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REVIJA SLOVENSKE INDUSTRIJE SREČANJ • SLOVENIAN MEETINGS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE • ŠTEVILKA 3, OKTOBER 2007; ISSUE 3, OCTOBER 2007SREČANJA STROKOVNIH ZDRUŽENJAssociations MarketVLOGA PCO AGENCIJRole of PCO'sPREDSTAVITEV SLOVENSKIHKONGRESNIH PRODUKTOV - ALPEPresentation of SlovenianCongress Products - AlpsGLASILO ZAVODA-KONGRESNOTURISTIČNI URADURADNO GLASILO ZAVODA-KONGRESNOTURISTIČNI URAD • OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SLOVENIAN CONVENTION BUREAUOFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SLOVENIAN CONVENTION BUREAU

Davčni, finančni in pravni informacijski sistemDomovTaxFinLexZbirkeIskanjePortal Tax-Fin-Lex - vsi odgovori na enem mestuPortal Tax-Fin-Lex je osrednje mesto na internetu v Sloveniji, kjer lahkouporabnik dobi konkretne nasvete in ostale informacije z davčnega,računovodsko-finančnega in pravnega področja.V vsaki številki revije Kongres bomo odslej objavili davčni nasvet v zvezi skongresnim turizmom.VPRAŠANJE:Sponzorji in razstavljavci izdržav EU, ki plačajo zapredstavitev na kongresih vSloveniji, so oproščeni plačiladavka po 29. členu DDV.Dogaja pa se, da želijo oprostitevplačila davka tudi pri plačilukotizacije, hotelske namestitve,opreme za razstavni prostor,...So upravičeni do oprostitve?ODGOVOR:V zastavljenem vprašanju navajate različne situacije, pri katerih naročniki izEU želijo uveljavljati oprostitev plačila DDV, zato vam v nadaljevanjupodajamo pojasnilo za vsako situacijo posebej ob predpostavki, da sorazstavljavci zavezanci za DDV v drugi državi članici EU.Izobraževanje - kotizacijaKraj obdavčitve storitev izobraževanja je opredeljen v a točki 1. odstavka 28.člena Zakona o davku na dodano vrednost - ZDDV-1 (Uradni list RS, št.117/2006), v katerem je določeno, da je kraj obdavčitve tam, kjer so storitvedejansko opravljene, če gre za storitve s področja izobraževanja. To pomeni,da se storitve s področja izobraževanja vedno obdavčujejo po kraju dejanskeizvedbe. Izvajalec dolžan obračunati DDV, če se izobraževanje izvaja v Slovenijiin to ne glede na status kupca (pravna, fizična oseba) in ne glede na to izkatere države prihaja (iz SLO, EU ali izven EU). Tako obračunan DDV lahkotuji davčni zavezanci zahtevajo nazaj, če izpolnjujejo pogoje za vračilo po 74.členu ZDDV-1.Oprema za razstavni prostorV vprašanju ne navajate kaj dejansko predstavlja plačilo za opremoza razstavni prostor. Glede na to, da ne navajate ali je dajanje v najem trajnoinstalirane opreme (najem prostora na sejmu, ki je že opremljen) ali dajanje vnajem premičnin, vam v nadaljevanju pojasnjujemo obe situaciji.V skladu z g. točko 1. odstavka 29. člena ZDDV-1 je kraj opravljanja storitevdajanja premičnin v najem (razen vseh vrst prevoznih sredstev), ki se opravijoza naročnika s sedežem zunaj Skupnosti ali za davčnega zavezanca s sedežemv drugi državi članici, kraj, kjer ima naročnik sedež svoje dejavnosti ali imastalno poslovno enoto, za katero je storitev opravljena, oziroma če takegakraja ni, kraj, kjer ima stalno prebivališče ali običajno prebiva. To pomeni, da jeoddajanje opreme v najem oproščeno plačila davka v Sloveniji, če jerazstavljavec davčni zavezanec v državi članici EU in če izvajalcu storitveposreduje svojo davčno številko . V kolikor pa se premičnine oddajo v najemdavčnemu zavezancu izven EU, pa je, skladno z 29. členom Pravilnika oizvajanju Zakona o davku na dodano vrednost (Uradni list RS, št. 141/2006 in52/2007), DDV potrebno obračunati, saj se storitev uporabi in uživa vSloveniji.V kolikor pa se oddaja v najem opremljen sejemski prostor, se to šteje kotnepremičnina in zato je potrebno obračunati DDV v Sloveniji (kraj obdavčitveje vezan na lego nepremičnine) .Hotelske namestitveKraj opravljanja storitev, neposredno povezanih z nepremičninami,je, skladno s 26. členom ZDDV-1 kraj, kjer se nepremičnina nahaja. Navedenopomeni, da je ponudnik hotelskih zmogljivosti dolžan obračunati DDV, če senepremičnina (hotelski obrat) nahaja v Sloveniji in to ne glede na status kupca(pravna, fizična oseba) in ne glede na to iz katere države prihaja (iz SLO, EUali izven EU). Ker naša zakonodaja ne predvideva odbitka vstopnega DDV odhotelskih namestitev, ga tudi tujci ne morejo dobiti povrnjenega po 74. členuZDDV-1.Portal z dav≠nimi, ra≠unovodsko-finan≠nimi in pravnimi informacijamiTAX-FIN-LEX d.o.o.Dunajska 201000 LjubljanaTelefon: 01 432 4243www.tax-fin-lex.si

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KazaloREVIJA KONGRES –REVIJA SLOVENSKE INDUSTRIJE SREČANJGlavni in odgovorni urednik:Gorazd ČadIzvršna urednica:Jakica JesihPomočnica urednika:Danaja BesnardUredniški odbor:Christer CarlssonTony CareyGorazd ČadMiha KovačičSrečo PeterličTatjana RadovičPetra ČukMaja VidergarUstanovna podjetja in svet revije:Adria Airways, Auditoria, Avditorij Portorož,Cankarjev dom, Kulturni in kongresni center,City Hotel, Domina Vacanze, GH Union,Globtour d.o.o., Gospodarsko razstavišče,GO.Mice, Hiša Kulinarike Franc Jezeršek,HIT d.d., Hoteli Bernardin d.d., Portorož,Intours, Kompas, Kongresni servis Albatrosd.o.o., Liberty Slovenija d.o.o., Lifetrek,Luka Koper pristan d.o.o., M-hotel, d.o.o.,Micro Cocktail Software d.o.o.,Postojnska jama, turizem d.d.,Prevajalska agencija Alkemist, Robotrade,RS Klan Jazbec & Co. d.n.o., Sava Hoteli Bled,Terme Čatež, Terme Laško, Terme Maribor,Terme Olimia, Terme Spa Rogaška,Terme Radenci, TSE d.o.o. Audio video inženiring,Vivo Catering, Zavod-Kongresnoturistični uradSlovenije, Zavod za turizem Ljubljana,Zdravilišče LaškoOblikovanje:Tatjana Zupan, Propagarna d.o.o.Tehnični urednik:Marko Čopi, Grafika Paradoks d.o.o.Prevod:Alkemnist d.o.o., Alasdair Green, Mija GostinčarLektoriranje:Alasdair Green, Jakica JesihTisk:Collegium Graphicum d.o.o., LjubljanaNaklada:5.000 izvodovISSN številka:1854-9292Revija izhaja 4x letno:april; junij/julij; oktober; novemberIzdajatelj, produkcija in trženje:GO Mice, Štihova 4SI-1000 LjubljanaT: +386 (0)1 430 51 03F: +386 (0)1 430 51 04E: kongres@go-mice.euDatum izida:Oktober 2007Cena:3,50 EURZa reproduciranje vsebine je potrebno pisnosoglasje uredništva.Uvodnik: Srečo Peterlič . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Kratke novice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Kolumna Gorazd Čad: Kongresno soočenje II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Kolumna Paul Kennedy: Ponudba za organizatorje srečanj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Rok Klančnik: Pismo iz Bruslja: Pa čeprav ni vedno kaviar …* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Kolumna Tony Carey: Zakaj obveščanje šefa ni dovolj? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Kolumna Miha Kovačič: Kongresi združenj na pohodu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Auditoria d.o.o.: PCO prevzame projekt »na ključ« . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Albatros, Bled:PCO predstavlja logistiko organizacije kongresa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Kompas d.d.: PCO je naročnikova podaljšana roka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Primeri dobre prakse:Albatros d.o.o.: Naročnik je sprejemal samo pohvale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Auditoria d.o.o.: Polni optimizma združeni proti raku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Kompas d.d.: Kandidatura, mednarodne povezave in lobiranje . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Srečanja strokovnih združenj:Dr. Vladimir Smrkolj: Zgradimo velik kongresni center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Dr. Jernej Dolinšek: Majhnost in lepota Slovenije . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Sobe z razgledom – vendar ne v Toskani ...:Srečanja in motivacijski programi v alpskem svetu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46SWOT analiza: Analiza kongresnega produkta na Bledu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Intervju Tadej Tufek, Adria Airways:V pripravi številne novosti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54EIBTM 2007: Osrednja svetovna borza za kongresni turizem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60Kolumna Joyce Dogniez: V korak s spremembami! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Kolumna Kathryn Goldstein:MPI podpisala dogovor o korporativni družbeni odgovornosti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68Hiša kulinarike Jezeršek:Učili smo sebe in vzgajali naročnike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Kongresni standardi in kakovost storitev:Kako izbrati pravega kongresnega organizatorja? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74Letališče Jožeta Pučnika Ljubljana:Odpiramo prostor poslovnim srečanjem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80HIT Nova Gorica: Prepoznavno igralniško – konferenčno mesto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82WEB 2.0 pristop : Za učinkovitejšo promocijo kongresne dejavnosti . . . . . . . . . . . 846

