Recently, our thoughts have often turned towards the eastern regions of Poland for specific reasons, causing us to overlook the significant transformations occurring in this strategic part of the country. From the Suwałki region through Białystok, Lublin, and Rzeszów, there is a visible development in various sectors, including the MICE industry.
The emergence of new hotels, congress venues, and cultural centres is impressive, with their architecture, technological integration, and visionary approach to development. These are reasons to take pride in how the major cities of Eastern Poland are distinguishing themselves across Europe.
Bialystok – the Gate to Podlasie
Every visit to Białystok brings with it the irresistible urge to indulge in the local Podlasie cuisine, including delicacies such as babka, kiszka ziemniaczana, kartacze, and mrowisko. Close to the capital of Podlasie, you will find the Białowieża National Park, along with other natural wonders like Narwiański, Biebrzański, and Wigierski National Parks. Tykocin, Supraśl, Augustów, and many other sites and attractions provide additional opportunities to enrich event programmes and encourage extended stays post-conference.
Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic
From 19th to 21st September 2024, Białystok will host the European Prosthodontic Association (EPA) Congress. This prestigious event, like many others, will be held at the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic – European Centre of Art. This is currently the largest artistic institution in north-eastern Poland and the most modern cultural centre in this part of Europe. The complex, surrounded by greenery, is harmoniously integrated into the park landscape. According to the vision of the designer, Professor Marek Budzyński, the fusion of architecture with garden art has become a model for the development of the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship.
Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic – European Centre of Art website.
Hotels in Białystok
Conferences and other events can also be hosted in various hotels across Białystok, such as:
- Royal Hotel & Spa Białystok (5 stars)
- Best Western Hotel Cristal Białystok (4 stars)
- Hotel Branicki in Białystok (4 stars)
- Mercure Białystok (3 stars)
- Hampton By Hilton Białystok (3 stars)
The Congress Hall at the Gołębiewski Hotel can accommodate up to 750 people. Conveniently located near the Municipal Stadium in Białystok, this hotel is a prime choice for event organisers.
Undoubtedly, one of the most representative venues in Białystok is the Aula Magna in the Branicki Palace, often referred to as the “Versailles of Podlasie.” The palace serves as the main seat of the Medical University of Białystok and frequently hosts participants of scientific conferences and conventions organised by the university and various associations.
Lublin – the heart of Lubelskie Region
My recent visit to Lublin allowed me to explore the city from a MICE industry perspective. Over the years, I have witnessed tremendous changes, and after discovering the city’s charms, I am confident that international event planners will soon follow. The local cuisine adds an excellent complement to the experience, with many delicacies available during Lublin’s Christmas Market.
Lublin, with its rich history and cultural heritage, offers fascinating opportunities for storytelling and organising diverse meetings. The Chapel of the Holy Trinity in the Lublin National Museum combines elements of Latin and Orthodox Christian architecture and spirituality. Visiting for the first time, I was thoroughly impressed.
The Union of Lublin signed on 1st July 1569, joined two nations for three centuries, creating the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This legacy remains visible in the city today. Jan Matejko’s painting “Union of Lublin” can be admired in the National Museum at Lublin Castle. Moreover, thanks to an innovative portal at Litewski Square, residents of Lublin and Vilnius can see and interact with each other.
Like Białystok, Lublin boasts numerous attractions both within the city and in nearby areas such as Zamość, Nałęczów, and Roztocze.
Lublin Conference Centre
Lublin is home to a unique conference complex, with the Lublin Conference Centre at its heart. Surrounded by the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures, the Philharmonic, and the Musical Theatre, LCC offers top-tier, modern event spaces. The centre features 11 conference rooms, all equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology. The Antoni Patek Auditorium left a particularly strong impression on me, and yes, that is no coincidence. The history of the Patek Philippe company is closely linked to the Lublin region.
