On 28 March 2026, the PreZero Arena Gliwice hosted the official closing event of the first edition of the MPI Future Professionals mentoring programme – an initiative actively supported by the Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau.
The programme, inaugurated on 8 December 2025 at the Focus Hotel Premium in Warsaw, forms part of the international educational and development initiative led by MPI, aimed at supporting young talent entering the meetings industry. The first edition brought together 14 mentor–mentee pairs, who collaborated over three months in a one-to-one format, gaining practical experience and building their first professional relationships within the MICE sector.
Coverage of the MPI Future Professionals Mentoring Program inauguration in Warsaw and the Laboratorium Twórców (Eventprofs Creators Lab) initiative is also available.
PreZero Arena Gliwice
The final event in Gliwice at PreZero Arena provided an opportunity to summarise this intensive development journey, based not on theory but on real participation in the life of the industry. Mentees took part in meetings, events and projects led by their mentors, gaining insight into the inner workings of the market. As participants emphasised, the programme enabled them to take their first conscious steps towards a career in the meetings industry.
The final event at PreZero Arena Gliwice also served as a platform for networking and the exchange of experiences – key values underpinning the MPI community.
The meeting was made possible thanks to the involvement of partners, including the Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation, Warsaw Convention Bureau, Silesia Convention Bureau, PreZero Arena Gliwice, Mercure Katowice Centrum and Deli Catering.
During the event, Agnieszka Sikorska, Director of the Silesian Tourist Organisation – Silesia Convention Bureau, presented “Silesia – MICE is nice” to the participants, informing them about the Silesian Voivodeship and its advantages in the context of the MICE industry.
Poland Convention Bureau and mentor`s perspective
From the perspective of the Poland Convention Bureau, a particularly important aspect of the programme is its foundation on the direct transfer of knowledge and experience between industry practitioners and the younger generation of professionals. Among the 14 mentors was Jarosław Marciuk from the Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation, who shared his expertise in destination marketing, communication, intercultural differences and networking.
“Future Professionals is a project where ambition meets practice. As mentors, we do not provide ready-made answers, but support young people in building competencies, confidence and an understanding of how the industry operates – from cooperation with business and institutional partners to destination storytelling. In my collaboration with mentee Justyna Nerło, given my area of expertise, we also discussed digital marketing and personal branding for graduates entering the job market. We met during an IgersWarszawa community event at Novotel Warszawa Centrum and at the Event Industry Forum 2026. Justyna also had the opportunity to meet the Poland Convention Bureau team at the Polish Tourism Organisation headquarters in Warsaw and see how we promote Poland as an attractive destination for meetings and events. If we want to maintain Poland’s competitiveness as a host country for events, we must invest in people and their development,” said Jarosław Marciuk, Chief Marketing Specialist at the Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation.
The involvement of the Poland Convention Bureau in the programme aligns with its long-term strategy of supporting human capital development in the meetings industry and building strong, professional talent for the MICE sector in Poland. The partnership with the MPI Poland Chapter also exemplifies effective cooperation with international industry organisations and the integration of the community around shared development goals.
Mentee`s perspective
“Participating in the MPI Future Professionals mentoring programme was a truly inspiring experience for me. I had the pleasure of working with Jarosław Marciuk, who, as my mentor, provided not only theoretical knowledge but, above all, valuable practical experience. During the programme, I also secured my first job in the industry, which was a major step forward for me and confirmation that I am on the right path,” said Justyna Nerło, Junior Account Executive at Bespoke Agency.
“Getting to know the MICE industry from the inside, as well as the people who create it, not only allowed me to discover many new perspectives, but also helped me realise that this is the direction in which I want to develop my career. I am glad I decided to apply for the MPI Future Professionals programme, as it helped me enter the industry, build new connections, gain confidence, and, most importantly, define my professional path after many years of searching,” she added.
Photo gallery
Photos are available for download in various resolutions.
The next edition coming soon …
The strong interest in the programme and incoming enquiries about its next edition confirm that the initiative responds to real market needs. The MPI Future Professionals mentoring programme is a project that not only supports individual development paths but also actively strengthens the future of the MICE industry in Poland.
The programme is coordinated on behalf of the MPI Poland Chapter by Nikola Naus and Viktoriia Yushkaliuk.
Prepared by JM, photos: @norbymedia / norby-media.pl