IndexEditorial: Srečo Peterlič . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Short News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Column Gorazd Čad: Congress Confrontation II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Column Paul Kennedy: “Offer” to Meeting Planners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Rok Klančnik: Letter from Brussels : You don't always have Caviar…* . . . . . . . . . . 23Column Tony Carey, CMP, CMM: Why briefing the Boss is not enough? . . . . . . . . 25Column Miha Kovačič: The Congress Association on the March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Auditoria d.o.o.: The PCO takes over the »Turn-Key« Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Albatros Bled:The PCO presents the Logistics of Congress Organisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Kompas d.d.: The PCO is the Client's extended Arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Good Practice Case Study:Albatros d.o.o.: The Organisers received nothing but Praise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Auditoria d.o.o.: Full of Optimism United Against Cancer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Kompas d.d.: Candidature, International Integration and Lobbying . . . . . . . . . . . 37Meetings of Expert AssociationsDr. Vladimir Smrkolj: Let’s build a large Congress Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Dr. Jernej Dolinšek: Slovenia’s small size and beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Rooms with a View – but not in Tuscany:Meetings and Incentives in the Alpine Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49SWOT Analysis: Analysis of the Bled Congress Product . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Interview - Tadej Tufek, Adria Airways:Numerous Novelties being prepared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57EIBTM 2007: New Ideas for the Meetings Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Column Joyce Dogniez: Keep up with the Changes! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Column Kathryn Goldstein:MPI Signs the UN Compact on CSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69The Jezeršek House of Cuisine :We taught ourselves and educated the clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Congress Standards and Service Quality :How do you choose the right Congress Organiser? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76Airport Jože Pučnik Ljubljana:Opening Space for Business Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81HIT Nova Gorica: A distinguished gaming – conference City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83The WEB 2.0 Approach: For more effective Congress Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85CONGRESS – SLOVENIAN MEETINGINDUSTRY MAGAZINEEditor-in-Chief:Gorazd ČadExecutive Editor:Jakica JesihAssistant to the Editor-in-Chief:Danaja BesnardEditorial Board:Christer CarlssonTony CareyGorazd ČadMiha KovačičSrečo PeterličTatjana RadovičPetra ČukMaja VidergarFounding Companies and Magazine Board:Adria Airways, Auditoria, Avditorij Portorož,Cankarjev dom, Kulturni in kongresni center,City Hotel, Domina Vacanze, GH Union,Globtour d.o.o., Gospodarsko razstavišče,GO.Mice, Hiša Kulinarike Franc Jezeršek,HIT d.d., Hoteli Bernardin d.d., Portorož,Intours, Kompas, Kongresni servis Albatrosd.o.o., Liberty Slovenija d.o.o., Lifetrek,Luka Koper pristan d.o.o., M-hotel, d.o.o.,Micro Cocktail Software d.o.o.,Postojnska jama, turizem d.d.,Prevajalska agencija Alkemist, Robotrade,RS Klan Jazbec & Co. d.n.o., Sava Hoteli Bled,Terme Čatež, Terme Laško, Terme Maribor,Terme Olimia, Terme Spa Rogaška,Terme Radenci, TSE d.o.o. Audio video inženiring,Vivo Catering, Zavod-Kongresnoturistični uradSlovenije, Zavod za turizem Ljubljana,Zdravilišče LaškoDesign:Tatjana Zupan, Propagarna d.o.o.Technical Editor:Marko Čopi, Grafika Paradoks d.o.o.Translation:Alkemnist d.o.o., Alasdair Green, Mija GostinčarProofreading:Alasdair Green, Jakica JesihPrinting:Collegium Graphicum d.o.o., LjubljanaCirculation:5.000 copiesISSN Number:1854-9292Quarterly Magazine issued in:April; June/July; October; NovemberPublisher, Production and Marketing:GO Mice, Štihova 4SI-1000 LjubljanaT: +386 (0)1 430 51 03F: +386 (0)1 430 51 04E: kongres@go-mice.euIssue date:October 2007Price:EUR 3,50For the content reproduction it is requiredto get the written editorial consigment.7

UvodnikSrečanja strokovnih združenjOrganizacija mednarodnih strokovnih kongresov že desetletja močno vpliva naustvarjanje podobe države gostiteljice. Kongresov se po pravilu udeležujejo vodilnipredstavniki stroke. Država ali mesto, ki gosti mednarodni kongres, dobi neponovljivopriložnost za srečanje vodilnih mednarodnih predstavnikov stroke z najnovejšiminacionalnimi dosežki. Ob neposrednem finančnem učinku na nacionalnogospodarstvo imajo kongresi močan psihološki in tudi politični učinek. Država,ki iz katerih koli razlogov ne gosti pomembnejših mednarodnih kongresov, prejali slej postane siva lisa na svetovnem zemljevidu. Udeleženci dobro organiziranegakongresa navadno odidejo domov kot prijazni ambasadorji dežele, ki so jospoznali. S svojim vplivom na domače okolje torej posredno in trajno pomagajooblikovati vtis o državi ali mestu, ki so ga obiskali.Predvsem z Ljubljano, Bledom in Portorožem je Slovenija vse bolj opazna na mednarodnemtrgu srečanj strokovnih združenj. Dežela s komaj dvema milijonomaprebivalcev ima na voljo izreden znanstveni potencial – nekaj tisoč znanstvenikovin strokovnjakov, ki aktivno delujejo v mednarodnih združenjih svoje stroke. Velikojih je mednarodno priznanih, lahko pridobijo in strokovno organizirajo najzahtevnejšemednarodne kongrese.Kongresne in hotelske zmogljivosti so v Sloveniji seveda omejene; kongresov z desetin več tisoči udeležencev seveda ne moremo gostiti. Smo pa odlični organizatorji ingostitelji. To nam priznava velika večina tistih udeležencev, ki so v Sloveniji že bili.Srečo Peterlič, predsednik sveta Zavoda-Kongresnoturistični uradDirektor kongresne dejavnosti, Auditoria d.o.o.Srečo Peterlič (Foto/Photo: B. Zupančič)Organising international congresses has had a strong influence on the imageof us as a host country for over a decade. The leading people in any given fieldusually attend these congresses. The country or city hosting an internationalcongress is thus offered a unique chance to showcase its latest nationalachievements to the leading international representatives in that field. In additionto a direct financial effect on the national economy, these congresses have astrong psychological and political effect and a country not hosting any importantinternational congresses, for whatever reason, sooner or later becomes a greyspot on the world map. The participants of a well-organised congress usuallytravel back home as friendly ambassadors for the country they have cometo know. Their influence on their home environment therefore directly andcontinually helps to shape the image of the country or city they’ve visited.Ljubljana, Bled and Portorož in particular are helping Slovenia become moreprominent on the international expert association meetings market. This land,with a population of only two million, has exceptional scientific potential available –a few thousand scientists and experts actively working in international associationsin their disciplines. Many are internationally recognised and can acquire andprofessionally organise the most demanding international congresses.Congress and hotel capabilities in Slovenia are, of course, limited. Congresseswith ten thousand or more participants can’t be hosted here. But we are,nevertheless, excellent organisers and hosts, as a large majority of theparticipants who have already been to Slovenia acknowledge.Srečo Peterlič, Chairman of the Slovenian Convention Bureau CouncilCongress Director, Auditoria, d. o. oEditorialAssociation Meetings9

Kratke noviceNovice Zavoda-Kongresnoturistični uradStandardizacija članovKongresni urad bo letos jeseniopravil standardizicijo svojih članov.Slovenija s tako obširno standardizacijospada med pionirje na tempodročju. Uveljavitev standardov napodročju kongresne dejavnosti bokoristila tako organizatorjem kakortudi ponudnikom kongresnih storitev,saj bo uvedla boljšo preglednostponudnikov. Projekt vsebujetudi izobraževalno komponento inbo pripomogel k dvigu kakovostinaše kongresne dejavnosti.Jesenske trženjske aktivnostiKongresnega urada6. september 2007, LondonUrad vlade za komuniciranje je vLondonu organiziral srečanje zaangleške novinarje, ki pišejo o turizmu.Kongresni urad je sebe in svoječlane predstavil s kongresnimkatalogom in revijo Kongres.28.–30. september 2007 in12.–14. oktober 2007, LjubljanaKongresni urad bo v sodelovanju sčlani in STO organiziral študijski potovanjiin delavnici za angleške oz.nemške organizatorje dogodkov.Delavnici bosta v Ljubljani, udeležencipa bodo obiskali tudi Bled inPortorož.16. oktober 2007, AmsterdamKongresni urad se bo v sodelovanjuz ZTL in STO udeležil delavnice zanizozemske organizatorje dogodkov.To bo premierna predstavitev kongresneponudbe na nizozemskemtržišču. Poleg osebnega srečanja zorganizatorji dogodkov bomo pripravilitudi 15-minutno predstavitevnašega proizvoda.8.–9. november 2007, RimKongresni urad se bo v sodelovanjus člani in STO udeležil mednarodneposlovne borze BTC v Rimu. To jenajvečja poslovna borza na italijanskemtržišču. Več o borzi nawww.btc.it. Izdati nameravamo tudirazličico angleškega kataloga v italijanskemjeziku.27.–29. november 2007, BarcelonaKongresni urad se bo v sodelovanjus člani in STO udeležil mednarodneposlovne borze EIBTM v Barceloni.To je druga največja poslovna borzana evropskem tržišču. Več o borzina www.eibtm.comIzobraževanje pod okriljemKongresnega urada10. oktober 2007,Tony Carey, Terme OlimiaTony Carey bo vodil strokovno usposabljanjez naslovom Catering vkongresni dejavnosti. Dogodek bopovezan in obogaten z obiskom inogledom Gostinsko turističnegazbora.Rekordna udeležbana ICCA kongresuLetošnjega ICCA kongresa se bo udeležilorekordno število obiskovalcev. Organizatorjipričakujejo preko 820 kongresnihgostov, kar je enako rekordniudeležbi na kongresu leta 2006 na Rodosu.Letošnji poudarek bo na izobraževalnihvsebinah na področju trženjain prodajnih tehnik. Udeležba na kongresuje hkrati enkratna priložnost zaspoznavanje hitro rastočega azijskegatržišča. www.iccaworld.comRazcvet kongresnegaturizma v GlasgowuZaradi povečanega obsega kongresnegaturizma načrtujejo v Glasgowu izgradnjoštevilnih novih hotelov z več kot 2.400 sobami.Informacijo je posredoval GlasgowCity Marketing Bureau. Zaradi velikostiKako prepeljati udeležence do kraja vašegadogodka po ugodnih cenah?Tel.: + 386 1 36 91 317Fax: + 386 1 23 01 325kongresi@adria.sievents@adria.siwww.adria-airways.com10

