting planners

------------29,65 % of total number

SPECIAL ISSUE 3

2015

ONE2ONE AUDIENCE

meeting planners

34.000 meeting

1.200

------------1,98 % of total number

FALL 2015

KONGRES INCENTIVE GUIDE 2015

JUNE

TABLET AUDIENCE

SEPTEMBER

2015

Meeting planners wish for something new. You would like – for the same or lower price – to see the yet unseen places, taste un-tasted delicacies, unknown wines and experience undiscovered experiences. Central and South East Europe offers numerous pleasant incentive secrets in the worldwide meetings industry, waiting to be discovered.

In Focus: CO-OPETITION

One of the few truly outstanding destination strategies is the idea of strategic alliances which is a result of the realization that we live in a time of mutual co-operation and competition (co-opetition). We will investigate in what stages it comes to competition and co-operation for congress buyers and destination reputation. Some practical examples will be presented which have survived the testing in practice. Hot Spot: EVENT MARKETING How to make desirable events

SPACE CLOSE: 15.05.2015

MATERIALS DUE: 22.05.2014

DELIVERY: 19.06.2015

SUMMER 2015 JULY

2015

In Focus: CONTENT CURATION

Content marketing is changing understanding of the entire meetings industry. Through good content events communicate with the participants. We are going to examine the evidence on the effectiveness of content marketing in the organization of events. You will learn why top content is the core of positive experience of your congress participants Hot Spot: EVENT PRODUCTION How to organise viable events Themed supplement: ADVENTURE PARKS 2015 OUTDOOR VENUES 2015

SPACE CLOSE: 19.06.2015

MATERIALS DUE: 26.06.2015

Themed supplement: INNOVATIVE PEOPLE & EVENTS

SPACE CLOSE: 21.08.2015

MATERIALS DUE: 28.08.2015

DELIVERY: 18.09.2015

WINTER 2014

NOVEMBER

2015

In Focus: INDUSTRY REINFORCEMENT 2016

Who are the personalities that have marked the year 2015? What are the trends of the future, which controversial ideas will win in the area of event organization. In the editorial board of Kongres magazine we believe that the best way to predict the future of the meetings industry is to be inventing it. Hot Spot: EVENT DIFERENTATION How to stand out from the crowd

DELIVERY: 24.07.2015

Themed supplement: KONGRES ANNUAL MEETING PLANNERS SURVEY KONGRES HOLIDAY & PARTY GUIDE

SPACE CLOSE: 16.10.2015

MATERIALS DUE: 23.10.2015

DELIVERY: 16.11.2015

(e-magazines and e-newsletters)

planners

------------56,01 % of total number

WEB AUDIENCE

appr. 7.500

meeting planners

------------12,36 % of total number

THEMED SUPPLEMENTS WITHIN THE MAGAZINE IN 2015

KONGRES GOURMET KONGRES WAW - WINES AND WINERIES KONGRES SPECIAL VENUES KONGRES ADVENTURE PARKS KONGRES OUTDOOR VENUES KONGRES INNOVATIVE PEOPLE & EVENTS KONGRES HOLIDAY & PARTY GUIDE

KONGRES MAGAZINE REGULAR SECTIONS

TELESCOPE – Congress destinations of the World according to the selection of our editor Robert Cotter MEETOLOGUE – Congress Meetologues of the New Europe VOICE FROM THE TOP – Interviews with key personalities of the meetings industry HIDDEN KONGRES GUEST – Hidden congress guests assess hotels, convention centres and catering providers WHO IS WHO – Presentations of meetings providers YOUNG TALENTS – Young promising meeting industry talents BEEN THERE – Reports from events TOP 10 - Rankings of the best in various categories CASE STUDIES - Examples of good practice

NEW CONTENT SECTIONS IN 2015

KONGRES BRIEFING – Short news from destinations presented in an interesting way DESTINATION SURVEY - In-depth collage presentations of congress destinations DESTINATION IN NUMBERS Infographics with data of individual destinations BEHIND THE SCENES - Extended reportages of the best congress hotels MEET THE TEAM – presentation of the PCO or DMC agencies and their greatest successful projects

At a time when campaigns are taken over by our buyers, apart from content marketing there are few tools available that enable communication through various channels.

KONGRES MAGAZINE Stihova 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, T: + 386 (0)1 430 51 03, F: + 386 (0)1 430 51 04, M: +386 (0)40 530 112, E: gorazd.cad@go-mice.eu, www.kongres-magazine.eu

Advertorial

1 NIGHT INCENTIVE / 24 INCENTIVE HOURS IN PREKMURJE

OVERVIEW: Prekmurje, the most exciting part of Slovenia, is a part of the Pannonian plain. Here you will experience the sentiment, the joy, and the hardship of the “people from the plains”. Since people from Prekmurje live a good distance from central Slovenia, they are even more hospitable when they get a visit. Our “Gibanica” (Prekmurian layer cake) programme is a combination of Prekmurian melody, outstanding cuisine, a modern business environment and a broad set of various incentive programmes. 1. MOMENTS OF ZEN: Pannonian sentiment 2. QUALITY TIME: Listen to the mill on the Mura river and take a look at how the best flour is produced

DAY 2: TIME TRAVEL, WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE 100 YEARS AGO? 08:00 Breakfast, Prekmurje style 09:30 Visit of one of best preserved houses in Prekmurje and a meeting with craftsmen from Prekmurje: a potter, a roofer, a pumpkin seed oil producer and a genuine ham producer from Prekmurje. 12:00 Lunch a tourist farm 14:00 Transfer to the airport Other options: Photo Safari or Golf and Goulash

3. MUST SEE: A stork in its nest 4. MUST DO: Indulge yourself with the delicious layer cake known as the Prekmurska gibanica 5. OUR PICK: Kodila ham production

ITINERARY DAY 1: FLOW OF THE MURA RIVER 10:00 Arrival at the Graz or Zagreb airport 11:30 Arrival at the hotel Livada Prestige 12:00 Rafting on the Mura River – Round trip Rafting on the romantic Mura River guided by experienced competitors in kayaking and canoeing on wild waters. At the last functioning mill in Veržej (the Babič mill) you will be served lunch known under the name “büjraška malica”, which includes regional specialties like pajani krüj, zasika, česnek and žganica. 15:00 Visit to the beekeeper The Bee’s Castle is an ecological beekeeping farm in the beautiful nature of the Goričko na-

HOURS OF SUNSHINE: 1830

GETTING THERE: The motorway to Prekmurje was built only recently. Now getting from Ljubljana to Murska Sobota is no longer an odyssey, but a hop, skip, and a jump. ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Livada, Sava Hotels & Resorts EAT AND DRINK: Tourist farms with authentic local food GATEWAYS: The Mura river connects the Slovenian region of Prekmurje and the Croatian Međimurje.

