Report on the second edition of BUSINESS MEETING PLANER SUMMIT 2024
Over 200 participants, 4 distinguished speakers, 4 4 engaging lecture blocks and an engaging panel discussion, 4 engaging lecture blocks and an panel discussion – that was the second edition of the Business Meeting Planner Summit 2024 conference in a nutshell, which took place on Thursday, January 18, at the International Congress Center in Katowice, Poland. The meeting brought together professionals responsible for organizing events, representing both corporations and SMEs. Participants dived into the flow state, learned about the mechanisms of building lasting relationships in today’s dynamic world and discovered the secrets of negotiation techniques.
The conference provided a platform for everyone interested in improving practices related to the planning and execution of business meetings to exchange knowledge and experience. The meeting was opened by Marcin Stolarz, CEO of PTWP and host of the International Congress Center and Spodek in Katowice. In his welcome, he stressed the importance of the MICE sector to the local economy, pointing out that every year event organizers and participants leave as much as half a billion zlotys in Katowice alone.
Barbara Świderska, owner of Dream Events agency and main organizer of Business Meeting Planner Summit 2024, warmly welcomed the guests of the conference, speakers and partners. As part of her welcome, she outlined the history of the conference, which was first organized in 2015, still in a different form. In addition, she introduced her team that worked to create this unique event.
BLOCK FLOW – as if time does not exist….
In the opening part of the conference participants were introduced to the state of flow by Malgorzata Ohme, a psychologist, journalist, TV presenter and co-founder of a platform for taking care of the well-being and mental health of employees. Recalling the concept of the state of flow, Ohme drew on the ideas of Hungarian-American psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihály, who describes flow as a state between satisfaction and euphoria, resulting from full dedication to an activity. During her speech, Małgorzata Ohme focused the participants’ attention on the key factors influencing our well-being and presented how to cultivate our own state of flow. She pointed out that this experience is available to everyone, while encouraging the creation of conditions conducive to this unique experience in any area of life.
RELATIONS – start with yourself…
In relationships, the most important thing is to start with yourself – stated Marzena Jankowska, psychotherapist, psychologist of health and business, entrepreneur and creator of Academy of Personal Development at the School of Banking, in her presentation. With great passion, she shared practical tips for initiating the process of building mental resilience. In her inspiring presentation she discussed not only the basics, but also effective communication tools which support the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. During the closing remarks Marzena Jankowska highlighted the particular importance of appreciating another person. She pointed out that such a gesture not only boosts self-esteem, but also has a supportive and engaging effect, creating a solid foundation for harmonious and understanding relationships.
NEGOTIATIONS, aka VUCA
In the vibrant world of business, where every purchase and selling contact is a crucial moment, answers to questions about effectiveness, the essence of negotiation and motivation were brought to the participants by Roman Kawszyn – a respected trainer of salespeople, leader and inspirational motivational speaker. In today’s dynamic world, named by the acronym VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity), mental strategies are becoming an indispensable tool for dealing with challenges and achieving success. VUCA, an environment characterized by high volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, presents new challenges. Roman Kawszyn has offered his own interpretation of this acronym, which he defines as Vision (looking at what you do), Understanding (understanding, beliefs), Clarity (clarity in a positive attitude) and Agility (flexibility and skill training). For him, these are key elements for adapting to today’s dynamic and unpredictable business world.
DISCUSSION PANEL AND CONCLUSION
An extremely important highlight of the conference program was a panel discussion led by Magdalena Kondas, experienced editor-in-chief of MeetingPlanner.pl. The panelists, representing three key perspectives – client, agency and service provider – shared their valuable experiences in the area of flow, relationship building, trust and negotiation, especially in the context of event organization. The panelists were Barbara Świderska – owner of Dream Events agency, Anna Tronina – spokeswoman for PWiK Sp. z o.o. in Tarnowskie Góry, Sebastian Gronet – project manager from Silesia Convention Bureau, Eliza Kozica-Kaminska from MPI Poland Chapter, and Kamil Maciąg – director of Central Sales and Marketing Department of Arche Hotels.
Andrzej Silczuk, MD, a psychiatrist, lecturer and educator, and creator of the „Andrzej Silczuk Podcast,” undertook a summary of the 2024 Business Meeting Planner Summit. Silczuk stressed that flow is a peri-meditative state, available to everyone. In addition, he pointed out to the participants that each of them, during this several-hour conference full of interaction, new knowledge and inspiration, creates an experience that will change them.
The meeting was led by Marcin Orocz, a business leader, fortifier and mentor, but above all a passionate person who knows how to inspire and lead others to success.
A GAME OF (NOT)CHRISTMAS STORY, A TRIP AND A CONCERT
Participants of the Business Meeting Planner Summit 2024 conference not only actively participated in lectures and panel discussions, but also took part in the online game „The (not)Christmas Story”. This unusual activity put the participants in the mood of a winter adventure, making the conference not only a source of knowledge, but also a fascinating challenge.
An additional part of the conference program was a tour of the International Congress Center in Katowice, which provided participants with an unforgettable experience of the modernity and functionality of the venue.
A unique finale to the entire event was a concert of classical music, performed by the children’s and youth chamber orchestra Silesian Smyki, adding a touch of artistic beauty and emotion to the concluding meeting.
PARTNERS OF THE CONFERENCE
Partnetrs of the event: International Congress Center in Katowice, Catering24, Silesia Convention Bureau, MPI Poland Chapter, Arche Hotele, MeetingPlanner.pl, Suntago, Śląskie Centrum Obsługi Inwestora i Eksportera, Silesian Voivodeship, BelMon Resort, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and Vidme.
Media partners of the event: OOH Magazine, Business Hub, MeetingPlanner.pl, Śląski Biznes.pl, Think Mice oraz Sprawny.Marketing.
Second edition of the Business Meeting Planner Summit 2024 was a an exceptional event, bringing a huge dose of inspiration, knowledge and new perspectives to the participants. The conference was organized by Dream Events agency.
Author: Justyna Dziembała-Świrska
The “Business Hub magazine took patronage of the event.