Kratke novicemesta je primer Glasgowa kot primer modeladestinacijskega managementa zanimivtudi za Ljubljano. www.seeglasgow.com/ convention-bureauZaključena že 21. poletna šolaEFCT v Tallinu21. poletno šolo EFCT je obiskalo 65udeležencev, med njimi rekordnih devetslovenskih kongresnih organizatorjev inhotelirjev. Intenzivni tridnevni seminarse je tako vpisal na svetovni zemljevidkongresnih izobraževalnih dogodkov kotvrhunska kombinacija plenarnih zasedanj,praktičnega usposabljanja, oglednihobiskov in priložnosti za druženje s kolegis celega sveta. Ključno vlogo pri organizacijiin izvedbi je odigrala TatjanaRadovič iz Zavoda za turizem Ljubljana,ki je že vrsto let predavateljica in članicaorganizacijskega odbora poletne šole.www.efct.comZaključen natečaj za novoblagovno znamko LjubljaneZavod za turizem Ljubljana je leta 2005skupaj s 27 partnerji, glavnimi nosilci turističneponudbe v Ljubljani, uspešnokandidiral za evropska sredstva za spodbujanjerazvoja turističnih destinacij. Februarja2007 je ZTL razpisal vabljeni natečajza kreativno (grafično in verbalno)oblikovanje blagovne znamke turističnedestinacije Ljubljana. Predmet natečajaje bilo oblikovanje takšne znamke turističnedestinacije Ljubljana, s katero se bodopoistovetile tako strokovne javnostikot tudi sami meščani. Natečaj, kateregarok se je iztekel 1. junija 2007, je imelmednarodni značaj. Sodelovale so štiridomače in dve tuji agenciji. Predlog vabljenihagencij so na podlagi referencpripravili člani komisije v sestavi: GorazdČad, Miro Kline (predsednik), Janez Koželj,Miljenko Licul, Ranko Novak, VladimirPezdirc in Barbara Vajda. Komisija jedne 4. junija 2007 opravila izbor in soglasnoodločila, da je John Morgan Studio izAnglije zasnoval zmagovalni projekt.Primeri grafičnih rešitev:www.ljubljana.si/si/turizem/mediji/blagovna-znamka/73751/detail.htmlCenter dobrega počutjav Grand hotelu BernardinDružba Hoteli Bernardin bo konec letapričela z nadgradnjo osnovne kongresnedejavnosti Grand hotela Bernardin s Centromdobrega počutja. Začetek gradnje jepredviden v začetku decembra 2007,otvoritev centra pa za Veliko noč konecmarca 2008. Center bo zasnovan na višjiravni z interiersko unikatnostjo in z dovršenostjovsebinske ponudbe v harmonijizdravja, dobrega počutja, udobja, razvajanjain estetike. V 9. in 10. nadstropju GHBernardin bo novemu centru dobregapočutja namenjena ca. 2.000 m 2 velikapovršina, kjer bodo goste čakali bazen naizjemni lokaciji s pogledom na morje, deželadevetih savn, moderno opremljen fitnescenter, masažni in kozmetični del zVIP suito, solarij ter počivališče s sadnimbarom. Z obogatitvijo ponudbe s to tržnozanimivo in nujno naložbo na področjusprostitvenega segmenta bodo v Grandhotelu Bernardin zagotovili povečanje zasedenostihotela tudi izven kongresne inpoletne počitniške sezone.www.h-bernardin.siDružba HIT odprlaprenovljeni igralniško –zabaviščni center ParkPo letu in pol obnovitvenih del je družbaHit septembra v Novi Gorici slovesnoodprla prenovljeni igralniško-zabaviščnicenter Park. Hitova 25 milijonov evrovvredna investicija Novi Gorici dodaja šeen center igre in zabave, ki zdaj sodimed največje in najsodobnejše v Evropi.Atraktivna arhitekturna podoba prenovljenegacentra je delo arhitekturnegabiroja Omnia Arhing, d. o. o. iz Ljubljane,gradbena dela je opravilo podjetjeKraški zidar, d. d., iz Sežana, interier paje delo podjetja Lesnina inženiring izLjubljane. V času obnove Park ni bil zaprtniti en dan, pri čemer se je ponudbacentra začasno preselila tudi v montažneobjekte ob samem gradbišču. Park,Casino’ & Hotel, bo odslej svojim obiskovalcemna skupno 4200 m 2 neto površineponujal celovito zabavo od najmodernejšihiger na srečo (789 igralnihavtomatov, 36 igralnih miz, bingo) doatraktivnih koncertov, modnih revij indrugih zabavnih programov v prireditvenemdelu centra, vse skupaj pospremljenoz izvrstno kulinariko. www.hit.si11

Kratke noviceSodelovanje STO s priznanimjaponskim organizatorjem potovanjJTB Business World Tokyo Corp.21. avgusta 2007 je na sedežu Slovensketuristične organizacije v Ljubljanipotekal slavnostni podpis pogodbemed JTB Business World Tokyo Corp.,največjim in najbolj priznanim japonskimtouroperaterjem, ter Slovenskoturistično organizacijo o izvajanju komunikacijskihaktivnosti na japonskemtrgu v letu 2008. Osrednji ciljpodpisa je povečanje prihodov in prenočitevjaponskih gostov ter vzpostavitevdirektnih čarterskih poletov medJaponsko in Slovenijo. Podpisu so prisostvovalitudi nj. eksc. Tsuneshige Iiyama,veleposlanik Japonske v RepublikiSloveniji, nj. eksc. Miran ČupkovičSkender, veleposlanik RepublikeSlovenije na Japonskem ter mag.Marjan Hribar, generalni direktorDirektorata za turizem na Ministrstvuza gospodarstvo.S podpisom pogodbe o sodelovanju zJTB Business World Tokyo Corp., največjimin najbolj priznanim japonskimtouroperaterjem, je narejen korak kskupnem izvajanju komunikacijskihaktivnosti na japonskem trgu v letu2008. Cilj Slovenske turistične organizacijeje, da s tem sodelovanjem povečaštevilo prihodov in prenočitev japonskihgostov ter vzpostavi direktnečarterske letalske polete med Japonskoin Slovenijo.Tadashi Ichikawa in mag. Dimitrji PicigaIzbrana gostiteljska mesta za PECOrganizacija Meeting ProfessionalsInternational (MPI) je 28. julija 2007objavila imena mest, ki so bila izbranaza gostitelje njihovih konferenc zimenom Professional Education Conference(PEC) v letih 2009 in 2010. GostiteljEvropske PEC v letu 2009 boTorino, Italija (konferenca bo potekalaod 7. do 10. februarja 2009), gostiteljEvropske PEC v letu 2010 pa bo Málaga,Španija (konferenca bo predvidomapotekala od 28. februarja do 2.marca 2010).Novosti iz Postojnske jame,turizemPorast povpraševanja po motivacijskihdogodkih, ki jih nudi Postojnskajama, turizem d. d., je dokaz, da greza ponudbo, ki je tržno zanimiva. Prijamskih in grajskih pustolovščinahter strokovnih programih team buildingagre za izvirno kombinacijo jamskegaali grajskega okolja, strokovnegavodenja in vrhunske kulinarike.V letošnjem letu že tako privlačnoponudbo dopolnili s predstavo magičnegagledališča Serpentes, ki s ssvojo izvirno interpretacijo mitologijev Postojnski jami deluje atraktivno inekskluzivno.Izposoja opremeza simultano tolmačenjeV prevajalski agenciji Alkemist vam od1. oktobra dalje poleg storitev prevajanja,tolmačenja ter poučevanja tujihjezikov nudijo izposojo najmodernejšeopreme za simultano tolmačenje:kabine (TÜV certificirane), slušalke,ozvočenje, digitalen (IR) prenos jezikov,ozvočenje, brezžični konferenčno-diskusijskisistem. Preiskusitenovo ponudbo!Posodobljeni na svetovnem spletuOrganizatorji kongresno-prireditvenedejavnost Cankarjevega doma so medpoletnimi meseci posodabljali svojespletne strani. Domena www.cdcc.si/kongresje kot doslej sevedadvojezična (slovenska in angleška),njena vsebina pa je razširjena in boljpregledna. Bistvene novosti so trodimenzionalnepredstavitve dvoran, interaktivnitloris ter natančna ponudbastoritev in tehnične opreme. Obiskovalcembodo nedvomno koristiletudi povezave na spletne strani ssplošnimi informacijami, kot so turističneinformacije, vozni redi, deviznitečaji, informacije o vizah in vremenskanapoved.Kratki programi iz KompasaZa vse, ki se srečujete z organizacijokongresov, srečanj ali le z obiski poslovnihpartnerjev, bo verjetno dobrodošlanovica, da je Kompas d.d. pripraviltedenski program poldnevnih inenodnevnih izletov. Za razliko od običajnihin v naprej naročenih izletov,agencija tukaj celo leto garantira zaizvedbo izletniškega programa, ki lahkopopestri vaš dogodek. Enostavno inbrez glavobola: www.kompas-online.netali po telefonu. Edini pogoj je,da sta prijavljeni najmanj dve osebi,odhodi pa so iz Ljubljane, Maribora,Bleda in Portoroža.Auditoria pridobila organizacijoštirih konferenc EUREKEJulija letos je Slovenija prevzela enoletnopredsedovanje programu EURE-KA. Ministrstvo za visoko šolstvo, znanostin tehnologijo je slovenske PCOjepovabilo k oddaji ponudbe za organizacijoštirih konferenc in ministrskegasrečanja in kot najugodnejši12