CONTACT US: Blue Ljubljana Office, Štihova ulica 4, SI1000 Ljubljana, T: +386 (0)1 430 51 03, F: +386 (0)1 430 51 04, E: info@blue-red.si, W: www.meet-blue.com

PREKMURSKA GIBANICA

ture park, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You will observe the beekeeper’s work, the life of a bee family and get to know how honey “gets” from the flower to the table. 17:00 Arrival at the Hotel Livada Prestige, Sava Hotels & Resorts 17.30 Quality time! Relax in the black thermal mineral water, known for its therapeutic effects, particularly on rheumatism and musculoskeletal system problems, as well as on general wellbeing. 19:00 Gibanica – The Prekmurian layer cake is a peculiarity among desserts and is considered to be a Slovene national culinary specialty. It prides itself with the European label Traditional Speciality Guaranteed. Learn how to make the best one. 20:00 Dinner, Prekmurje style

Outdoor Venues

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

DINERS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB LJUBLJANA

VILLA VIPOLŽE

The common design thread was: “Back to nature and it’s primeval side.” Let yourself be pampered in idyllic surroundings and indulge in divine delicacies of the Evergreen restaurant. The restaurant also has a special offer - live cooking of attractive, special dishes. As in the summer, when everything turns green, so too in the snowy winter, when a magical winter fairy tale happens, a fairy-tale somewhere in the middle of the snowy peaks... CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Plaza Hotel, Bratislavska cesta 8 1000 Ljubljana www.plazahotel.si/ Distance from the course: 16.5km

WOW FACTOR: The course is famous for its outstanding wooden clubhouse facility and excellent cuisine. It is located in the village of Smlednik under the Šmarna Gora hill. In 2015, the course will compete as a candidate for the Top 100 golf courses in Europe. ACCESS TO VENUE: To reach the golf course from Ljubljana centre take the road Celovska cesta E63 until Sentvid, then turn right onto the A1 and drive for about 10km. Exit the highway at Vodice and then turn left to Smlednik or Tacen, at Valburga turning left onto the local road to Tacen and after 3km you will arrive directly at the golf course. GPS system coordinates: N: 46° 09.081’, E: 14° 26.754’ PARKING: Large parking area, free of charge OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: The course offers a brilliantly equipped golf academy (individual lessons, group practice, youth courses, video analysis of the swing, golf club calibration), where every golfer may find something of interest; on top of all that has been mentioned so far, we ensure an amiable and professional treatment of our guests and a pleasant ambience on and around the course, where they will be spoiled by superior catering and offered the ability to shop in a well supplied golfing products store. CATERING SERVICES: The Evergreen Restaurant is set in an idyllic natural environment in the middle of unspoiled natural surroundings and is part of the overall Diners Golf & Country Club Ljubljana concept, which is complemented by its culinary story.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: The course has its own conference room, parking available for participants, rental arrangements and the setting up of promotional materials. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Smlednik castle, Goričane castle, Straža hot springs, Zbilje lake, Calvary near Smlednik, Polhograjski Dolomiti nature park, and the Katarina, Jetrbenk and Osolnik hills. THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: A new dimension for events. Invite your friends, business partners and associates for a presentation of golf, culinary delights and a complete experience of comfort in nature. TECHNICAL DATA Diners Golf & Country Klub Ljubljana Smlednik 200 1216 Smlednik. Tel.: 00386 51 623 883, 00386 51 262 226 RECEPTION: Working hours: Pro Shop, reception desk and Caddy room 7.00-20.00. Tel.: 00386 51 623 883, 00386 51 262 226 BANQUET: Restaurant Evergreen. Tel.: 00386 5 921 17 43, 00386 41 366 249 Working time: 8h - 22h THEATRE: Projections in the conference room and on the terrace in front of the club house. LOCATION: Smlednik 200, 1216 Smlednik WEB SITE: www.golf-ljubljana.si

WOW FACTOR: A restored renaissance manor house from the 17th century, a multicultural centre at the crossroads of three cultures ACCESS TO VENUE: Approximately 15km from Nova Gorica, easy accessible. PARKING: Parking area available near the venue. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Congress hall, beautiful wedding destination, cultural and social events. CATERING SERVICES: Restaurant and wine shop in the villa.

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

DOBROVO CASTLE

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: The closest accommodation facilities within 500m.

WOW FACTOR: Renaissance castle protected in relatively the same shape as it was in the 17th century.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: The villa has a hall for meetings.

LOCATION: Dobrovo, Goriška brda

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Beautiful landscape, medieval villages of Šmartno and Gonjače, and other interesting sights of Brda.

WEB SITE: www.brda.si

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Renovated villa with the latest technical innovation in the middle of the marvellous landscape of Brda. TECHNICAL DATA: Restored in 2014. RECEPTION: Opening in September 2015. BANQUET: The possibility of catering and banquet. THEATRE: Possibility to organise theatre events indoors and outdoors in a beautiful park.

ACCESS TO VENUE: Approximately 20km from Nova Gorica, easily accessible. PARKING: Parking area available near the venue. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Meetings, social and cultural events, weddings. CATERING SERVICES: Restaurant on the first floor, wine shop below the Castle. CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Nearest accommodation within 1km. CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: The castle has a small congress hall.

