On 22 January 2025, during a meeting held at the Copernicus Science Centre on the occasion of presenting PTO recommendations to PCOs, ITCs and Convention Bureaux for the years 2025-2026, LOT Polish Airlines, Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau (PTO PCB) and the Polish Conference and Congress Association (SKKP) announced the reactivation of the National Support Programme for the Meetings Industry. The main objectives of the programme, which aims to support the industry in attracting international congresses and conferences, were also presented to participants.
The Support Programme for the Meetings Industry operates based on the assumptions of the Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme, which has been implemented since 1998 jointly by PTO PCB and the NGO Polish Conference and Congress Association. The aim of the support programme is to provide air tickets to representatives of the world of science, culture, sport, business and other fields (so-called Congress Ambassadors), so that they can actively participate in the process of bringing new international meetings and business events, i.e. conferences, congresses and fairs, to Poland.
Key Elements of the Programme
Events in the bidding stage, where Poland is considered as a host location (presentation of Poland’s offer abroad), as well as for site inspections where potential host cities are evaluated by foreign organisers to confirm the submitted bid, can be submitted to the National Support Programme for the Meetings Industry. Events already granted to Poland will receive information on the possibility of using the LOT International Events programme dedicated to the meetings sector.
Strengthening Poland’s Competitive Position
“The conference and congress market today relies on global competition among host cities for regional and international events. The Polish Programme of the Polish Congress Ambassadors proves that it is an effective tool, as evidenced by global rankings published by organisations such as ICCA and UIA. Poland’s 17th position in the global ranking is not accidental but the result of strategic actions and coordinated efforts. The effectiveness of this programme is determined by many factors, with stakeholder collaboration being key. Local Ambassador Clubs, currently operating in Warsaw/Mazovia and major urban centres such as Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Łódź, and Gdańsk, play a crucial role. Reactivated after the difficult pandemic period, the National Support Programme for the Meetings Industry is an excellent complementary tool. The active participation of the national carrier and its support at the application stage is invaluable and is a testament to the real synergy between the applicant destination, the national and local Congress Bureaux and the industry itself, in which airlines are an important supplier. Undoubtedly, Poland as a host destination gains a competitive advantage in the global meetings industry,” said Paula Fanderowska, President of the Polish Conference and Congress Association (SKKP).
Marta Wiśniewska, Sales Director at LOT Polish Airlines, highlighted the airline’s role in facilitating international events:
“LOT Polish Airlines, which operates over 90 routes at peak season, conducting more than 350 flights daily and carrying an average of over 29,000 passengers per day, is an integral partner of international events held in Poland. This applies not only to Warsaw, which serves as LOT’s hub and boasts the highest number of connections, but also to regional airports where we are continuously expanding our offer, such as the recently announced direct route between Paris and Kraków. Our advantages include a well-designed network of connections, a modern fleet and convenient flight schedules. Passengers also appreciate our continuously improved onboard services and the hospitality of our crew, which is our hallmark. As the national carrier, we also play a crucial role as an ambassador for Poland. By flying in participants from over 40 countries around the world, we promote Polish cities as potential hosts of global events on foreign markets. The signed agreement underlines LOT’s readiness to work even more intensively with the academic community, which is also part of the implementation of the company’s strategy, announced in 2023. I believe that thanks to the reactivation of the programme, Poland will become the host of many valuable international events.”
Commitment to Industry Development
Anna Jędrocha, President of Symposium Cracoviense, underlined the strategic importance of the initiative:
“During the recommendation ceremony, we also had the honour to sign the National Support Programme for the Meetings Industry, which sets the directions for the development of our industry. Together with other market leaders, we have committed to further strengthening Poland’s position as a place of world-class events based on quality, innovation and sustainable development.”
Aneta Książek, Head of the Poland Convention Bureau, highlighted the complexity of attracting international congresses:
““Acquiring events, especially international congresses, is a complex and often lengthy process. Poland’s offer meets the high standards set by organisers, as evidenced by the record 17th place in the ICCA world ranking in 2024. Poland’s strengths are its central location in Europe, its constantly expanding network of air connections, a high level of security, affordability and infrastructure. Our experience shows that effective acquisition of association meetings depends largely on the support of regional or municipal authorities and the commitment and charisma of the Congress Ambassadors who, together with convention bureaux or PCOs, secure the event. We hope that the reactivated programme will provide tangible assistance and an additional incentive for actively securing meetings and events for Poland. We warmly invite applications.”
Eligibility and Application Process
Eligibility to apply for the National Support Programme for the Meetings Industry is granted to:
- Polish Congress Ambassadors
- Chapter of the Polish Congress Ambassadors programme
- Polish Tourism Organisation
- Polish Conference and Congress Association
- Representatives of Local Congress Ambassador Clubs
- Municipal and Regional Convention Bureaux
- Congress organisers recommended in the PTO Poland Convention Bureau programme,
- Other business event organisers are supported in their application by a city or regional Convention Bureau (requires a recommendation from the local Convention Bureau)
- Congress venues supported in their application by a city or regional Convention Bureau (requires a recommendation from the local Convention Bureau)
Eligibility Criteria
Events submitted to the Programme must meet the following criteria:
- International character, with the participation of min. 100 foreign participants
- Cyclical nature, with a minimum of two previous editions
- Format such as conferences, congresses, trade fairs, workshops, meetings with incentive travel elements, and other business events
- The planned event date must be within four years of submitting the application, and the application must be submitted no later than six months before the event
The applicant’s airline ticket request must pertain only to LOT Polish Airlines’ own connections and must be submitted at least one month before the planned departure date.
Organiser Commitments
Participation in the National Support Programme for the Meetings Industry obliges the Applicant (Organiser) to actively promote Poland abroad as a place to organise congresses and conferences. If the event is successfully awarded to Poland, the Organiser commits to recommending LOT Polish Airlines as the preferred carrier.
Applications must be submitted electronically to polandcb@pot.gov.pl. Upon submission, the Applicant will receive a form to be completed online.
For more details and programme regulations, visit: the Poland Convention Bureau (PL)
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