Kratke noviceponudnik je bilo izbrano podjetje Auditoriad.o.o.. Konference, ki se jih boudeležilo približno po 150 delegatov izvse Evrope, bodo oktobra v Mariboru,januarja na Bledu, aprila v Portorožuin junija v Ljubljani.Terme Ptuj odprleGrand Hotel PrimusTerme Ptuj, d.o.o., ki delujejo v okvirublagovne znamke Panonske terme, sopo letu dni od pričetka gradnje odprlevrata novega štirizvezdičnega GrandHotela Primus, ki bo predstavljal pomembenprispevek k dopolnitvi dosedanjevrzeli na področju pomanjkanjanamestitvenih kapacitet in turističneponudbe v Spodnjem Podravju. Okrog20 milijonov evrov vreden hotel je letošnjanajvečja naložba v Poslovniskupini Sava in v slovenskem turizmu.Hotel se razprostira na skupno 13.493kvadratnih metrih in ima 250 ležišč,od tega so trije luksuzni predsedniškiapartmaji, ki imajo na razpolago vsaksvoj jacuzzi in savno. S ponudbo kongresnegaoz. poslovnega turizmaGrand Hotel Primus zapolnjuje vrzel vsiceršnji nezadostni ponudbi tovrstnihstoritev na širšem območju Ptuja inSpodnjega Podravja. V hotelu je navoljo več dvoran, namenjenih najrazličnejšimposlovnim srečanjem, vsiprostori pa so opremljeni z najmodernejšomultimedijsko tehnologijo.Hotelska ponudba je prilagojena tudigolfistom, saj se le 300 metrov odnovega hotela razprostira golf igriščez 18 igralnimi polji, do koder iz hotelavodijo urejene poti.Kako do nepovratnih sredstev?ALTEA svetovanje d.o.o. vabi na seminarKako do nepovratnih sredstev EUv turizmu. Predstavljeni bodo programiin praktični primeri financiranjaprogramov za investicije in aktivnosti,kot so dogodki, razvoj novih produktov,usposabljanje in izobraževanje vturizmu. Seminar bodo 11. oktobra2007 v GH Union – Business od 9.00do 15.30 vodili strokovnjaki z bogatimiizkušnjami na področju pridobivanjanepovratnih sredstev EU za financiranjeinvesticij in aktivnosti, poleg tegabodo predstavljeni primeri uspešnihpridobitev sredstev. Več informacij naKongresnem uradu oziroma direktnopri Altea svetovanje na altea@siol.net.Imenovanja v MPIZa predsednika MPI-jevega Evropskegasveta je bil julija 2007 imenovanGerrit Jessen. Evropski svet je regionalnopredstavniško telo MPI-jevegaGerrit Jessenčlanstva v Evropi, na Bližnjem vzhoduin v Afriki. Na svojem položaju bo GerritJessen odgovoren za pripravo in izdajopriporočil o priložnostih za razvojin rast v omenjenih regijah.V skladu s svojo vizijo globalne širitveje MPI na novi položaj direktorja prodajein razvoja partnerstev imenovalAntonia Ducceschija, ki bo v svoji novivlogi odgovoren za razvoj novih partnerstevin poslovnih priložnosti v Evropiin na Srednjem vzhodu s ciljempospeševanja MPI-jevega globalnegarazvoja ter krepitve obstoječih poslovnihodnosov, ki jih ima MPI s ključnimipartnerji v regiji.Novice iz Sava Hotelov BledStrateški forum Bled33. Carnegie srečanjeKonec avgusta je v Sava Hotelih Bledpotekal že drugi Strateški forumBled v organizaciji Ministrstva za zunanjezadeve in Centra za evropskoprihodnost. Udeležilo se ga je več kot400 udeležencev iz 50 držav, mednjimi predsednik Gruzije, številnipredsedniki in podpredsedniki vlad,ministri in drugi ugledni gostje.Konferenca o razvojniekonomiji ABCDEV maju je Bled gostil redno letnoKonferenco o razvojni ekonomijiABCDE. Konferenca, ki sta jo organiziralaSvetovna banka in Ministrstvoza finance Republike Slovenije,Evropski komisar za znanost in razvoj Janez Potočnik,minister za finance dr. Andrej Bajuk in podpredsednikSvetovne banke Shigeo Katsu na večerjiv Grand Hotelu Toplice.je gostila blizu 500 udeležencev iz večkot 80 držav. Glavno zasedanje je potekalov Festivalni dvorani, medtemko so se spremljevalni dogodki odvijaliv novem konferenčnem središču hotelaPark.Od 15. do 17. junija se je v hotelu VilaBled odvijalo 33. srečanje ministrov insvetovalcev za znanost držav G8 Carnegie.Srečanje je gostil evropski komisarza znanost in raziskave Janez Potočnik,med drugimi uglednimi gosti pa so sega udeležili tudi ministri za znanost izNemčije, Francije, Italije in Rusije.Skupinska fotografija udeležencev srečanja Carnegie.13

Short NewsRecord Number of Participantsat the ICCA CongressA record number of participants willattend this year’s ICCA Congress. Theorganisers are expecting over 820congress visitors, which is the sameas the record congress participationat Rhodes in 2006. This year, thestress will be on educational contentin the field of marketing and salestechniques. Attendance at thecongress is at the same time a uniqueopportunity for familiarisation withthe rapidly expanding Asian market.www.iccaworld.comNews from the Slovenian Convention BureauMembers standardisationThe Slovenian Convention Bureau isundertaking the standardisation of itsmembers this autumn. With such abroad standardisation, Slovenia aimsto be one of the pioneers in this field.Implementation of standards in thefield of the convention activity willbring benefits to both organisers aswell as providers of convention services,as it will enforce better transparencyof providers. The mentionedproject also includes an educationalcomponent that will contribute to thehigher quality of convention activity.Marketing activitiesof the Slovenian ConventionBureau in autumn6 September 2007, LondonThe Government Communication Officeorganised a meeting in London for UKtourism journalists. The SlovenianConvention Bureau presented its activityand participants received a conventioncatalogue and Kongres magazine.28 – 30 September 2007 and12 – 14 October 2007, LjubljanaIn cooperation with its members andthe Slovenian Tourist Board, theSlovenian Convention Bureau will conducttwo study visits and workshopsfor UK and German event organisers.The workshops will take place inLjubljana, while participants will alsovisit Bled and Portorož.16 October 2007, AmsterdamIn cooperation with the LjubljanaTourist Board and the Slovenian TouristBoard, the Slovenian ConventionBureau will participate in a workshoporganised for Dutch event organisers.This will be the first presentationof the Slovenian convention offer on theDutch market. In addition to a personalmeeting with organisers of this event,we will also conduct a 15-minutepresentation of our product.8 – 9 November 2007, RomeIn cooperation with members of theSlovenian Tourist Board, the SlovenianConvention Bureau will participate atthe BTC International Exhibition inRome. This is the biggest B2B fair onthe Italian market. More about theexhibition is available at www.btc.it.We also plan to prepare an Italianversion of the English catalogue.27 – 29 November 2007, BarcelonaIn cooperation with membersof the Slovenian Tourist Board,the Slovenian Convention Bureauwill participate at the EIBTM GlobalMeetings and Incentives Exhibition inBarcelona. This is the second biggestB2B fair on the European market.More about the exhibition is availableat www.eibtm.comEducation under the auspicesof the Slovenian ConventionBureau10 October 2007, Tony Carey,spa Terme OlimiaTony Carey will conduct professionaltraining on the subject of Catering inConvention Activity. The event will beconnected with and enriched by thevisit of the Catering and TourismConvention.Congress TourismExpands in GlasgowNumerous new hotels with more than2400 rooms are planned for constructionin Glasgow due to an increase inthe scope of congress tourism. Thisinformation was provided by theGlasgow City Marketing Bureau. Due tothe city’s size, the Glasgow example is,as an example of a destination managementmodel, interesting for Ljubljana aswell. www.seeglasgow.com/conventionbureauThe 21 st EFCT Summer SchoolConcludes at TallinnThe 21st EFCT Summer School wasattended by 65 participants, amongthem nine Slovenian congressorganisers and hoteliers, which isa record. The intense three-dayseminar thus entered the world mapof congress educational events asa first-rate combination of plenarysessions, practical training, viewingvisits and opportunities for socialisingwith colleagues from the entire world.Tatjana Radovič from the LjubljanaTourist Board, who has been alecturer and member of the SummerSchool Organising Committee foryears, again played a key role inthe organisation and execution.www.efct.comDesign Competition for the NewLjubljana Brand Name ConcludedIn 2005, together with 27 partners, mainproviders of the Ljubljana tourist offer,the Ljubljana Tourist Board was a successfulcandidate for European fundsfor encouraging development of touristdestinations. In February 2007, theLjubljana Tourist Board announced adesign competition for a creative(graphic and verbal) design of theLjubljana tourist destination brandname. The object of the competitionwas the designing of a brand name forthe Ljubljana tourist destination whichboth experts and citizens could identifywith. The competition, whose deadlineexpired on 1 June 2007, was of an internationalcharacter. Four local and twoforeign agencies applied. The proposalof invited agencies was prepared on the14

