From 31 August to 2 September 2026, Gdańsk Convention Bureau organised the Let’s Meet in Gdańsk familiarisation visit for six representatives of the international MICE industry from Belgium, the Netherlands, Türkiye and Denmark. Over three days, participants explored Gdańsk’s offer for business event organisers and incentive travel planners, while the programme also included selected venues and experiences in Gdynia and a presentation of Sopot prepared in cooperation with the Sopot Tourism Organisation.
The event was supported by Poland Convention Bureau POT and the Gdańsk Economic Development Agency / InvestGDA. The programme combined destination and venue presentations with regional experiences and direct meetings with representatives of the local MICE industry.
Gdańsk
Participants stayed at The Cloud One Gdańsk. The programme included, among other activities, a city walk introducing them to Gdańsk’s character and key locations from the perspective of organising business stays and incentive programmes.
Gdynia
An important element of the programme was showcasing how the region’s coastal location can be incorporated into business event programmes. Guests travelled to Gdynia on a cruise with Premium Yachting, where they visited Courtyard by Marriott Gdynia Waterfront and attended dinner. This part of the itinerary demonstrated both the potential of water-based experiences and the modern hotel infrastructure located directly on the waterfront.
Sopot
The visit also included a presentation of Sopot prepared with the involvement of the Sopot Tourism Organisation. Participants enjoyed lunch at MUDO before exploring the offer of Hotel Sopot and Sheraton Sopot Hotel.
Networking with the local MICE industry
One of the key elements of the visit was a networking event at Olivia Star Top, attended by more than 20 people, including local partners involved in supporting the programme.
For international event organisers, meetings of this kind provide an opportunity to meet specific service providers and begin direct business discussions. From the destination’s perspective, they demonstrate that the local offer is backed by a broad and professional network of partners ready to collaborate on international events.
On the final day, participants explored the former shipyard district, visited 100cznia and took part in an amber workshop. These experiences demonstrated that Gdańsk’s appeal extends well beyond its conference and hotel infrastructure. The city’s history, post-industrial spaces, culture and local craftsmanship can all become an integral part of an event programme, team-building activity or incentive itinerary.
Partner cooperation in destination promotion
Let’s Meet in Gdańsk was organised by Gdańsk Convention Bureau, with the support of the Gdańsk Economic Development Agency / InvestGDA and Poland Convention Bureau POT. The Sopot Tourism Organisation and numerous partners from the local industry were also involved in delivering the programme.
Participants rated the visit very positively, highlighting the hospitality of the partners and the diversity of the offer. Let’s Meet in Gdańsk 2026 demonstrates how effective a well-designed familiarisation visit can be as a destination marketing tool. Experiencing the destination first-hand, meeting the local industry and taking part in a variety of programme elements help international organisers better assess the potential of Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia for future events in Poland.
A guide for meeting planners: venues worth knowing
Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia offer a wide range of options for meetings and events – from conference hotels and waterfront venues to spaces with panoramic views, post-industrial locations and more informal settings. This diversity makes it possible to create event programmes across several locations, adapting the character of each part of the event to the needs of the group.
- The Cloud One Gdańsk – a modern hotel located on Granary Island, immediately adjacent to Gdańsk’s historic city centre. The property offers 327 rooms, with interiors inspired by amber and the city’s coastal character. Facilities include the One Lounge, providing space for work and informal meetings, as well as an intimate meeting room. From an organiser’s perspective, one of its greatest strengths is its location.
- Olivia Star Top, Gdańsk – one of the city’s most distinctive event spaces, located on the upper floors of Olivia Star. The conference and banqueting space covers almost 800 m², has a ceiling height of six metres and can accommodate up to 350 guests. Its modular layout allows the space to be divided into two or three smaller rooms. A major advantage is the panoramic view across Gdańsk and the Bay of Gdańsk. The complex also includes an observation deck, restaurants, bars and Olivia Garden – a tropical garden featuring more than 4,000 plants. It is particularly well suited to networking events, receptions, dinners, corporate events or the evening programme of a conference.
- 100cznia, Gdańsk – an example of how the post-industrial heritage of the former shipyard district has been given a new purpose. Container architecture, food and beverage outlets, outdoor areas and a regular cultural programme create an environment that is considerably less formal than a traditional conference venue. The space hosts concerts, music events, fairs, film screenings, exhibitions and workshops. For meeting planners, it can provide an interesting setting for a team-building programme, evening event, city experience or incentive programme drawing on Gdańsk’s industrial identity.
- Hotel Sopot – located in a green area of Sopot just a few steps from the beach, the hotel offers four modular conference rooms with a combined area of approximately 210 m². The rooms can be combined and configured according to the nature of the event, while the property provides accommodation for approximately 280 guests. All meeting rooms benefit from natural daylight and audiovisual facilities. For business groups, an important advantage is the opportunity to combine the conference programme with team-building and leisure activities making use of the beach, green spaces and seaside location.
- Sheraton Sopot Hotel – one of Sopot’s larger conference hotels, located directly beside the beach and the famous Sopot Pier. It offers 14 meeting rooms and more than 2,000 m² of event space. The largest room, Christopher Columbus, covers approximately 546 m², has a ceiling height of 6.5 metres and can accommodate up to 650 people in theatre style. This enables the hotel to host congresses and conferences as well as galas, banquets, exhibitions and corporate events requiring more extensive production. The hotel is also Green Key certified, which may be an important consideration for events incorporating sustainability criteria.
- MUDO Sopot – a combination of restaurant, large-scale event space and beach area. According to information provided by the venue, its largest space can accommodate events for up to 1,600 people, creating opportunities for larger corporate events, banquets, galas, concerts and special events. A major distinguishing feature is the panoramic view of the beach, the Baltic Sea and Sopot Pier, together with the option of using a private beach area. The venue can work equally well for a large event or as a dining or evening component of an incentive programme.
- Courtyard by Marriott Gdynia Waterfront – a hotel with extensive conference facilities. It offers nine event rooms with a combined area of 642 m², while its largest room, Europa, can accommodate up to 450 people in theatre style. The rooms feature natural daylight and modern audiovisual equipment. A distinctive feature of the property is its ballroom with panoramic sea views, complemented by a foyer and outdoor terrace. The hotel also offers 200 guest rooms. Including the hotel in an event programme can be particularly appealing when combined with a cruise or another activity making use of Gdynia’s waterfront location.
- Premium Yachting – yacht cruises on the Bay of Gdańsk offer an attractive way to incorporate the region’s maritime character into an event programme. A cruise can serve not only as a team-building activity, but also as an original transfer between different elements of the itinerary.
