April 2010 - english

22 Steve de Wit, author of the book “Secrets of effective meetings & events”

43 Adrenalin parks

27 Good pictures, better leads

Adrenalin parks and team experiences in Slovenia

A great tool for initiating business

Communication! Definitely, effective communication is the way to save money and time when organizing M&E

Dani Polajnar

David Ralita

www.slovenia.info

SOUTHEAST EUROPE MEETINGS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE, VOLUME IV, ISSUE 2, APRIL 2010 www.kongres-magazine.eu

Contents

Our selection

5 6 7

10 11 13 17 18 19

A word from the editor Column by Rok Klančnik Column by Miha Kovačič

Page 22 Interview:

20 22

24 25 27 30

32

33 34

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Interview: Slaven Reljić Steve De Wit In focus: Article by Maja Makovec Brenčič, PhD Article by Elling Hamso, PhD Article by David Ralita Statements & opinions Gastronomy: Article by Prof. Janez Bogataj, PhD Green research: Mediana’s public opinion research on climate How Europe's 30 largest cities rate for sustainability Agency presents: Liberty Incentives & Congresses Slovenia

40 41 43 53

55

58 60

Congress locations: Vila Bled, Rogla, Radisson Blu Bohinj Park ECO Hotel Adrenalin parks, Dani Polajnar Congress Ljubljana Congress travelogue: Malaga Congress personality: Tatjana Radovič Igor Savič

62 65

Examples & advice: Good practice examples Gadgets

68 71 73 75 78

PR: AIPC IMEX The Hotel Drnča Conventions in Laško in September Unique Slovenia

80 82

The last word Meetings services spot

News: News from Slovenia News from Europe News, Slovenian Convention Bureau News, Conventa Academy award Photo session Conventa 2010 International meetings industry trade fairs worldwide

FIRST SOUTHEAST EUROPE MEETINGS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief: Gorazd Čad; Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief: Jan Klavora; Editorial Board: Renata Balažic, Gorazd Čad, Petra Čuk, Anuša Gaši, Miha Kovačič, Tina Možina, Srečo Peterlič, Tatjana Radovič, Darja Slivnjak, Mirjana Sušec, Maja Vidergar, Paul Kennedy; Design and AD: Andreja Martinc; DTP and prepress: Andreja Drolc; Translation: Alkemist d.o.o.; Proofreading: Alkemist d.o.o., Metka Golčman; Printing: Collegium Graphicum d.o.o., Ljubljana; Circulation: 3000 izvodov; ISSN Number: 1855-8607 The Kongres magazine is entered into the media register under sequence number 1423.

Steve De Wit, author of the book “Secrets of effective meetings & events” Communication! Definitely, effective communication is the way to save money and time when organizing M&E Page 24 In focus:

Relationship between marketing and sales in the meetings industry Marketing and sales – hand in hand in the meetings industry Maja Makovec Brenčič, PhD

Page 25 In focus:

Supply chain magic If you plan meetings and events, you are managing a supply chain Elling Hamso, PhD

Page 27 In focus:

Good pictures, better leads A great tool for initiating business David Ralita

Page 43 Congress locations:

Adrenalin parks Adrenalin parks and team experiences in Slovenia Dani Polajnar

Magazine issued in: January; April; July; October; December; Publisher, Production and Marketing: GO®MICE d.o.o., Štihova 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, T: +386 (0)1 430 51 03 , F: +386 (0)1 430 51 04, E: kongres@go-mice.eu; Issue date: April 2010; Price: 6,70 EUR/Slovenia; 18,00 EUR/Other Countries For the content reproduction it is required to get the written editorial consigment.

On the basis of the Value Added Tax Act, VAT is levied at a 8.5 per cent rate for the magazine.

The magazine is free-of-charge for qualified event organizers.

Go smart. Go creative. Go mice.

conGress and

marketinG aGency

www.go-mice.eu

5

A word from the editor

Gorazd ÄŒad

THE HOLY GRAIL OF SLOVENIAN TOURISM Is meetings industry really the solution for Slovenian tourism?

eetings industry is regarded as the Holy Grail of Slovenian tourism.

We read about this in numerous supplements that have been springing up like mushrooms after the rain and covering this subject matter in a more or less professional manner, even though they are, by definition, intended for marketing advertising space. When reading such supplements, one gets the impression that the situation in the Slovenian meetings industry is ideal. But let us take a look at some of the current problems we are facing: 1. The 2009 meetings season was predominantly rescued by local and regional events and congresses, which is an analogy with the entire tourist sector. This year, the situation will be similar. This supports the theory that the industry’s key providers (especially agencies) have not done enough to internationalise our activity.

2. There is a market for medium-sized events and it has remained vital across the globe (congresses with up to 2,000 delegates).

The Slovenian meetings industry however does not aim its marketing activities in its direction.

Cankarjev dom says that they have hosted just

M

two large congresses with over 1,000 delegates since 2005 and many mid size congress.

3. The organised meetings offer does not include an entire sector of marketing agencies and research and scientific institutions that organise congresses according to their own rules. As long as this part of the congress offer fails to agree with congress standards, it is difficult to speak of their actual value.

4. According to IMAD (the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development), the financial situation of companies in the tourist sector is bad. In 2008, 2,318 companies in the branch generated a cumulative net loss of 28 million euros, while the situation was still positive in 2007. The return on assets and return on sales are negative with below average added value per employee. Such results require more detailed analysis and will undoubtedly have an effect on cleaning up the meetings market.

5. Poor payment discipline has strained company operations to the extent that some companies are unable to pay their obligations. The legislation needs to change by implementing statutory insurance coverage for intermediary agencies to protect the interests of

clients. This is especially important for larger international congresses where clients already require these guarantees.

6. Often the reason for the difficult situation in our branch is unfair competition.

The market needs to be regulated by implementing statutory limitations, as it is in the interest of the state to stop the grey economy. Is it normal that an international congress is not organised by a PCO but by the administrative staff of a scientific institution working in the afternoon?

7. Unfair competition is further presented by the state in its infrastructure used to implement government events. Thinking radically, this infrastructure should be left to the market and market logic, while their low prices are currently destroying the entire branch. This conforms to the definition of the abuse of a dominant position on the market of government conferences and meetings.

8. In Slovenia, we are faced with unjustified price increases on the part of hotels during large congresses. Sometimes they even go above the publicly published hotel price.

This again conforms to the definition of abuse of a dominant market position.

9. Foreign event organisers are knocking on our doors. It is merely a question of time until matters find new frameworks and than the meetings policy will be shaped by the logic of profit and the corporate growth of large multinational corporations that will, acting from the viewpoint of purchase logics, see to reducing the added value of the entire supply chain and especially hotels.

10. Marketing needs to be target-oriented and directed towards realistic congress projects that Slovenia is able to attract. Obtaining such events has to find financial and organisational support until the acquisition phase.

Unfortunately, the most important indices of our global competitiveness are average and even very poor in some fields. We need to face these challenges as soon as possible if we wish to emerge from the crisis more successful than the others as a convention destination.

Fortunately for us, the crisis has substantially stirred up the situation. For the first time in history, we have the opportunity to use our knowledge and innovation to generate added value and increase our competitiveness.

The international issue of Kongres magazine will also research and raise less pleasant topics.

Progress is only possible if we remain open as an activity and do not only follow our narrow business interests. As incorrigible optimists, we will remain by your side with current information and total professionalism.

For progress, innovation is required and innovation requires knowledge and knowledge can be found, among other places, in our magazine. The Holy Grails are knowledge, innovativeness and creativity.

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Column

Meetings industry as part of the solution to the crisis When the pharmaceutical industry catches a cold, the meetings industry gets pneumonia.

Rok Klančnik

Is tourism in a crisis? Especially the aristocratic sector of the meetings and incentive industry? The answer is plain and simple: No. International and, with it, subalpine tourism are bravely defying the depression that has overcome a wide range of economic branches, especially the construction and automotive sector.

Tourism is facing the current year with careful optimism and an anticipation of positive results. This is partly because these results are anticipated by the experts from the World Tourism Organisation, partly because we are following last year’s slightly worse results and better results will be easier to achieve and just a little because we are usually in

a good mood anyway as we are employed in the friendliest of all sectors. However, we cannot neglect the fact that business or convention tourism is much more vulnerable than holiday tourism. It generates more revenue but it is also more dependant on the political climate and the general health of the national, regional and international economy.

When we are doing well, we do really well.

When the pharmaceutical industry catches a cold however, the meetings industry gets pneumonia.

This awareness is useful and welcome. It is much better than snuggling up to a stove tearing our hair out and wondering what is wrong. What is more, convention tourism is

much more keenly aware of this sensitivity precisely because of its exposure and is thus better at overcoming it through constant learning, flexibility and good cooperation practices. In many aspects, convention tourism is the engine behind the general development of tourism: its protagonists are the first to point out eventual mistakes in the tourist policy, they facilitate intelligent investment cycles and implement new knowledge. A good example is sustainable development: the need for “green tourism” was introduced to Slovenia in February 2008 by Kongres magazine.

As we can read in the new book recently published by GO.MICE, Crisis Management, Risk Management and Crisis Communication in Tourism,

tourism is part of the solution for the national economy and is by no means a part of the problem.

As the most adaptable branch of tourism (alongside sports, cultural, city and littoral tourism and other branches of this sector), it was the first to point out remedial management for the strategic alleviation and relief of the external and internal effects of the economic crisis. In convention tourism, the general concern that the majority of tourist workers, from the management to the technical personnel, simply do not read as they are not interested in anything other than the current dog scandal is simply not true. Convention tourism is undoubtedly the most dynamic sector, whose vivacity and inquisitiveness can and must influence others.

This is why it should receive even more support and trust, both on the political and the concrete or material level.

By the way… Does anybody ever think about how we were scared of the new flu virus last autumn? “Don’t panic,” said the Good Soldier Schweik.

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Column REGION

Miha KovaÄ?iÄ?

South-East Europe as a meetings and incentive travel destination Short distances to the main markets in Europe, novelty factor, professional service, excellent value for money, genuine hospitality, rich and diverse offer – attributes of SE Europe.

Southern destinations are always attractive.

Sun and sea is always a hit. Not only for the leisure but also for meetings and events.

Eastern European countries were and are of interest for many years. South-East Europe has both of these attributes.

In the region of SouthEast Europe you will find ten countries that very differ from each other but on the other hand have many things in common, also in the meetings industry.

South-East Europe as a meetings and incentive travel destination does not exist on the market.

It is in our hands what are we going to do with that. We have a possibility to write a story of success.

Despite the difficult current market conditions countries of the South-East Europe have a potential to come out as winners.

Several factors speak for that. Major are short distances to the main markets in Europe, novelty factor, professional service, excellent value for money, genuine hospitality, rich and diverse offer and many more.

Proof for that is the annual marketing event organised in Ljubljana/Slovenia. The second Conventa greeted over 100 exhibitors from the region of South-East Europe and over 100 hosted buyers from over 20 countries. A plus of 35 % in comparison to 2009! Feedback from buyers and suppliers was excellent. This gives us the boost to make the Conventa 2011 even better!

And this is just a beginning.

The Global Meetings & Incentives Exhibition Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain

30 November – 2 December 2010 www.eibtm.com

Where The World Meets

BTC 2010 The Meetings and Events Industry Exhibition in Italy

LET’S MEET

IN RIMINI www.btc.it 2010

12

JULY

FIERARIMINI

10 News

News from Slovenia

THE MAYA TEAM RECEIVED AWARD FOR BEST EXPERIENCE EVENT At the Event Management 2010 conference organised by Planet GV and the mice.si online portal on 28 and 29 January at Hoteli Otočec, the Maya Team received an excellence award for the Best Experience Event in 2009 – On the Trails of the Soča Front. They convinced the judging committee with their story of the experience programme, local and homemade culinary treats, the cooperation of the local community in implementing the programme and the interesting website. www.events-teambuilding.com

HAVE YOU HEARD OF A FOOTBALL BUSINESS EVENT? Lifetrek Events prepared some interesting events for the spring of 2010, and all related to football.

This year’s World Cup in South Africa will be especially interesting due to the participation of the Slovenian team. They have prepared a football teambuilding programme focusing on and aimed at teams employed on different levels. They included Football Outdoor Events with picnics and Mega Foosball. www.zmagovalec.si

of comparable international hotel chains, the newly founded Sava TMC (Tourism Management Company) d.o.o. company takes over the management of the activity’s core processes with an emphasis on joint marketing and sales. www.hotelibled.com, www.panonske-terme.si

WOMEN PLAYING INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLES IN TOURISM Portorož, 5 March 2010 – In light of 8 March, the International Women’s Day, Turistica stresses the increasingly important role of women in tourism, especially in leading positions in the tourist economy. In the fifteen years of its operation, the higher education and university study programmes of Turistica, Faculty of Tourism Studies, have not only proven to be interesting but also practical and promising, as they lead to the development of numerous career opportunities. www.turistica.si

REFURBISHMENT OF CANKARJEV DOM Following the refurbishment of the ventilation and air-conditioning system in the Gallus Hall at the beginning of the year, Cankarjev dom is now refurbishing the hall’s 1,600 seats, all with the aim of increasing comfort and quality. In July, technical improvements will be made to the mighty and white marble-clad Grand Reception Hall making it even more suitable for social events. More on: www.cd-cc.si/kongres

NEW ORGANISATION FOR NEW GROWTH On 16 February 2010, the tourism division companies of the Sava Group presented their new organisation of activities. Following the model

THE WALK OF PEACE IN THE UPPER SOČA REGION The Walk of Peace in the Upper Soča Region Foundation aims to preserve, protect and present the immovable heritage of the First World War. There are six outdoor museums set up at authentic locations of the former Italian and AustroHungarian front combining into the Walk of Peace together with other natural and cultural features of the Upper Soča region. www.potimiruvposocju.si

VIVO CATERING HAS RECEIVED THE GOLDEN THREAD Ljubljana Castle hosted the third Best Employers awards as part of the media-research project and the Golden Thread national awards for best employers. Vivo Catering won the award in the small companies category. The Golden Thread awards are an award for the endeavours of companies investing in the development and satisfaction of employees. The award-winning companies are role models and an inspiration to the Slovenian economy, because work and employment not only give social security but also determine an individual’s position in society. www.vivo.si

RENOVATIONS OF HOTEL ROOMS AT THE PIRAMIDA BUSINESS HOTEL IN MARIBOR A MILESTONE YEAR FOR LIPICA STUD FARM – 430th ANNIVERSARY AND DIVERSE ACTIVITIES In 2010, the Lipica Stud Farm is celebrating a major jubilee, 430 years of operation, which they will mark with numerous events aimed at attracting large crowds to this pearl in the Karst and positioning it as the leading tourist destination in Slovenia. The new management, led by Director Tomi Rumpf, has ambitions plans for this milestone year – to provide a diverse offer and an ambitious way of thinking together with new investments into the tourist infrastructure bringing new energy to Lipica after 20 years of stagnation. www.lipica.org

34 renovated hotel rooms and hotel apartments are available at the Piramida Business Hotel, which is also a hotel with congress facilities. Quality materials, interesting ambient equipment made of natural materials and modern technological solutions for business guests are a guarantee for higher more quality accommodations in the renovated rooms at the Piramida Business Hotel.

In the future, anti-stress linen and a »pillow menu« shall be provided for a higher standard in comfort for your stay – a selection of ten types of pillows of various shapes and sizes (from natural materials, anatomical, medical, anti-allergy and pillows for pleasant dreams…)

Additional arguments for quality also include: environmental orientation in the consumption of energy, responsible waste management and the use of cleaning agents. www.termemb.si

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News from Europe

News

HOTEL FOR BUSINESS AND EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

OPATIJA – A CONVENTION DESTINATION WITH HISTORY

The Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence**** is a new yacht hotel with romantic suites that will be opening its doors in May 2010 in the old Poreč town centre. This is the completely refurbished former Neptun hotel and the Parentino annexe.

This makes Valamar Riviera Valamar’s 13th facility in Croatia. www.valamar.com

The Opatija Convention & Incentive Bureau, part of the Opatija Tourism Office, announced that their brand new meeting planners guide Opatija – A Convention Destination with History was successfully presented to international buyers in January at the Conventa tradeshow. The guide is also available on a miniCD and for download from www.opatija-convention.com. The world launch of the guide will be at IMEX in May. www.opatija-tourism.hr

THE MS SEASTAR ADDS A DYNAMIC DIMENSION TO ANY PROGRAM ALONG THE CROATIAN ADRIATIC COAST!

HOTEL CROATIA – A NEW ICCA MEMBER Dubrovnik’s Hotel Croatia was recently made a member of the largest global meetings industry community, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). ICCA was set up in 1963 and now unites over 850 renowned members from over 85 countries across the globe. www.hoteli-croatia.hr

Dubrovnik Travel has partnered with a local passenger ship company to bring to the Adriatic the first event boat of its kind. The SeaStar, a 45 m long and a 10 m wide motor boat specially designed to be a floating venue, will be arriving this spring after a full facelift and will be available on the market for the 2010 summer season.

This unique ship will operate along the whole of the Croatian Adriatic. www.DubrovnikTravel.com

The 2010 AIPC Annual Conference web site is now up and running and it has everything you need to plan your attendance in Liverpool for what will certainly be one of the most important instalments of their annual event!

Accessed through the Annual Conference section of the AIPC website or via the direct link below, the site is a “one-stop shop” for all the information you need for planning and registering, along with the destination details you’ll need when organizing your trip to this unique and historic location.

At the same time, it provides details on both the education and social programs, with more specifics to be added regularly over the coming months as we fine-tune the program in response to the evolving industry conditions and priorities.

Direct link to the conference website: 2010 Conference in Liverpool. www.onetec.be/aipc2010/content/default.html

DT CROATIA RECEIVED ISO CERTIFICATION FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DT CROATIA has been awarded the prestigious ISO Certification for Quality Management by Den NorskeVeritas, thus becoming the only ISO 9001:2008 certified DMC & PCO in Croatia. This is a validation of DT’s commitment to quality and its goal to provide the highest standard of customer care on the market. www.DubrovnikTravel.com

CASTLE BEŽANEC CELEBRATING ITS 20th BIRTHDAY The Castle Bežanec Hotel in Valentinovo, close to Pregrada, is a newly categorised five-star hotel with Heritage status. The castle was constructed at the end of the 17th century and became a cultural monument in 1964. The castle was refurbished in 1990.

Today, the castle’s commercial function provides for the maintenance of one of the most beautiful classical representatives of Croatian architectural heritage. www.bezanec.hr

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR PARTICIPATION IN ONE EASY PACKAGE!