Short Newsbasis of references by members of thecommission comprising Gorazd Čad,Miro Kline (chairman), Janez Koželj,Miljenko Licul, Ranko Novak, VladimirPezdirc and Barbara Vajda. Thecommission performed the selection on4 June 2007 and unanimously decidedthat the John Morgan Studio fromEngland designed the project thatdeserved victory.Examples of graphic solutions:www.ljubljana.si/si/turizem/mediji/blagovna-znamka/73751/detail.htmlWellness Centreat the Grand Hotel BernardinThe Hoteli Bernardin company willbegin upgrading the basic meetingindustry activity of the Grand HotelBernardin and its Wellness Centreat the end of the year. Constructionis scheduled to start early inDecember 2007. The Centre will beinaugurated at Easter, at the end ofMarch 2008, and will feature highlevel design with interior uniquenessand an excellent content offer ina harmony of health, wellness,comfort, indulgence and aesthetics.An approximately 2000 m 2 area willbe dedicated to the new wellnesscentre on the 9th and 10th floors ofthe Grand Hotel Bernardin; its guestswill be able to enjoy a swimmingpool, exceptionally situatedoverlooking the sea, the country ofnine saunas, a fitness centre withmodern equipment, a massage andcosmetics section with a VIP suite,a solarium and a relaxation area witha fruit bar. By enriching its offer withthis urgent and attractive investmentfrom the marketing point of view inthe leisure segment, the Grand HotelBernardin will ensure increasedcapacity utilisation even outsidethe congress and summer holidayseason. www.h-bernardin.siThe HIT Company Opensthe Renovated Park Gamingand Entertainment CentreAfter a year and a half of renovationworks, the Hit Company in NovaGorica inaugurated the renovatedPark Gaming and EntertainmentCentre. Hit’s 25 million euroinvestment added an additionalcentre of gaming and entertainmentto Nova Gorica; this centre is nowone of the largest and mostmodern in Europe. The attractivearchitectural appearance of therenovated centre is the work of OmniaArhing, d. o. o., an architecturalbureau from Ljubljana; constructionworks were performed by Kraškizidar, d. d., from Sežana; the interioris the work of the Lesnina inženiringcompany from Ljubljana. The parkwas not closed for even a single dayduring renovation, but the centre’soffer was temporarily moved, amongothers, into prefabricated buildingsnear the construction site. On a totalnet surface area of 4200 m 2 , the ParkCasino & Hotel now offers its visitorsintegrated entertainment rangingfrom the most modern gaming(789 slot machines, 36 gaming tables,Bingo) to attractive concerts, fashionshows and other entertainmentprogrammes in the event-dedicatedpart of the centre. All this is accompaniedby an excellent culinary offer.www.hit.siCooperation established betweenthe STB and the acclaimedJapanese travel company JTBBusiness World Tokyo CorpThe Slovenian Tourist Board on 21August 2007 signed a contract withthe largest and most acclaimedJapanese travel company JTBBusiness World Tokyo Corp. onperforming communication activitieson the Japanese market in 2008.The main aim of the contract is toincrease arrivals and overnight staysof Japanese guests and to establishdirect charter flights between Japanand Slovenia. The signing ceremony,held at the headquarters of theSlovenian Tourist Board in Ljubljana,was attended by His ExcellencyTsuneshige Iiyama, ambassadorof Japan to Slovenia, His ExcellencyMiran Čupkovič Skender, ambassadorof Slovenia to Japan and MarjanHribar, MSc, director general of theDirectorate for Tourism at theMinistry of the Economy.The contract on cooperation with JTBBusiness World Tokyo Corp signifiesa step towards joint performanceof communication activities on theJapanese market in 2008. For theSlovenian Tourist Board, the aimof this cooperation is to increasethe number of arrivals and overnightstays of Japanese guests and toestablish direct charter flightsbetween Japan and Slovenia.Host cities for PEC selectedMeeting Professionals International(MPI) on July 28, 2007 published thenames of cities chosen to host theirKompas CorporateKONGRESI, POSLOVNA POTOVANJA, LETALSKE VOZOVNICEKompas Corporate je Kompasovablagovna znamka za vrhunske celostnestoritve za vse poslovne uporabnike –podjetja, razli~ne ustanove in vladneinstitucije iz Slovenije in tujine.Ne glede na to, kaj želite – letalskovozovnico ali celotno organizacijokonference kjerkoli na svetu –je Kompas Corporate tu zato,da poskrbi za vse.telefon: 01 2006 151 • congressesakompas.si • www.kompas.si15

Short NewsProfessional Education Conference,PEC, for 2009 and 2010. The host cityfor the 2009 PEC-Europe, to be heldfrom 7 – 10 February 2009, is Torino,Italy and the host city for the 2010PEC-Europe is Málaga, Spain (theevent is scheduled for 28 Februaryto 2 March 2010).Novelties fromthe Postojna cave, tourismThe increase in demand formotivational events being offeredby the company Postojnska jama,turizem d.d., is proof that this is anoffer that suits the market. With caveand castle adventures as well asexpert team building programmes,this is an original combination of acave or castle environment, expertleadership and top-level culinarydelights. This year, the incentiveoffer has been completed with themagical theatre Serpentes, whichwith its original interpretation ofmythology in the Postojna cave,has an attractive and exclusiveeffect.Rental of equipmentfor simultaneous interpretingFrom 1 October, the translationagency Alkemist, in addition totranslation and interpreting servicesas well as language courses, is alsooffering rental of the most modernequipment for simultaneousinterpreting: cabins (TÜV certified),headphones, public address system,digital (IR) language transfer,wireless conference and discussionsystem. Test the best!Updated on the World Wide WebThe congress and event managementof the Cankarjev dom facility updatedits website during the summer.The www.cd-cc.si/kongres domainof course remains bilingual(Slovenian and English) but itscontents have been expanded andorganised more transparently.Key novelties are three-dimensionalpresentations of halls, an interactivegroundplan and an exact offer ofservices and technical equipment.Visitors will definitely benefit fromthe links to general informationsites, such as tourist info, timetables, exchange rates, visas andweather.Short programmesfrom KompasFor those of you who deal withorganising congresses, meetingsor just visits of business partners,you will probably welcome the newsthat the company Kompas d.d. hasprepared a weekly programme ofhalf-day and one day excursions.Unlike regular and in-advanceordered excursions, the agencyguarantees the realisation of anexcursion that can enliven yourevent throughout the year.Arranging an excursion is simpleand headache-free: go towww.kompas-online.net or call bytelephone. The only condition is thatthere be at least two people signedon for an excursion and departuresare organised from Ljubljana,Maribor, Bled and Portorož.Auditoria to organisefour EUREKA conferencesSlovenia in July of this year tookover the one-year Presidency of theEUREKA Programme. The Ministryof Higher Education, Science andTechnology invited Slovenian PCOsto submit tenders for organisingfour conferences and a ministerialmeeting. The company Auditoria d.o.o.was chosen as the most advantageousbidder. The conferences, whichare each planned to host about 150delegates from all over Europe, willtake place in October in Maribor,in January in Bled, in April in Portorožand in June in Ljubljana.How to receivenon-refundable means?The company ALTEA svetovanje d.o.o.invites you to a seminar on How toReceive Non-Refundable EU Meansin Tourism. The seminar will featureprogrammes and practical examples offinancing programmes for investmentsand activities, such as new productdevelopment, training and education intourism. The seminar will take placeon 11 October 2007 in Grand HotelUnion – Business from 9 AM until 3.30PM and will be conducted by expertswho have wide experience in the fieldof obtaining non-refundable EU meansfor financing investments and activities.Examples of companies who have previouslyreceived such non-refundablemeans will be presented as well.More information is available at theSlovenian Convention Bureau ordirectly with the company Alteasvetovanje at altea@siol.net.Zavod za turizem Ljubljana je vaš profesionalni partner innajboljši vir informacij o turistični in kongresni ponudbi slovenskeprestolnice. • The Ljubljana Tourist Board is your professionalpartner and best source of information on the leisure tourismand convention offer in the Slovenian capital.www.ljubljana-tourism.si16

Short NewsTerme Ptuj openedGrand Hotel PrimusOne year after the beginning ofconstruction, the health resort TermePtuj, d. o. o., operating within thebrand Panonske terme, opened thedoors of a new four-star Grand HotelPrimus, which is going to representa significant contribution to filling theprevious gap in the field of lack ofaccommodation capacities and touristoffer in the Lower Drava Region. Thehotel, worth around eur 20 million,represents this year’s largestinvestment in the Business GroupSava as well as in Slovenian tourism.In total the hotel spans over 13,493square metres of land and has 250beds, three of which are luxuriouspresidential suites, each with its ownJacuzzi and sauna at disposal. With itsoffer of congress or business tourism,Grand Hotel Primus is filling the gapin the otherwise insufficient offer ofservices of this kind in the wider areaof Ptuj and Lower Drava Region.In the hotel, there are several halls,intended for various businessmeetings, while all the premisesare equipped with state-of-the-artmultimedia technology. The hoteloffer is also tailored to the golfers,since only 300 metres away from thenew hotel, there spans a golf coursewith 18 holes, with paths leading toit from the hotel.MPI appointmentsGerrit Jessen was appointed in July2007 as President of MPI’s EuropeanCouncil. The European Council is theregional representative body of MPI’smembers in Europe, Middle Eastand Africa. In his role, Gerrit Jessenwill be responsible for providingrecommendations on opportunitiesfor development and growth in thementioned regions.Reinforcing its commitment to globalexpansion, MPI has appointed AntonioDucceschi to a new role within theorganisation; Director of Sales andPartnership Development. In this newposition, Antonio Ducceschi will beresponsible for developing newpartnerships and businessAntonio Ducceshiopportunities in Europe and theMiddle East in order to accelerateMPI’s global development, as wellas nurture the business relationshipthat MPI has with key partnersin the region.News from the Sava Hotels BledBled Strategic forumAt the end of August, Sava HotelsBled hosted the second BledStrategic Forum, organised by theMinistry of Foreign Affairs and theCentre for European Perspective.Foto/Photo: Srdjan Živulovič / BoboThe event was attended by morethan 400 participants from 50countries, among them the presidentof the Republic of Georgia, numerousprime ministers and vice primeministers, ministers and otherdistinguished guests.The ABCDE conferenceon development economicsIn May, Bled hosted the AnnualBank Conference on DevelopmentEconomics. The conference, organisedby the World Bank and the Ministryof Finance of the Republic of Slovenia,brought together almost 500participants from over 80 countries.The main sessions were held in theConvention Centre while accompanyingevents took place at the newconference facility of the Park Hotel.33 rd Carnegie meetingHotel Vila Bled hosted the 33rd CarnegieMeeting of G8 science Ministers andAdvisers from 15 to 17 June. The meetingwas hosted by the European Commissionerfor Science and ResearchJanez Potočnik and was attended by theMinisters of Science from Germany,France, Italy and Russia, among otherdistinguished guests.17