LOCATION: Vipolže, Goriška brda WEB SITE: www.brda.si

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Brda region offers many beautiful sights. The Krčnik natural stone bridge is located near Castle Dobrovo. THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Cultural heritage that hosts different art exhibitions and a museum of the last owner, Count Bagueri. TECHNICAL DATA Possible to visit the castle with a tour guide. RECEPTION: Tuesday to Friday from 8am to 4pm, weekends from 1pm to 5pm. BANQUET: Restaurant in the castle. THEATRE: Occasional cultural events.

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

TECHNICAL MUSEUM OF SLOVENIA

LAMBERGH, CHÂTEAU & HOTEL

bread tasting, riding with a 30s car Benz First hour, guided tours of collections, demonstration of letter casting, printing graphics, basket weaving, hand-making toothpicks, horseshoe forging, bobbin-work, hat making, basket making workshop, felt making workshop, making a small wooden box with a sliding lid, spindle spinning and wristband weaving. CATERING SERVICES: From Gostilna Bistra.

WOW FACTOR: Beautiful natural setting on the outskirts of Ljubljana, the former Carthusian monastery has a collection of the limousines that once belonged to President Tito and the oldest car preserved in Slovenia – a two-seat Piccolo from 1906. LOCATION: Bistra 6, 1353 Borovnica. WEB SITE: www.tms.si SPECIAL FEATURES: Several collections can be seen in the museum: from forestry, woodworking, hunting, fishing and agricultural departments, to textiles, printing, traffic and electrical engineering. ACCESS TO VENUE: By car. PARKING: In front of the museum. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Demonstrations of Nikola Tesla’s Experiments, bread baking in a traditional earthen oven with

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Gostilna Bistra (in front of the Museum). CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: In the Museum two halls and a park can be hired. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Technical Museum of Slovenia - Slovenia’s largest museum. THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Beautiful surrounding, museum’s collections, a lot of incentive activities. TECHNICAL DATA The largest indoor space is suitable for 120 people or 80 seats, while the park for more than 1,000 people. RECEPTION: In the park. BANQUET: In the park. THEATRE: Possible only in the hall.

WOW FACTOR: Château, nature, peaceful location. LOCATION: Dvorska vas 37A, 4275 Begunje na Gorenjskem WEB SITE: www.hotel-lambergh.com ACCESS TO VENUE: Car/bus, plane. PARKING: Available free of charge. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Teambuildings, sports activities, excursions, receptions, gala dinners, concerts and social gatherings in the park.

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

JABLE CASTLE - LOKA PRI MENGŠU

PARKING: 100

CATERING SERVICES: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, welcome reception, coffee break, picnic.

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES:

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Lambergh Château & Hotel

This magnificent castle offers a complete infrastructure, including modern equipment and a multifunctional support structure.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Lambergh Château & Hotel

CATERING SERVICES: Catering - external contractor.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Avsenik (1 km), Brezje (3 km), Vila Podvin (1,5 km), Radovljica-old town (2 km), Bled (8 km).

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: At city Domžale (Hotel Ambient, Hotel Krona).

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: The hotel and its surroundings, in particular the beautiful gardens, together with the first class services, combine to organise the perfect business or social gathering to impress and fulfil all expectations.

WOW FACTOR:

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: They offer modern multifunctional equipment.

Castle Jable is situated in a carefully chosen location, above the source of a stream and on the verge of a rocky slope. It’s belived to have been erected in 1530, although the first written references to it date back to 1268. The last renovation of Castle Jable was completed in May 2004.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Jable Castle offers an exceptional spectacle in itself, but you can walk up the Rašica hill (45 min from the castle), which provides views of Ljubljana and the wider area.

TECHNICAL DATA LCD projectors, a tribune, a sound system, flip charts, markers and free WI-FI internet.

LOCATION: Loka pri Mengšu

RECEPTION: Up to 120 persons - reception in the park, or up to 100 in the hotel.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

BANQUET: Up to 80 persons. THEATRE: Up to 120 persons.

WEB SITE: www.jable.si Located on the outskirts of Ljubljana, Castle Jable is a charming medieval castle situated away from the bustle of the city and surrounded by nature. There are several halls.

ACCESS TO VENUE: Access from the main road Menges - Trzin. 10km away from the capital city Ljubljana

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: A Peaceful environment and surrounded by nature. TECHNICAL DATA PC, sound system, projector, screen, microphones, lectern, ... RECEPTION: Main office or any other room or hall. BANQUET: / THEATRE: /

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

WINE CELLAR GORIŠKA BRDA

MANSION ŠTATENBERG

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Visits of the cellar, exciting wine tastings, we offer tours in the stunning region of Brda. CATERING SERVICES: Kitchen available; they offer wine tastings with refreshments. CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Venko, Hotel San Martin, B&B Dvor.

WOW FACTOR: One of the most renowned wineries in the region, 400 families gathered together in one company. LOCATION: Zadružna 9, 5212 Dobrovo WEB SITE: www.klet-brda.si SPECIAL FEATURES: One of the biggest cellars in Slovenia, exporting to 26 countries, more than 40 awards per year for our products. ACCESS TO VENUE: In Dobrovo, the main town of Brda, easy accessible. PARKING: Available - cars and coaches.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: They offer an adaptable meeting hall for small groups of up to 250 guests. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Wine Cellar, other wineries, the medieval village of Smartno, river Krcnik, Belvedere Tower in Gonjače. THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Easily accessible, tourist attractions in the surroundings, an oeno-gastronomic destination. TECHNICAL DATA Wi-fi, phone, smaller and larger meeting venues, video wall, free parking (cars and buses). RECEPTION: Outdoors, in the winery or in the tasting room. BANQUET: Upon request.

WOW FACTOR: Old mansion, nature, peacefulness. LOCATION: Štatenberg 86, 2321 Makole, Slovenia WEB SITE: www.dvorecstatenberg.si SPECIAL FEATURES: Weddings, seminars, celebrations, workshops, restaurant, accommodation, mansion cellar, museum. ACCESS TO VENUE: By car. PARKING: Parking available in front of the mansion. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Biking, paragliding, hiking.