BTC 2010 WILL BE HELD IN NEW LOCATION

THE ZAGREB FAIR CELEBRATED ITS 100th ANNIVERSARY The beginnings of the Zagreb Fair were recorded

BTC 2010, the Italian trade show for the meetings, incentives, conferences, events and business travel industry, will be held at the Fiera di Rimini expo centre rather than at the new Palacongressi conference and exhibition centre as previously announced. www.btc.it in 1864. The founding of the Zagreb Trade Exhibition was initiated in 1909.

Today, the Zagreb Fair is a trade fair centre of international significance and a reputable trade fair institution on a global scale. The Zagreb Fair became a member of the Union of International Fairs – the UFI – back in 1925 and has been the host of the UFI World Congress three times so far. The World Trade Centre (WTC) of the Zagreb Fair was founded in 1990. That same year, WTC Zagreb became a member of WTCA. www.zv.hr

12 News

News from Europe

THE SAVA CENTER WITH A NEW WEBSITE

LIGNANO, THE TOURISM FLAGSHIP OF FRIULI – VENEZIA GIULIA

Since February 2009, the Sava Center’s website offers new functionality and content.

In addition to information about the centre, you can also search for information on the centre’s current events and programmes.

The www.savacentar.net website is high quality, fast and reliable.

It offers simple, efficient and user-adapted solutions.

Their website is one of the most frequented websites in Serbia. www.savacentar.net

Despite the economic and financial crisis, the Lignano tourist resort increased its number of overnight stays to 4 million last year. This represents 50% of all the guests in the Friuli – Venezia Giulia region. Slovenian tourists currently hold 11th place with their numbers increasing by 40% last year. www.lignanopineta.com

JOINT MEETINGS INDUSTRY COUNCIL ADVANCES ITS ROLE AS INDUSTRY ADVOCATE The Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC) has announced a new and more aggressive program for giving the global Meetings Industry a permanent presence and an ongoing program of industry advocacy.

“We now have 12 major international industry organizations working together and we are using that momentum to address key issues in a collective way,” said JMIC President Leigh Harry. www.themeetingsindustry.org

OVATION GLOBAL DMC EXPANDS ITS SERVICE TO SEVEN NEW DESTINATIONS Continuing its global expansion, Ovation Global DMC has announced offices at seven locations across Europe and Asia.

The new offices will provide destination management services to Ovation customers in Croatia, Finland, Korea, Montenegro, Oman and Russia and Slovenia.

At each location, Ovation services will be provided by exclusive Strategic Partners who have been selected by Ovation according to strict criteria, including industry reputation and legacy, operational excellence and efficiency and the ability to deliver a truly insightful DMC service beyond mere logistics and tactical delivery. www.ovationdmc.com

ON THE MOVE Studio Marketing JWT Ljubljana has a new executive director.

This function has been taken on by Tomaž Pevec, Petrol’s former deputy director of marketing.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AN EXCELLENT SPEAKER OR LECTURER FOR YOUR EVENT? PREDAVATELJI.NET!

Once we have set the central theme of a congress or educational event, we then start searching for excellent lecturers. It is impossible to achieve a really good event without a convincing speaker. This led the creators of the Predavatelji.net portal to unite excellent lecturers in different fields of knowledge and experiences. You can search for the right lecturer yourself or enlist the help of the portal’s employees. www.predavatelj.net

ROOM 315

Since April, the Vila Bled has been offering a new menu where gourmets can not only order exquisite à la carte dishes but also a special tasting menu. They are also proud of being mentioned in the Conde Nast Traveler’s Room with a View, a selection of 140 hotels with the best views in the world. The Vila Bled found its place in this book – more precisely room 315 and its view of Bled Island.

ICELAND VOLCANO ASH CLOUD STIFLES INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS ACTIVITY The no-fly zone has hit the international association sector as well as corporate meetings, triggering cancellations, postponements and delegate reductions in this previously resilient sector, something the current economic crisis has failed to achieve.

Whilst European events were most badly affected (over 70% reporting negative impacts), conferences held in locations as far distant as the West Coast of North America and the Malaysian state of Sarawak also suffered, with reduced delegate attendances, missing keynote speakers, and frustrated organisers. www.iccaworld.com

DESIGN & DURABILITY IN CONGRESS ARTICLES Parthen is leading in the development of new bags, badges and lanyards.

Parthen is always looking for new materials and novel design.

Anywhere in the world.

Parthen innovates, translating real needs into concrete new products.

This year Parthen presents its new bags for 2010-2011.

“At long last we get to see something really new, not the everyday ubiquitous congress bags we’ve been knowing for years,” one of our customers said during a sneak preview. www.parthen.nl

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News, Slovenian Convention Bureau, January-March 2010 CONVENTA IS CONFIRMING ITS STATUS AS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETINGS INDUSTRY TRADE SHOW IN SE EUROPE

of knowledge and experience. The Conventa Academy organised the first Conventa Academy Award in the Meetings Industry Innovation category for providers of meetings services and in the Creative Bid category for promising students. The recipients of the first Conventa Academy Awards were Ljubljana Tourism for innovation in promoting a destination, Koren Sports for innovation in promoting a convention venue and the MeetAdria DMC Group for innovation in the field of meetings services.

The Conventa Academy Award in the Creative Bid category was conferred on Ms. Urška Počervina. www.conventa.si

On 21 January, the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre opened its doors for the second Conventa exhibition, the most important trade show for the meetings industry in Southeast Europe. The Conventa exhibition united 113 providers of meetings services (congress centres, hotels, PCOs, DMCs, national and local convention bureaus, etc.) from the region and 200 selected event organisers from across Europe, who established or strengthened business relations in individual meetings.

Compared to last year’s show, the number of both exhibitors and hosted buyers has experienced a substantial increase, confirming Conventa’s growing reputation as the most important event for the meetings industry in Southeast Europe. The region is attracting a growing number of international event organisers who take the time to attend Conventa and get to know the Southeast European destinations amidst their full exhibition schedules. Event organisers are attracted by this still largely undiscovered destination that offers an excellent relationship between quality and price. In this respect, cooperation between the region’s destinations is of key importance as, from the viewpoint of an international event organiser, only the entire region is a large enough market to be interesting in the longterm.

Important novelties of the Conventa 2010 exhibition are the Meetings Services Spot and the Academy Conventa educational programme.

The first is an answer to the increasing importance of technology and the development of new approaches in the organisation and efficiency of profitable events. It presented providers of technological equipment and IT, congress and promotional materials, as well as the marketing and production of events.

The second, the Conventa Academy with its educational seminars, focuses on the professionalisation and further development of the meetings activity by facilitating the flow

EMEC – THE EUROPEAN MEETINGS AND EVENTS CONFERENCE, MALAGA, SPAIN In the first days of March, MPI's annual European meeting united over three hundred professionals from across Europe and other continents.

EMEC’s main purpose is the professional education of meetings professionals.

The conference provided over 40 educational sessions focusing on different fields and different professional levels. An important part of the event, which is especially promoted by the organiser, is networking.

The EMEC conference is a unique opportunity to meet international meetings professionals from Europe and beyond, to exchange opinions, make new acquaintances and strengthen existing ones, and also to learn more about the industry’s development and international trends.

All this, of course, is supported by each individual’s business interests. At this kind of event, business is conducted indirectly.

More information and video presentations are available on: www.mpiweb.org/Events/ EMEC2010/Home.aspx

News

THE 6th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SLOVENIAN CONVENTION BUREAU The Slovenian Convention Bureau organised its 6th annual meeting of members on 18 and 19 March 2010.

The general sponsor and host of the Convention Bureau’s largest annual event was the latest 5-star hotel, the Bohinj Park ECO Hotel. The Annual Meeting presented the Bureau’s activities, adopted its work programme for 2010 and implemented numerous professional lectures.

This event was also a unique opportunity for networking among the Bureau's over sixty members.

This year’s meeting can boast the richest educational programme so far. The main theme of the meeting was marketing in the meetings industry. Two renowned professionals, Jonathan Hoston from the hotel sector and Derek Wallace from the agency sector, presented their rich experience. Paul Kennedy stressed the importance of destination marketing in relation to clients and Dr. Maja Konečnik presented the I Feel Slovenia national brand as an example of good practice that enables future upgrading.

On the second day of the meeting, Gorazd Čad, director of GO®MICE gave variety to the meeting with his Rock ’n’ Roll to Every Convention Village lecture. We again organised roundtables that featured the active participation of our members.

Another theme of the Annual Meeting was the sustainable development of the meetings industry.

The Annual Meeting elected five members of the Council of the Slovenian Convention Bureau for the 2010-2012 term and awarded certificates to new standardised members. www.sl.slovenia-convention.com

Opportunities are created by those who build their career on knowledge and experience Knowledge is no longer a privilege but a necessity for development and success.

The Conventa Academy finally offers an opportunity in the field of the meeting industry that will open up new horizons for you, give your team a fresh impetus or contribute to the successful development of your company.

Visit www.academy-conventa.com for information on Conventa Academy modules.

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News, Conventa Academy award

News

PRESENTATION OF THE WINNERS OF THE CONVENTA ACADEMY AWARDS We asked the winners of Conventa Academy following question: »What qualifies your project as innovative to receive the Conventa Academy award?« TOURISM LJUBLJANA “A Key to Ljubljana for Meeting Planners” represents the first city, as well as the most comprehensive destination conference directory produced so far in Slovenia. It adopts the clientfriendly one-stop-shop concept and features the key suppliers by applying the criteria of the Slovenian meetings industry standardisation. By further promoting this important Q&D project, it also enhances the destination’s potential to attract and host more international events. The manual’s digital and interactive mini-CD version was created as a content upgrade of the printed one. Following the industry trend of paper-free policy, the interactive edition can be uploaded from the www.visitljubljana.si/meetings website

enjoy culinary delights and become a part of the winter events or unusual business meetings.

The Eskimo Village will enrapture with its originality and its unforgettable novelties, which is proven by its growing popularity. www.eskimska-vas.si

MEET ADRIA DMC GROUP The MeetAdria project arose for exchanging experiences, increasing recognisability, providing easier access to global buyers, a more efficient marketing presence at different events (exhibitions, workshops, etc.), networking for global representatives and a more rational division of promotional costs.

The project’s innovative nature lies in us being present as a regional DMC association while our thoughts surpass smallness and borders, giving us a better and more realistic insight into MICE markets. www.intours-mice.si

KOREN SPORTS D.O.O. The Krvavec Eskimo Village provides a new and innovative way to experience the winter countryside, as it offers its guests an unusual winter experience with top-quality comfort and services. Guests spend the night in igloos,

URŠKA POČERVINA I received the Conventa Academy Award in the Creative Bid category for my proposal on organising the social event accompanying an exhibition. The example presented featured Conventa and the presentation of Slovenian cuisine and culture. I proposed a cocktail party or finger food as catering for standing receptions, where guests move around the room, socialise and enjoy the food and drinks. The food is presented on buffet tables covered with long white cloths.

During the reception, music is provided by the Prifarski muzikanti band playing folk songs, thus preserving the rich Slovenian folk tradition. They are famous for their part singing, tambourine, violin and accordion.

This is followed by a DJ playing old hits from the former Yugoslavia.

18 News

Photo session Conventa 2010

Conventa was successful! Mr. Elling Hamso would use an expression ROI positive. Mr. David Ralita, our photo editor would say “images talk�.

Or more poetic - it was harmony of all senses. www.conventa.info

19

International meetings industry trade fairs worldwide

News

Fair

Focus

Location

Date

Info

IT&CM

China

Shanghai

07.–09.04.2010

www.itcmchina.com

COTTM

China

Beijing

28–30.04.2010

www.cottm.com

IMEX

International

Frankfurt

25–27.05.2010

www.imex-frankfurt.com

Meeting Place Mexico

Caribbean

Puerto Vallarta

06–08.06.2010

www.meetingplacemexico.com

Australian Events Expo

Australia

Sydney

22/23.07.2010

www.australianeventsexpo.com

SuisseEMEX

Switzerland

Zürich

24–26.08.2010

www.suisse-emex.ch

CIBTM

China

Beijing

tba

www.cibtm.com

MICE Russia

Russia

Moscow

21–23.09.2010

www.leisure-moscow.ru

The Motivation Show

North America

Chicago

12–14.10.2010

www.motivationshow.com

Access

Austria

Vienna

4/5.10.2010

www.access-austria.at

IT&CMA

Asia

Bangkok

tba

www.itcma.com.sg

BTC

Italy

Rimini

1/2.07.2010

www.btc.it

MITM Americas

America

tba

tba

www.mitmamericas.com

EIBTM

International

Barcelona

30.11.–2.12.2010

www.eibtm.com

ILTM

International

Cannes

tba

www.iltm.net

SucceSSful meetingS and conferenceS at croatian coaSt

from

60EUa R

per person in double room; ting full board, mee e ffe co 2 d room an d breaks include

Falkensteiner Club Funimation Borik in Zadar is the ideal venue for your business meetings and conferences. Beside perfect seaside location and modern meeting facilities, the hotel offers 258 luxury rooms and wellness “Acquapura Thalasso & SPA Center” at 2,500 sq m.

Information & reservations: Tel. +385 (0)23 206 630 Fax +385 (0)23 332 065 ana.belamaric@falkensteiner.com

www.borik.falkensteiner.com

Anzeige_Borik_MICE_171x126_EN.indd 1

30.03.2010 8:30:44 Uhr

20 Interview

21 Interview

INTERVIEW WITH SLAVEN RELJIĆ To perform faster and to talk more directly with clients - that is the strategy of Venevent.

Venevent is a Croatian DMC/event agency specializing in organizing incentive programmes, meetings and special events at selected Croatian destinations.

All our events are tailored to our clients’ needs and created to be a true experience of Croatian culture & nature, unique attractions and activities, nice hotels close to old towns, gastronomy & wines... www.venevent.com 1 - The economic crisis probably affects your business the same as all the others.

Which sectors of your business (incentive programs, congress & meetings, event management, team building or destination services) do you feel had the highest decline in revenue?

Yes, the market is definitely down. Even clients that achieved higher profits in 2009 are cutting the costs and are not spending so easily on projects like meetings, incentive travel, team building or events, although they should be aware that those products do support their business.

The biggest decline in revenue is in pure events and team building events.

2 - Can you tell us how strong your decline in revenue was?

Due to 2 larger contracts (congresses) held in 2009, which we received in 2008, our 2009 was not that bad and was at about same level as 2008.

3 - How do you deal with the crisis? What is your strategy? (New markets-which?)

We try to perform faster and to talk more directly

with clients about the concept and their concrete needs, also the budget.

Together with our partners/suppliers, some added values like extras for the same price are also appreciated by the clients. We do actively target new markets like the German and French incentive market, the Scandinavian meetings & incentives market and others.

4 - Did you invest more in marketing?

Which marketing tools are you using?

Our marketing activities are always concentrated on exhibiting and B2B meetings at specialized M.I.C.E. fairs. Additionally, we do direct marketing campaigns. In general, this is mainly ‘e-marketing’, without investing much into ads or other activities.

5 - What do you consider to be the biggest opportunity for the market of Croatia, Slovenia and south-eastern Europe?

Our main and closest market is Europe. Being a destination that is a maximum of 3 hours flying time from any European business centre, our destinations are perfect for all corporate and institutional organizers of meetings/incentives lasting 3 to 4 days, which are the most frequent projects nowadays.

22 Interview

After graduating with a Masters degree, Steve began as a sales person for a medical company. 3 years later, he set up his own corporate event agency, Barranco. For the next 20 years, Steve was organising conferences, meetings, incentives and team building events all over the world. In 2009, he wrote down his experiences in the book entitled “Secrets of Effective Meetings and Events�. Besides being a meeting planner, he is also now a trainer and a speaker. More info at: www.stevedewit.com

23

STEVE DE WIT, AUTHOR OF THE BOOK “SECRETS OF EFFECTIVE MEETINGS & EVENTS”

Interview

Communication! Definitely, effective communication is the way to save money and time when organizing M&E

1- What are the key skills (competencies) of the successful meeting planner?

We have an expression here in Belgium: ‘A devil can do it all’. That means a person who has many different skills. That’s exactly what a successful meeting planner should have.

The last section of my book is dedicated to an overview of these skills: management, creativity, communication, organization, financial and software skills. On top of that, he or she, needs a strong physical condition too and a good dose of emotional competence. And last but not least: extended product knowledge.

So, it’s my advice to planners to constantly try to improve and update their skills, even after being in the business for many years. In my book, they can find a tool to work on these skills.

2- What is essential for successful M&E management?

I use to group these essentials into ‘the 5 laws of successful M&E management’. First is the law of ‘focus’. The planner should select every item for the meeting in view of and focused on the ‘why’ of the meeting. Second comes the law of ‘preparation’.

90% of success in this business is related to meticulous preparation.

We never get a second chance in this business, so no mistakes are allowed. Next is the law of ‘discipline’.

In other words: a meeting isn’t over until it’s over.

Especially for multi day meetings, it’s important to keep yourself and your team disciplined and focused till the very end.

Next comes the law of ‘check-and-check-again’.

Never take a reservation or an action for granted.

Check it over and over again, and in time, before you need it. The last law is the ‘bird’seye view’. Meeting planners are managers. They are there in the first place to have an overview of the whole meeting. When they get bogged down in details, they will loose the essence.

3- Can you give us some advices on how to save money and time when organizing M&E? Communication! Definitely, effective communication! If all the people involved in the preparation of the meeting optimize their communication, everything can be done in half the time. Before sending out a mail, before starting an action, the planner should think about how to communicate, both in writing and orally. And you must think about the essence that needs to be included in that communication: nothing more, nothing less.

Furthermore, communication needs to be 100% accurate, from the first shot. Nothing is more embarrassing than having to call an official invitation mail back because the stated date was wrong or even forgotten. This happens more often than you would believe. And minimize the use of e-mail. Be short and avoid the ‘cc’ whenever possible. At lastly: keep the meeting short and focused. Many companies have too many ‘reunions’. I call it ‘reunitis’. It’s a disease.

4- How can knowledge from other sciences and businesses be of value for meeting planners?

Meetings management involves many dimensions. There is a big overlap with existing sciences and businesses. We can learn from what others have already tested or discovered.

We should keep our eyes and ears open and learn from e.g. what tips and tricks the movie industry uses when it wants to keep the attention of an audience. And let’s find out what communication and creativity specialists can teach us, such as Allan and Barbara Peace when it comes to making PowerPoint effective.

Furthermore, a knowledge of body language, photography, public speaking, gastronomy and people management can all be of added value to the meeting planner. Let’s peek over the fences of the meeting world and steel with our eyes.

