Silesia, a region historically overshadowed in the meetings and events industry, has begun to establish itself as an essential player in the realm of business tourism. In its inaugural year of operation, the Silesia Convention Bureau has undertaken a series of strategic initiatives designed to unveil the untapped potential of this dynamic region for event organisers. The initial outcomes have been nothing short of impressive.
Experience as the Key to Discovery
The most effective means of introducing the region’s offerings to the meetings industry is through direct engagement. With this in mind, the Silesia Convention Bureau orchestrated a series of three carefully designed study visits, inviting leading industry representatives to experience first-hand the distinctive charm of the Silesian Voivodeship. Two of these events were aimed at domestic players within the meetings industry, while the third engaged international stakeholders, with many of the attendees visiting Silesia for the first time.
These study tours were characterised by a variety of exceptional experiences, designed not only to showcase the region’s remarkable amenities but also to shatter common stereotypes. Attendees embarked on a series of exhilarating activities, including rock climbing followed by lunch in a cave, an underground turbo golf experience 320 metres beneath the surface, night-time spa treatments in Cistercian barns transformed into luxury accommodations, and kayaking down the Rudzka River. These are just a few examples of the adventurous experiences on offer, which truly captured the essence of what Silesia has to offer for meetings and incentives.
Unforgettable Impressions: What Participants Had to Say
Joanna Krakós – Góralska, Creative Director at The Hive Event Agency, remarked on her experience:
“We are thrilled to have had the unique opportunity to participate in the study trip organised by the Silesia Convention Bureau. It was not just ‘traveling’, but above all, a real experience full of inspiration that will result in organising an unforgettable event for our client in June 2024.”
The study visits have provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect with the region’s exceptional venues and services, while also cultivating new relationships that will support the future growth of the meetings industry in Silesia.
Silesia Meeting Day: Fostering Collaboration and Industry Integration
The Silesia Meeting Day initiative, which has seen four successful editions to date, has become a key component in strengthening the region’s presence on both domestic and international meeting markets. The event serves as an ideal platform for local entities to familiarise themselves with one another, exchange knowledge, and collaborate on future projects. This cross-pollination of ideas and expertise has already led to tangible partnerships and joint ventures, demonstrating the growing synergy within the region.
A crucial aspect of the Convention Bureau’s strategy is fostering community integration. This involves uniting local businesses and organisations involved in the meetings industry to develop a cohesive and competitive offering for business events. The success of the Silesia Meeting Day exemplifies the effectiveness of this collaborative approach, encouraging ongoing partnerships and collaboration within the region’s business tourism sector.
Strategic Promotional Collaborations: Boosting Regional Visibility
One of the standout achievements of the past year has been the region’s successful promotional collaborations. The Silesia Convention Bureau played a significant role in the jubilee celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the ‘Śląsk’ Song and Dance Ensemble, alongside its subsidiary, the Szyndzielnia Cable Railway. This partnership resulted in a joint photoshoot session and the production of a video spot, highlighting the unique character and cultural heritage of Silesia. These efforts are already proving valuable in enhancing the region’s visibility and positioning it as a destination of choice for corporate events and incentives.
We are particularly delighted with the promotional cooperation during the jubilee celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the existence of the ‘Śląsk’ Song and Dance Ensemble named after Stanisław Hadyna, and our company’s subsidiary – the Szyndzielnia Cable Railway. The outcome is a joint photoshoot session and the creation of a video spot, contributing to the exceptional character of these events. Currently, we are engaged in advanced discussions that we plan to finalize in the upcoming year in the form of new, exciting projects,” says Zbigniew Hendzel, Marketing Manager at ZIAD Bielsko-Biała S.A.
Silesia at Global Trade Shows: A Growing International Presence
The Silesia Convention Bureau has also made notable strides on the international stage. This year, the Bureau made its debut at two of Europe’s premier meetings industry trade shows: IMEX in Frankfurt and IBTM World in Barcelona. Both events provided an invaluable opportunity to showcase the region’s offerings to an international audience of event organisers, meeting planners, and corporate buyers.
Find out more about IMEX Frankfurt and IBTM World in Barcelona.
During the trade shows, the Bureau held a series of one-on-one meetings with international event organisers, presenting the unique capabilities of Silesia in business tourism. Through these interactions, the Silesia Convention Bureau effectively communicated the region’s potential as an ideal destination for hosting international congresses, conferences, corporate meetings, and incentive travel programmes.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Silesia in the Meetings Industry
The year ahead promises to be equally dynamic, as the Silesia Convention Bureau continues to drive forward with its mission of establishing Silesia as a leading destination for the global meetings industry. With a firm commitment to collaboration, innovation, and exceptional service, Silesia is poised to capture the attention of international event planners and strengthen its position as a premier business tourism hub.
Silesia possesses the necessary infrastructure to dynamically develop the meetings sector. This potential required formalized support, hence the establishment of the Silesia Convention Bureau, which operates for the entire region. Established as a product consortium uniting entities from the meetings industry in the Silesian Voivodeship, it operates within the framework of the Silesian Tourist Organization. In less than 12 months, we’ve successfully taken the first steps in business tourism – marking our presence in the industry and discerning the most effective strategies in promoting the region in the meetings industry. We see the backbone of our MICE tourism activities in the incentive travel department because the region offers us excellent conditions for that,” adds Agnieszka Sikorska, Director of the Silesian Tourist Organization – Silesia Convention Bureau.
For more information on the Silesia Convention Bureau and its services, please visit the Silesia Convention Bureau Website.