THEATRE: No

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

FUŽINE CASTLE - MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN CATERING SERVICES: Mansion restaurant operates by prior arrangement.

CATERING SERVICES: External contract of the client’s choosing. CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: A cosy hotel and hostel is a 5 minute walk away; due to the proximity to the city, guests can stay at one of the many hotels in Ljubljana.

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Mansion Štatenberg, Hostel Strug. CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Mansion Štatenberg.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: The museum offers three halls and two outdoor venues for rental for various meetings, conferences, weddings and other events.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Mansion Štatenberg, Forma Viva, Monastery Studenice.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Grad Fužine is the home of Museum of Architecture and Design.

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Everything in one place. TECHNICAL DATA Restaurant can accommodate up to 200 guests, including 100 guests in the large salon. The three smaller salons can serve up to 35 guests, in a larger one up to 40. Option is also a great Knight’s Hall, which can accommodate 130 people. RECEPTION: By prior arrangement. BANQUET: By prior arrangement (Gostinstvo Dvorec Štatenberg). THEATRE: No Theatre.

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Serene surroundings very close to the city center, the beautiful scenery of the only renaissance castle in Ljubljana and a unique experience is what makes Grad Fužine a well sought after venue for conferences, weddings and events. Plus, even at the height of rush hour, there is no problem with parking. WOW FACTOR: The castle’s halls are filled with renaissance paintings, an old and mighty linden tree serves as a magnificent backdrop to the castle’s atrium and the river Ljubljanica completes the environment’s feel of serenity, even though it is just 5 kilometres from the centre of Ljubljana. LOCATION: Pot na Fužine 2, Ljubljana WEB SITE: www.mao.si ACCESS TO VENUE: East side of the city of Ljubljana. Reachable from the centre by car, bike (15 minute ride from the city centre) or public transport (bus no. 20). GPS coordinates: N 46° 3’ 20.699’’ E 14° 33’ 3.627’’ PARKING: 70+, free of charge OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Grad Fužine is home of the Museum of Architecture and Design and hosts exciting and stimulating exhibitions, conferences and other events from the fields of architecture, design, urbanism and photography. The castle also houses the/a hydro electrical station built in the 19th century. The castle is used for meetings, conferences, gatherings, weddings, product launches and more. 95

TECHNICAL DATA Five venues for rent, two are outdoor, but with guaranteed privacy. The largest - Great Tower - can seat 250 people (350 standing and 150 table seating), South Hall seats 130 people (250 standing and 96 table seating) and Reception Hall seats 60 people (150 standing and 50 table seating). There is also the Castle Courtyard and Park, which take up to 1000 people for big outdoor events. We offer seating, technical equipment (projectors, sound, lighting…) and much more. RECEPTION: Museum’s opening hours: Tue – Sun 10am – 6pm; renting of premises also possbile outside the opening hours of the museum. BANQUET: Possible in all five venues of the castle – three halls and 2 outdoor venues. THEATRE: Possible in all five venues of the castle – three halls and 2 outdoor venues.

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

BARN

BLED CASTLE

PARKING: Big parking lot OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Big area for sporting activities CATERING SERVICES: All kinds of food by koren catering CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Kepic apartments / hotel silvester

WOW FACTOR: Private property in natural surroundings just for you and your guests LOCATION: Vopovlje / Spodnji Brnik WEB SITE: www.skedenj.si www.facebook.com/skedenj

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Skedenj TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): RTC Krvavec THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Reception under canopy of linden trees, lounge, music, party. TECHNICAL DATA 2500 Square metres of property.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Weddings, special events for a company, team building, picnic

RECEPTION: 200 People

ACCESS TO VENUE: By car/plane (brnik airport)

THEATRE: 400 People

BANQUET: 200 People

WOW FACTOR: Impressive medieval castle with stunning Alpine views. LOCATION: Bled WEB SITE: www.blejski-grad.si/en/ SPECIAL FEATURES: Perched atop a steep cliff rising 130 metres above the glacial Lake Bled is a symbol of Bled and Slovenia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bled Castle. The image of the castle forming a dramatic backdrop to the romantic island and the church on it has earned the resort worldwide recognition through the centuries. Castle terraces offer spectacular views of the lake and the island, and over to the mountain ranges of the Karavanke and the Julian Alps. ACCESS TO VENUE: A pleasant and quite steep walking trail leads from Bled Lake to Bled Castle. It is well lit, even in the evenings. Bled Castle is accessible by car 96

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

DUCK ISLAND

PARKING: 500m away, in front of Brdo hotel, free of charge.

from the northern part of the lake. There is a short, steep paved path (about 100 metres) that leads to the Castle entrance.

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Golf, horseback riding, Brdo fish adventure, photo hunt.

PARKING: A small parking area is available for about 50 cars. Buses can bring their guests to the main access point and park at a special bus parking area beneath the Castle hill. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Medieval costume performances. Costume parties. Castle printing works. Bottle sealing at the Castle wine cellar. Easter egg hunting. Personalised teambuilding activities. CATERING SERVICES: Bled Castle Restaurant offers catering services for a variety of events at the Castle. CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Bled offers numerous accommodation possibilities in close vicinity. CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Meetings at Bled Castle can be held in the Knights’ Hall. Larger meetings can be held at Bled Festival Hall and in numerous hotels in Bled. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Lake Bled, Lake Bled island, The Vintgar gorge.

CATERING SERVICES: Finger food, hot/cold buffet, live cooking. CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Brdo Hotel WOW FACTOR: You are in the middle of unspoiled nature and have a whole island to yourself! LOCATION: Brdo Estate, Predoslje 39, Kranj, Slovenia WEB SITE: www.brdo.si SPECIAL FEATURES: New, specially-designed roof, an island connected to the shore via two bridges. ACCESS TO VENUE: Across the bridge, by foot, electric car or horse carriage.