5- Do you think that virtual conferences, meetings and events (Avatar and meeting industry) are our future? If so — why?

It may sound rude, but my answer is a definite ‘no, they aren’t’! Let me put is this way: Can you survive with virtual food? I don’t think you can. It’s is a ‘physical’ action by definition.

Meetings are the same: they allow humans to physically confront with the energy, the motivation, the body language and the knowhow of other human beings in the meeting. It’s like dating on the internet: you can stay virtual for a long time, but eventually the day comes to step into reality, meet the other person and see just how the energies will mix — or clash.

To meet is a basic need of human beings, as is eating and drinking. The only added value that I believe pixels on a screen can deliver, is sharing cold know-how, facts and figures.

24 In focus

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARKETING AND SALES IN THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY Marketing and sales – hand in hand in the meetings industry In companies, we often hear sales personnel complaining that marketing has no idea what sales actually does, while the marketing department says that sales doesn’t fill them in on anything. Sometimes we find marketing and sales working together and in mutual understanding with customer-oriented goals and daily intertwined activities.

Regardless of their name and their organisation, marketing and sales need to work hand in hand.

In a recently conducted study in this field, one of the participants said very honestly: “I conduct sales during the day and marketing in the car and at night in bed when I’m thinking about strategic challenges. My first thought in the morning is how to translate the strategy I determined into an activity, in both sales and marketing.”

Maja Makovec Brenčič is Associate Professor of International Marketing and International Business at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana and Vice Dean for Development. She completes her extensive educational, scientific and research work by providing advisory and educational services to leading Slovenian companies. Ms. Brenčič is co-founder and president of the Student Business Conference, uniting students’ research work with practical company needs, president of the Slovenian Marketing Association, vice president of the Arbitration Committee with the Slovenian Advertising Chamber and actively involved in CRP projects on marketing in tourism.

Even though sales and marketing might share the same goals, i.e. to be customer-oriented, to generate benefits for customers and also their satisfaction and loyalty, it happens too often that they lead separate lives.

Their interactions are often not sufficiently intertwined or as related in content as they should be, while sales and marketing personnel often regard each other as though they were standing on opposite banks. Such banks should not be present in a marketoriented company (or institution) regardless of whether it is a product or a service company, as all processes must be directed towards generating value for the customer and other stakeholders. Even though, in its strategic importance and in the extent of contentoriented operation, marketing is broader than sales as it encompasses, in both strategy and tactics, areas of market research, product and service development, price policies, marketing methods and communications, it is often sales that is part of the fundamental process of establishing and maintaining customer relations. It is basically irrelevant what the individual parts of the process are called or how the marketing and sales relationships

are organised within the company (perhaps it does not even need a special function or department) as long as it works on all the levels within the company and in relation to all the external stakeholders, especially customers. The same applies to the meetings industry. My own experience relates to obtaining the EMAC conference – the largest scientific conference in the field of marketing in Europe, which the Ljubljana Faculty of Economics will host in May 2011. If our marketing and corporate communication department and all on-field “sales" personnel – fellow academics, who were also designers of the conference’s marketing strategy and content, failed to work together, we would not have been able to prepare a convincing presentation and win the candidacy. The same applies to regular daily marketing.

A synchronised and, above all, an efficient and coordinated presence of all of the company’s knowledge is the most important guideline in the relationship between marketing and sales.

Development needs to be added, as the realisations from the market and the proactive management of the activity or company need to be transformed into actual ideas.

However, these ideas do not emerge if sales and marketing do not transfer their knowledge and awareness from the market back to the company or institution. Only a well rounded loop actually works all the way through to the customers – with various offers and content, upgraded services and, above all, originality compared to the competition.

As competition is growing in the meetings industry, let development – marketing – sales in co-dependant and co-creative interaction be the guiding principle for its competitive development, positioning and recognition in the international arena.

Maja Makovec Brenčič , PhD

25

SUPPLY CHAIN MAGIC

In focus

If you plan meetings and events, you are managing a supply chain

Supply chain management (SCM) is at first sight a very simple concept - just what it says - managing your chain of suppliers, including your speakers.

You are only as good as your supply chain and your supply chain is only as good as your ability to manage it well.

There is a huge difference between traditional supply chain business models and those who really exploit the potential of supply chain optimization. The difference is what you need to deliver more for less; a better meeting for less money, without squeezing supplier margins.

Elling Hamso, PhD, managing partner, European Event ROI Institute

Where is the magic?

Doing more of the same, only better, may improve your meeting ROI by five percent, but you want fifty. Turning the thumbscrews on suppliers may reduce costs, but it is not the pain which will make them walk another mile. You need suppliers to give you their best resources, highest priority and all of their experience and ingenuity to develop your supply chain. You need to buy value, not price, what the procurement profession calls value-based procurement.

Alignment of objectives

Without alignment of objectives, the project is a non-starter. What is good for your supplier must be good for you, and viceversa.

Our industry is riddled with win-loose relationships based on commissions and fixed price contracts. When your venue finder makes the extra effort and gets you

an extraordinary low price, you don’t reward him, on the contrary, you penalize him for the extra effort because his ten per cent commission is now calculated from a lower price. Why you should hire someone to be paid by someone else for giving you the worst possible deal, remains a mystery to me.

Fixed price agency contracts, whether lump sum or per meeting attendee, are only a little better in the sense that you don’t penalize exceptional performance, you just don’t reward it.

The relationship between hotels and meeting planners or their agents is also a classical win-loose relationship on the subject of attrition. Why do we offer lower conference fees for early registrations, but not cheaper hotel rooms, or why do hotels not reward planners who are able to make good room block estimates? Where are the industry statistics which could help both planners and hotels better forecast registration patterns?

Why do we have cancellation clauses for meeting participants which discourage early registrations?

Good supply chain management invariably means that you reward good performance, not just with a pat on the back or a promise of future business (at competitive prices), but in a currency which is really valued, like money.

Fewer chiefs, more indians As soon as the value-based incentive contract is in place, the magic starts to unfold.

Because it makes good commercial sense for the supplier to provide better value at lower cost, he will incessantly search for opportunities to do just that. You need fewer resources to police supplier performance, making sure they deliver their promise according to contract and don’t exceed the budget items you have entrusted with them.

Cutting corners to make more money for themselves, is no longer a supplier option.

Instead, you join their quest for smarter solutions, cutting costs where it does not really matter and spending more where a disproportionate increase in value may be achieved.

26 In focus

Moving the goalposts To align objectives, you have to know what the objectives are, and how to measure success. What you measure improves, what you cannot measure you cannot manage, and probably should not be doing in the first place.

This is the second dose of magic; you simply have to figure out what your objectives really are, in detail, communicate them to your suppliers and develop the measurement tools.

You always want more, more for less, that is how the world moves forward. I believe the current 100 meter world record is 9,77 seconds, do you think it will never be beaten?

To beat world records you need world record beating teams. You don’t need the cheapest bidder, you need suppliers who have world record breaking potential, the competence, smartness, ambition and relentless drive to always do something better next time.

to hide, and there is no need to begrudge suppliers their profits because they are not earned at your expense.

Proving your worth If you are lucky enough to have a procurement department taking an interest in your meetings, their skills and experiences will be invaluable. You should also team up with travel management, finance, HR and any other department which may support your quest for better meeting ROI. This is also part of the magic as they will recognise your professionalism and give you the exposure you want with senior management.

If you are a supplier rather than a meeting planner, you should take the initiative and explain how Don’t’ negotiate price, you could make a greater negotiate goals and incentives. Nothing should contribution in a more make you happier than good integrated and incentivised relationship. supplier profits earned from record-breaking Try to get your client’s procurement performance. department involved as they will be excited by Outsourcing for profit Unless your core business is the planning and execution of world class meetings, you are not going to break world records. Why then, is there a widespread reluctance to outsource meeting planning to those whose core business it is to do it better than everyone else? Maybe you are afraid to loose control, or you believe that supplier profits could be your cost saving, or you don’t want to invest in the long term relationship needed to understand your business because next year’s cheapest bidder could be somebody else.

This is the third dose of the supply chain magic. Because you have alignment of objectives and performance is rewarded against clear and measurable goals, control is much less of an issue, transparency is no longer an issue because there is nothing

your ideas and support their meeting planning colleagues in making it happen.

You think this sounds a bit like a fairy tale, with the magic and all that? It is not. It works.

But it takes courage, time and commitment.

You have to show trust in your suppliers, expose your weaknesses, develop measurable objectives and a scorecard for continuous improvement. www.eventroi.org

27

GOOD PICTURES, BETTER LEADS

In focus

A great tool for initiating business

After spending 18 years working in the tourism industry and living in 7 countries David turned his photographic passion into his professional carreer. Since his portoflio and his list of clients include, 4 -5 star Hotels, all sort of venues, corporate and individual clients all over the globe. You can contact him on david@drphoto.es

Your business plan is good to go, your budget covers all you need it to cover. Your sales team is ready and will generate a large number of sales calls throughout the year, you will travel to major trade fairs, join your local convention bureau on their promotions, publish your adverts, get your brochures ready, make presentations, participate as a host on fam trips, expand your online presence, etc Tourism Boards, Convention Bureaus, DMCs, all sorts of Venues, Hotels, Meeting Planners, .. any provider will have this ready, or at least should have, before they start the run for making or retaining new and/or existing clients and everybody out there will be looking at what you have to present them with the aim of understanding what you have to offer, so they can consider you for their future business. Texts are prepared to enhance your services, your experience, your knowledge of the market and the product, …your base of existing happy clients is listed, the logos of any of your memberships are printed. It is time to SELL. Before I started earning my living shooting interiors, hotels & resorts, I worked for 18 years in the trade as a sales manager for various organizations, then as a Director for International Sales for a large meetings hotel and after that as a freelance event organizer representing a large International Group of DMCs.

I always had it in mind that good images that generate a visual impact on your potential clients will most probably lead to good sales both directly and indirectly, because images talk.

But having good images was not always the case and many times we together came out with Nobel Prize candidate literature that did not match them at all, so I felt, as did many of my clients.I sometimes missed having photos

with me that could describe how beautiful the place I was working in was!! How beautiful the destination I was presenting was – how beautiful it looked and how many wonderful Hotels we had. I felt I had to make an extra effort in order to outdo my fellow competitors.

Have you been there? Or have you ever checked how your competitors are presenting themselves? Go on. Do it.

Good or bad images will affect how others see you – it will also affect those that work for you and it will definitely affect your sales.

Many times I have heard good professionals complaining about the images in their presentations, what their brochures looked like… and I mean CVBs, DMCs, Hotels, Meeting Planners….

And good images work. Most of my current clients have come back and told me that they have seen an increase in their online bookings and good feedback from their local DMCs and Incoming agencies a few weeks after they renewed their pictures – their sales teams are motivated, their local Convention Bureau and other memberships they are part of are coming back to them with a different attitude and are pushing sales and activities in their direction – the list goes on.

Recently a hotel manager told me he had run out of brochures within 6 months. He could not understand why since he had printed the same number of copies that he had for 2 years, containing his older pictures. The sales team confirmed that they had not been giving out the old brochures since they felt they where not helping them sell the property and they felt uncomfortable with such material….And now they were …. “How many leads did you miss?” I asked. He went blank.

Go on, ask your sales people how they feel about your brochures.

28 In focus

Derby Hotel Banke Paris 4****, © David Ralita

Ask yourself how you feel about them and check every single picture you have on the various webs you are present in, magazines, everywhere. Check your competitors and see what they are doing….

Leave aside your budget issues and ask yourself, “Do I like them?” If you don’t like them, your sales team will not like them… clients will not like them either, it might be time to renew your look and wash your face.

If you prefer what your ‘competitor‘ offers and

© David Ralita

how he presents himself and if you feel the product you sell and/or represent is not shown as it really is, then, if I was you, I would go and ask for a meeting with my director.

Every other sentence I hear in the MICE world probably contains the words RFP and check list. If you have a minute, go and conduct your own check list intended to serve those who will help you sell your product. Walk around the place and write down the things that make the place special and sellable. Do the same with your CVB. If you are a hotel, venue or restaurant, ask your DMC, (which has to prepare bids to offer your services and needs images), CVBs do ask DMCs, you know – so let’s play! Everybody asks everybody else. And you know, people appreciate being asked. You make them feel part of things. When you have

done that, check your image bank and see if you can see and feel what you wrote down… orange, yellow, dark and burned Pictures are fine with me since they pay my rent nowadays, but they might not work for you…

If you don’t have suitably expressive pictures, then I think you need them because, if your potential client cannot see it and feel it, or does not know is there, he will look elsewhere.

Having good images sells, and not having them can lead others to see you the opposite way from what you Intend.

Many times I have seen people judging the services we offer according to the way we present them. I felt this when I was selling and this is also how I judged the suppliers I had to present to my clients back when I was buying rather than selling. I had a client that asked us to organize an incentive in a certain European city and I asked my local DMC and looked for a 5 star hotel. However, we could not get quality Pictures of my favourite choice and my client turned the hotel down. Since I knew that my client would actually take it (as I had been there before and also because I knew his tastes), I took him with me one weekend for an inspection and booked him into that hotel without letting him know. When we arrived, he loved it and asked if I still had the rooms blocked, which of course I had. So in the end,

29 In focus

Eurostars Grand Marina 5*****, © David Ralita

Eurostars Madrid Tower 5*****, © David Ralita

we held the event in this hotel. I asked for the manager and told him the story; he agreed they needed new pictures. I have to say that my client was ultimately unsatisfied with the services he received. 18 months passed before they renewed them and, during that time, I had 2 more events in the city… but I always refused to quote the hotel. If I took my time to sell his product, I thought he could have done more to help me do it one more time and, since we had some troubles there, I really had the feeling that we would have them again.

That was probably wrong, but that is how I felt – so yes, having bad images or lacking them entirely might lead people to think you do not look on your business the way you should – maybe totally wrong on many occasions, but there is no way you can find out.

At the end of the day, it is all about service. It is about selling and delivering what you are offering. If you prepare yourself for selling, you will attract your clients. If you deliver the services, you will have concurrent clients. A good image is just a part of it but, believe it or not, it can initiate the process or make you lose business much more than you think.

Go ahead and search for a professional photographer if you feel you could present yourself better, the cost of that will probably be a small fraction of the business you could lose.

Derby Hotel Banke Paris 4****, © David Ralita

30 In focus

Statements & opinions

We asked the participants of Conventa why is the concept of Conventa so successful or what they think about Conventa 2010.

Sonja-Isabell Slafka, TW It was the first time that TW – the global magazine for meeting, incentive and event professionals – was a media partner during CONVENTA 2010. TW decided to be media partner as it saw new possibilities in the MICE industry in the region of South-East Europe. The readers of TW are very interested in this region. South-East Europe offers meeting and event planners a wide-ranging and manifold selection of unique cities, combined with history, tradition and art. The fascinating and diverse landscapes provide abundant incentive options and all this is topped off by the almost proverbial hospitality and friendliness of the local population. This year, 200 international meeting planners traveled to the capital of Slovenia, to Ljubljana, for a cup of coffee at one-to-one expert meetings with the 113 exhibitors from a host of countries.

CONVENTA 2010 was a huge success! Interest in the SE European market is growing. In comparison with last year, the number of exhibitors and hosted buyers was up by 35%. A number of study trips to the region completed the range of tradeshow features.

Tomaž Krušič, Director of Intours DMC “Convention tourism is one of the most complex fields within the entire tourism sector.

Due to its multiplicative effects, intricacy, complexity and the high budgets for individual events, there are numerous exhibitions organised throughout the world (EIBTM, IMEX, Meedex, etc.).

Finally, the map of organised exhibitions

now includes Ljubljana and the Conventa exhibition. The beginnings were modest (the Simex exhibition 4 years ago) but the idea, conviction and willpower of its organisers were fortunately strong enough to make this year’s Conventa an important international event that is supported by both the most important global organisers of similar events and by the representatives of specialised agencies or hosted buyers who will respond to the invitation in large numbers. We are therefore convinced that Conventa 2010 will be a success.

Our experiences last year, as well as those of other participants, were very positive, as the organisation and quality of the meetings were good and the hosted buyers attended the exhibition because of an honest interest in SE Europe. Numerous exhibitors were thus pleased with the show’s concrete results. We hope that Conventa’s importance will grow over the next few years and that the state, the city and the hotels will additionally increase their support for this event, which is of exceptional importance for Ljubljana.”

Tina Možina, Director of Kompas Incoming d.d.

“In the face of the overflow of destination offers that we have been experiencing from foreign competitive agencies in this last and chaotic year, concretelyoriented and aimed sales activities are even more important. With its rich offer of Balkan destinations, Conventa is becoming increasingly interesting for foreign buyers.

Being a local service provider, it increases the added value of our promotion and ensures greater recognisability. I see Conventa’s biggest advantage in the participation of carefully chosen international hosted buyers.

We are able to support our words and persuasion along the lines of Why Slovenia?

Why SE Europe? with carefully chosen and organised study trips. Buyers can choose from destinations such as Ljubljana, Bled, Portorož, Opatija and Rijeka, Zagreb, Belgrade and Montenegro. In this way, we enable the participants to get a clearer idea of the region.

In our experience, such activities generate the best results.”

Matjaž Žnidaršič, Marketing Board Member, St. Bernardin Hotels “I see Conventa today as one of the most important marketing events of the Slovenian meetings industry.

A tested and proven model of a marketing event that has developed in Europe over the last fifteen years has been successfully implemented in Slovenia.

It substantially increases our recognisability in the convention and meetings market in this part of Europe. The large attendance of exhibitors from SE Europe ensures additional interest for visits of potential clients from across Europe and more remote markets. The high quality of the Slovenian meetings offer further increases the possibility of concrete orders.

I see the connection with SE Europe as being very important and useful for the Slovenian meetings industry. In my own experience, important global players in the field of organising conventions and other meetings come to Conventa to research new potential destinations and Conventa’s appeal lies in them finding information on the extensive range on offer. In this extensive range, and of this I am certain, Slovenian meetings have a strong enough advantages to place us on the top.”

31 In focus

Since the economic and financial crisis is still knocking on the doors of the meetings industry, we asked a few of the market players how they are dealing with this crisis and which innovative strategies they use to overcome it Koren Sports New products for new growth

In 2009, Koren Sports faced a decline in demand for organising business events with its key clients and this is why we began preparing our presence in new market segments back in 2008. We expanded our services to cover products for individuals and special products for families. This strategy of expanding our product range will diversify our activity and thus alleviate the fluctuations in demand in individual segments.

www.koren-sports.si

Sava TMC Overcoming the crisis with joint marketing

Sava’s Tourism division is entering 2010 unified and under the Sava Hotels & Resorts umbrella brand. The new Sava TMC d.o.o. company, which was set up in September

2009, establishes the joint marketing and sales of our capacities, which we will also utilise in the convention tourism segment.

