The second edition of the Promotional Support Programme for Meetings and Events demonstrates how crucial well-planned, targeted promotional activities are for Poland’s competitiveness in the MICE market. Support granted in the first half of 2026 covered, among others, study visits, congress events, bid activities (offer presentations) and projects enhancing the visibility of Polish cities in the international meetings industry.
Promotional Support Programme 2026 – First Results After 6 Months
After two quarters of implementation, the second edition of the Promotional Support Programme for Meetings and Events, run by Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation, has presented the first results of completed and settled projects. The summary shows that the programme responds to the specific needs of event organisers, convention bureaux and partners involved in acquiring and promoting events in Poland.
In the first two quarters of 2026, it covered five settled initiatives with a total value of nearly 110,000 PLN.
The programme was launched in 2025 as a tool supporting the active acquisition and promotion of events in Poland. Its aim is to assist entities participating in the process of building Poland’s international position in the meetings market.
Study Visits as a Relationship-Building Tool
One of the first actions implemented under the programme was a study visit to Warsaw, organised by the Warsaw Tourism Organisation (Warsaw Convention Bureau) in cooperation with the Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau and the Mazovia Convention Bureau.
The fam trip took place on 13-15 January 2026 and was aimed at industry representatives from European markets, the United Kingdom and Scandinavian countries. The schedule was planned in parallel with the Event Industry Forum (FBE) in Warsaw, allowing participants to attend the FBE and explore the capital’s potential as a destination for the meetings and events sector. The event attracted 10 foreign fam trip participants and approximately 40 local MICE industry representatives, while the online reach exceeded 1,000 recipients.
The visit enabled Warsaw to be presented as a modern, well-connected city with an extensive hotel, conference and event infrastructure. More information is available on the Warsaw Convention Bureau website.
Actions of this type are particularly important in the process of building relationships with international organisers. Direct experience of the destination, meetings with local partners and practical presentation of infrastructure often constitute a key stage before deciding on a city for a future event.
Szczecin at the Centre of Discussions on Sustainable Tourism
The programme also supported the GDS-Forum & Impact Day 2026, held in Szczecin on 16-18 June 2026. The event was organised in cooperation with the Global Destination Sustainability Movement, #MEET4IMPACT, the City of Szczecin, Szczecin Convention Bureau, the Polish Tourism Organisation and Poland Convention Bureau.
The application for support was submitted by Żegluga Szczecińska Turystyka Wydarzenia (Szczecin Convention Bureau). The event brought together over 120 people from various parts of the world, representing tourism, the meetings industry, destination management and organisations working for sustainable development.
It is worth noting that GDS-Forum & Impact Day 2026 is one of the most important international events dedicated to sustainable tourism, regenerative destinations and responsible development of the meetings industry. As part of the event, the Polish Tourism Organisation provided relaxation workshops and an LSSR – Low Sensory Show Room zone.
The programme featured a strong Polish substantive accent – the event functioned as a living lab, where solutions were co-created in real time. The session “The Future is Now”, prepared by Poland Convention Bureau of the Polish Tourism Organisation in cooperation with convention bureaux from Gdańsk, Kraków, Wrocław and Szczecin, focused on cooperation between cities and the responsible development of destinations. It referred to the assumptions of the MICE Sub-Strategy for 2026-2030, which places the participant at the centre of attention.
Report from the GDS-Forum & Impact Day 2026 in Szczecin.
Successful Bid and RILEM Conference for Katowice
An important element of the programme was the bid presentation related to securing the 82nd RILEM Annual Week & Conference in 2028. The application for support was submitted by Business Service Galop, and the action involved the preparation and presentation of promotional materials during a meeting in Ghent, Belgium, on 13-17 April 2026.
Business Service Galop holds the Recommended PCO Certificate for 2025-2026.
The presentation was addressed to an audience of approximately 300 delegates from 39 countries. The support enabled the preparation of promotional materials showcasing the potential of Katowice, the Silesian region and Poland as a congress destination. This action was directly linked to the process of acquiring the event, with results to become visible in the coming years.
Katowice’s offer was selected, and the 82nd RILEM Annual Week & Conference will take place in Poland in 2028. The event is scheduled for 1-8 September 2028, with its main part organised at the International Congress Centre in Katowice.
This is an example of support whose significance extends beyond the current budget year and fits into the long-term strategy of acquiring international congresses for Poland.
Lublin Strengthens Its Position in the Scientific and Aviation Events Segment
Two of the five settled actions concerned Lublin.
Scientific Conference
The Lublin Regional Tourism Organisation (Lubelskie Convention Bureau) applied for support for the International Scientific Conference “Novelties in Ophthalmology – Education and Practice”, held on 6-7 February 2026 at the Lublin Conference Centre.
The conference attracted over 500 participants from Poland and abroad, including ophthalmology specialists, representatives of the scientific, clinical and diagnostic communities. The programme included lecture sessions, thematic panels and practical courses on the latest research, diagnostics and treatment of eye conditions. The support was used for accommodation services for speakers and foreign participants.
CONNECT Aviation 2026 Forum
The second Lublin project covered by the programme was CONNECT Aviation 2026, i.e., the CONNECT Route Development Forum, held on 17-19 February 2026. The event took place in Poland for the first time in its history and gathered nearly 1,000 participants from over 65 countries, including representatives of the aviation sector, airports, airlines, tour operators and institutions responsible for route development.
Supporting this congress was important not only for promoting Lublin as the host city but also for strengthening the region’s recognition among international decision-makers in the aviation industry. CONNECT Aviation 2026 demonstrated that Lublin can successfully compete for major international events with significant economic importance. Report from CONNECT Aviation 2026.
Targeted Support, Strategic Impact
The first results of the second edition of the Promotional Support Programme for Meetings and Events show that even targeted support can have strategic importance for promoting Poland in the MICE market. The programme confirms that Poland’s competitiveness in the meetings market is built not only through broad promotional campaigns but also through specific, well-planned operational actions.
These are often the ones that determine whether a city will be remembered by international organisers, receive an RFP, advance to the next stage of selection and ultimately – whether the event will come to Poland.
