“Silesia on Fire” was the guiding theme of a recent study visit designed for meeting planners, organised by the Silesia Convention Bureau in cooperation with MeetingPlanner.pl. The programme combined immersive site inspections with authentic, high-impact experiences rooted in local cuisine, culture and craftsmanship.
Fiery Welcome in the Beskids
The journey began in Wisła, where participants were welcomed in a traditional Highlander shepherd’s hut. Gathered around a bonfire, they were introduced to the heritage of the Beskid region through storytelling on local music, instruments, sheep grazing traditions and the historic lifestyle of mountain communities. The session was led by Maciej Szymonowicz, leader of the band Psio Crew.
The group is known for blending traditional Highlander sounds with contemporary genres such as hip-hop and electronic music. The performance was co-organised by the Regional Cultural Centre in Bielsko-Biała, a key cultural institution of the Silesian Voivodeship.
Culinary experiences were provided by Chata Olimpijczyka Jasia i Helenki, a restaurant rooted in regional tradition. The venue specialises in rediscovering historic recipes, including dishes inspired by “grandmother Anielka”, prepared with local ingredients. The restaurant’s legacy is now continued by the third generation of women from Wisła, led by Maria Pietruszka.
Firewalking and Night Spa at Aries Hotel & Spa Wisła
Following the outdoor experience, participants checked into the five-star Aries Hotel & Spa Wisła, where a site inspection of the property took place.
The evening programme featured a fine dining experience with wine pairing. The menu included buckwheat with king oyster mushroom as a starter, bean cappuccino soup, and wild boar served with celery glazed in miso and juniper.
The day concluded with a firewalking workshop led by the Nestarini group, where participants walked barefoot over glowing embers reaching approximately 600°C. The experience was complemented by a night spa session, including a sauna ritual led by a sauna master and treatments using hot oils and stones.
“Silesian Provence”, Design Heritage and a World-Class Concert
Day two began with a relaxed breakfast and a presentation of local ski craftsmanship by Aleksander Partyka, founder of the Forszty brand, who creates handcrafted skis in Wisła.
Upon arrival in Katowice, participants joined a guided walk along the Modernist Trail, showcasing the city’s distinctive architectural heritage. The tour was led by Sebastian Gronet from the Silesia Convention Bureau.
Lunch was served at C’est si bon, the only French restaurant in the Silesian region and one of the few in Poland specialising in authentic French cuisine. The menu included French onion soup, pork tenderloin with chestnuts, and Tarte Tatin.
After check-in at the five-star Hotel Monopol Katowice, the group visited the concert hall of the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (NOSPR). The highlight was a performance by the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Marin Alsop, featuring a repertoire ranging from Chopin to Bernstein. The concert also included Bruce Liu, winner of the 18th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition.
The day concluded with dinner at Hotel Monopol, featuring dishes such as stuffed cabbage with mushrooms, beef cheeks, tagliatelle and Markiza cake.
Gamification at Scale and Industrial Heritage Experiences
On the third day, participants visited PreZero Arena Gliwice, one of the largest indoor venues in Poland and Europe. The programme included a networking session and a B2B workshop with local MICE suppliers, featuring dynamic 8-minute one-to-one meetings. Catering Arts provided a seasonal, spring-inspired coffee break.
The venue tour took the form of a gamified “space-themed” challenge, with prizes including vouchers for future events hosted at the arena.
The visit concluded in Zabrze at Szyb Maciej, a revitalised former mining complex now operating as an event venue. Guests were served a traditional Silesian lunch featuring beef roulade, Silesian dumplings and red cabbage.
The venue offers a distinctive industrial setting for events, enhanced by experiences such as guided tours, demonstrations of the historic hoisting machine, and access to a viewing platform located 25 metres above ground level, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Authenticity as a Competitive Advantage in MICE
Participants highlighted the authenticity and experiential depth of the programme, emphasising the importance of site visits in evaluating destinations beyond digital impressions.
As noted by Agnieszka Lipińska, CEO of Event Line: “Seeing venues in person makes all the difference. It’s not just about photos, but the atmosphere, logistics, service and whether you can truly feel the event’s potential. It allows us to recommend places based on real experience, tailored to specific concepts, budgets and styles.”
Laura Połonecka from Weco-Travel added: “It was simply outstanding. As my first visit to Silesia, I couldn’t have imagined a better introduction. Every day brought new experiences, and the energy and commitment of the people were truly inspiring.”
Dominika Wojniak, Project Manager at Silesia Convention Bureau, emphasised: “Site visits are one of our favourite tools. We focus on people first – passionate locals and ambassadors of the region – and only then on infrastructure. People are the strongest asset of any destination.”
“Our study visits are shaped by people who promote Silesia with such authenticity and passion that our guests genuinely fall in love with the destination and return here,” adds Sebastian Gronet, Project Manager at the Silesia Convention Bureau.
More information is available on the Silesia Convention Bureau website.
Silesia as a MICE Destination – Key Experiences and Venues
Wisła & Beskids – Incentives and Authentic Experiences
- Highlander hut experiences (bonfire, storytelling, live music – Psio Crew)
- Chata Olimpijczyka Jasia i Helenki – regional cuisine and culinary storytelling
- Aries Hotel & Spa Wisła – conferences and luxury incentives (fine dining, spa, firewalking)
- Forszty – handcrafted ski production demonstrations
Katowice – Culture, Architecture and Premium Events
- Modernist Trail – curated city experiences and urban storytelling
- C’est si bon – fine dining for business groups
- Hotel Monopol Katowice – conferences, gala dinners, premium events
- NOSPR – world-class concerts and cultural events
Gliwice – Large-Scale Events and Networking
- PreZero Arena Gliwice – congresses, exhibitions, gamification scenarios
Zabrze – Industrial Heritage and Unique Event Spaces
- Szyb Maciej – post-industrial venue with immersive experiences
- Traditional Silesian cuisine (beef roulade, dumplings, red cabbage)