Kolumna: Gorazd ČadKongresno soočenje IISlabo leto mineva od jesenskegakongresnega soočenjaZavoda-Kongresnoturističniurad, na katerem smo govorilio odnosih med profesionalnimikongresnimi organizatorjiin hotelirji. Zastavili smosi dve pomembni vprašanji:zakaj bi hoteli sploh še potrebovaliagencije in zakaj hotelipriznavajo direktnim naročnikomvišje provizije kotagencijam?Ugotovili smo, da imajo hotelirji in agencije načeloma skupen interes – povečanjeobsega poslovanja. Poleg tega smo ugotovili, da odnosi med ponudbo inpovpraševanjem in relacije med igralci na našem trgu ne omogočajo takšnegarazvoja, kot ga razmere ob večji konkurenci celo pogojujejo na drugih trgih.Kakšne so razmere v praksi je težko presoditi, moje aktualne izkušnje pa so, dase na tem področju v enem letu prav veliko ni spremenilo. Ključni problem pomojem mnenju ostaja slabo razvita konkurenca med posameznimi ponudniki, kijo dodatno vzpodbujajo še visoka pričakovanja hotelirjev in zasedenost kapacitetob predsedovanju EU.V praksi to pomeni, da se vloga agencij še dodatno zmanjšuje. Država namrečključne dogodke upravlja centralizirano. Ob tem pa hotelirji vse preveč pozabljajo,da je prav na trgu mednarodnih združenj, ki je vrsto let glavni motor slovenskegakongresnega turizma, prav PCO agencija ključni igralec in vzpodbujevalecnovega posla. Strateško vprašanje pa ostaja: kaj je pomembneje, napolnitihotel s čim manj stroški in kratkoročno, ali pripeljati dolgoročne posle, na katerihgradijo svojo pot profesionalni kongresni organizatorji in DMC agencije.Hotel sicer po direktni poti pride ceneje in hitreje do posla, vendar je ta običajnoenkratnega značaja, agencija pa jim posel lahko pripelje večkrat.Trenutno stroške promocije, lobiranja in investicij v pridobivanje dolgoročnihposlov nosijo večinoma agencije, hotelirji pa so ob realizaciji velikih kongresovzdruženj najbolj udeleženi pri dobičku. Menim, da bi se ob pridobivanju takšnihdolgoročnih poslov del teh stroškov moral razporediti na hotelirje tudi skozi višjeprovizije za organizatorje ali agencije. Provizije so marsikje še vedno napačnorazumljene. Po vsem svetu jih razumejo predvsem kot plačilo agenciji zaopravljeno delo in ne kot nagrado hotela. Kratkovidnost hotelirjev se po mojihizkušnjah maščuje že na kratki rok.Nenazadnje pa ostaja temeljno vprašanje, kakšno je osnovno poslanstvo hotelirjevin profesionalnih kongresnih organizatorjev. Iz obojestranskih izkušenjmenim, da je osnovno poslanstvo hotelirjev zadovoljstvo gostov in odličnost storitev.V praksi se odličnost dosega tudi z malenkostmi, kot je npr. stalni koordinatorprireditve na strani hotela, ki se v fazi priprave projekta ne menja in v časuizvedbe kongresa ne oddide domov ob 15.00 uri. Če so naša edina stalnicaspremembe, to pomeni tudi določeno mero fleksibilnosti. V praksi to pomeni,da naj se hotel ne ukvarja z organizacijo kongresov, teambulidingov in izletov,za katere ni strokovno usposobljen, niti standardiziran, temveč naj se izključnoposveča svojemu temeljnemu poslanstvu.Izjeme prav gotovo potrjujejo pravilo in kar nekaj slovenskih ponudnikov sodelovanjez agencijami dobro razume. Zagotovo pa je že zaradi konkurence v najbližjiokolici nastopil čas, da v dobro slovenskega kongresnega turizma agencijein hotelirji bolj tesno sodelujemo in se ne gledamo kot nepotrebno zlo.Gorazd Čad, Go.MiceGorazd Čad18

Column: Gorazd ČadCongress Confrontation IINearly a year has gone bysince the autumn meetingof the Slovenian ConventionBureau where we talkedabout relations betweenprofessional congressorganisers and hoteliers.We asked ourselves two veryimportant questions: whywould hotels still needagencies and why do hotelsgive higher commissionsto direct clients than toagencies?We have discovered that hoteliers and agencies basically share a commoninterest – increasing the scope of business. In addition, we have discovered thatrelations between the offer and demand and relations between players on ourmarket do not allow a similar development to the one dictated by conditions onother markets where there is stronger competition.It is difficult to judge the conditions in practice, but my actual experience is thatnot much has changed in this field over the course of one year. In my opinion,the key problem remains the poorly developed competition between individualproviders which is made worse by the hoteliers’ high expectations and the levelof occupancy of capacities during the EU Presidency.This means that the role of agencies is actually decreasing even more becausethe state uses centralised management for key events. At the same timehoteliers are all too forgetful of the fact that a PCO agency is a key player andpromoter of new business on the market of international associations, whichhas been the driving force behind Slovenian congress tourism for a number ofyears. The strategic question remains: what is more important, to fill a hotelwith the least amount of expenses and for a short term, or to bring long-termbusiness that comes with professional congress organisers and DMC agencies.It is cheaper and faster for a hotel to secure business, albeit it is usually notrepeated if it takes the direct route, whereas agencies can provide businessmultiple times.Currently, the expenses for promotion, lobbying and investments into gettinglong-term business are borne predominantly by agencies while the hoteliersmostly reap the profits after carrying out large congresses of associations.I believe that a part of these expenses of acquiring such long-term dealsshould be divided among the hoteliers by giving higher commissions toorganisers or agencies. Commissions are in many places still misunderstood.Around the world they are understood mostly as payment to an agency forthe work performed and not as a bonus for the hotel. In my experience,the short-sightedness of hoteliers backfires in the short term.In the end the fundamental question remains: what is the basic missionof hoteliers and professional congress organisers. Speaking from mutualexperience, the basic mission of hoteliers is customer satisfaction andexcellence of services. In practice, excellence can be achieved with smallthings, such as, for example, a permanent event coordinator on the hotel’s sidewho is not replaced during the project’s preparation phase and does not gohome at 3 p.m. during the project’s execution. If our only unchanging facts arechanges, this also means a certain level of flexibility. In practice this meansthat a hotel should exclusively deal with their fundamental mission rather thanwith organising congresses, teambuilding events and excursions for which it isnot professionally qualified or standardised.Exceptions certainly do make a rule, as quite a few Slovenian providersunderstand cooperation with agencies well. Without a doubt the time hascome for agencies and hoteliers, due to competitors in the immediate vicinity,to cooperate more closely for the good of the Slovenian congress tourism andnot view each other as an unnecessary evil.Gorazd Čad, Go.Mice19

Kolumna: Paul KennedyPonudba zaorganizatorje srečanjV zadnjem članku sem izpostavilpotrebo po »dodajanjuvrednosti« k dobavni verigipri organizaciji srečanj. Vtem članku se osredotočamna vprašanje ponudbe za organizatorjesrečanj (kupce).Paul KennedyNedavno sem se udeležil mednarodne konference AIPC v Gradcu v Avstriji (mimogrede,odlična destinacija), kjer je eden od ključnih govorcev, Simon Anholt,predstavil tematiko identitete blagovne znamke določene destinacije (gradiva vsmislu brošur, spletnih strani, logotipa, trženja itd.) in njene podobe – kaj si mislimooziroma kako dojemamo destinacijo, hotel, prizorišče – to se lahko ujemas tistim, kar o sebi oglašujejo destinacije, hoteli in prizorišča, ali pa tudi ne!Ko spoznamo, da podoba blagovne znamke igra zelo pomembno vlogo pri odločanjuorganizatorjev srečanj, se moramo vprašati, kaj o naših destinacijah mislitrg oziroma kako jih dojema. Priporočljivo je, da nove ali manj znane destinacije(kar je po mojem mnenju tudi Slovenija) od organizatorjev srečanj zberejo karnajveč podatkov o dojemanju njihove destinacije. Spletne raziskave (ali tudi neposrednopoizvedovanje pri kongresni borzi EIBTM) so razmeroma poceni inaktualne. Tako pridobljene informacije je mogoče uporabiti za izdelavo ponudbeizdelkov ali tržnega načrta, ki okrepi pozitivne predstave oziroma se uporabi kotprotiutež negativnim.Raziskave so po mojem mnenju ključnega pomena. Mnoge študije kažejo, daorganizatorji (kupci) pri izbiri destinacije gledajo predvsem na stroške in kakovostobjektov ter storitev. Raziskava industrijskih trendov, ki jo je izvedla EIBTMleta 2006, je pokazala močno stremljenje k novim destinacijam in dokazala, daso te še vedno na vrhu seznama. Sporočilo tega je jasno: izvesti je treba raziskavo,razumeti rezultate in zasnovati tržni načrt, ki bo temeljil na ugotovitvahin bo veljaven za celotno industrijo.Tržni načrti destinacij ne delujejo na papirju, ampak jih oživijo ljudje, ki produktpredstavljajo. Tisti, ki sodelujejo v promociji in predstavitvah, morajo poznati takotrg kot predstave in mnenja o produktu ter seveda tudi cilj njihovega dogodka.Če so oboroženi s tem znanjem in za predstavitvijo stojita kakovosten izdelekin storitev, je višja stopnja zadovoljstva zagotovljena, podoba blagovneznamke pa s širjenjem priporočil zadovoljnih strank oplemenitena.Paul Kennedy, direktor grupacije strokovni sejmi v korporaciji Reed TravelExhibitions' Meetings and Incentive Events20

