It was an epic trip full of good energy, a friendly and warm approach to guests, excellent culinary experiences, inspiration and feelings, but above all showing the undiscovered event possibilities of Silesia – says Kinga Więch of Grupa Pracuj SA about the visit to the region, which still remains undiscovered for the event industry.
On 3-5 June, participants of another study tour organised by the Silesia Convention Bureau in cooperation with MeegingPlanner.pl got to know the different faces of the Silesian Voivodeship. Its first point was a visit to the Terra Mare Restaurant, located in the oldest building in Katowice. The restaurant, run by the Catering24 company, which handles events from a dozen or so people to large picnics for several thousand people, specialises in Mediterranean cuisine.
The programme for the first day also included a visit to the only Giesche winery in Katowice, which has been in operation since 2009. It is located in the Murcki district, on a hill 328 metres above sea level. 6,000 vines are grown here, producing white, rosé and red wine. Meeting planners had the opportunity to learn about the secrets of viticulture and wine production, and were invited to a wine tasting.
A moment of respite was provided by a forest bath led by Katarzyna Grabka from the Forest Projects Foundation. After this interesting experience, which allowed them to get to know the forest from a different perspective and feel it with all their senses, the guests could relax on hammocks. The day ended with a dinner at Katowice’s Kaktusy restaurant in the Diament Plaza Hotel, which served traditional Silesian dishes in modern versions – hekele (herring salad) or karminadle (minced meatballs) in a vegan version. The visit to the restaurant was also an opportunity to get to know the hotel.
The element of nature and greenery was a recurring theme throughout the event.
– Green Silesia – this was the slogan under which we prepared the programme of our next study visit for national planners and tour operators. But nature was only one of several things we wanted to show. Another equally important one was cuisine. Our guests appreciated the authenticity and uniqueness of our region, and that is what counts most – says Dominika Wojniak, project manager from the Silesia Convention Bureau.
Accommodation for the participants of the trip on the first day was provided by the Best Western Hotel Mariacki, located in a renovated tenement house on the most party street in Katowice, the famous Mariacka Street. Characteristic features of the building are the industrial spaces, as well as the author’s cuisine. The property has its own brewery, where you can taste the beer brewed on site.
On the second day, the guests visited Tyskie Browary Książęce, where they learnt about the principles of beer brewing. They also visited one of the largest breweries in Europe. They became acquainted with the facility’s extensive event offer. The participants also took part in food pairing, which involves finding new and unique taste sensations through innovative combinations of ingredients in dishes, often ones that are not usually served together. The brewery also hosted a networking workshop for the MICE industry, delivered by Dream Events agency. Afterwards, they travelled to Wisła, where they were hosted by the Crystal Mountain Hotel, one of the largest 5-star hotels in the region, winner of the last MP Power Awards® in the event and conference hotel category. The day ended with a dinner in the hotel’s restaurant with live music.
On the third day, in addition to a presentation of the hotel with elements of gamification, there was an active exploration of the surrounding mountains in the form of a geocatching game with the agency Hurtownia Adrenaliny, which specialises in integration activities and team building in the Beskidy and Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska.
At the end of the visit, the guests were served a regional lunch at the Olympic Hut in Wisła, a venue linked to the Museum of Beskid Cuisine. Here, visitors could sample the region’s traditional highland dishes, including vegan versions. Among the restaurant’s specialities were: kapuśnica po wiśśńsku, i.e. a soup cooked with sauerkraut juice, czoskula with croutons, szkubane pancakes, i.e. potato pancakes baked on a baking tray without fat, also in the version with szpyrki (crackling), and podpłomyki (scones).
– This was my first visit to Silesia, but certainly not my last. I spent three days filled super-productively, both professionally and socially. I was delighted by the openness and willingness of local hoteliers and attractions organisers to work together to build products. There is no doubt that Silesia is an interesting region which is prepared to organise events of all kinds, which is modern and at the same time maintains its distinctiveness and tradition – comments Justyna Wojtal, CEO of Intour
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice is a consortium member of the Silesia Convention Bureau.