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Historical ambience. Exclusivity. Natural surroundings. High level of attractiveness. National landmark. TECHNICAL DATA Main restaurant can accommodate up to 96 guests while the outdoor terrace seats about 100 guests. Smaller events can also be held in the Knight’s Hall (Viteška dvorana). RECEPTION: Bled Castle offers two courtyards for outdoor receptions and two indoor halls. BANQUET: Bled Castle Restaurant can seat 72 guests and the Knight’s Hall 50. THEATRE: The Knight’s Hall can accommodate 84 guests in theatre style.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Brdo Congress centre TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Brdo Castle, Brdo Estate with 11 lakes, Lipizzaner horses, Natura 2000. THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Quiet, roofed open space in a private location and surrounded by astonishing nature, 10km from Ljubljana airport. RECEPTION: 200 GUESTS BANQUET: 140 GUESTS THEATRE: /

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

DVOR JEZERŠEK

POSTOJNA CAVE

PARKING: There are free parking lots available on premises. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Culinary courses, wine tasting, teambuilding activities, skiing, bicycle riding, Imaginary weddings. CATERING SERVICES: Dvor Jezeršek is renowned for its quality restaurant services. From the very outset fully dedicated to the promotion and presentation of typical Slovenian cuisine, Dvor Jezeršek boasts the prestigious title of “Taste Slovenia - Culinary Centre”. CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: At the premises. Hotel Dvor Jezeršek consists of 18 rooms and accommodates up to 39 guests. CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Dvor Jezeršek offers one large meeting room for 120 guests theatre style and several smaller. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Cerklje na Gorenjskem THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Vicinity of the airport and Slovene capital Ljubljana, as well as Krvavec Ski Resort. Private and peaceful location.

WOW FACTOR: 240-year old mansion at the foot of the Slovenian Alps. LOCATION: Zgornji Brnik, Cerklje na Gorenjskem

TECHNICAL DATA Restaurant can host up to 80 guests. Summer garden is also available. Galerija hall can seat 120 guests, Restavracija hall 50 guests and Wine Cellar 14 guests. RECEPTION: 120 GUESTS

WOW FACTOR: Unique natural surrounding – Postojna cave and cultural surrounding – Predjama castle LOCATION: Postojna cave Park

BANQUET: 96 GUESTS

WEB SITE: www.postojnska-jama.eu

WEB SITE: www.jezersek.si/en/dvor-jezersek/ THEATRE: 120 GUESTS SPECIAL FEATURES: Dvor Jezeršek is over 240 years old, a homestead where tradition meets trends and where guests can “Taste Slovenia”. Thanks to its favorable and idyllic location at the foot of the Slovenian Alps, Dvor Jezeršek ranks among the most popular event locations in Slovenia.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Unique wedding ceremonies in Postojna cave Park – on the lawn by the river, inside the Postojna cave and at Predjama castle. Underground concerts with 150 years of tradition, medieval events at Predjama castle with knights and ladies of the castle, and Medieval banquets.

ACCESS TO VENUE: Dvor Jezeršek is situated in the pituresque, idylic village of Cerklje na Gorenjskem. This allows easy access to key destinations: Ljubljana International Airport (2km), Ski Resort Krvavec (4km) and Ljubljana (20km).

ACCESS TO VENUE: Easy access, 1km from the A1 highway, 30 minutes from Ljubljana and the coast. PARKING: Large, free parking area for cars and buses. OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: 98

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

LAVANDER

Underground adventures – trekking for closed groups (particularly suitable for those who aim to work on mutual help, encouraging team work and getting to know their own capabilities). Wedding receptions and other private celebrations.

PARKING:C Yes

CATERING SERVICES: The cuisine of the Postojna cave Park is proud of its venerable tradition combined with modern gastronomic trends. Guests will be served popular dishes from the NotranjskaKarst Region, gastronomic treats from Central Europe, Slovene culinary specialities as well as sea and freshwater fish and game dishes; Indoor (also possible last minute changes in case of bad weather), outdoor, cold/hot buffet, finger-food.

CATERING SERVICES: Yes

WOW FACTOR: Next to the sea with a magnificent sea view, outdoor swimming pool.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Event ship Nada, outdoor swimming pool, tennis centre.

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: New Hotel Jama, open in May 2016.

LOCATION: Tina Ujevića 5, 23210 Biograd na moru, Croatia

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Jamski dvorec Mansion and Hotel Jama (at the location itself).

WEB SITE: http://ilirijabiograd.com/en/bars-restaurants/ lavender-bar

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Next to the sea with a magnificent sea view and outdoor swimming pool.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Two main Slovenian tourist attractions – Postojna cave and Predjama castle, the newly opened EXPO Postojna cave karst and Vivarium Proteus – underground cave ZOO.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Situated on the beach itself, lounge bar Lavander is a perfect place for seminars, banquets and weddings.

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: We are a different, unique location with years of experience and large capacities.

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Numerous cultural, entertainment and sporting events throughout the year.

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: In the Hotel Adriatic CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: 10m

ACCESS TO VENUE: By car or bus.

TECHNICAL DATA Up to 600 spaces for lunch/dinner, several congress halls, 1,000 car parking spaces. RECEPTION: At the old Modrijan Homestead with a view of the river, inside the Postojna cave, at Predjama castle with a view on the picturesque valley and river, and at the newly opened EXPO Postojna cave karst. BANQUET: In front of the Postojna cave entrance, in front of the Predjama castle, at the Modrijan Homestead, or a Medieval banquet in the Jamski dvorec Mansion. THEATRE: Medieval events at Predjama castle, different artistic events inside the Postojna cave (music, dance, aerial silk performance).