In this way, we will be able to substantially increase our presence at the most important tradeshows and workshops abroad with one company representing the entire meetings range of Sava Hotels & Resorts. We are well aware that an active presence at such events only generates visible results in the long-run.

This is why we will implement additional marketing activities on the domestic market and try to obtain other smaller events for the short-term period of this and the next year.

It was for this reason that our contact centre has already conducted an extensive calling campaign among Slovenian companies, again reminding meetings organisers of our capacities and inviting them to get to know us better. We further prepared a new concept of corporate cooperation that will help us follow our loyal clients in a more efficient way, offering additional benefits that they will be able to use in all our destinations.

Similar to the holiday segment, the meetings segment will feature attractive offers of some of the new markets that we did not cover before, especially the Balkans and Southeast Europe. www.hotelibled.com, www.panonske-terme.si

We asked some of the leading manager in SEE Region what are their expectations in year 2010.

Peter Fuchs, Valamar 2010 will be harder then 2009.

“Valamar management team expects that 2010 will be even harder than the previous year due to the global crisis. However, due to constant evaluation and attentive planning, we will continue with our investments in HR and Quality, as well as the development of new products in order to provide unique experience for our clients. We are mainly oriented towards upgrading our services, increasing the products’ quality and their adjustment to new market demands.

Reconstruction of the Neptun hotel in Poreč is in progress, as well as its branding as the

Valamar Riviera Hotel & Residence****. The wellness centre in the Valamar Koralj hotel on Krk island is under construction and will be opened on time and according to plan. One of the strategic aims of our leading Croatian hospitality management company is further investment in the MICE segment, especially after last year’ opening of the Valamar Lacroma Resort****, the biggest congress and spa hotel in Dubrovnik.” www.valamar.com

Roman Matek, Thermana Raising visibility in the meeting industry “In year 2010 we would like to finish (re) building Wellness Park Laško and our hotel.

We would like to become an important player in meeting industry in Slovenia and region. www.thermana.si

32 Gastronomy

CURRENT TRENDS IN CATERING “Do you have any lenten food? Sure, wiener schnitzel and roast potatoes!�

Prof. Janez Bogataj, PhD

Attentiveness and planning in the creation of menus within the frameworks of public nutrition systems, which not only include restaurants but also various receptions and street food, is not just a characteristic of modern times in the 20th and 21st century.

A look into the history of man shows that nutrition was always connected to religious, health-related and above all economic (financial) facts.

For centuries, the alternating rhythm of hunger (fasting) and abundance was regulated by various forms of religious consciousness and shaped a firm system of annual, monthly and daily sequences or calendar rotations.

As with all areas of cultural heritage, their historic development did not feature them as absolute terms, as they saw a very diverse development. It was not until Protestantism that meat again played an important role in human nutrition when the importance of fasting was reduced.

Throughout history, nutrition was connected to health and healthy living. Not long ago, sometime after the Second World War, the prevalent opinion was that a person needed to eat well and in abundance, since if you are plump, you will be healthy! Modern views on healthy nutrition and knowledge of the negative influences (e.g. allergies) that determine and direct nutrition have a rich history. Even the author of the first cook book in Slovenian, Valentin Vodnik, wrote in his famous introduction to Kuharske bukve

(Ljubljana, 1799): “Cooking means to make food that is appropriate for human pleasure. The aim of cooking is to preserve health, with dishes being the medicine for the healthy. Therefore, everything that is used for cooking has to be healthy, as well as the manner in which the dishes are cooked. Therefore, smart cooks warn about too much fat, grease and lard, bacon, pork meat and cured meats. They eliminate and reject rancid food, do not serve reheated food, do not cook in copper or zinc dishes or pewter when there is too much lead but only use earthenware and iron dishes.

They keep their kitchen beautiful and clean.

They make sure that the dishes are prepared in a manner that is not only good for the throat but also the stomach."

The extent and type of nutrition has always related to increases or reductions in personal and family budgets.

This applied on both the domestic and the public level, i.e. restaurants. Reductions in budgets were always related, and they still are, to hunger, famine, unvaried nutrition and insufficient food intake. In modern times,

general reductions in budgets unfortunately rarely lead towards healthy possibilities but instead often work in favour of unhealthy, street or fast food that have negative health effects. If we look at this budgetary aspect through historic development, we can see that it used to prevent an abundance of content and quantity but people still remained within the frameworks of healthy nutrition, even if it was often less diverse or highly monotonous (stews with various groats, cabbage and turnip and from the 19th century onwards also potatoes, which we call the bread of the poor.

In modern times, religious influences, the impacts of health or allergies and reductions in budgets are more consistently regarded in planning menus and the culinary offer in restaurants, inns, hotel restaurants and for various receptions and catering events. I can see this in the mass or so-called fast or street food. The situation is at its worst in bars, bistros, cafeterias and similar places where the only foods are alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. With the greedy acceptance of possible and, above all, impossible global and globalised values (!), it is interesting to see that Slovenia remains special in this field.

This is yet another, albeit not too stimulating example of our modern recognisability.

I Feel Slovenia!

33

MEDIANA’S PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Green research

Slovenians see climate change as the biggest problem of the 21st century

In cooperation with Umanotera, Mediana conducted research into Slovenian knowledge of global warming last October.

In general, Slovenians believe that climate change is the biggest problem of the 21st century. They believe that the state should take more affirmative action against climate change even if this would influence their way of life (an average mark of 4.1)1 and they by no means agree with the statement that we should not be concerned about climate change (2.2).

Slovenians believe that climate change is mostly affected by traffic, the destruction of forests and industry (an average mark of 4.5)2 and, to a slightly lesser degree, by waste (4.3), excessive consumption (4.1) and least of all

by the generation of electricity and heat (3.9) and industry (3.7). We can see that all the average marks are very high, which indicates a high level of awareness of the impacts on global warming among Slovenia's residents.

The study participants see their knowledge on climate change and its consequences as good (an average mark of 2.7)3. At the same time, they see people as the main culprits for climate change (an average mark of 4.0). As much as 75 percent of the respondents said that we need to start fighting climate change immediately as we are already running out of time, while 15 percent believe that it is already too late to do anything against climate change.

Climate changes 27.6 Economic crisis 13.3 Global poverty and hunger 12.6 Diseases 10.6 Lack of drinking water 10.5 1 The study participants evaluated their agreement with given statements on a 1 to 5 scale, whereby 1 means "I completely disagree" and 5 "I completely agree".

2 The study participants evaluated the individual elements on a 1 to 5 scale, whereby 1 means "It has no effect at all" and 5 "It has a strong effect".

3 The study participants evaluated the knowledge of Slovenians on a 1 to 5 scale, whereby 1 means "very poor" and 5 "very good".

Human rights violations 8.0 Globalization 6.5 Wars and terrorism 5.1 Rapid population growth 3.5

We also asked Slovenians how they themselves contribute to the fight against climate change. The respondents said that they often or always save electricity (72%), recycle (68%), use efficient electric and electronic devices (58%) and do not buy unnecessary products (54%). The lowest level of participation in the fight against climate change was found in the use of green energy (28%) and the use of their own forms of renewable energy (often or always 25%).

MaĹĄa Muster www.mediana.si

34 Green research

HOW EUROPE'S 30 LARGEST CITIES RATE FOR SUSTAINABILITY Ljubljana is located in the second half

In December 2009, during the United Nations’ 15th Climate Change Conference (COP15), Siemens AG and The Economist Intelligence Unit (a division of The Economist magazine), released the European Green City Index, a rating of the 30 major cities in Europe on environmental sustainability. The study evaluated and scored the 30 cities in eight categories: CO2 emissions, energy, buildings, transportation, water, air quality, waste and land use, and environmental governance.

Source: www.siemens.com/entry/cc/en/urbanization. htm?section=green_index

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

16. Warsaw, Poland

2. Stockholm, Sweden

17. Budapest, Hungary

3. Oslo, Norway

18. Lisbon, Portugal

4. Vienna, Austria

19. Ljubljana, Slovenia

5. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

20. Bratislava, Slovakia

6. Zurich, Switzerland

21. Dublin, Ireland

7. Helsinki, Finland

22. Athens, Greece

8. Berlin, Germany

23. Tallinn, Estonia

9. Brussels, Belgium

24. Prague, Czech Republic

10. Paris, France

25. Istanbul, Turkey

11. London, United Kingdom

26. Zagreb, Croatia

12. Madrid, Spain

27. Belgrade, Serbia

13. Vilnius, Lithuania

28. Bucharest, Romania

14. Rome, Italy

29. Sofia, Bulgaria

15. Riga, Latvia

30. Kiev, Ukraine

100 95 75

25 5 0

Hotel_Arena_POSLOVNA_SRECANJA_V_NARAVI_ENG_GoMice-Congress and Marketing Agency 31. marec 2010 13:01:18

36 Agency presents

LIBERTY INCENTIVES & CONGRESSES SLOVENIA Trying to meet the client’s needs to the maximum extent is the philosophy of Liberty Incentives & Congress Slovenia

be similar to those of another one. And as we are offering wide selection of countries (at the moment, 27 offices cover 35 countries) clients can easily make a decision. I would say that you only go into one shop and you buy what you need all in one place.

What qualities distinguish you from the competition? Is there a special philosophy?

Boštjan Horjak, Managing Director

Where do you see Slovenia’s advantages as a destination? What is it that most convinces international clients?

We are very much aware that Slovenia is still largely unknown to many meeting planners and agencies throughout Europe and yet we are able to meet the planning imperatives of:- ease of access into the country with good air routes throughout Europe and subsequent fast and efficient movement throughout Slovenia - high quality facilities and service standards - a wide choice of conference venues, meeting hotels incentives and unusual destinations - pricing and real added value - one of the safest environments anywhere in the world Can you explain how your agency became member of the Liberty Incentives and Congresses network? What are the advantages of operating within a global network?

Liberty Incentives & Congresses is the largest chain of Destination Management Companies with branches in 35 countries and with over 17 years of experience.

We are a truly multicultural team with an indepth understanding of every destination and an international power. The Slovenian office became a part of the group in 2006. Liberty philosophy is not based on a franchise system but is always the capital joint venture of a mother company and local management. One of the biggest advantages of an international company like ours is without doubt international recognition. As we are all trying to follow the same quality standards, the client knows that the quality of services provided by one of our companies in one country will

Liberty Incentives & Congresses Slovenia is widely recognized as one of the region’s leading DMC’s and our work with international and domestic clients is highly regarded. There is no particular philosophy beside the fact that we are trying to meet the client’s needs to the maximum extent. We are able to focus on providing: - comprehensive knowledge of the hotel, venue, restaurant and specialist service sectors and the reach to secure the most favourable rates - a multilingual team that ensures key messages and details do not get lost in translation!

- A proven track record of handling high profile and complex international events across the corporate, association and agency sectors - A commitment to very close attention to detail - Added value through adopting a consulting role, ensuring not only the best rates but the very best proactive advice - A flexible approach in everything that we do www.liberty-incentive.net

40 Congress locations

We asked select corporate locations in Slovenia and SE Europe to prepare a 3-day programme including overnight stays, seminars, entertainment and teambuilding programmes.

VILA BLED

ROGLA

RADISSON BLU

Accommodation and overnight stay: Vila Bled

Accommodation and overnight stay: Hotel Rogla

Accommodation and overnight stay: Radisson Blu Hotel

Catering: 1st day: cocktail party in the Belvedere Pavilion 2nd day: breakfast, business lunch and a themed festive dinner in the Concert Hall (Tito menu) 3rd day: breakfast, business lunch and barbecue

Catering: 1st day: festive buffet dinner 2nd day: breakfast, lunch (Pohorje delicacies), dinner and a herbal drink 3rd day: breakfast and buffet lunch

Seminar: in Vila Bled with coffee breaks

Seminar: in Hotel Rogla’s hall

Entertainment: a visit from Marshal Tito and his Pioneer, entertainment with music in the bar (Tito’s former gallery and garage)

Entertainment: in the discothèque, pampering in the wellness centre

Teambuilding: Bled City Safari – organised in groups, the participants have a limited amount of time to conduct different tasks and document them. The tasks allow them to get to know Bled’s natural and cultural sights. www.vila-bled.si

Catering: 1st day: canapés and cocktails 2nd day: breakfast, grill specialties, cocktails and two coffee and snack breaks 3rd day: breakfast aboard ship, lunch in the Kastil Slanica restaurant and dinner in the Fig Leaf restaurant Seminar: in the Ballroom

Teambuilding: Hike into the unknown – the guests are divided into smaller groups. Search for hidden recipes and then help prepare the dishes in the cabin. Return to the hotel with torches.

Entertainment: live jazz music, wellness services, DJ

www.unitur.eu

www.radissonblu.com

Teambuilding: yachting and rafting

41

GREEN LOCATION, Bohinj Park ECO Hotel

Congress locations

The Hotel’s paradigm is responsibility, originality, long-term orientation, stability and care for future generations

The foundations of all types of tourism lie in the environment and its natural elements: water, earth and stone, air, energy, flora, fauna and the cultural landscape. The development of tourism often has a negative impact on the environment as it requires considerable activities affecting the environment that endanger or even upset the natural balance.

Slovenia has a long-standing tradition of protecting areas, a clear example being the Bohinj alpine glacier valley with the Triglav National Park.

In such a protected area, only sustainable tourism can be developed or even only its friendliest form, i.e. ecotourism.

The ecological approach is often wrongly associated with costly operations that place a considerable financial burden.

The first ecological hotel in Slovenia, the Bohinj Park ECO Hotel, closely follows the sustainable development strategy and its clearly determined goals and measures are in accordance with sustainable development: - it implements the optimum use of environmental resources, maintains basic ecological processes and helps preserve natural values and biological diversity; - it respects the social and cultural authenticity of the local population, maintains its structure and the intangible cultural heritage and traditional values while at the same time trying to contribute to intercultural understanding and tolerance; - it provides long-term economic operation and development that includes the population, fairly allocates social and economic benefits (including permanent employment) and enables social services for the local population.

As the fundamental paradigm of the ecological

hotel in market communication process, sustainable development communicates: responsibility, differentness (differentiation with regard to the competition), long-term orientation, stability and care for future generations. With its green example and the promotion of awareness among its employees, the local population and guests

the Bohinj Park ECO Hotel allows socially responsible individuals and companies to take a firm stand on the subject of sustainable development and the expression of the global ethics of civilisation. www.bohinj-park-hotel.si

43

ADRENALIN PARKS

Congress locations

Adrenalin parks and team experiences in Slovenia Dani Polajnar Program Director

There are quite a few high quality parks in Slovenia that offer various teambuilding programmes, allow the organisation of interesting incentives for your employees or business partners, provide an interesting offer for your international guests or that you can visit with your family and friends to act out your adrenalin and sporting dreams.

watchful eye of certified trainers.

The park’s elements vary from the lowest (such as the spider web or the scales, which are intended predominantly for teamwork) to those at an altitude of 20 metres or more (e.g. the giant swing of the high beam) where participants are secured with climbing belts and wire ropes.

Some elements are primarily aimed to evoke an adrenalin-filled experience, while others facilitate teamwork, as we need to trust our team Adrenalin and adventure parks are primarily intended members and communicate for the safe implementation with them in order to complete the activity. of various adrenalin filled activities that can This is why these parks are perfect for teambuilding programmes, as teams undertake be carried out under the

various tasks (some of them strategic) in a different environment, with a touch of adrenalin but especially with teamwork, thus establishing stronger relationships. If all this happens under the guidance and evaluation of a skilled facilitator or trainer, the teams truly have a lot to gain.

Slovenia has numerous parks of different kinds scattered across the country from Tolmin to Maribor and from Bohinj to Osilnica.

They differ with regard to whether they are constructed using trees or artificial beams and in the elements they contain, which determine who their predominant users are: individuals, families, co-workers, etc.

We have carefully examined some of the largest parks in Slovenia and we present them here in the current issue of Kongres magazine.

Maybe you can use one of the interesting programmes offered by these parks to spice up your next event or teambuilding programme. www.tba.si

44 Congress locations

ADRENALIN PARKS

BETNAVA ADVENTURE PARK

Betnava Adventure Park is located in a forest on the outskirts of Maribor.

It features seven different courses on trees from 1 to 8 m in height.

Official name

Pustolovski park Betnava

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

Maribor – Tabor (100 km)

Website

www.pustolovski-park.si

Operator

Betnava d.o.o.

High elements

Three of the courses are located at an altitude of 5 – 8 metres and contain approximately 30 high elements. Two of the courses are at the high difficulty level.

Other fixed elements

Four courses are positioned at an altitude of up to 4 metres and are appropriate for children over the age of 3. They contain approximately 40 different elements.

Price per participant – individuals

Preschoolers: EUR 5, school children: EUR 10 and adults: EUR 15

Instructors

Instructors certified by Abenteuerpark, Betriebs- und Errichtungs GmbH

Professional teambuilding In cooperation with outsourced experts programmes Special features

7 courses, appropriate for children over 3

The park’s advantages

Can be used by very young children and is in the vicinity of Maribor and Pohorje

Access

180 m from the regional road leading to the Pohorje cable car

Parking places

100 m from the park

Other sports/entertaining Supervised stilt walking, jogging along forest trails, ballgames and badminton in a forest clearing, slacklining activities (in a radius of 1 km) Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

Betnava Mansion, the Maribor Experiments Centre at the Betnava Mansion, Pohorje, the Habakuk hotel, the ski slope, etc.

Catering

Poštela restaurant 400 m from the park

Closest accommodation

The Habakuk hotel – 130 rooms, 1.5 km

Closest congress facilities Betnava Mansion (180 delegates) – under refurbishment, the Habakuk hotel for up to 800 delegates (in individual halls)

45

ADRENALIN PARKS

Congress locations

BOHINJ ADRENALIN PARK

The adrenalin park is located directly beside the Bohinj lake. It is comprised of approximately 13 different high elements.

It is primarily intended for individual visitors and is a perfect choice for various social get-togethers.

Official name

Adrenalinski park Bohinj

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

Bohinj – Pod Voglom hostel (80 km)

Website

www.koren-sports.si

Operator

Koren Sports and Pac sports

High elements

Large swing, high beam, career ladder, Burma bridge, pole, suspended net, suspended bridge, hourglass, etc.