Column: Paul Kennedy“Offer” toMeeting PlannersIn my last article,I emphasised in particularthe need to ‘add value’ to thesupply chain of the meetingsbusiness. This article focuseson the issue of the ‘offer’ tomeeting planners, in otherwords, the buyers.I recently attended the AIPC international conference in Graz, Austria – anexcellent destination by the way – and one of the key note speakers, Simon Anholt,had a presentation on the subject of a destination’s brand identity (the physicalcollateral of brochures, website, logo, advertising etc) and brand image – how wethink about or perceive a destination, hotel, venue – the latter may or may notcoincide with what the destination, hotel or venue is saying about itself!In essence, by recognising that brand image is a very real factor in meetingplanners’ selections, we must ask ourselves whether we know what the marketfeels or perceives about our destination. For emerging or less well knowndestinations – including Slovenia, I would argue – it must make good sense togather as much information as possible from meeting planners about theirperceptions of your destination. Online research (or even face to face at EIBTM,for example) is relatively low cost and current. The insights that such researchreveals should enable you to create a product offer and marketing plan toenhance positive perceptions or, indeed, counter negative images.Research is key, in my view. And many studies reveal that planners’ (buyers)destination selections are primarily influenced by cost, facility quality andquality of service. The 2006 EIBTM industry trends research also demonstratedthat the novelty factor in choosing destinations remained strong. The messageis surely obvious – do the research, understand the results, create a marketingplan geared to the findings, as well as those with industry-wide significance.Destinations’ marketing plans don’t work in the abstract but are made realby the staff who actually deliver the product. Those involved in promotion anddelivery need to display knowledge of the marketplace, what buyers perceiveor feel about your product and, of course, their objectives for their event. Beingarmed with this knowledge and having a quality product and service deliveryshould lead to higher satisfaction levels and enriched brand image throughword-of-mouth recommendation.Paul Kennedy MBE is Group Exhibition Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions'Meetings and Incentive Events.• Skupna kapaciteta kongresnega centra: 2.600 sedežev• Kapaciteta največje dvorane: 1.100 sedežev• 758 hotelskih sob v treh hotelih • Sodobna tehnična oprema• Izkušeno tehnično osebje in destinacijski management• Motivacijska srečanja in prireditveHOTELI BERNARDIN d.d., St. Bernardin, Adriatic Resort & Convention CentreObala 2, SI – 6320 Portorož • www.h-bernardin.si• Total seating capacity: 2.600 • Largest convention hallseating capacity: 1.100 • Total hotel rooms: 758 in 3 hotels• State of the art technical equipment • Experienced technicaland destination management Breathtaking event locations• Teambuilding’s and incentivesHOTELI BERNARDIN d.d., St. Bernardin, Adriatic Resort & Convention CentreObala 2, SI – 6320 Portorož • www.h-bernardin.si21

Rok V. Klančnik: Pismo iz BrusljaPa čeprav ni vedno kaviar …*Najprej postavimo stvari nasvoje mesto, za kar nam bodohvaležni zlasti mlajši kolegi(ce).Kam sodijo (mednarodna) združenja?Torej, na sam Triglavpovpraševanja v naši ljubi »industrijisrečanj«, poleg korporativnegaposlovnega turizma (kiga vodijo in obvladujejo korporacije)ter na drugi strani trgamednarodnih organizacij. Asociacije,če imate radi tujke – štrlijoven in so poseben, svoj svet.Združenja so čisto posebna sorta živali:gre za bolj ali manj vplivne oziroma formalneinstitucije, v katerih delujejo – poklicnoali pa tudi ne – ljudje, ki zatorej živijodvojno poslovno življenje. Najprej vpodjetjih ali organizacijah, ki jim režejokruh, nato pa še kot člani(ce) združenj, vkaterih dejavnosti pa ni kruha, pač pakakšen kozarec šampanjca in že malcesuh kanape s štiri ure starim kaviarjem.Članstvo v različnih strokovnih, političnih,kulturnih ali drugačnih asociacijah je seksi.Zanj ... smo pripravljeni plačati tudičlanarino. In če smo pametni, se nam tolahko krepko obrestuje.Rok V. KlančnikPo podatkih belgijske svetovalne družbe ThePlanner v Evropi deluje okrog 9200 asociacij,od tega v Bruslju približno 2500. Kar je enormna cifra in »good news«. Združenjemje skupnega kar nekaj stvari. Po eni strani so si hudo raznorodna. Jaz sem naprimer član Mednarodnega združenja poslovnih komunikatorjev (IABC) in na naših srečanjih»komuniciramo predvsem o komuniciranju«, kakor čudno se to že sliši. Todačlani Evropskega združenja zgodovinskih konferenčnih mest (HCCE), se pogovarjajo opovsem drugih stvareh, prav tako člani združenj ginekologov, rudarjev, rejcev malih živali,sommelierjev, člani Ferrari klubov itd. V združenje se vključujejo ljudje s sorodnimiinteresi in z željo, da bi kaj malega prispevali k moči svojega ceha. V mnogih združenjihje tikanje norma, pogosto se člani – popolni tujci – kličejo tudi brother, sister,pač v jeziku, ki je lingua franca. Ti ljudje govorijo v svojem žargonu, jeziku. O tehniki čebelarjenjase bo čebelar iz Mokronoga mnogo uspešneje sporazumel (na kongresuApimondie) s kolegom iz irskega Corka, kot pa z mano, ki se »po bučelah ne vižam«.Zato skromno predlagam, da bi naši kongresni organizatorji in destinacijski menedžerjikakšno minuto posvetili tudi – kulturi združenj. Medtem, ko so korporacije ponavadiprežete s filozofijo in miselnostjo vodilnih struktur v okolju, od koder izhajajolastniki (v svetu seveda najpogosteje Američani), so združenja tista, ki s svojim žargonomnekako živijo v nekem svojem, posebnem svetu. Toda hkrati so multinacionalna,zato multikulturna. Skupni interes zagotavlja uspešno preseganje razlik, za katere bise včasih človek hotel tudi stepsti.Po IMEX-ovi raziskavi izpred dveh let se mednarodnih srečanj združenj povprečnoudeležijo predstavniki petnajstih narodnosti. Kar sicer lahko pomeni – pri večjih asociacijah(npr. Lions Clubs International, LCI) tudi 100, a pri manjših recimo pet držav.Mednarodnih srečanj asociacij se udeleži med 10 do 1000 udeležencev (ok, LCI jih zbere20.000, a to je prej izjema kot pravilo), vendar najbolj značilno srečanje pomenimed sto in dvesto udeležencev.In kakor koli že so združenja mednarodna, strpna, multikulturna, spoštljiva ... nekakone moremo mimo lastnih izkušenj (kajne?), da vsaka izmed teh struktur vendarle imaneko prevladujoče kulturno ozadje. Tako kot korporacije nadzorujejo predstavniki lastnikov(in njihovo kulturno okolje), v asociacijah prevladujejo kulturni vzorci, ki mupripada vodstvo oziroma kraj, od koder ti ljudje vlečejo niti. Torej, »povej mi, kam pošiljašporočila in povem ti, kakšen si«. Združenja, ki jih vodijo Britanci ali Nemci, sotako najbolj usmerjena v rezultate. Ne preseneča, da se Italijani in Španci najbolj posvečajopovezovanju in partnerstvom (relationship building), največ govorijo Italijani inAmeričani, najmanj Avstrijci in Afričani, na kompromise so najbolj pripravljeni Švicarjiin Nemci, najbolj tečni, tisti, ki stalno prekinjajo in skačejo v besedo, so prebivalci Karibov,najbolj spoštujejo predsednika Japonci, Nemci in Portugalci, dnevni red pa sevedaJaponci in Nemci. Menda tudi Francozi, v kar pa bi že skoraj malce podvomil.Na splošno velja, da »multikulturnost« ostaja sveta krava. Združenja vsaj načelomatemeljijo na medsebojnem spoštovanju in slab je tisti predsednik ali meeting organiser,ki bo to pravilo prezrl. Vsekakor pa končajmo z zelo preprosto ugotovitvijo: združenjabodo vedno govorila najprej jezik, ki jim bo odpiral vrata in možnosti za pridobitevsredstev. Money always talks louder than words, pravijo Anglosasi. Nato pride njihovžargon, ki ga je dobro vsaj malo poznati, da bi jim lažje prodali in organizirali kongresali incentive. Konec koncev pa ... tudi člani in vodstva združenj so samo ljudje.Skromna bitja s svojimi uspehi, strahovi, veseljem, ponosom, kakšnim okostnjakom vomari, kakšnim skokom čez plot ali kozarcem vina preveč. Vsak od naših poslovnihgostov, kongresnikov in članov asociacij ima ime in priimek. Ne samo kariernega nazivain bančnega računa.* naslov romana avstrijskega pisatelja in kemika Johannesa Maria SimmlaRok V. Klančnik, Slovenski turistični urad, Beneluks22