TECHNICAL DATA Screen, projector, flipchart, sound system, microphones. RECEPTION: Yes, Open 24-hous. BANQUET: 40 PAX THEATRE: 90 PAX

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

ARSENAL ZADAR

DECK 1 EVENT SHIP ‘’NADA’’

ACCESS TO VENUE: By car. PARKING: Yes OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Concerts, presentations, receptions, conferences, private parties, exhibitions, commercial events. CATERING SERVICES: Yes CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: In Ilirija Resort. WOW FACTOR: A monument of Croatian heritage, major cultural and conference centre. LOCATION: Three Wells Square 1, 23000 Zadar, Croatia WEB SITE: www.arsenalzadar.com/eng/ostalo/oarsenalu. php#.VbCLKfkXX7w SPECIAL FEATURES: As a cultural and conference centre, Arsenal is a place with unique conditions for concerts, presentations, receptions, conferences, private parties, exhibitions as well as commercial events.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: 10m TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Sea organ and greeting the sun, Event ship Nada, church of Saint Donatus, Roman Forum. THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Direct access to the terrace, located in the city centre. TECHNICAL DATA Screen, projector, flipchart, sound system, microphones. RECEPTION: NO BANQUET: 700 pax THEATRE: 500 pax WOW FACTOR: Experience a unique sunset or a journey through Dalmatian tradition, an unforgettable experience for you with excellent food, drinks and music. It is equipped with state-of-the-art audio/video equipment and exudes elegance with its modern interior and beautiful decks, from which you will experience unforgettable sea and island scenery and unique sunsets. LOCATION: In the Marina. WEB SITE: www.ilirijabiograd.com/en/event-boat www.ilirijabiograd.com/en/motoryacht-nada SPECIAL FEATURES: The motor yacht “Nada” is fully equipped not only with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment, but also with an exclusive offer of restaurants and bars. It can be said that this is a sailing multifunctional congress centre that can

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Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

CAPTAIN’S CLUB MARINA KORNATI

provide a quality service for up to 180 people! Organise business meetings, conferences, banquets and formal receptions aboard the elegant “Nada” and experience the unforgettable atmosphere of the beautiful Adriatic!

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Numerous cultural, entertainment and sporting events throughout the year.

ACCESS TO VENUE: Car, bus, other boat.

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: In Ilirija Resort Hotels and villas.

PARKING: In any Marina.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: In Ilirija Resort, or at Arsenal, or on the Event ship Nada.

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Numerous cultural, entertainment and sporting events throughout the year.

CATERING SERVICES: Yes

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: In Ilirija Resort.

WOW FACTOR: Located in the Marina next to the sea with magnificent views of the marina and city center, as well as a rich offer of Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant that is located also in Marina Kornati, and with direct access to the terrace.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: In Marina Kornati, or Ilirija Resort, or at Arsenal.

LOCATION: Šetalište kneza Branimira 1, 23 210 Biograd na Moru, Croatia

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): It is equipped with state-of-the-art audio/video equipment and exudes elegance with its modern interior and beautiful decks, from which you will experience unforgettable sea and islands scenery and unique sunsets.

WEB SITE: www.marinakornati.com/en/

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Fully equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment, exclusive offer of restaurants and bars

ACCESS TO VENUE: Car, bus, boat.

CATERING SERVICES: YES

SPECIAL FEATURES: Captain’s Club Marina Kornati is the right choice for seminars, banquets and team building sessions for companies.

PARKING: Yes

TECHNICAL DATA Screen, projector, flipchart, sound system, microphones. RECEPTION: NO BANQUET: 90 PAX THEATRE: 30 PAX

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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a 1km radius): Hotels and villas in Ilirija Resort, tennis centre, Aquatic Centre, outside swimming pool in Hotel Adriatic, Lavander bar. THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Located in the Marina next to the sea with magnificent views of the marina and city center, as well as a rich offer of Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant that is located also in Marina Kornati, and with direct access to the terrace. TECHNICAL DATA Screen, projector, flipchart, sound system, microphones. RECEPTION: Yes, Open 24-hours. BANQUET: 80 PAX THEATRE: 100 PAX

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

LJUBLJANA CASTLE

KRIŽANKE SUMMER THEATRE

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Guided tours CATERING SERVICES: Catering - external contractor CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Variety of hotels, hostels and appartments in centre of Ljubljana

WOW FACTOR: The medieval Ljubljana Castle has served to many different purposes in the past – it was first a fortress, then residence to the provincial governor, a barracks and even a prison. In newer times, we can add to its many roles that of a major tourist attraction and city landmark. LOCATION: Grajska planota 1, 1000 Ljubljana WEB SITE: www.ljubljanskigrad.si SPECIAL FEATURES: A number of different-sized indoor function rooms are complemented by the spacious courtyard. ACCESS TO VENUE: With Car, on foot or with funicular.

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: The extensive renovation over the more recent years, which is now being concluded, has provided this splendid location with modern and multifunctional meeting and banqueting facilities, thus transforming it into a unique venue for business gatherings and social functions alike. TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a radius of 1 km): Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: A Peaceful environment and surrounded by nature TECHNICAL DATA Can welcome up to 800 guests at a reception or up to 1,000 (seated) for a cultural event. RECEPTION: 800 PAX BANQUET: UP TO 500 PAX THEATER: 30-1000 PAX

PARKING: Yes

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WOW FACTOR: It was formerly the oldest monastery in the city that belonged to the Teutonic Knight’s order. Renovated to the plans of architect Jože Plečnik in the 1950s. LOCATION: Trg francoske revolucije 1, 1000 Ljubljana WEB SITE: www.ljubljanafestival.si SPECIAL FEATURES: The big stage with an orchestra pit is suitable for various theatrical and musical stagings (operas, operettas, ballet, etc.), for symphonic concerts, theatre productions as well as pop and jazz concerts. It has also been occasionally used as banqueting venue for larger events. The theatre is outfitted with a large sliding roof that allows performances to run undisturbed even in the case of bad weather.

