Czesc – this is how we say Hi in Poland.
This week I came to Krakow with my wife for an appointment with her doctor. Krakow is an important medical and academic centre in Poland. Taking advantage of this difficult personal situation I wanted to tell you something important about Krakow and Poland.
61st ICCA Congress in Krakow, Poland
As many of you probably know, a very important event – the 61st ICCA Congress – will be organised in Krakow between 6 and 9 November 2022. It is one of the most important congresses in the world. After many years of efforts by Krakow, Krakow Convention Bureau and the entire Polish MICE industry, the ICCA congress will finally be held in Krakow.
Photo: Jaro; ICE Krakow Congress Centre
The ICCA could not have chosen a better place to organise its congress in 2022. Krakow is known for:
- convenient access from all over the world
- safety
- high-class conference venues and hotels
- unique tourist attractions (UNESCO World Heritage list – Historic Centre of Kraków and more)
- wonderful Polish culture and art
- delicious Polish food
- MICE professionals with passion and experience
Photo ICCA 2022 Congress Destination announcement
All mentioned above factors are a guarantee of a successful congress. The ICCA Congress will take place in a unique venue located on the banks of the Vistula River opposite the royal Wawel Castle. ICE Krakow Congress Centre has already been the venue for many important events.
61st ICCA Congress 2022 will take place in ICE Kraków Congress Centre #eventprofs @krkexperience @ICCAWorld #iccaworld @ICEKrakow #imex22 @IMEX_Group @POT_GOV_Pl pic.twitter.com/x2p1eOiGJ1
— Jaroslaw Marciuk ☕️ call me Jaro (@JaroslawMarciuk) May 20, 2022
Krakow and Poland are impatiently waiting for the members and delegates of the ICCA Congress, who will come from all over the world, Europe, Asia, Africa North and South America.
Photo: Jaro; Park Inn by Radisson – hotel near ICE Krakow Congress Centre
Krakow needs support from the MICE industry
Unfortunately, for nearly 3 months, Ukraine has been attacked by the Russian army. Poles have opened their hearts and supported over 2 million Ukrainian refugees who have found a temporary home in Poland. Polish people, local authorities and the Polish government help them as much as they can. The people of Ukraine have found a home here, they work here, and their children go to school here. This is an unprecedented situation in the modern history of Europe. Read also my blog post Eventprofs #StandwithUkraine.
Unfortunately, the conflict in Ukraine has also had a negative impact on the Polish tourism industry and the MICE market. One of the most affected cities is Krakow. For those of you who don’t know, Krakow is located:
- more than 200 kilometres from the Ukrainian border
- and nearly 900 kilometres from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv
In Krakow life goes as normal. Children go to school, people work and enjoy free time in restaurants, and clubs, and meet with their friends and families.
Sadly, we hear of many cancellations of tourist arrivals, and cancellations of certain events. Unfortunately, we also hear about cancellations of future events planned many years before. This is sad.
Now Poland also needs your support #eventprofs.
ICCA Family
I think we all feel that ICCA has a special place in the meetings and events industry and that the word ICCA Family has a special meaning. It is an important community of representatives of associations, convention bureaus, experts and all involved in the MICE industry. As ICCA Family we feel a special bond.
A family member is not left behind in difficult times but is supported by others. That is why I hope that the fully in-person post-pandemic ICCA congress in Krakow will be a great event with a record number of participants.
Photo: Jaro; Royal castle in Krakow
ICCA RSMP 2011 in Gdansk
I remember when I first took part in the ICCA RSMP conference in 2011 in Gdańsk. Anna Górska and the whole Gdansk Convention Bureau team managed to support and co-organize this event in my hometown. It was an unforgettable congress, full of new knowledge, conversations and experiences.
It was here that I met
- Ruud Jansen
- Bente Holm
- Ulrike von Arnold
- the whole team of ICCA professionals
- and many, many other passionate event professionals.
I remember that for many participants it was their first visit to Gdansk, Poland and for some even to Europe. Many participants remember this event years later. I am sure it will be the same with Krakow.
Read also on my blog:
- 61st ICCA Congress in Krakow – a dream come true
- The Top 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry and why am I here
- Convention bureau on social media – the best case studies
- New opportunities during difficult times
See you in Krakow
Ending my short blog post written here in Krakow I have just one question …
Will you come to Krakow for ICCA Congress 2022?
You can find out more about 61st ICCA Congress 2022 in Krakow during IMEX in Frankfurt. Visit ICCA stand and Poland Convention Burau stand in Messe Frankfurt from May 31st to June 2nd 2022.
I hope to see you in Krakow, Poland this November. And as we say in Polish – Do zobaczenia w Krakowie!