Other fixed elements

TP shuffle

Price per participant – individuals

Children: EUR 25, adults: EUR 29

Instructors

All instructors are ERCA licensed

Professional teambuilding They implement the programmes themselves and in cooperation with programmes outsourced providers.

Special features

The park is located directly beside the Bohinj lake.

The park’s advantages

Can be combined with other sports programmes (AP & climbing, AP & rafting adventures, etc.)

Access

Directly on the Stara Fužina-Ukanc road

Parking places

Beside the park, at the Pod Voglom hostel

Other sports/entertaining Kayaking, canoeing, rafting, climbing activities (in a radius of 1 km) Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

Bohinj, Savica waterfall, Triglav National Park, etc.

Catering

At the Pod Voglom hostel (can organise picnics, lunches and dinners per arrangement)

Closest accommodation

On location, Pod Voglom hostel – 60 people

Closest congress facilities On location, several hotels in the vicinity – 4 conference halls, together holding up to 600 delegates

46 Congress locations

ADRENALIN PARKS

RAJ JEZERSKO ADVENTURE PARK

The park is constructed in the natural environment with natural materials and includes an approximately 30 metres high rock cliff in the midst of a forest clearing. All the elements are connected with a unique wood path. At the end of the path, the viewing platform offers a magnificent view of the Kamnik Alps.

Official name

Doživljajski park Raj Jezersko

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

3 minutes from Jezersko (50 km)

Website

www.feelgreen.si

Operator

Feel Green – Raj Jezersko d.o.o.

High elements

Giant swing, adrenalin ropeway, natural wall (protected mountain route – via ferrata, abseiling – controlled descent down a rope), suspended bridge

Other fixed elements

Spider web, bridge for trust fall, scales

Price per participant – individuals

EUR 35

Instructors

8 alpine instructors with ERCA certificates

Professional teambuilding In cooperation with the Teambuilding Academy programmes Special features

Adventure and themed mountaineering park

The park’s advantages

A secluded location, a view of the mountains, natural surroundings (on 3 levels)

Access

10 minute walk from Jezersko, 3 minutes by car

Parking places

In Jezersko, the assembly point at the Planika hotel

Other sports/entertaining Paintball, entertainment ground activities (in a radius of 1 km) Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

No specific tourist sights in the vicinity

Catering

In Jezersko or catering delivered per agreement.

There is a smaller picnic spot at the park with all the required equipment.

Closest accommodation

Planika hotel (56 beds)

Closest congress facilities Planinka hotel – two meeting rooms for 50/30 delegates

47

ADRENALIN PARKS

Congress locations

LJUBELJ ADRENALIN PARK

Ljubelj Adrenalin Park is located in the wonderful Karavanke landscape and is primarily intended for groups and is especially appropriate for teambuilding programmes.

Official name

Adrenalinski park Ljubelj

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

Ljubelj (55 km)

Website

www.koren-sports.si

Operator

Koren Sports

High elements

Large swing, high beam, career ladder, scales, multi-vine, Burma bridge, pole, double pole, suspended bridge, etc.

Other fixed elements

Spider web, TP shuffle, wall, platform for trust falling, square

Price per participant – individuals

Children: EUR 25, adults: EUR 29

Instructors

All instructors are ERCA licensed

Professional teambuilding They implement the programmes themselves and in cooperation with programmes outsourced providers.

Special features

Well-equipped park for implementing professional teambuilding programmes

The park’s advantages

Close to Ljubljana

Access

Beside the main Kranj-Celovec road

Parking places

Along the park

Other sports/entertaining Football field, volleyball and basketball court, climbing wall, abseiling, a starting point for cycling and Alpine trips activities (in a radius of 1 km) Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

Baron’s Tunnels, old Ljubelj, mercury mine, Alpine dairy farms

Catering

The Koren guesthouse

Closest accommodation

On location, 24 beds

Closest congress facilities On location: seminar room for up to 50 delegates

48 Congress locations

ADRENALIN PARKS

MAYA ADRENALIN PARK

The Maya adrenalin Park is set in a natural environment, using trees.

It is located close to the Soča and Tolminka confluence and contains nine different courses.

Official name

Adrenalinski park Maya

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

Tolmin (103 km)

Website

www.maya.si

Operator

Maya športni turizem

High elements

Jungle bridge, high beam, Jacob’s ladder, adrenalin ropeway, now or never (rope bridge), swing, tyres, rope walk, etc.

Other fixed elements

No low elements, these are set up as required.

Price per participant – individuals

EUR 39

Instructors

9 instructors with the Way Beyond Hi Ropes licences

Professional teambuilding Part of the programme – implemented by their trainers programmes Special features

Tree park

The park’s advantages

Cool shadow throughout the season

Access

500 m from the centre of Tolmin

Parking places

Beside the park

Other sports/entertaining Can be combined with water sports (rafting, kayaking and mini rafting) and swimming activities (in a radius of 1 km) Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

German Ossuary from the 1st World War

Catering

Open bar on the confluence of the Soča and the Tolminka with the possibility of catering

Closest accommodation

Krn hotel (90 beds)

Closest congress facilities Kofol restaurant (20 people) – 3 km, Torni Hall at the community hall building (40 people) – in Tolmin

49

ADRENALIN PARKS

Congress locations

PETER KLEPEC ADRENALIN PARK

The adrenalin park is located in the wonderful surroundings of the Kolpa Valley near the Kovač hotel. It was constructed in 2004.

Official name

Adrenalinski park Peter Klepec

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

Sela pri Osilnici (86 km)

Website

www.kovac-kolpa.com

Operator

Kolpa d.o.o.

High elements

A tower that you ascend by special steel stairs, a hexagon made of high elements, a climbing wall, descent wall, descent with steel ropes, leap into unknown (all-aboard platform), a giant swing

Other fixed elements

Spider web, postman’s path, suspended footbridge, moving tyres, barrel, balance beam, a training ground with low elements, zorbing ramp

Price per participant – individuals

Depending on the programme – all high elements: EUR 19; low and high elements: EUR 35

Instructors

All the instructors are ACCT and Faszinatour licensed.

Professional teambuilding In cooperation with outsourced lecturers programmes Special features

Descent down a 120 m long wire rope and a zorbing ramp

The park’s advantages

Beautiful nature with the clean Kolpa and Čabranka rivers, extensive forests, well-kept surroundings (the centre offers toilets and showers, changing rooms, etc.), newly constructed facilities and top-quality equipment.

Access

Easily accessible, located beside the Kovač hotel, 200 m from the OsilnicaKočevje regional road

Parking places

A large parking area (50 cars, 6 buses)

Other sports/entertaining Rafting, kayaking, canoeing, paintball, zorbing, archery, ATVs, trekking, Nordic walking, mountain biking activities (in a radius of 1 km) Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

The source of the Kolpa river, the Loška Stena rock wall, the primeval Krokar forest

Catering

Restaurant (180 people) and a picnic spot (500 people)

Closest accommodation

100 m – Kovač hotel, 35 double rooms – 70 beds

Closest congress facilities 100-300 m – Kovač hotel, 3 rooms – 120 delegates

50 Congress locations

ADRENALIN PARKS

POHORJE ADRENALIN PARK

The Pohorje Adrenalin Park offers a number of different activities.

It provides an unforgettable experience in the unspoiled nature of the vast Pohorje forests right outside the city.

Official name

Adrenalinski park Pohorje

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

Trikotna jasa clearing, Maribor Pohorje (120 km)

Website

www.pohorje.org

Operator

Športni center Pohorje

High elements

The high ropes course contains five elements: the giant swing, a platform for individual exercises, a platform for team exercises, climbing wall and a high beam

Other fixed elements

There are no other elements

Price per participant – individuals

Depending on the programme – all the high elements in the park: EUR 36

Instructors

Certified instructors with a Faszinatour licence

Professional teambuilding In cooperation with the Teambuilding Academy programmes Special features

High above sea level, in the immediate vicinity of Maribor

The park’s advantages

An adrenaline-filled sports infrastructure in the immediate vicinity (Pohorje Bike Park), a view of Maribor

Access

On foot from the Arena hotel (30 minutes) or by chair lift (7 minutes)

Parking places

Parking places in front of the Arena hotel or the Pohorje cable car

Other sports/entertaining Football fields with lighting for night-time games, PohorJET (summer adrenalin slide), monster roller, XXL football, MiniJET toboggan slide, activities (in a radius of golf driving range, cycling trails, paintball course, Nordic walking, Indian 1 km) village, riding, hiking, the Draš hall (badminton, volleyball, etc.)

Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

Bolfenk energy trail, keep-fit-trail beside the golf driving range, Radvanje brook, the Bolfenk Centre of natural and Cultural Heritage

Catering

Refreshment terrace beside the park (50 people), Snow Stadium hall, Arena, Bolfenk and Videc hotels, the Martin Boarding House, the Koča cottage

Closest accommodation

Arena and Bolfenk hotels (approximately 120 beds) and other hotels in a radius of 1 km (a total of almost 300 beds)

Closest congress facilities The Arena and Bolfenk hotels (up to 70 delegates), the Habakuk hotel for up to 800 delegates (in all the halls), within a radius of up to 1 km

51

ADRENALIN PARKS

Congress locations

STORŽ ADRENALIN PARK

The Storž Adrenalin Park offers 19 different elements located in the treetops at an altitude of up to 24 metres. Their offer is additionally enriched by a 75 m long cableway and a suspended footbridge, which is among the longest in the country.

Official name

Adrenalinski park Storž

Location (and distance from Ljubljana)

Rantovše pri Škofji Loki (30 km)

Website

www.storz.si

Operator

Matej Kastelic s.p.

High elements

19 different elements: High beam, giant swing, footbridge, crisscross, rope walk, etc.

Other fixed elements

Spider web, cross, etc.

Price per participant – individuals

EUR 30 (EUR 24 excluding the swing)

Instructors

In-house trained instructors, sports climbers

Professional teambuilding In cooperation with outsourced lecturers programmes Special features

The park is located in a natural environment among the treetops, lengthy and diverse activities

The park’s advantages

A large and high adrenaline park with a high giant swing and a 75 m long cableway descent; its location among the treetops protects the participants from the scorching heat and briefer storms; there is a rich additional offer

Access

From the Kveder guesthouse, 1 km left along a gravel road to the parking place

Parking places

Along the park, 20 cars, 2 buses

Other sports/entertaining Paintball, orientation games, volleyball course, football field, cycling, hiking activities (in a radius of 1 km) Tourist destinations (within a radius of 1 km)

The Rupnik Line (from the 2nd World War), a deer compound

Catering

Homemade Slovenian food and drinks are served on site in an over 200 years old farmhouse

Closest accommodation

The Kveder restaurant (30 beds), 1 km away, the Stari vrh log cabin (30 beds), 3 km away, several tourist farms

Closest congress facilities 1 km – the Kveder restaurant (20 delegates), 5 km – the Pri Birtu restaurant (50 delegates)

53

CONGRESS LJUBLJANA

Makalonca – in the shelter of Plečnik's pier

months, when it is energized by the river banks that offer a timeless view of the river flowing placidly underneath the Ljubljana Castle. The events can be shifted from the indoor space onto small floating stages – river boats, where artists perform. The venue is becoming more and more established as a haven for the cultural and artistic expression of various genres.

The Makalonca cafe can be privatised for social events, ideally featuring a cocktail reception and finger food. The two long outdoor terraces just above the water surface allow the entertainment of up to 120 guests while the indoor space caters for a maximum of 50 guests.

After several years as a sleeping beauty, Makalonca - the cafe that almost touches the Ljubljanica River, returned on the scene. It can be easily seen from the Hribar embankment, set in the immediate proximity of the centrally located Triple Bridge and the wooden footbridge connecting Congress Square with the Old Town. Andrej Škufca, former world champion in Latin American dances, and his partners, instilled fresh cultural contents and revitalised the space, originally designed by architect Jože Plečnik for the embarkment on river boats. Wide stairs bond the inner space with the river, by which Plecnik’s pier functions as the central stage of a water amphitheatre. The banks encircling this stage can be seen as seats for the audience.

During the winter, the Makalonca cafe reflects a quieter character compared to the warmer

www.makalonca.si

The festival hall – Plečnik's hidden Ljubljana belle The Festival Hall is without doubt one of the most renowned inter- generational centres in Slovenia.

The building, once known as the Baraga Seminary, houses today the Academic College, the Mladinsko Theatre and the Pionirski dom educational & cultural institution, which manages the Festival Hall. Its immediate neighbour is the Ljubljana Exhibition & Convention Centre – GR, due to which plenty of parking space is available nearby. In terms of access, both the Railway station and the

Congress locations

city centre are within walking distance.

The building itself was built according to the plans of the most revered Slovenian architect, Jože Plečnik, from 1936 to 1941. In 1956, architect Anton Bitenc redesigned the central space and transformed it into an elegant event venue - the Festival Hall. A monumental staircase with massive pillars and decorative sculptures accentuate the entrance, with some such elements adorning both the foyer and the large hall.

Throughout the year, the Festival Hall hosts a number of local and international dance events and balls, concerts, fashion shows, wedding parties and other social functions. With a soft facelift performed in 2009, the venue has become more attractive to meeting planners as a special location for conferences, business events, cocktail receptions or gala dinners.

Underneath the Festival Hall, a hall of the Mladinsko Theatre can be privatised, too, allowing an original event concept - with some performances that can be staged for groups, that can be combined to a more “classical” scenario. www.pionirski-dom.si

55 Congress travelogue

MALAGA Impressions from the EMEC Conference in Malaga

Our reason for visiting Andalusia was the MPI conference taking place in Malaga. My first association is the Costa del Sol, a holiday paradise for numerous Northern Europeans who have been flocking to this part of Europe for the last 50 years thanks to the sun.

Malaga is famous for being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso. The city was founded in the 8th century BC by the Phoenicians. It was an important Roman post and strongly characterised by the Arab Nasrid dynasty, which constructed the Alcazaba fortress in the 9th century that still dominates the city. Today, Malaga is a modern city with over 1.2 million residents including its suburbs. The locals like to refer to it as the economic and technological capital of Andalusia and the tourist capital of Europe.

The sun gives character to the meetings industry. There is an interesting comparison between Andalusia and California in one of

the tourist brochures. Except from our arrival however, we waited for all three days of the conference in vain for the promised 325 days of sun. We were followed by the unpleasant Sirocco wind and heavy rain showers that turned the streets into slides.

Our arrival at Malaga airport in the low season showed the tourist character of the city, which is the main tourist entry point for the Costa del Sol. The terminals were low-season-desolate and characterised by over an hour-long wait for our luggage. With regard to traffic, the airport is Spain’s fourth largest airport. Immediately after leaving the terminal, we were greeted by a lot of light and sun and the greenest nature.

The entrance into the city is not the friendliest, as Malaga is also one of the most developed industrial cities in Spain. The Mediterranean leisureliness is evident with every step you take and there are individual architectural accomplishments that surprise you along the

way. During peak traffic, you need to allow a lot of time to move across the city, as it takes at least half an hour to get from the city centre to the congress centre.

In 2003, Malaga laid out an ambitions strategic plan to make it one of the Mediterranean convention capitals. As part of their marketing strategy, they managed to attract SITE, ICCA and MPI conferences in a relatively short time. The city is one of pilot cities in terms of sustainable development.

In addition to large infrastructure projects, the first result was the new Malaga Trade Fair & Congress Centre, which also hosted the conference. The Centre is located in the suburbs of Malaga, which are characterised by typical Mediterranean apartment blocks, shopping centres and industrial facilities. You are immediately enraptured by the modern architecture and its monumentality. The centre is dimensioned according to market size and

+386 (0)4 259 45 55 events@adria.si www.adria-airways.com

57 Congress travelogue

*

contains two large exhibition halls with a joint surface area of 16,800 m2, two plenary halls with a capacity of 900 and 600 seats and a number of smaller halls for convention groups, journalists and registration activities. The centre has a pleasant feeling to it, perhaps the only colder exception is the otherwise wonderful marble floor. A special feature is the central square uniting the congress and exhibition parts of the centre and which serves to unite the content and participants.

The meetings offer is accompanied by numerous hotels. There are nine five-star hotels offering 1,049 rooms, while the majority of capacities are in four-star hotels (26 hotels and 3,219 rooms). Monte Malaga Hotel, where I stayed, is a classic business hotel. It is difficult to find any fault with it; the only thing missing was warmth and friendliness. The hotels’ environment is typically Spanish. The modern building emerges into a disorderly square and everywhere we turned, we were surrounded by empty construction sites as silent witnesses of the recession that hit Spain the hardest of all in Europe.

Malaga wakes up after 11 pm and is famous for its large number of restaurants, taverns and tapas bars. It is also an important Spanish winegrowing region and the culinary centre of Costa del Sol. Nightlife is one of the destination's main attributes. There are special venues for the organisers to choose from and they also

chose some for our event. From the Alcazaba fortress to numerous museums.

We again experienced the importance of having a Plan B. The final dinner, which was intended to be held in the bullfighting arena, turned into a not so pleasant party due to rain.

The organisers set up a tent in the middle of the wonderful arena, stripping away it its experience value. The wonderful programme provided by the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra was ruined by some disastrous food. Our tastes were improved though by the Fabba band and the Song Division rock ‘n’ roll team motivators, who surprised us with rock teambuilding even during the conference itself.

Comparison with the region: The Malaga Congress Centre is an excellent comparison for the development of Adriatic convention destinations from Portorož to Dubrovnik – both in terms of developing a convention destination and the development of a new congress centre. The first condition for successful development is the city’s accessibility (91 direct flights from Europe and Africa to Malaga), developed basic tourist infrastructure (over 4,000 hotel rooms), offboard offer and the good operation of the convention bureau.

More information on: www.congresos.malaga.eu

Mark importance:

5

*4 3

excellent convention destination quality convention destination recommendable convention destination

* 1 ** *** **** ***** 2

average convention destination passable

Mark: 4

** ** ***** ** **** ** *** ***** ** ****** *** ***** ** **** * *** ***** ** **** *** ***** **** *****

Gorazd Čad

Images are property of the Tourism Area of Malaga City Council

58 Congress personality

ENFANT TERRIBLE Tatjana Radovič, Congress Manager

1. Could you present yourself in two sentences — in the first as a person in your private life and in the second as a person in your public life?

Private: a roguish optimistic Sagittarius believing in affairs of the heart; a lover of the beauty of art and music, exercising in nature, discovering novelties and trips. Supposedly also a good cook and, as such, a gourmet eater. Public/professional: congress manager at the Ljubljana Tourist Board — for years now infected with the congress virus and the desire for us to be as successful as possible in the promotion and marketing of Ljubljana and Slovenia for business and scientific/ professional events.