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

AUERSPERG PALACE - CITY MUSEUM OF LJUBLJANA

ACCESS TO VENUE: With Car or on foot , 1km from City Centre PARKING: YES OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: / CATERING SERVICES: Catering - external contractor CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Variety of hotels, hostels and appartments in centre of Ljubljana CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Križanke Summer Theatre, Entrance Hall, Knights’ Hall and Devil’s Courtyard TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a radius of 1 km): Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana Castle THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Considered to be one of the most beautiful and acoustic open-air venues in Slovenia. TECHNICAL DATA Can welcome up to 3.500 guests at Summer Theatre or up to 1.270(seated) for a cultural event. RECEPTION: UP TO 3.500PAX BANQUET: / THEATER: 100-1.270PAX

WOW FACTOR: Just a few steps away from the Ljubljanica riverbanks in the Old Town, the modernly renovated Auersperg Palace is becoming an increasingly popular special venue for the organisation of receptions, banquets, smaller conferences or seminars, as well as cultural and other events. LOCATION: Gosposka ulica 15, 1000 Ljubljana WEB SITE: www.mgml.si SPECIAL FEATURES: The Museum’s atrium - or the heart of the renaissance palace, is distinguished for its pure elegance and functionality. The white marble, glass galleries and solid stone columns and arches, which offer a view of the open inner courtyard, lend it a special atmosphere. The atrium can welcome up to 200 guests (or 400 joined if joined with the courtyard). The Museum’s premises offer other original function areas, including the 81-seater Projection room, the so-called Mayor’s Room is most suitable for protocol receptions, award-giving ceremonies and formal social functions, with space for 60 guests standing or up to 45 seats. ACCESS TO VENUE: With Car or on foot , 1km from Prešeren Square PARKING: 200m from Museum OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: An event at the City Museum of Ljubljana can be enhanced by a guided tour of the palace and the permanent collection. CATERING SERVICES: Catering - external contractor

Museum’s Cafe is perfect for small, intimate receptions, press conferences, concerts or poetry and prose readings. It stands on a 15th century floor and offers, through a glass bend, an original view of the courtyard and the cellar with an ancient, in situ Roman road. TECHNICAL DATA Courtyard combined with Atrium can Welcome up to 400 guests.

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Variety of hotels, hostels and appartments in centre of Ljubljana

RECEPTION: 60-400PAX

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: City Museum of Ljubljana

THEATER: 45-120PAX

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a radius of 1 km): Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana Castle THE VENUE ADVANTAGES:

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BANQUET: 80PAX – INDOOR ATRIUM

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

NAME OF THE VENUE:

CEKIN MANOR - MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

NATIONAL GALLERY OF SLOVENIA

WOW FACTOR: The National Museum of Contemporary History is a state museum dedicated to the heritage of recent Slovenian history, from the beginning of the 20th century onwards. It resides in the Cekin Manor (Cekinov grad).

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Variety of hotels, hostels and appartments in centre of Ljubljana

LOCATION: Celovška cesta 23, 1000 Ljubljana

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a radius of 1 km): prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle, Park Tivoli

WEB SITE: www.muzej-nz.si SPECIAL FEATURES: The Baroque highlight of this building, on its first floor, is a ceremonial hall beautifully fully adorned by wall paintings and two decorative stoves. The Knights’ Hall is suitable for a variety of events – from lectures and press conferences to presentations and social functions, including seated dinners. ACCESS TO VENUE: With Car, on Foot , with Bike or with City Bus

CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Cekin Manor

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: A mid-18th century two-storey pavilion with a refined late Baroque facade, located on the edge of both the Tivoli Park and the city centre. TECHNICAL DATA Capacity in Knights’ Hall is 120. A foyer offers additional space for standing receptions or cocktails. Parking spaces are widely available close by, some even right in front of the venue. RECEPTION: 120PAX

PARKING: Near Museum

BANQUET: 75PAX

OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: Can be enhanced by a guided tour of the Manor.

THEATER: 90PAX

CATERING SERVICES: Catering - external contractor

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WOW FACTOR: The National Gallery of Slovenia, founded in 1918, is the main art museum in Slovenia containing the largest visual arts collection from the late medieval period to the early 20th century. LOCATION: Prešernova cesta 24, 1000 Ljubljana WEB SITE: www.ng-slo.si SPECIAL FEATURES: It resides in a building from 1896, to which an annex was added in the 1990s. In between the two, a spacious and modern new entrance hall was built in 2001. This airy structure with a glass facade, facing the Tivoli Park, now represents one of the classier function spaces in the city centre, covering a surface area of 1,675 m2. Three levels can welcome up to 1,000 guests at a standing reception.

Outdoor Venues NAME OF THE VENUE:

TIVOLI MANSION INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF GRAPHIC ART ACCESS TO VENUE: With Car, on Foot , with Bike or with City Bus PARKING: Near Museum OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: The old wing containing the Gallery’s permanent collection exhibits CATERING SERVICES: Catering - external contractor CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Variety of hotels, hostels and appartments in centre of Ljubljana CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: Cekin Manor TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a radius of 1 km): Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle, Park Tivoli THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Walking distance from City Centre TECHNICAL DATA New entrance Hall holding up to 1000 guests, and a Large Hall – a ceremonial function space being most suitable for protocol receptions, award presentations and concerts with up to 220 guests.

WOW FACTOR: Just a few minutes away from the city centre and several important institutions, the Tivoli Park’s main promenade – now an attractive outdoor photographic gallery, leads to the Tivoli Mansion

CLOSEST ACCOMMODATION: Variety of hotels, hostels and appartments in centre of Ljubljana

LOCATION: Pod Turnom 3, 1000 Ljubljana

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS (within a radius of 1 km): Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Ljubljana Castle, Park Tivoli

WEB SITE: WWW.MGLC-LJ.SI SPECIAL FEATURES: The present building dates from the early 17th century and was thoroughly refurbished in the 1850’s. Today it houses an important cultural institution - the International Centre of Graphic Arts (MGLC). MGLC is also the producer of the renowned Ljubljana International Biennial of Graphic Art, which was established in 1955. ACCESS TO VENUE: With Car, on Foot , or with Bike PARKING: Near Mansion OTHER INCENTIVE ACTIVITIES: / CATERING SERVICES: Catering - external contractor

RECEPTION: UP TO 1000PAX BANQUET: 350PAX THEATER: /

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CLOSEST MEETING FACILITIES: In Tivoli Mansion

THE VENUE ADVANTAGES: Tivoli Mansion provides one of the most attractive outdoor settings for social functions in Ljubljana. TECHNICAL DATA MGLC rents out the spacious courtyard in front of the mansion, which is connected to the promenade by an ornate stairway, as well as the lecture room, gallery, library and print studios. The hire of premises may be supplemented by the programme of events on offer by MGLC or the mansion café. RECEPTION: UP TO 500PAX BANQUET: 250PAX THEATER: 250PAX

Kongres magazine

SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE PREVIEW Behind the Scenes reportage from new luxury D-Resort, Šibenik

ith interiors of pure white concrete, glass and wood, D-Resort Šibenik makes an ultra stylish statement on the crystal blue Croatian coast. And whilst the area retains its natural and unspoiled beauty, in terms of design, D-Resort Šibenik is set to be one of the most sophisticated hotels in Croatia, with simple lines and quality materials incorporated into a very natural Mediterranean landscape. The 63 rooms, 6 suites and 3 Exclusive Villas are smart and elegantly dressed with an extraordinary attention to detail – all part of ensuring that comfort is paramount, and nearly all offer utterly stunning sea views.

