The Spotlight on Poland 2025 conference, held under the theme “People, Place, Purpose”, brought together representatives of the MICE industry, international experts and invited guests from Poland and abroad. Organised by the Conferences and Congresses in Poland Association (SKKP) in cooperation with the Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau (PCB), the event provided a dynamic platform for discussing the inclusive future of the meetings industry, the role of wellbeing in business and personal life, and the importance of building meaningful business relationships.
Opening Session
The conference opened with welcome addresses by Agnieszka Szymerowska, President of SKKP, and Aneta Książek, Head of Poland Convention Bureau POT. Both emphasised the importance of collaboration and the implementation of innovative solutions as drivers for the continued growth of business tourism in Poland. The event was moderated by Maciej Kautz.
Part I: DEI – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The first session, An Inclusive Future, explored how accessibility, sustainability and equal opportunities can stimulate economic growth and support the transformation of the meetings industry.
Łukasz Wysocki (Gdańsk Tourist Organisation), together with his son Fili,p delivered a presentation titled “Accessibility as a Business Opportunity for the Industry – It Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive”, highlighting that accessibility should not be seen as a cost but as a valuable business asset.
Jakub Łukaszewski (100cznia) shared experiences of implementing eco-friendly practices in post-industrial spaces, demonstrating how urban street culture can coexist with sustainability.
Ewa Salamon (Lock.me) and Paulina Lenko (Mamy Podobnie Foundation) addressed the needs of neurodiverse participants at events, showing that even small organisational adjustments can greatly enhance participant comfort and event quality.
The session was followed by a networking break at Hotel Haffner in Sopot, providing participants with opportunities to exchange views and establish new business contacts.
Part II: Wellbeing and Happiness in Business
The second part of the conference featured an interactive workshop, “The Happiness Blueprint: Integrating Wellbeing in Life and Work”, led by Małgorzata Zalewska – a certified life coach, international speaker and expert in the science of happiness.
Participants learned strategies for aligning personal fulfilment with professional goals and for promoting wellbeing in business environments.
Before dinner, delegates engaged in a lively session of MICE BINGO – an English-language interactive game in which the moderator asked questions about participants’ professional experience and the events they had organised. This dynamic activity encouraged open dialogue and the development of international business relations. The integration programme was delivered by Tarifa Events, a PTO-recommended incentive travel company.
– Spotlight on Poland 2025 once again demonstrated that the Polish meetings industry consistently prioritises inclusivity, sustainability and wellbeing – fundamental pillars strengthening its competitiveness on the international stage – said Aneta Książek, Head of Poland Convention Bureau.
Evening Networking
The day concluded with a networking dinner at White Marlin in Sopot, where representatives of the Polish MICE sector and international hosted buyers continued their discussions in an informal atmosphere, fostering collaboration and inspiring future initiatives.
Running in parallel with the conference, a dedicated fam trip was organised for a carefully selected group of hosted buyers from priority international markets. Participants had the opportunity to experience the conference infrastructure and incentive offer of Gdańsk and Sopot, meet local MICE suppliers and discover the unique atmosphere of the Pomeranian region.
The programme aimed to highlight the potential of the Tri-City and Poland as a competitive and attractive destination for international business events.
Organisers
- SKKP – Conferences and Congresses in Poland Association
- Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau
Partners
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Gdańsk Convention Bureau – Visit Gdańsk
- Sopot Tourist Organisation – Visit Sopot
- Holiday Inn Gdańsk – City Centre