Events hosted at the Lublin Conference Centre include:
- the Virtual Family Medicine Congress,
- Passion for Watches – Antoni N. Patek,
- European Solidarity Workshop,
- Lublin Tourism Forum,
- Check IT,
- Lublin Neuroforum,
- the Three Seas Local Government Congress,
- the International Scientific Conference “Problems and Challenges of Modern Oncology”,
- the International Conference “Innovations in Ophthalmology – Education and Practice”,
- the Corporate Social Responsibility Forum,
- the CEE Edu Digital Summit.
@callmejaro From the moment you enter the Lubelskie Conference Centre, you can feel a positive atmosphere. The attention is drawn by lamps in the shape of cocoons, which to me, resemble zeppelins. The spacious Atrium houses the reception, a café, the newest exhibition area, and the Auditorium. The Lubelskie Centrum Konferencyjne (@lcklubelskie) offers a total of 11 comfortable conference rooms, equipped with top-quality audiovisual equipment. Each room can be flexibly adapted to the needs of event organizers. The most prestigious room, ideal for conferences and congresses, is the Antoni Patek Hall. Since 2020, four of the rooms can also function as studios for organizing hybrid and online events. On the sixth floor of the facility, there is a viewing terrace, a restaurant, and “LuCeK” – a unique goat that is another attraction on the Lublin Goat Trail. Organizing your event, congress, or conference here is highly advantageous due to the center’s state-of-the-art facilities, flexible room configurations, and excellent technical support. The center’s convenient location in Lublin and its professional staff ensure a seamless and memorable experience for all attendees. This post was created thanks to an invitation from the Lublin Regional Tourist Organization and the Lublin Convention Bureau for a dedicated MICE Trip in Lublin. #letsmeetinlubelskie #lubelskieCB #lubelskieCB_guest #polandcvb Lubelska Regionalna Organizacja Turystyczna Lubelskie Convention Bureau Dorota Lachowska Marcin Kania Emilia Kwiecień #Lublin #lubelskie #Poland #congresscenter #venue #conference #eventprofs #eventprofspl #meetingplanner #associations #travel #visitpoland @Poland Convention Bureau ♬ Rockin – Chris Alan Lee
Centre for the Meeting of Cultures in Lublin (CSK)
Next to the Lublin Conference Centre is the largest cultural institution in this part of Poland. The Opera Hall at the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures in Lublin can accommodate nearly 1,000 spectators, and this is not the only space available for hosting events. The unique architecture of CSK has also caught the eye of filmmakers.
In 2024, an Apple TV+ film crew visited the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures to shoot scenes for the third season of the series “Foundation,” and in previous years, Netflix filmed productions such as Agnieszka Holland’s “1983” and “A Girl and an Astronaut.”
@callmejaro Centrum Spotkania Kultur (CSK) to największa instytucja kultury po prawej stronie Wisły. W przestrzeniach Centrum kręcono filmy takie jak “1983” Agnieszki Holland oraz “Dziewczyna i kosmonauta” dla Netflixa. W 2024 roku na terenie CSK ekipa Apple TV+ realizowała zdjęcia do trzeciego sezonu serialu “Fundacja”. Jest to nowoczesny kompleks, który służy także do organizacji spotkań biznesowych. Na jego terenie znajdują się przestronne sale konferencyjne oraz wszechstronne przestrzenie wyposażone w najnowocześniejszy sprzęt prezentacyjny i konferencyjny. Centralnym punktem obiektu jest Sala Operowa, mogąca pomieścić blisko 1000 osób, idealna zarówno na konferencje, jak i sympozja. CSK oferuje kilkanaście różnorodnych przestrzeni, takich jak Duża i Mała Kieszeń Sceny, Foyer Sceny Operowej oraz galerie wystaw czasowych. Na szczególną uwagę zasługują przeszklone tarasy widokowe oraz Miejska Pasieka Artystyczna na dachu budynku, gdzie znajduje się także ogród z roślinnością charakterystyczną dla regionu Lubelszczyzny. CSK w Lublinie regularnie gości wydarzenia regionalne, ogólnopolskie i międzynarodowe. Post powstał dzięki zaproszeniu przez Lubelska Regionalna Organizacja Turystyczna LROT oraz Lubelskie Convention Bureau na dedykowany MICE Trip w Lublinie #letsmeetinlubelskie #lubelskieCB #lubelskieCB_guest #polandcvb Poland Convention Bureau POT Polska Organizacja Turystyczna #lublin #ilovelbn #lubelskie #lublincb #lublin #igerslublin #lubelskietravel #eventprofspl #eventprofslab #yesimmobile #igerslublin #lublinmiastoinspiracji #archidaily #architektura #visitpoland #polskatravel #shotoniphone #shotoniphone15promax #uniquevenue ♬ Epic Inspiration – DM Production
The rooftops of LCC and CSK feature gardens and viewing points, offering additional opportunities for meetings and events.