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THROUGH HEDONISM TO PEACE

CONTACT US: Blue Ljubljana Office, Štihova ulica 4, SI1000 Ljubljana, T: +386 (0)1 430 51 03, F: +386 (0)1 430 51 04, E: info@blue-red.si, W: www.meet-blue.com

2 NIGHT INCENTIVE / 48 INCENTIVE HOURS IN GORIŠKA BRDA

OVERVIEW: Goriška Brda is full of passion, energy and primal vigour. The region will open your heart and soul like an exquisite tango. If getting in touch with nature is your goal, look no further than the intoxicating Goriška Brda. There the inhabitants of the region, who are full of spontaneity, intuition and positive energy, will make sure that you find what you are seeking for. 1. MOMENTS OF ZEN: Sparkling night in the Sparkling Wines House Bjana 2. QUALITY TIME: Learn how to produce 100% natural cosmetics at Nona Luisa House 3. MUST SEE: The medieval centre of the Šmartno village renovated with love 4. MUST DO: Wine tasting in the heart of the most prestigious Slovenian wine region 5. OUR PICK: Trekking with donkeys

ITINERARY DAY 1: HEDONISM 09:00 Arrival at Venice airport and transfer to Goriška Brda 09:30 Eko Driving Experience Hybrid vehicles will be waiting for you at the airport to set off on an eco-rally from the Venice airport to Goriška Brda. This diverse drive even includes a skills test at the Devine castle, which offers a breathtaking view over the Gulf of Trieste. 11:00 Chefs Challenge at the Vipolže Villa Experience Goriška Brda through a pristine culinary journey. The teams will be divided in four groups, which will prepare different local dishes. The Master Chef will evaluate their cooking skills and select the winning team. 13:30 Lunch at Villa Vipolže 15:00 Transfer to the San Martin Hotel in the

village of Šmartno, where the participants are accommodated. 16:00 Treasure hunt in the ancient village of Šmartno Find the treasure hidden in the small medieval village that leads the participants to the next team challenge. 17:00 100% naturally – Nona Luisa in Šmartno Participants learn how to produce natural cosmetics and are informed about how harmful certain chemicals prevailing in cosmetic preparations actually are. Let your imagination run free and learn how to be self-sufficient with various aromas and natural dyes. 18:00 Return to San Martin hotel 19:00 Wine adventure A wine route through the best wine cellars of Goriška Brda with blind wine tastings. In each cellar participants solve and evaluate the riddle of the wine samples. The adventure lets you discover the wonderful world of wine and is thematically adapted to business goals. We recommend four stages, which each conclude with food and wine. 23:00 Return to the hotel DAY 2: NATURAL BEAUTY AND PEACE 08.00 Breakfast at San Martin hotel 09:00 Time-travel electric bike adventure A historic group adventure and an elegant way to overcome the challenging Goriška Brda hills without major effort. Twelve different cycling routes over the endless hills full of vineyards and orchards, where views reach to the Friulia plain, Veneto and all the way to the sea. On their way, groups will be solving a range of historical puzzles. 12:00 Arriving at a wine paradise: the village of Medana 12:30 Frying Frtalja –culinary workshop Arrival at Medana; participants will test their skills at a culinary workshop at one of the farmhouses named Belica. 15:30 Donkey trekking – a stress-free experience in the village of Cerovo Stop off in the village of Cerovo. Donkey trekking through the vineyards and orchards with a minipicnic in natural surroundings. 18:00 Return to San Martin Hotel (by electric bikes or by bus) 19:00 Gourmet pleasures – business dinner with bubbles A delicious dinner with Bjana sparkling wine and rich culinary pleasures. The most famous sparkling wine producer will take you to the world of bubbles and uncover the secrets of the best sparkling wine production. Dinner at the renowned restaurant La Subida, awarded with one Michelin star, is optional.

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DAY 3: DEPARTURES 09:00 Transfer to the Airport with a short visit to the town of Gorizia HOURS OF SUNSHINE: 1832

GETTING THERE: Venice Airport Marco Polo (VCE) is an easy hop from 90 international destinations. Longhaul destinations include Dubai, Doha etc. ALTERNATIVES: Trieste airport, Ljubljana airport ACCOMMODATION: Hotel San Martin and House Marica, Šmartno, Goriška Brda EAT AND DRINK: Many wine houses, where you will experience high-quality cuisine. We opted for the farmhouse Belica and for more demanding guests we would suggest to venture across the border to La Subida. GATEWAYS: The Posočje region. In less than 30 minutes you arrive at the epicentre of Slovenian adrenaline fairy tales, where your programme can be complemented with rafting, kayaking, and any other activities you can think of.

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1 – 3 October 2015 |

info@spa-ce.si

T: 386 1 430 51 03

Partner

www.spa-ce.si

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Information for exhibitors and hosted buyers:

Organiser

Heviz, Hungary

W O H S E D A R T D N th TRAVEL A 9 S Y A D I A L O H , SLOVENI E Y E V L L I A V T OF ACOBER 2015, SAVINJA AND ŠALEK T 15 – 17 OC

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Organiser

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www.natour-alps.eu | info@natour.si | T: +386 1 430 51 03

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