2. Which professional magazines from the field of the meetings industry do you read?

The main European magazines and online media from the meetings industry and the Slovenian magazines, Tur!zem and of course Kongres magazine, where I have been working in the editorial board from the very beginning.

Sometimes, I also leaf through ISIS magazine published by the Medical Chamber of Slovenia where I find interesting information about professional meetings in the medical field.

3. What was the last book that you have read that you would recommend to our readers?

The last one was Les trois femmes puissantes (Three Powerful Women). The author, Marie Ndiaye received the Prix Goncourt prize in French literature in 2009.Gabriel García Márquez and his opus remain a constant. From the meetings segment, I would recommend Meeting Architecture by Maarten Vanneste.

4. What was the last event that you attended?

There are two recent (though not the last) events that I would like to mention, which were truly unforgettable. One was Jan Garbarek’s concert in CUK Kino Šiška with a trio of exceptional musicians, including the outstanding percussionist Trilok Gurtu. The other was the Shen Wei Dance Arts: Map performance in Cankarjev dom, which was a unique blend of visual and storytelling elements from the theatre, Chinese opera, Eastern philosophy and traditional and contemporary visual art developed by the Chinese-American choreographer and versatile artist Shen Wei. Magical beauty!

What was the last film that you saw?

Soderbergh’s twin film presentation: the Girlfriend Experience and Bubble and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, both in Kino Dvor cinema.

5. How many foreign languages do you speak?

Four well enough to get an excellent grade in school and, with some effort, I would also be able to activate my Spanish. Unfortunately, there is no chemistry between German and myself. However, I appreciate the beauty of the Slovenian language that was bestowed upon me by my mother when I was very young and living abroad. I was never overwhelmed by the Ljubljana dialect, which is not true about the city however.

6. Who was your idol when you were very young and today?

Rather than just two individuals, a whole spectrum of people come to mind, both at

home and abroad, who helped shape my private and personal life with their positive attitude, valour, honesty, mental and spiritual greatness and creativity.

7. What was your first and what is your current employment?

I was a tour manager for foreign tourists with Kompas. Despite brief appetites outside the tourism sector, I remain faithful to this branch as part of the Ljubljana Tourist Board team.

8. Could you share an anecdote with us?

My mentor on my first tour, who accompanied a parallel group, was Jože Colarič, who was finishing his touring career at the time and later became one of Slovenia’s most prominent economists. Even then, he was very much in focus and cool. To me, the word overbooking is always associated with the slap that I received from a corpulent and neurotic Dutch guest when I was solving that unpleasant situation in my first rookie year. The shocked group came to my defence and eliminated him from the group — he broke off his trip the next day.

9. What is the first thing that you do when you get to work?

I say (a cheerful) hello to my co-worker Jan, start up my laptop and we comment on our current tasks — and then… action! Tea or coffee, the home-made fruit salad and a bit of unofficial chat follow later on.

10. What do you see as your biggest achievement in life?

Professionally, the European Imex Academy Award that I received in 2006 (a sort of

59 Congress personality

meetings industry Oscar for best supporting role). That I was able to help transfer knowledge to numerous younger colleagues in Slovenia and abroad — everything that you are able to share but fail to is dead capital that I do not need. Privately, a sense for other people, staying loyal to myself (I do not like compartmentalising), a positive attitude and curiosity. Perhaps a more challenging question would be what I am not proud of (my “repeat examinations”).

11. Would you like to point out a success story in the field of tourism?

In the last few years, I have been very pleased with the development of numerous boutique and innovative products that are changing the rather stereotypical image of our tourism offer. These stories are usually supported by (brave business) individuals and private/family capital.

I am a fan of the I feel Slovenia brand and slogan, which is recognisable and well received at our events and with international business partners. I also see our energy drink can, the advertisement for the Slovenia Meetings brand (ingredients: Slovenian energy, team flexibility, a 24h hour smile, a personal touch and natural charm), and its slogan as an original message to strengthen recognisability. As a local patriot: the visible development and higher quality of Ljubljana’s tourism offer and the considerable growth in the visits and overnight stays index in the last decade (with the exception of 2009).

12. Which marketing idea from the field of tourism had the strongest impact on you?

In the meetings industry, this was the

advertising campaign of the Norwegian Convention Bureau (The Naked Man), which deservedly won ICCA’s marketing award last year. Simple, indicative, efficient and still likable — and not only to women… :) 13. What do you miss in the Slovenian and Southeast European meetings industry?

In Slovenia: above all more promotion and marketing funds, which would allow us more consistent and ambitious operations and a stronger breakthrough to clients on international markets.

More trust between the players (the syndrome of false promises, etc.). Also, specific personnel training related to the meetings activity (professionalisation). Things are changing but there are some aspects that I would like to see change faster. The majority of this also applies to SE Europe, where the development of tourism and meetings products are on a similar level. I wish for a true conviction of the importance of the region’s key stakeholders uniting and presenting a win-win formula for market presence on those markets where we are still relatively or completely unknown.

14. Could you share your favourite spring, summer, autumn and winter location with us?

I do not have an iron repertoire of places that I return to. I have seen a lot of interesting things and the list of beautiful places across the globe that I would like to visit is always much longer than what I can realise.

It is almost unrealistic to hope that I will manage to visit them all :). I am constantly

surprised by the beauty and diversity of Slovenia and, in the summer, I see Ljubljana as one of the most charming places around.

I admit that I would like to turn the winter on and off as required (just for occasional skiing and walking my dog, who loves snow), as I am not a fan of month after month of cold. Lately, my only occasional constant is Kranjska Gora, where we have an apartment.

15. What do you do in your free time?

When my “earthly life” is at least partially regulated, I try to keep fit as a moderate recreational athlete enjoying different activities, preferably outdoors in the nature.

My dog Izzy and the 600 stairs I take on every day see to my general fitness level.

I love culture in the broad sense of the word and, even though I am already slightly vintage myself, I like to follow modern productions and sometimes attend concerts in Metelkova.

I treasure my time with my friends (including occasional culinary treats) and family — I admit there could be more of everything.

The craziness of this winter that I am continuing into the spring: salsa classes — me gusta mucho!

16. Any thoughts for readers of Kongres magazine?

I warmly recommend that you continue reading the magazine — personally, I find a lot of interesting points in each issue.

17. Life motto?

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.

60 Congress personality

IGOR SAVIČ, MARKET DESIGNER A new communication paradigm – content marketing

Igor Savič is a communications expert, expert advisor to numerous Slovenian companies and the designer of original strategic, marketing, PR and editorial solutions, as well as the director of the PM, poslovni mediji agency.

He is a long-time editor of various media with a deep understanding of the logics and meaning of content marketing. The public knows him as the designer of the Viktorji

project (the Slovenian equivalent of the Oscars). In addition to STOP, Mars and other magazines, he began designing corporate magazines for Delo Revije and took over the editing of Glas gospodarstva.

He worked for the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and obtained extensive experience in the field of economy and management, including of

even the most demanding projects. Today, he is the director and partner of a modern content marketing agency, PM poslovni mediji, which works with numerous important Slovenian companies such as Porsche Slovenija, Petrol, UniCredit Bank, KD Group, GZS, NLB Group and Krka.

In order for companies to survive in today's dynamic and constantly changing network society, they need to be able to efficiently communicate not only with buyers but also with numerous other individuals, companies, interest groups, institutions, media and, last but not least, the state. Successful communication is becoming the key to a company’s success and it is for this reason that the companies have to be aware of, know and understand the changing communication lines of the world and to know the limitations and opportunities provided by the tools, ideas and solutions that they are currently using.

For years, companies have been using various ways and means to provide information about their products and services to various publics.

61 Congress personality

The old ideas and solutions, which are predominantly based on conventional marketing and advertising in mass media, are losing wind and one of the most exciting novelties is undoubtedly content marketing that builds on and from the knowledge and tools of marketing, public relations, strategic communication and editorial knowledge, while at the same time considering the various possibilities offered by modern information technologies.

The most interesting fact is that modern companies are changing from leasers of media space to producers of their own media.

And this is the story behind the activity of Slovenia’s leading content marketing agency, PM poslovni mediji.

Content, Content, Content A detailed understanding of the importance of CONTENT is the core of long-term success and efficiency. Since being set up in 2005, the PM, poslovni mediji content marketing agency believes in the concept of content. From the first, they realised that modern marketing is changing. Conventional advertising in the mass media is losing efficiency, so people are searching for new solutions and concepts.

They thoroughly tested out the market, convinced even the most demanding clients, polished their solutions and checked them with research and results. Their knowledge is unique: it is a combination of content, editing, marketing and PR logic, skills and knowledge.

PM also has an international presence – they are the co-founders of the global association for corporate media, which they see as the tool of content marketing.

Content marketing is a contemporary marketing approach that is used to attract, captivate, engage and include a clearly

defined target group on the basis of the production, processing and distribution of relevant content. Nothing works without content and we are not talking about average information.

content marketing; - 60 percent claim that, due to well-prepared corporate content and its tools or media, they were able to make a better purchase decision.

Content marketing only works if the content is above average, bold, high quality, charming, attractive, tempting, interesting, funny, relevant, independent, trustworthy, deep, creative, current, decisive, crucial, etc.

Similar results are achieved using online tools such as iFly Magazine, KLM Airlines’ digital and interactive magazine. It took only three issues for the magazine to prove itself as the most efficient tool to sell airline tickets with 20% of readers reading the entire magazine, on average spending 20 minutes reading it.

There is a similar example in Slovenia with the Carzine magazine issued by Porsche Slovenija, which is read in full by 18 to 40% of the readers (depending on the issue).

Stories and content in various forms (texts, sound, video, animation or movement), adapted for various media (print magazines, e-news, blogs, online magazines and in-house magazines) and aimed and adapted to various target groups (in-house public, business partners, VIP guests, women, men, children or retired persons). The narrower the target group, the easier it is to adapt the content and make it more relevant for the target group, the greater its effects and the lower the costs.

Instead of the conventional paraphrasing of sales messages on the superiority and quality of our product and the exceptional benefits it conveys, content marketing offers an obligation or promise to provide existing and potential buyers relevant content that will enable them to make smarter purchase decisions. For Slovenia, experience clearly indicates that if we are able to provide buyers constant, relevant and quality content, we will be rewarded in the long-run with the best possible prize – the long-term loyalty of our buyers and their continual cooperation (purchases) with our company.

Results and Measurability According to research conducted by the American Custom Publishing Council association for corporate media: - 80 percent of potential buyers have a preference for obtaining information on the basis of good articles compared to obtaining information from ads in their purchase decisions; - as much as 70 percent claim that they like a specific company more on the basis of

Content Marketing Checklist The 5 key questions that I need to answer if I wish to establish appropriate communication through a print magazine, e-news or website where readers will spend 15, 30 or 45 minutes: 1.

Which buyer segments are the most important and that I wish to attract?

2.

Is my company able to continually prepare relevant and quality content in a form appropriate for the tools?

3.

Do I understand and accept the rules or conditions for the success of content marketing?

4.

Do I want others to talk about my company and my offer? Do I wish to proactively participate and add my view to the published story?

5.

Do I really wish to attract buyers in the long-run or am I merely searching for a solution to a current problem? www.blog.p-m.si

62 Examples & advice

Good practice examples

Event title:

Event title:

Culinary teambuilding workshop

How to make a brand consistent, strong and original

Contractor: Lifetrek Events d.o.o.

Client: Shell Italia Date: 26 February 2010

Contractor: Hugo Barrera Club Client: CEED Slovenia Date: 18 February 2010

The preparation of a culinary masterpiece can be an extremely efficient team exercise, especially if we precisely define the goals, choose an appropriate location and determine an appropriate recipe. The success of a culinary workshop depends on the presence of a topclass expert – chef de cuisine – and an NLP trainer who both add the important and very much needed details. A culinary teambuilding workshop is thus a unique experience in presenting oneself as an individual and in active team participation.

The culinary teambuilding workshop, which is conducted at four different locations across Slovenia, is a programme intensely developing innovation, creativity, personal impulse and team synergies.

On Thursday, 18 February 2010, CEED organised the How to Make a Brand Consistent, Strong and Original event for its member entrepreneurs and partnership organisations. The official part of the event was moderated by the lecturers and CEED programme mentors Vesna Marđonović and Jadranka Jezeršek Turnes, while the Hugo Barrera Club made sure that the informal part of the event was a pleasurable experience with tastings of whiskies, cigars and cocktails. The evening was even more enjoyable thanks to the concert of the first Slovenian Beatles tribute band, OdBeatli. The Hugo Barrera Club turned out to be an excellent host that knows how to please all its guests’ senses.

www.zmagovalec.si

www.alkemist.si

63 Examples & advice

Event title:

Ema 2010 at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre Contractor: RTV Slovenija in GR Client: RTV Slovenija Date: 20–21 February 2010

EMA – THE BIGGEST MEDIA EVENT OF THE YEAR This year’s Ema, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest organised on the last weekend in February, took place at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre again following a two-year break.

Ema is the biggest media event of the year followed by a multitude of people in both the printed and electronic media. It is the central event of the national public broadcasting organisation RTV Slovenija and it has a high financial and production input. It is a show, a prestige, the overgrowing of the already seen with the new – it is an event that deserves and urgently needs a large stage. Ema is a team product that leaves no room for mistakes. In light of our rich and good cooperation with the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, we were glad to utilise their advantages, logistics and facilities to implement this event. After all that we saw and all that was offered, we believe that this will not be our last presence at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Andrej Hofer, EMA 2010 editor, RTV Slovenija

At this year’s final show of Ema 2010, the largest number of votes cast by viewers and listeners went to the Ansambel Roka Žlindre & Kalamari band and their Narodnozabavni rock song.

Slovenia’s winner will travel to the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo at the end of May. The Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre is one of the few appropriate venues for an event like Ema. The audience attending the show gives the bands additional energy.

Matjaž Švagelj, Kalamari member

This year’s Ema was moderated by two pairs of hosts, including the popular TV host Bernarda Žarn.

Moderating Ema is always a great and welcome challenge, especially when Ema is taking place at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre, which provides excellent working conditions – the stage can be bigger and more glamorous and the audience adds a special charm to this music festival.

In short, given the Eurovision voting system, the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre undoubtedly deserves the famous 12 points. www.gr-sejem.si

64

Arsenal Design

Examples & advice

Event title:

Presenting the New Opel Astra in Bosnia and Herzegovina Client: Opel Contractor: McCann Erickson Sarajevo Date: 20–21 February 2010

Harmony of all the Senses On January 28, 2010, a music and stage performance in Dom mladih, Sarajevo, introduced the new Opel Astra to the Bosnian public. A thrilling and humour-filled story about the search for the ideal car, performed by young actors, culminated with a vault explosion from which the story of the new generation Astra emerged. Car lovers and professionals have been introduced to the Astra’s technical characteristics, but those with high aesthetic criteria were not forgotten either – Opel’s new beauty captured everyone’s attention that night in snowy Sarajevo.

High class chefs delighted all the remaining senses with their choice of national and international cuisine. The complete event was musically followed by the Bacardi band, and the representatives of the seventh force did not restrain their praise for this event in their reports this time. www.mccann.ba

Pure pleasure!

Movia Puro has turned the enjoyment of sparkling wines on its head!

Ministry of Health warning: excessive consumption of alcohol is damaging to health!

Movia, Ceglo 18, Dobrovo, Goriπka Brda, Slovenia Vinoteka Movia, Mestni trg 2, Ljubljana, Slovenia www.movia.si

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Gadgets

Meeting Murder, Katy McDermott Murders on congress – are you interested?

Read the book Meeting Murder, author Katy McDermott.

Follow meeting planner Laurie Kilcannon as she teams up with Detective Tim Riordan to solve a deadly mystery. Someone’s murdering conference attendees. They need to find out who – and why. www.infinitypublishing.com

Examples & advice

iMac

BlackBerry Bold 9700

Would you buy the new iMac?

The BlackBerry is a PDA and a service all in one enabling communication with anyone, at any time anywhere. The new BlackBerry Bold 9700 is a PDA with the best performance so far, offering 3G technology and sophisticated design. It is perfect for even the most demanding users, who can regularly use email, can get online with a simple click, review files (Word, Excel, PDF) and use multimedia.

The new iMac features an LED 54.61 (21.5 inch) and 68.58 cm (27 inch) widescreen with a 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for watching high definition movies. The Intel Core 2 Duo processors starting at 3.06 GHz and quad-core processors ensure up to twice the performance of previous models, while advance graphics processors make the best of every pixel. Every new Apple iMac ships with a wireless keyboard and the all new wireless Magic Mouse, the world’s first mouse with Multi-Touch technology.

www.simobil.si

www.apcom.si

TRADITION, EXPERTISE, PERSONAL APROACH TRY US!

Cankarjev dom Cultural and Congress Centre

Prešernova cesta 10, SI-1000 Ljubljana

+ 386 1 2417 122 F + 386 1 2417 296 congress@cd-cc.si W www.cd-cc.si/congress T E

MAR 2010ang.indd 1

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Gadgets

Examples & advice

Formula for success Fresh mountain air is all you need to succeed The Ferry Porsche Congress Centre came up with a very ingenious advertising campaign. How do they attract us? They ask us if there is a formula for success in congresses, events and seminar.

And the answer is: “Yes, of course. We have all the ingredients. Fresh mountain air helps keep a cool head, strengthens the mind and facilitates creativity and success.” In addition to the brochure, they even offer us fresh mountain air in a special bottle! I hope we were able to provide some inspiration for your next advertising campaign.

HAG received the Red Dot design award HÅG received the Red Dot Design Award for their elegant and simple HÅG Futu office chair with excellent functional characteristics. The HÅG Futu offers comfort and quality as well as environmentally friendly solutions. They received the design award for innovation, functionality, ergonomics and ecological suitability. For more information and a “sit test”, contact OSM or visit www.osm.si

www.apcom.si

HOTEL EVROPA HOTEL s TRAdicijO - HOTEL wiTH TRAdiTiOn ~ 61 moderno opremljenih sob v standardu in superiorju ~ Luksuzni apartma ~ 3 konferenčne dvorane, od

katerih največja sprejme do 100 udeležencev

~ First class catering ~ Restavracija za vse priložnosti ~ Srednjeveški stolp za različne sprejeme, protokolarne zadeve in zabave zaprtega tipa

~ 61 modern standard and superior rooms ~ Luxury apartment ~ 3 conference rooms, of

which the largest is for

~ First class catering ~ Restaurant for all occasions ~ Medieval tower for various receptions, protocol events and private parties

100 delegates

Eurotas d.o.o. | Krekov trg 4 | 3000 Celje | SLOVENIA | T: +386 (0)3 426 90 00 | F: +386 (0)3 426 96 20 | info@hotel-evropa.si

www.hotel-evropa.si

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68 PR

Convention centres play a critical role in economic recovery A successful event is one that will stimulate new economic activity at a time when this is most needed Like most other kinds of business operations, convention centres are heading into what promises to be a very challenging year. Just how challenging it is will depend on the mix of business that any particular centre has.

