The establishment of Poland’s second regional club of Polish congress ambassadors marks a new chapter in the promotion of the Silesian Province as a venue for international business meetings.
On March 11, the second meeting in the Silesia Ambassador Day series took place 320 meters underground in the unique post-industrial spaces of the historic Guido Mine in Zabrze. This unique event brought together over 50 representatives from the worlds of science and business, emphasizing the importance of cooperation for the development of congress tourism in the region. During the meeting, the regional club of Polish congress ambassadors, Silesia Ambasador Club, was officially inaugurated. The tripartite agreement establishing the club was signed by the Polish Tourist Organization, the Association of Conferences and Congresses in Poland, and the Silesian Tourist Organization.
– Another milestone has been reached by Silesia in its efforts to develop business tourism, particularly the congress and conference market. The establishment of the Regional Congress Ambassadors Club is proof of the region’s steady growth as a host for meetings. I am convinced that the Silesia Convention Bureau, as its organizer and leader, will be a source of support and guidance for the regional scientific community, as well as a link and integrator between science and business. The infrastructure conditions, as well as the professional industry and strong capital of the scientific community, combined in an efficiently operating club, will result in an increase in the number of international events attracted to the region – says Paula Fanderowska, president of the Conferences and Congresses in Poland Association.
The Polish Congress Ambassadors Program has been operating for over a quarter of a century. Each year, the members of the Program Chapter select the winners from among the nominees for the award, granting them the title of Honorary Ambassador of Polish Congresses. These individuals promote and disseminate knowledge about the country’s assets in their communities, contributing to the decision to choose Poland as the venue for an international event. To date, over 320 people have received the title of Polish Congress Ambassador. Special support has been prepared to facilitate their work in attracting international congresses and conferences.
– The Polish Tourist Organization, through the National Support Program for the Meetings Industry and the Promotional Support Program for Meetings and Events, actively supports the initiatives of external entities, providing effective tools for promoting Poland as an attractive conference destination. We are delighted that the Silesia Convention Bureau is involved in the development of this initiative, and that meetings such as Silesia Ambassador Day enable the exchange of experiences and further strengthen Poland’s position on the international map of meetings and events – says Aneta Książek, head of the Meetings and Events Office of the Polish Tourist Organization – Poland Convention Bureau.
The Silesia Ambassador Day project was launched by the Silesia Convention Bureau in 2024 and was inaugurated at the International Congress Center in Katowice. It is an initiative aimed at integrating local leaders, people from the world of science and business involved in attracting and organizing congresses and conferences, thus supporting the development of the regional economy and raising the prestige of the region.
– The Silesian Province has excellent facilities for developing the meetings industry. Conferences and congresses are not only events that raise the prestige of the destination, but also bring measurable benefits for the economic development of the region. It is worth emphasizing the irreplaceable role of congress ambassadors in the development of business tourism. We are proud that as many as 38 people from our region belong to this group. In the last two years alone, thanks to nominations from the Silesia Convention Bureau, as many as six people have received this prestigious title – says Krzysztof Jazowy, president of the Silesian Tourist Organization.
The creation of the Silesia Ambassador Club brings a number of benefits to the region. Thanks to the involvement of ambassadors, Silesia has the opportunity to host many prestigious congresses and conferences, which will contribute to increasing the region’s recognition.
The organization of large events attracts participants from different parts of the world, which translates into increased income for local businesses such as hotels, conference facilities, restaurants, and event agencies. The presence of experts from various fields creates opportunities to establish new contacts and exchange experiences.
– It is with great pleasure and pride that I am a member of the newly established Silesia Ambassador Club. I co-organized the 21st Congress of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology, which took place at the International Congress Center in Katowice in 2023. It was a successful meeting – over 1,600 people from all over the world, mainly from Europe. For organizing this event, I was honored with the title of Ambassador of Polish Congresses for the years 2022-2023. As a psychologist, I know how important meetings are for people. As a person from this region, I know what a great event can be organized here – says Dr. Barbara Smorczewska president of the Polish Association of Organizational Psychology, member of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology, and affiliated with the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Partners affiliated with the Silesia Convention Bureau consortium were invited to organize the event. The event was hosted by the Coal Mining Museum in Zabrze, catering was provided by Catering Arts, and coordination was supported by the Dream Events event agency. Prizes in the form of vouchers were provided by Crystal Mountain in Wisła and Mercure Szczyrk Resort.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice belongs to the Silesia Convention Bureau consortium.
The article appeared in the March issue of “Business HUB”.
The online version of the issue can be downloaded: HERE.