Hotels in Lublin
Lublin also offers a diverse range of accommodation options, including:
- Hotel Alter (5 stars)
- IBB Grand Hotel Lublinianka (4 stars)
- Hotel Wieniawski (3 stars)
- Mercure Lublin Centrum (3 stars)
- Arche Hotel Lublin (3 stars)
- Hampton By Hilton Lublin (3 stars)
- B&B Hotel Lublin Centrum (3 stars)
- Hotel Ibis Styles Stare Miasto (3 stars)
I was delighted to return to Lublin after a long absence.
Rzeszów and J-Town in Podkarpackie
For Poles, it’s Jasionka, but for American soldiers, it’s J-Town. The Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport is one of the safest locations in Europe. Its recognition was further boosted by the visit of US President Joe Biden, who, while meeting with American soldiers, enjoyed the now-famous “Spicy Joe” pizza.
G2A Arena
It’s also essential to highlight that Rzeszów-Jasionka is home to G2A Arena, the most modern business venue in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, designed for conferences, congresses, trade fairs, and exhibitions. Officially named the G2A Arena Exhibition and Congress Centre of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, its Congress Hall can accommodate over 850 people, with many more spaces available for event organisation.
Events hosted at G2A Arena include:
- The 4th edition of the Congress 590 for 7,000 attendees
- Carpathian Startup Fest 2024
- HR Arena Conference
- Concert of Legendary Hits with the Universe Orchestra Symphony Orchestra
- European Agricultural Forum
- 2024 Annual Convention of Safran
- Podkarpackie Travel Kaleidoscope
- Ekogala – International Trade Fair for High-Quality Products and Food
Hotels in Rzeszów
Rzeszów also offers a variety of accommodation options for guests attending conferences, trade fairs, concerts, and other events. Some of the most renowned hotels in Rzeszów include:
- Bristol Tradition and Luxury
- Hotel Grand
- Hilton Garden Inn Rzeszów
- Hotel Ambasadorski
- Hotel Prezydencki
Safety Considerations for Travelling to Eastern Poland
While the development of MICE venues, hotels and attractions in Eastern Poland is undeniable, the region’s proximity to international borders may raise safety concerns for some. Białystok, being close to the Lithuanian and Belarusian borders, and Lublin and Rzeszów, near Ukraine, have led to questions regarding the safety of travel to these areas, especially in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions. Recent migrant incidents at the Polish-Belarusian border and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have understandably made potential visitors cautious.
Concerns such as “Is it safe to travel to Eastern Poland?” and “Will my incentive group be secure?” are met among travellers and event organisers. Despite these challenges, Eastern Poland remains a safe destination. The Polish government has taken significant measures to ensure the safety and security of all regions, including those close to the borders. Enhanced security protocols, robust infrastructure, and the commitment of local authorities to maintain peace and order make Eastern Poland a viable and attractive option for MICE events and tourism.
Not convinced about safety in Poland? News and updates on Poland Travel Advice & Safety – SmartTraveller .
The summary
This overview of Eastern Poland’s MICE capabilities showcases the region’s rapid development and its potential to become a prominent player on the European stage. Whether it’s the cultural richness, modern infrastructure, or culinary delights, Eastern Poland offers a unique and compelling destination for event organisers and attendees alike.
Add Lublin, Rzeszow and Bialystok to your meeting planner list of MICE destinations.
Read also The Post-Industrial Renaissance in the Meetings Industry.