Edgar Hirt is the President of the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC); and Managing Director of CCH, Congress Center Hamburg

AIPC is the pre-eminent international association of convention centres, with the mission of encouraging, supporting and recognizing excellence in centre management.

Its programs are directed toward enhancing the profile and performance of its members, who are purpose built facilities whose primary purpose is to accommodate and service meetings, conventions, congresses and exhibitions.

The AIPC is a global network of over 160 leading centres in 53 countries, with the active involvement of more than 650 centre management professionals.

Corporate meetings and events are generally the first to react to a business downturn because they are impacted most quickly and typically have shorter booking periods; here, the major question will be whether they are one of the many sectors that are most directly impacted by the current state of the economy.

Associations seldom cancel conventions, because they are such a fundamental part of their raison d’etre and a big factor in their annual budgets. However, there may still be declines in attendance and associated spending, which obviously has important revenue implications for the host centre.

But this isn’t just about how well a centre is doing, because the level of activity in a centre is also an important factor in gauging how the overall economy is progressing.

Convention centres are economic drivers, and the kind of events they accommodate are key factors in everything from business growth and investment to training, technology and professional development. When the centre is busy, it’s a sign that things are moving ahead in these important areas. When they’re not, it means that the kinds of activity needed to stimulate growth and development are simply not happening.

Meetings, conventions and exhibitions are how the world shares information and builds business relationships face to face. As a result, the level of activity in this sector is both an indicator and a facilitator of economic growth.

In times like this, when the world needs all the economic stimulation it can get, we all need to think more creatively about how we can encourage even more of these kinds of events.

In fact, meetings are a big part of how the current crisis is going to get resolved. People need to get together, not just from the big institutions, but also those representing individual business areas as well, in order to develop strategies for reconstructing their business models. They need to restore

confidence and comfort levels in the market, and history has shown that this is best done face to face. As a result, anything we can do to promote and encourage these kinds of activities not only helps the industry but supports the overall economic recovery as well.

And what can we do? For a start, we can make it easier to develop, manage and promote these meetings. As centres, we need to be working harder than ever to remove any obstacles to staging events in our facilities, recognizing the kinds of pressures our clients are now under and encouraging our suppliers to do the same.

But it’s not just about our industry. Every sector should be revisiting the role that meetings can and should be playing in restoring business activity and confidence, as well as looking for new ways to shape these events so that they generate the greatest possible benefits. Formats that worked under past conditions may not be the best today and flexibility in thinking and designing new approaches are called for.

Finally, there is a role for individual business people and professionals to play in encouraging more diversified events and in helping attract them to their own city or region. This traditional “ambassador” role not only encourages more productive meeting activity overall, but it can help individual destinations build their profile as a meetings location. In the end, everyone benefits because a successful event is one that will stimulate new economic activity at a time when this is most needed.

Just as the “canary in the cage” was a symbol for environmental quality, so the level of activity taking place in convention centres is a key measurement of business activity and, ultimately, economic recovery. More than ever, facilities, clients and suppliers all need to be working together to ramp up this kind of activity as a way to help grease the wheels of the economy.

Edgar Hirt www.aipr.org

pre-register now imex-frankfurt.com

When it comes to the crunch there’s only one place to go.

Global business is experiencing unprecedented change.

So where can you turn for surefire guidance and inspiration?

IMEX 2010, live in Frankfurt, 25-27 May. Absolutely the most valuable business decision you can make this year.

Three vital days when you’ll learn and benefit from incisive thinking and intelligence on all the big issues. Where you’ll meet more top people in the global industry than anywhere else. Where new contacts, new ideas and new strategies will provide the tools you need to thrive in today’s economic climate.

Take the direct route. Come to IMEX 2010. The one show you can’t afford to miss.

The essential worldwide exhibition for meetings and events.

Frankfurt / 25-27 May

IMEX +44 (0)1273 227311 | info@imexexhibitions.com

In a harder world, a better solution.

imex-frankfurt.com

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IMEX 2010 signals global growth and a strong business outlook

The eighth IMEX will open on May 25th at Messe Frankfurt with its largest ever hosted buyer programme in place and visitor and exhibitor targets all on course for year-on-year growth.

Association Day This important annual event allows association buyers and planners to participate in a tailormade education and networking programme.

Concurrent and themed sessions for 2010 include: ‘Strategic Global Planning for Associations’; ‘How to Decide where to Hold International Congresses’ and ‘Leveraging Conference Content Online’. This evening drinks reception frequently draws up to 700 people and has become the unofficial start of the show.

Politicians Forum Industry leaders and politicians attending this year’s IMEX Politicians Forum will hear the views of the panellists including Mr Hein Verbruggen, President of SportAccord and an Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee, and the Honorary Bruce Baird, MP, Australia. Both have extensive experience of the impact that a major sporting event can have on a destination and its long-term legacy and will share their insights with the delegates.

Simple New Green Measures IMEX has also taken the market’s appetite for environmental education and green suppliers into account by developing a new green education and awareness programme. New drop-in workshops will take place every hour at the Corporate Responsibility Stand (powered by the Green Meetings Industry Council).

These will offer live case studies from previous IMEX Green Award winners plus insight into the many green meeting industry standards that now exist, including the GRI Report Initiative, Green Globe Certification, ISO and APEX. Giving Education a New Edge Other seminars and presentations at IMEX will include Women’s Forum sessions on ‘How to develop your personal branding’ plus a CrossCultural seminar on ‘Getting a competitive edge from culture’ by Richard Lewis Communications. A team from the COP15 taskforce will also look at ‘How to implement

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extremely sustainable events that transform a destination’ and share the lessons learned from the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009. Teachings from the New York Times Bestselling book ‘Influencer’ will also be presented.

The Professional Development and Innovation Pavilion is again expected to be extremely popular. Sponsored by the CIC (Convention Industry Council), it will also host IMEX’s new Meetings Under the Microscope education programme. Launched last year, this scheme aims to help meeting planners keep up to date with the latest ideas and advice on how to improve meeting content delivery and information retention.

The First Phase of Global Research Results Made Public Earlier this year, IMEX joined forces with ICCA and Fast Future to fund and support an important new piece of global research. The ‘Convention 2020’ Strategic Foresight Study will take a detailed look at the conventions industry in 10 years’ time. Rohit Talwar, CEO at Fast Future, will present six different seminars, each detailing the study’s first phase findings.

Also new this year is a partnership with i-Meet, the industry’s largest online social network.

This will allow IMEX hosted buyers to network with each other and share ideas in a private online environment both before and after the exhibition. IMEX will create a “community within the community” at i-Meet, and offer various ways for attendees to join.

Summing up the benefits of IMEX 2010, IMEX Group Chairman Ray Bloom says: “IMEX continues to advance, invest and innovate.

This year will be no exception. In fact, with industry sentiment both realistic and robust, we must continue to deliver on all fronts. That means high quality buyers; a high numbers of genuine business appointments; satisfied exhibitors; targeted, relevant and interesting professional education and, not least, the chance to meet old colleagues and peers face to face and to develop new contacts. Never has IMEX been more comprehensive, or more necessary for business.” www.imex-frankfurt.com

THE

L AND

OF

NEW

IDEAS

Discover the land’s secret paths, get to know the breathtaking beauty of the countryside underneath the Karavanke Mountains and experience how rich cultural past and present interweave with one another.

NEW CONFERENCE HOTEL, BLED, SLOvENIA The4* Drnca Conference Hotel and Manor situated close to Lake Bled has opened. With 34 high quality bedrooms and conference facilities for up to 100 this new addition to the meetings business has a substantial range of facilities.

In addition to four main meeting rooms, the hotel offers a wellness centre and pool, an outstanding restaurant and the function facilities of the fully renovated manor House.

Situated in beautiful countryside and within 10 minutes of Bled, 20 minutes to the airport and just 30 minutes to Ljubljana the hotel superbly located.

Available also on an exclusive basis the Drnca provides a first class setting for meetings, seminars and incentives Surpassing expectations.

ADvANTAGES AND SPECIFICITIES: Unspoiled nature and invaluable tranquillity Top quality of services, friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere Rich culinary offer with selected wines Located in the heart of natural and cultural heritage Renting options for private parties International airport proximity A wide variety and adaptability of the offer variety of excellent incentive programs Free transport to Casino Tivoli – 3km and free entry

INFO: 4 star Hotel and convention centre 34 rooms with 80 beds 4 conference rooms (10-100 persons) equipped with state-of-the art technical equipment Hotel in dvorec Drnča Dvorska vas 37a SI-4275 Begunje na Gorenjskem, Slovenija

Restaurant, cafe with confectionery, summer terrace with the view to Triglav

T: 00 386 (0) 8 200 5000

100 parking lots

www.hotel-drnca.si

Business & relax – all under one roof

Club premises Wellness and medical centre

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The Hotel Drnča receives the congress hotel standard according to the Slovenian Convention Bureau classification

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The Hotel Drnča has everything that the big boys have!

The Hotel Drnča is a new and thus less recognised facility in the Slovenian and international meetings arena. How would you describe it? What do you offer?

Mojca Krašovec, director

Ms. Krašovec: We can say that it is a comprehensive microcosm or that it has everything that the big boys have. There are 32 rooms and 2 suites, an exercise room, a wellness centre with a pool, whirlpool, saunas, massage parlours and tanning bed, a congress centre with 4 halls and a congress office, a coffee bar and a beautiful panoramic restaurant with a terrace and a view of Triglav.

We are also developing a health centre with five doctor’s offices and a golf driving range.

In the Drnča Mansion, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, there is a Wedding Hall with room for receptions and events. We will soon offer 9 top-quality castle suites as well. All this is rounded off by the Castle Park with two ponds and a pavilion that is perfect for outdoor weddings.

Ms. Vokič: Yes, we do call it a boutique hotel and personally, I see it as such. We adapt to our clients’ wishes and pamper our guests every step they take. We are distinguished by our peaceful location at a place that is known as a natural climate health resort and unique opportunities to relax in the nature and the Castle Garden. All this is supported by our friendly staff, who additionally contribute to the pleasant and homely atmosphere. We complete our offer with organised excursions to nearby natural and cultural sights. I like to refer to this location under the “Land of New Ideas” slogan.

Helena Vokič, marketing manager You have received the congress hotel standard. What does this mean to you and what do you offer in terms of congresses?

At this year's Annual Meeting of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, Hotel Drnča received the Category F standard confirming that the hotel meets all the requirements of a congress hotel. The Slovenian meetings industry is thus officially richer by an almost boutique-like hotel of the congress category. We spoke to its director Mojca Krašovec and marketing manager Helena Vokič.

Ms. Krašovec: The standard we received is predominantly a confirmation that we have an appropriate product that can be placed side by side with the existing and already renowned Slovenian meetings offer as an equal. It also opens doors to the promotion of our boutique product, as we are well-aware of the opportunities opened up by our membership in the Convention Bureau. The standard further provides assurance to all meeting planners that

the quality of our services is on the expected level.

Ms. Vokič: I was really pleased to hear that we had received this certificate, as this is a confirmation that we are on the right path. The classification of our centre in the category of hotels with conference facilities and our conference halls whose adaptability makes them appropriate for smaller and larger meetings, conferences, seminars and events, places us on the map of the Slovenian meetings industry.

Ms. Krašovec, you have been working in the meetings industry for a long time and if we look at the history of your work, we can see that you have always been more than successful in establishing and developing new stories. What were your main reasons for coming to Hotel Drnča?

Ms. Krašovec: I have been working in tourism for over 33 years and I was captivated by this hotel, as it is a small hotel uniting all the products that I had been building over the past years. From developing rural tourism and green tourism, the experiences I acquired working for the Vas agency (uniting and marketing tourist farms) and the start of the Pule Estate, through the meetings industry and experiences I acquired as the director of Hotel Mons to designing a comprehensive wellness offer and the experiences that I bring from Hit. Another important aspect was my experiences with designing the comprehensive tourist offer of a destination, which I had done in recent years with Hit, especially through the Bovec destination, and I hope that I will have the opportunity to transfer these experiences to the local environment.

As you both said before, the hotel and mansion are a rich contribution to the Slovenian meetings offer. However, the walls, congress halls and hotel rooms are just the beginning. How will you prepare your offer?

What will your directions be and who are your target guests?

Ms. Krašovec: I agree, but I would like to point out that the hotel’s and the mansion’s infrastructure are excellent, which gives us plenty of opportunities to surpass expectations.

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In preparing our offer, the first question is always what could make us different and recognisable. In addition to the attributes of the majority of congress hotels, we also offer the opportunity to organise private events where the whole hotel and mansion can be prepared for a single client, thus completely adapting to his requirements. The events already implemented, such as the 3-day presentation for L’Oreal Serbia for example, and the satisfaction of our clients have confirmed our way of thinking. Another advantage that I would like to point out is the healthcare centre with five doctor's offices, which provides additional possibilities for everyone who wishes to organise events or presentations from the medical or pharmaceutical field (equipment presentations, presentations, etc.).

Ms. Vokič: We strive to make sure that a congress meeting is not only a business, educational or professional meeting. This is why we pamper the delegates with culinary treats, social events and relaxation, trips, excursions to sights of cultural and historic heritage and, in the future, healthcare services as well. We offer a comprehensive tourist experience in the hope that the congress guest will return as a tourist and vice versa.

The guiding principle of our operation is the signature that we love to add confidently: “We surpass expectations!”

Creative, Effective, Innovative in Harmony with nature

Congress centre Olimia

• 8 halls with possibility of different chair and table arrangements • Congress Hall Primula up to 350 seats (possibility of separation into two smaller facilities) • Angelica & Erica with 84 seats (possibility of separation into two smaller facilities) • The halls are equipped with the latest audiovideo technique Accomodation in Wellness hotel Sotelia, Hotel Breza with a special pampering in Wellness Orhidelia and Spa Armonia.

Surrounding of Terme Olimia ensures successful and efficient corporate and social events and meetings.

Terme Olimia d.d.

Zdraviliška cesta 24, SI – 3254 Podčetrtek, Slovenia T 00386 (0)3 829 70 00 info@terme-olimia.com, www.terme-olimia.com

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Conventions in Laško in September

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There is no competition in tourism!

1. Kongres magazine is interested in the new Convention Centre scheduled to open its doors in 2010. Do you have more detailed information on when we can expect it to open?

The Convention Centre will be finished by August this year and that is when it will open its doors. The extent of the opening depends on the demand. We expect intensive operation of the centre to begin in September. This will also be the month of the centre’s official opening – on World Tourism Day. Roman Matek, director

2. Could you tell us something more about the Convention Centre that you are opening?

Our readers are undoubtedly interested in the technical characteristics of your new centre, such as the number of halls, its surface area, the number of delegates it can receive, the size of the largest hall, etc.

The Convention Centre in the Hotel Wellness Park Laško will cover over 3,700 m2 and will be able to accommodate up to 850 delegates in 8 halls. The largest hall will accommodate 462 delegates and the ceremonial banquet hall up to 90 guests. There are also six seminar halls (accommodating from 20 to 76 delegates), a meeting room and a press room with all the required infrastructure. The Convention Centre will meet all the standards that are required from hotels with conference facilities as determined by the Slovenian Convention Bureau in accordance with international criteria for this field.

3. What does the new Convention Centre mean for Thermana d.d.?

The aim of Thermana d.d., a company of wellbeing, is to provide quality services that assure guest satisfaction as well as the satisfaction of their employees, management and owners. All this is reflected in the company's economical and social growth, reputation and capital yield and is realised through the company’s business aims.

This will end our investments in Hotel Wellness Park Laško and round off Thermana’s offer with an offer of convention tourism, which will result in more events, more guests, substantially more overnight stays, better utilisation of our capacities and also a higher income and consequently better business results.

4. Since meetings have not been Thermana’s main activity, we are interested in how

you are planning to develop as a meetings destination.

We have already dealt with events. I would like to point out that we organised one of the largest conventions in Slovenia in 2002, the International Spa Association in Maribor.

Ever since then, we have been organising numerous other events, as the company already has smaller halls. So we have some experience already. In the future, the company will be organised accordingly and we will work with all the important institutions, such as GO®MICE d.o.o. and the Slovenian Convention Bureau, in Slovenia and beyond, so as to guarantee our success in this field. We see Laško and its location in central Slovenia as a very appropriate convention destination and our hotel is close to Laško, which is undoubtedly an advantage. We are also close to Celje, which is a well-known Slovenian trade fair city, which is again positive for us as a convention destination. I have no doubts that we will be successful in developing our convention destination.

5. The economic and financial crisis is still impacting the meetings industry. Which marketing tools do you plan to use in order to fill the new Convention Centre to capacity?

We will conduct an extensive promotion of our new Convention Centre, partly through Kongres magazine but also through other media in the sector. We will work together with all the potential organisers of events, seminars and educational programmes. We have six months to market it. In the autumn, we aim to have the Convention Centre relatively full already.

6. Are there any confirmed events for 2010 and 2011 yet? If it is not a secret, could you perhaps tell us who the client is?

We have some events already, especially in the medical field. We are going to partially host the API congress and our centre will host part of the World Dog Show, as well as individual other important events.

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7. How would you position your conference facilities within Slovenia's meetings industry?

then that is limitless with regard to the number of people on Earth.

9. What are your long-term plans?

As far as the extent and logistics go, we have the second largest conference facilities in Slovenia, second only to Grand Hotel Bernardin. We will try to be competitive and provide services of the highest quality.

8. Who do you see as your main competition?

I always say that there is no competition in tourism. Competition makes no sense here.

We need to establish connections, if we see the sales market in tourism as a global market,

In the meetings sector, we would like to fill our newly constructed facilities to capacity, as well as the existing ones in Laško (the sports hall and culture centre). By uniting these convention facilities, we will above all strive for the quality organisation of events and efficient marketing. We wish to become one of the most important Slovenian spas and tourist centres. Plans are always ambitious and we will always make use of business opportunities arising in any of our fields of operation (spas, wellness, congresses, events and elderly care).

Hotel Celje still remains part of our plans.

10. Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

Continue reading Kongres magazine with interest. www.thermana.si

Obsotelje in Kozjansko

Coexistence of tourism and nature The Obsotelje and Kozjansko region is still one of those parts of Slovenia, where the air is clean and the countryside unspoiled. These hills hide many secrets. All you need is enough time to drive through them, walk through them and get to know them personally. There are so many interesting stories here and so much to experience that a day will not suffice. You will have to come again and again.

We have prepared for you one-day and several-days long tours of this part of Slovenia.

Gastronomic delights, beautiful nature and cultural heritage, amazing pieces made by local craftsmen and many more unique and special things you can experience.

The Obsotelje and Kozjansko hills will entice you to come again and again...

More: Development Agency Sotla, Aškerčev trg 24, 3240 Šmarje pri Jelšah, Slovenia, 00386 (0)3 817 18 60, rasotla@siol.net and www.ra-sotla.si/turizem.

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.

Project part-financed by the European Union.

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Presentation of boutique tour company in Slovenia, Unique Slovenia »You name it, we do it« is the motto of Unique Slovenia

UNIQUE SLOVENIA is a boutique tour company in Slovenia specialised in high end and corporate travel, delivering top services for most the demanding clients.

The company was established to share our intimate knowledge of Slovenia with those travellers looking for unique travel experiences.

We pride ourselves in being able to take clients to unique destinations, while proving the highest levels of personal service. We strive to do this with elegance and sophistication, exclusiveness and individuality. Our goal is to consistently exceed our client’s expectations and personally ensure that every aspect of client's time with us is perfect.

Our motto »You name it, we do it« is literally what we do. We create specialised journeys and custom-made tours that are designed according to client's desire and budget.

In the field of corporate businesses, we provide: - VIP SERVICE FOR BUSINESS PARTNERS - INCENTIVE TRAVEL & PROGRAMMES - EVENT AND MEETING MANAGEMENT VIP services for business partners: dedicated to all companies that are facing time issues and wondering how to pamper their business partners while visiting Slovenia. We design custom made tours (daily and multiple days), providing premium cars or limousines with chauffeurs, private jets, helicopter, yachts and sailing boats, hot air balloons - literally any means of transportation one could think of.

Some examples: - Culinary experience of local cuisine and fine wines in the heart of the vineyards - Sunset gourmet dinner on a mountain plateau

followed by a helicopter ride to a selected boutique hotels - Exploring caves and photoshooting with an internationally renowned photographer - Wine tasting at Slovenia's exquisite wineries - Flying in a hot air balloon with a breakfast buffet service Incentive programmes: We help you create the perfect incentive program to drive performance, inspire, entice and delight your attendees. We work with you as an integrated part of your corporate team to develop a unique creative program that is truly a 'once in a lifetime' experience for your attendees.

Event and meeting management Every event is a unique opportunity to impact your audience, amplify your message and create an impression that lasts. Regardless of your budget, we help you create an

environment so your message can be experienced in new and innovative ways.

Great meetings require proper planning, attendee management, the selection of the right venue/destination, flawless execution and an understanding of the meeting objectives. This starts with understanding your business and the overall objectives of the meeting or conference. We help orchestrate every phase of the planning process from the initial discovery meeting, to pre-program planning, to on-site management and through the post program. We provide knowledge of local destinations and ground services, as well as offering the following; Meet and Greet, transfers / transportation, hotel accommodation, restaurants, activities, excursions, conference Venues, themed events, gala dinners and logistics. www.unique-slovenia.com

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The last word

Paul Kennedy, Kennedy Consulting

ARE YOU FLEXIBLE ENOUGH Being flexible is the answer for the future

t is now very evident that two closely linked issues have emerged as being key to securing meetings meetings across international borders as well as within individual countries.

I

Studies such as MPI’s Futurewatch 2010 and the Autumn 2009 MEETINGS:review trends research clearly indicate that FLEXIBILITY by hotels, venues DMCs and indeed the whole meetings supply chain is of real importance and here to stay for the foreseeable future.

But what is meant by flexibility?

In what areas is it necessary?

The short answer is that everyone in the supply chain needs to be willing to be flexible in all aspects even if this means lower margins which actually it almost certainly does.

It is clear that four specific areas of focus are, Price, timing of payments or put another

way credit terms, cancellation charges and contract terms including transparency of commissions.

Added to the growing expectation that hotels and venues in particular need to be more flexible on all the above issues but will also provide clear ADDED VALUE ranging from free internet connections in all bedrooms to standard audio visual equipment being included in the room hire price plus a host of other extras. This really means that a supplier must provide more for less revenue and accept a higher degree of risk.

The power of the buyer has perhaps never been stronger and flexibility and added value never more a standard expectation.

One of the emerging added value items is offering a more favorable ration of free bedrooms in a room block and another free syndicate rooms.

Slovenia benefits by reasonable but not great direct air routes, is one of the safest destinations anywhere and has a good range (and improving) hotel and venue choice. If the meetings industry in Slovenia focuses on the issues of flexibility and added value and makes them a real virtue in a competitive international market, meeting and incentive planners will take note.

KOMPAS DESIGN

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS IS HALF THE SUCCESS For this reason, we pay most attention to business management, accommodation, gastronomy and relaxation, which we combine with logistics, good organisation and the ability to meet the expectations of our guests, thus making an overall, good-quality offer which guarantees success for business events.

The HABAKUK, BELLEVUE and PIRAMIDA hotels • The large congress hall, which seats 500 people, fitted with the most up-to-date audio and visual equipment, a number of smaller halls fitted with up-to-date technical equipment, private lounges …

• Wellness centres, swimming pools with thermal water etc.

• Coordination of special events, social gatherings, and outdoor events

Terme Maribor. A natural environment for business events. www.termemb.si

Hotel Habakuk Pohorska ulica 59 2000 Maribor Tel.: +386 02 30 08 100 habakuk@termemb.si

Hotel Bellevue Na Slemenu 35 2208 Pohorje Tel.: +386 02 60 75 100 bellevue@termemb.si

Hotel Piramida Ulica heroja Šlandra 10 2000 Maribor Tel.: +386 02 23 44 400 piramida@termemb.si

Order form Please complete the following questions to order the Kongres Magazine Title & First name Last name Institution or Company Name Address City Post Code Country Phone Fax E-mail Company tax number

I would like to order Kongres Magazine for year 2010 at price 62,00 € (5 issues: special edition – Conventa 2010, spring 2010, summer 2010, autumn 2010, winter 2010):

I would like to order 1 issue at price 18,00 €.

Please write year and month of the issue: Date & Location

Stamp & Signature

Fulfill order form and send it to address bellow: GO®MICE d.o.o. , Štihova 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Invoice will be sent to the given address. After the payment has been done, Kongres Magazin will be sent to the given address. Postal costs and VAT are included in the price. You can also order your own magazine here: http://en.kongres-magazine.eu/order-kongres-magazine/order-form/ For more information you can contact Jan Klavora: M: +386 (0)40 598 005, T: + 386 (0)1 430 51 03, E: jan.klavora@go-mice.eu

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Meetings services spot

CVB (National, regional or local CVB (CVB- Convention and visitors bureau) BELGRADE CONVENTION BUREAU Masarikova 5/IX 11000 Belgrade Serbia +381 11 3061-400 office@tob.co.rs www.tob.co.rs www.belgradetourism.org.rs

RIJEKA CONVENTION BUREAU Užarska 14 51000 Rijeka Croatia +385 51 315 716 convention@tz-rijeka.hr www.tz-rijeka.hr

S ERBIA C ONVENTION B UREAU

SERBIA CONVENTION BUREAU Cika Ljubina 8 11000 Belgrade Serbia +381 (11) 655 7 102 scb@serbia.travel www.scb.travel

DUBROVNIK & NERETVA COUNTRY TOURIST BOARD 20 000 Dubrovnik Croatia +385 20 324 999 www.visitdubrovnik.hr info@visitdubrovnik.hr

SLOVENIAN CONVENTION BUREAU Dunajska 156 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 569 1260 info@slovenia-convention.com www.slovenia-convention.com

LJUBLJANA TOURISM / CONVENTION BUREAU Krekov trg 10 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 306 45 94 convention@visitljubljana.si www.visitljubljana.si/meetings

SLOVENIAN TOURIST BOARD Dimičeva 13 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 1 5898 550 info@slovenia.info www.slovenia.info

MARIBOR TOURIST BOARD Partizanska 47 2000 Maribor Slovenia +386 2 234 66 08 www. Maribor.travel www.maribor-pohorje.si zzt@maribor.si

ZAGREB TOURIST BOARD AND CONVENTION BUREAU Kaptol 5 10 000 Zagreb Croatia +385 1 48 98 555 info@zagreb-convention.hr www.zagreb-convention.hr

MONTENEGRO CONVENTION BUREAU Rimski trg 47 81000 Podgorica Montenegro +382 (0) 20 235 157 mice@montenegro.travel www.montenegro.travel

OPATIJA CONVENTION & INCENTIVE BUREAU V. Nazora 3 51410 Opatija Croatia +385 51 271 710 convention.bureau@opatija-tourism.hr www.opatija-tourism.hr

PCO (Professional congress organiser)

CANKARJEV DOM, CULTURAL AND CONGRESS CENTRE LJUBLJANA Presernova cesta 10 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 2417 122 congress@cd-cc.si www.cd-cc.si/congress

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Meetings services spot

Go smart. Go creative. Go mice.

conGress and

marketinG aGency

GO®MICE d.o.o. Štihova ulica 4 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 430 51 03 info@go-mice.eu www.go-mice.eu

www.go-mice.eu

KONGRESNO-TURISTIČNI SERVIS ALBATROS Ribenska cesta 2 4260 Bled Slovenia +386 (0) 45 780 350 Info@albatros-bled.com www.albatros-bled.com

DMC (Destination management company) DUBROVNIK TRAVEL Obala S. Radica 25 20 000 Dubrovnik Croatia +385 20 313 555 Croatia@DubrovnikTravel.com www.DubrovnikTravel.com INTOURS DMC Demaco d.o.o.

Dalmatinova 3 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 1 430 3550 www.intours-dmc.si info@intours-dmc.si

KOMPAS DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY Pražakova 4 1514 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 2006 324 mice@kompas.si www.kompas-online.net LIBERTY INCENTIVES & CONGRESSES Robbova 2 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 1 232 11 71 info@liberty-slovenia.com www.liberty-incentive.net

SINCE

1951

Kompas Corporate DMC & PCO

EXCITING AND INOVATIVE BusinessPROGRAMMES Travel, INCENTIVE Congresses and MeeTings & inCenTives

CONFERENCES THAT MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS

PCo & dMC

Poslovna PoTovanja in TAILOR-MADE BUSINESS sre^anja, kongresi TRAVEL in MoTivaCijski dogodki ☎++386 2006 400 400 386 112006 congresses�kompas.si mice@kompas.si www.kompas-online.net, www.kompas.si www.kompas-online.net

Oglas Incoming Kongres.indd 1 ma1 1 OGLAS revija kongres 77,5x258

10.5.2010 10.3.2008 13:41:43 11:18:29

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Event agency

BERNARDIN GROUP Obala 2 6320 Portorož-Portorose Slovenia +386 (0)5 690 70 00 booking@h–bernardin.si www.bernardingroup.si

MAYA TEAM Padlih borcev 1 5220 Tolmin Slovenia +386 (0)5 380 05 30 info@maya.si www.events-teambuilding.com

GRAND HOTEL UNION Miklošičeva 1 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 308 12 70 hotel.union@gh-union.si www.gh-union.si

UNIQUE SLOVENIA Rakovnik 132 1215 Medvode Slovenia +386 (0)1 361 62 44 www.unique-slovenia.si miha.rott@unique-slovenia.si

MONSADRIA - HOTEL MONS Pot za Brdom 4 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 47 02 745 www.hotel.mons.si info@hotel.mons.si

Congress & exhibition centre

CANKARJEV DOM, CULTURAL AND CONGRESS CENTRE LJUBLJANA Presernova cesta 10 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 2417 122 congress@cd-cc.si www.cd-cc.si/congress GOSPODARSKO RAZSTAVIŠČE - LJUBLJANA EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE Dunajska cesta 18 1001 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1300 26 00 info@gr-sejem.si www.ljubljanafair.com

Congress hotel

TERME MARIBOR d.d.

Ulica heroja Šlandra 10 2000 Maribor Slovenia +386 (0)2 234 43 20 marketing@termemb.si www.termemb.si/EN

Hotel with conference facilities

BOHINJ PARK EKO HOTEL Triglavska cesta 17 4264 Bohinjska Bistrica Slovenia www.phb.si info@phb.si +386 (0)8 200 4000 FALKENSTEINER CLUB FUNIMATION BORIK Ulica Majstora Radovana 7 23000 Zadar Croatia +385 (0)23 206 630 ana.belamaric@falkensteiner.com www.borik.falkensteiner.com

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Meetings services spot

Hotel with conference facilities

HOTEL DRNČA Dvorska vas 37a 4275 Begunje na Gorenjskem Slovenia + 386 08 200 5000 info@hotel-drnca.si www.hotel-drnca.si HOTEL LEV Vošnjakova ulica 1 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 231 77 97 Info@hotel-lev.si www.hotel-lev.si MAISTRA Obala Vladimira Nazora 6.

GRAD HR-52210 Rovinj Croatia +385 52 800 250 info@maistra.hr

Visual Information Systems PERLA, CASINÒ & HOTEL Kidričeva 7 5000 Nova Gorica Slovenia +386 (0)5 336 36 66 conference.perla@hit.si www.hit.si SAVA HOTELI BLED Cakarjeva 6 4260 Bled Slovenia +386 (0)4 579 16 07 info@hotelibled.com www.hotelibled.com SPORT CENTRE POHORJE Mladinska ulica 29 2000 Maribor Slovenia +386 (0)2 614 0950 tea.kozar@sc-pohorje.si www.pohorje.org

We offer you professional Audio&Video Equipment:

• Projectors • Projection Screens • Sound System • Plasma Screens • Panoramic Projection • Interactive Projection • Recording Events • Tehnical Support

Realize your vision!

• Lukvel d.o.o., Dolenjska c. 166, 1000 Ljubljana • •Slovenia • T: 386 1 427 29 45 • F: 386 1 427 20 40 • • www.lukvel.si • info@lukvel.si •

Lukvel Kongres oglas.indd 1

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Meetings services spot

Hotel with conference facilities

Other congress services

TERME OLIMIA d.d.

Zdraviliška cesta 24 3254 Podčetrtek Slovenia +386 (0)38297848 alenka.brglez@terme-olimia.com www.terme-olimia.com/si

ADRIA AIRWAYS Kuzmičeva 7 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)4 259 4555 events@adria.si www.adria-airways.com

TERME ČATEŽ d.d.

Topliška cesta 35 8251 Čatež ob Savi Slovenia +386 (0)749 36 700 www.terme-catez.si info@terme-catez.si

ALKEMIST, TRANSLATION COMPANY Obirska ulica 4 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia info@alkemist.si www.alkemist.si +386 (0)59073273

THERMANA d.d., HOTELS AND RESORTS Zdraviliška c. 6 3270 Laško Slovenia +386 (0)3423 20 00 info@thermana.si www.thermana.si

DNEVNIK d.d.

Kopitarjeva 2 in 4 1510 Ljubljana Slovenia pr@dnevnik.si www.dnevnik.si +386 (0)13082150

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Meetings services spot

HIŠA KULINARIKE JEZERŠEK Jezeršek gostinstvo d.o.o.

Sora 1a, 1215 Medvode Slovenia www.jezersek.com info@jezersek.si +386 (0)1 361 94 21

PARTHEN – MEETING ESSENTIALS Stroombaan 4 1181 VX Amstelveen The Netherlands +31 (0)20 572 73 74 info@parthen.nl www.parthen.nl

KLARO d.o.o.

Peruzzijeva 84b 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia www.klaro.si info@klaro.si +386 (0)1 280 7770

RESTAURANT & CATERING BORBONA Verovškova 55 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 (0)1 620 77 15 info@borbona.si www.borbona.si

MEETINGS:review Hammer Hill Studios Stanbrook CM6 2NH Thaxted United Kingdom +44 1371 831555 www.meetingsreview.com

TURIZEM KRAS Jamska cesta 30 6230 Postojna Slovenia +386 (0)5 7000 100 info@turizem-kras.si www.turizem-kras.si

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Meetings services spot

Fairs and events

BTC Foro Buonaparte 74 20121 Milan Italy + 39 0286998471 btc@btc.it www.btc.it EIBTM Gateway House 28, The Quadrant Richmond Surrey TW9 1DN United Kingdom +44 (0) 20 8271 2127 eibtm.helpline@reedexpo.co.uk www.eibtm.com

30 November - 2 December 2010

GO®MICE d.o.o. Štihova ulica 4 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia +386 1 430 51 03 info@go-mice.eu www.conventa.si IMEX The Agora, 1st Floor Ellen Street Hove East Sussex England BN3 3LN +44 1273 227311 www.imex-frankfurt.com

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Meetings services spot

Legend

CVB (National, Regional or Local CVB (CVB- Convention and Visitors Bureau)

PCO (Professional Congress Organiser) DMC (Destination management company) Event agency Congress & Exhibition Centre

Congress Hotel Hotel with conference facilities

Other venues

oglas_splosni_171x126_ENG.pdf 1 11.5.2010 13:44:27

Bohinj Park Hotel, d. o. o. • Triglavska cesta 17, SI-4264 Bohinjska Bistrica • t +386 (0)8 200 4000 • f +386 (0)8 200 4200 • booking@phb.si • www.phb.si

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Converting business events into unforgetable creative experiences?

Consider alpine glacial valley: A unique ecological Hotel provides inventive teambuildings, advanced techology, top-ranked facilities ...

Tourism Bohinj, Triglavska cesta 30, 4264 Bohinjska Bistrica, Tel.:+386 (0)4 574 75 90, Fax: +386 (0)4 574 75 91, www.bohinj.si, info�bohinj.si

www.bohinj.si

Meet in SEE is the first catalogue of congress product and service providers in Southeast Europe.

Meet in Southeast Europe Southeast Europe Meeting Guide 2010/2011

go green with go mice ®

Go for environmentally friendly solutions when organising congresses.

Badges, lanyards, bags and promotional and other gifts made of environmentally friendly materials from Go®mice

www.go-mice.eu GO®MICE d.o.o., Štihova 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia T+386 (0)1 430 51 03, E: info@go-mice.eu

SLOVENIA MEETINGS Feel the people.

Taste fresh ideas.

www.slovenia.info

www.slovenia-convention.com

SLOVENIA FOR YOU Feel the presence of nature.

Taste the harmony of diversity.

Come and take a closer look: The Koritnica Valley.

www.slovenia.info

www.visitljubljana.si

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