Gdańsk is contributing to Poland’s growth in the MICE industry

05.12.2023 - 08:42 / traveldailynews.com / Vicky Karantzavelou

The meetings industry in Poland is witnessing rapid growth, with an anticipated value surpassing $4.5 billion in 2023, contributing up to 3-4% of the country’s GDP. Positioned strategically in the heart of Europe, Poland offers a range of advantages that extend beyond its renowned history, culture, and natural beauty.

Poland is emerging as a prominent player in the global meetings sector, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming a European MICE powerhouse.

Hospitality holds a paramount place in the Polish identity, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience for all visitors. 14 cities and regional Polish Convention Bureaus are focused on supporting organizers of corporate events, conferences and incentive travel with highly skilled event professionals. In addition, 17 Professional Congress Organisers and 13 Incentive Travel Companies, recommended by the Poland Convention Bureau, have successfully adapted to innovation and adjusted their offer to evolving guest needs.

More and more Polish cities have the facilities, infrastructure and qualified staff to host conferences and meetings of varying sizes and formats, which has been confirmed by the country’s significant stride in UIA ranking – climbing to the 20th spot globally in 2023. Four cities co-hosted, alongside Ukraine, a memorable European Football Championship in 2012, Warsaw held the NATO Summit in 2016, and Katowice hosted the COP 24 climate summit in 2018. The ICCA Congress 2022 in Kraków was well-received, too, drawing over 900 participants (100 speakers) from 80 countries.

While major cities like Warsaw and Kraków boast state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure for conferences of varying sizes, Gdańsk stands out as a rising star in the global meetings industry. The historic capital of Pomerania, located on the Baltic Sea, was included recently in the UIA (Union of International Associations) ranking for the first time, where the two mentioned cities have been listed for years. The 16 organized A-class international associations events allowed Gdańsk to be noted in the prestigious list, and there are many indications that the city will be ranked even higher in the following years.

Gdańsk, for example, recently hosted the EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023 competition, a unique event that brought together industry leaders, educators, and government representatives to showcase and discuss vocational skills and excellence. The three-day event featured competitions in 42 different skills and professions, with nearly 600 talented young professionals from 32 countries honoured for their dedication to achieving world-class standards in their respective fields.

This eighth edition of EuroSkills, held every two years, served as a platform