Rok V. Klančnik: A Letter from BrusselsYou don't always have Caviar…*First, let’s put things in theirproper places, for which ouryounger colleagues will beespecially grateful. Where do(international) associationsbelong? Well, the answer is onthe ‘Triglav’ (Slovenia’s highestmountain) of demand in ourdear ‘meetings industry’,alongside corporate businesstourism (led and owned bycorporations) and on theother side of the market tointernational organisations.The associations stick out and are a separateworld in themselves. Associationsare a quite different type of beast: theyhave greater or lesser influence or formalityas institutions where people work,professionally or otherwise. These peopletherefore lead a double business life -first in the companies or organisationswhere they get paid and then as membersof associations where they receive no payother than a glass of champagne and alittle dry canapé and four-hour-old caviar.Membership of various expert, political,cultural or other associations is sexy.For that … we are even prepared to paymembership fees. And we can profitgreatly from it if we are smart.According to data from Belgian consultingcompany ThePlanner, there are about9200 associations operating in Europe,approximately 2500 of which are inBrussels. This is a huge number, and it’sgood news. Associations have a lot incommon, but they’re also quite diverse.For example, I’m a member of theInternational Association of BusinessCommunicators (IABC) and in ourmeetings we ‘mostly communicate aboutcommunicating’, as odd as that maysound. Then, members of an alliancecalled ‘the Historic Conference Centres of Europe’ (HCCE) talk about completelydifferent subjects, as do members of associations of gynaecologists, miners, breedersof small animals, sommeliers, Ferrari club members and so on. Association membersare people with similar interests and a desire to contribute a little something to thepower of their guild. In many associations, intimate forms of address are the norm;often members – perfect strangers – address each other as ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ in thelanguage that’s the lingua franca. These people speak their own jargon. A beekeeperfrom Mokronog will have an easier time communicating about beekeeping techniques(at an Apimondia congress) with a colleague from Cork, Ireland, than with me, becauseI don’t speak a word of the beekeepers’ language.I therefore humbly suggest that our congress organisers and destination managersdedicate a minute or two to thinking about the culture of associations. While corporationsare usually imbued with the philosophy and ideas of the leading structures in theowners’ environment (of course, in this world this usually means Americans), associationslive with their jargon in a special world of their own. At the same time, they’remultinational and hence multicultural. A common interest ensures the successfulbridging of differences that people might sometimes be prepared to fight over.According to an IMEX study done two years ago, international association meetings areattended by, on average, people of fifteen nationalities. This can mean up to a hundredfor larger associations (such as Lions Clubs International, LCI), or around five countriesat smaller meetings. International association meetings usually get between ten anda thousand participants (well, all right, LCI gathers 20,000, but this is an exceptionalcase) while a typical meeting has between a hundred and two hundred participants.Although these associations are international, tolerant, multicultural and respectful …somehow we can’t ignore our own experiences (right?) that each structure neverthelesspossesses some kind of predominant cultural background. Cultural patterns, ofeither the management or the places where these people pull the strings from, governassociations, in much the same way that owners’ representatives (and their culturalbackgrounds) supervise corporations. In other words, “tell me where you send yourreports and I’ll tell you what you’re like”. Associations led by a Briton or a German arechiefly aimed at getting results. It’s not surprising that Italians and the Spanish devotethe most attention to integration and partnerships (relationship building). Italians andAmericans talk the most while Austrians and Africans talk the least. The Swiss and theGermans are the most eager to make compromises, but the most annoying – thosewho keep interrupting – are people from the Caribbean. The Japanese, the Germansand the Portuguese respect the chairman the most and the Japanese and theGermans, of course, follow the agenda the most carefully. This supposedly alsoincludes the French, but I have a few doubts about that.In general, multiculturalism will remain a sacred cow. Associations are based, at leastin principle, on mutual respect and only a bad chairman or meeting organiser neglectsthis rule. Let’s conclude with a very simple finding - associations will always primarilyspeak the language that opens the most doors and possibilities for acquiringresources. “Money talks louder than words,” as the Anglo-Saxons say. Next comestheir jargon, which one must be at least a little familiar with, as this facilitates sellingand organising a congress or an incentive. Ultimately, members and associationmanagement are all just people; humble creatures with their own successes, fears, joy,pride, skeletons in the closet, affairs or a glass too much wine. Each of our businessguests, congress participants and association members has a name and a surname,not just a job title and a bank account.* the title of a novel by Austrian writer and chemical engineer, Johannes Mario SimmelRok V. Klančnik, Slovenian Tourist Office in Brussels23

Kolumna: Tony CareyZakaj obveščanješefa ni dovolj?Ko sem bil pred nekaj letiprvič povabljen v Slovenijona izvajanje usposabljanja zaenega izmed vodilnih ljubljanskihhotelov, sem izvedel, daso bili med udeleženci polegvodij poslovnih oddelkov tudiglavni kuhar, glavna gospodinjain vodja vzdrževanja.Zaposleni na teh ključnihdelovnih mestih niso bili šenikoli in nikjer povabljeni namoje seminarje, kar je namenaredilo močan vtis.Ena najbolj frustrirajočih stvari, s katerose mora ukvarjati organizator srečanj,je občasen odnos zaposlenih v hotelih,gostilnah in podobnih mestih, daso skupine samo skupine.Vsaka skupina je edinstvena, s svojimicilji, zahtevami in celo osebnostjo. Jasnoje, da imata gruča ljudi, ki se udeležujeakademskega srečanja, in potovalnaskupina »Saga« na dopustu bolj maloskupnega – čeprav se lahko starostniprofili ujemajo in bivajo v istem hoteluob istem koncu tedna.Če bi ju imeli za enaki, bi obema delalikrivico. Na srečo se tega zaveda večinaglavnih direktorjev v Sloveniji in drugod.Pa so tako pozorni tudi pri poslovnih potovalnih skupinah? Razlike med petdesetimivodilnimi uslužbenci farmacevtskega podjetja in petdesetimi člani mednarodnegazdruženja muzejev bodo manj očitne (čeprav ima večina slednjih brade).Vseeno pa vse pri teh dveh vrstah srečanj kliče po drugačnem obravnavanju.Mimogrede, za to ni kriv samo kraj, kjer se srečanje odvija (čeprav te običajnonajprej okrivijo). Organizatorji gostitelja vse prevečkrat ne obvestijo dovolj podrobno,oziroma ne preverijo, ali so vodje konferenčnih storitev (ConferenceServices Manager – CSM) osebju posredovali vse podatke o skupini. Za zagotavljanjesprejema in storitev, ki jih stranka pričakuje, morajo značaj skupine, njenofilozofijo in cilje razumeti vsi sodelujoči pri kongresni kapaciteti, od vodij oddelkovdo natakarjev, pomočnikov glavnih kuharjev, sobaric in tehnikov. Samo vtem primeru bo stranka prejela tako združeno storitev, kot si jo zasluži.Seveda pa je strankina odgovornost kongresnemu organizatorju pomagati to doseči– če je treba, tudi z organizacijo informativnih sestankov za osebje. Za fantein dekleta iz zakulisja je lahko zelo spodbudno, če si strankin vodilni uslužbenecvzame čas in jim pojasni namen srečanja ter potrebe delegatov. Razlike med različnimivrstami srečanj morajo torej razumeti vsi sodelujoči in na večih ravneh.Srečanja združenj so običajno manj povezana kot korporativni dogodki, nenazadnjezato, ker vsak plačuje zase. Partnerji so pogosti ob dogodkih združenjin redki ob korporativnih dogodkih. V sektorju združenj je več poudarka na rekreacijiin družabnih dejavnostih; seveda je sprejemanje odločitev velikokratpravica odborov, ne posameznika z izvršilno oblastjo, zato je to lahko celo nadležnopočasno.Kako torej Slovenija izpolnjuje te posebne zahteve?Srečanja združenj (zlasti mednarodna) rada iščejo destinacije, ki so lahko dostopneiz mnogih začetnih točk. Nedvomno se bo dostopnost iz Evrope z ukinitvijomeja z evropskimi sosedami v letu 2008 še izboljšala. Združenja hočejo tudi krajebrez kriminala in z zanesljivo infrastrukturo; tukaj ima Slovenija veliko točk.Je varna država, kjer stvari delujejo, ljudje pa so (razmeroma) točni. Večinomaznajo angleško, kar je nemajhna dodatna točka.Člani združenj si plačujejo sami, zaradi česar je cenovna primernost zunaj kongresnihkapacitet pomembnejša kot pri korporativnih srečanjih. Čeprav cene vSloveniji rastejo, bodo evri v vaših denarnicah še vedno vredni več kot v mnogihdrugih krajih.Kompaktnost Slovenije je glavna vaba za združenja. Nobena izmed mnogihatrakcij in zanimivosti, ki jih država ponuja, ni oddaljena od Ljubljane več kot dveuri vožnje, obenem pa je ponudba lahko dostopnih kongresnih kapacitet za družabnedogodke obširna. Delegatom so torej na voljo raznovrstne dejavnosti, neda bi pri tem organizator izgubil nadzor.S tem ne mislim, da ti dejavniki za korporativne organizatorje niso pomembni,seveda so, toda z drugačnim poudarkom.Pri končni analizi so člani združenja tisti, ki se odločijo za destinacijo letnegasrečanja. Ti se bodo, če je sprejem topel in če v mestu oziroma hotelu razumejonjihove potrebe, vedno znova odločali za ponovni obisk.Tony CareyTony Carey, CMP, CMMTony je pisatelj, govornik in svetovalec na področju mednarodnih konferenc.Dosegljiv je na elektronskem naslovu tonycarey@psilink.co.je.24

Column: Tony Carey, CMP, CMMWhy briefing the Bossis not enough?Some years ago, when I wasfirst invited to Slovenia tocarry out some familiarisationtraining for a leadingLjubljana hotel, I discoveredthat my audience included notonly the department heads onthe operations side, but alsothe Head Chef, the HeadHousekeeper and the Headof Maintenance. Never beforehad these key positions beeninvited to one of my seminars,anywhere. I was deeplyimpressed.One of the most frustrating things thata conference organiser has to deal withis an attitude, sometimes displayed byhotels, hostelries and attractions thatgroups are, well, just groups.As we all know, every group is uniquewith its own objectives, demands andeven personality. Certainly, there islittle commonality between, say, abunch of people attending an academicconference and a Saga tour groupenjoying a holiday - even though theage profile may be similar and theymay be staying in the same hotel overthe same weekend .To treat them as similar is to do botha disservice. Fortunately, most generalmanagers are aware of that in Sloveniaand elsewhere.But are they as discerning when itcomes to business travel groups?The differences between 50 seniormanagers in a drug company and 50members of the International Museums’Association will be less obvious. Even ifmost of the latter have beards.Yet everything about those two types ofmeeting demands that they should betreated differently.Incidentally, the fault lies not solely with the venue, although it’s usually thevenue that gets the blame. All too often, organisers fail to brief the host venueas comprehensively as necessary, or to check if the Conference ServicesManager (CSM) has communicated everything about the group to the staff.To provide the welcome and service expected by the client, not just the headsof department but everyone in a venue - including waiters, house maids,sous chefs and engineers - must understand the character of the group, itsphilosophy and objectives. Only then can the client receive the sort of joined-upservice that he or she deserves.Of course, the client has a responsibility to help the venue achieve this,if necessary by holding briefings for their staff. For the back-room boys andgirls it can be very motivational when a client company’s senior manager takesthe trouble to explain the purpose of a conference and their delegates’ needs.So differences between meeting types must be understood on several levelsby everyone involved.Association meetings are generally less cohesive than corporate events, notleast because every participant pays for himself. Partners are common atassociation events and rare at corporate ones. There’s more emphasis onrecreation and social activities in the association sector and, of course,decision-making is often the prerogative of a committee rather than oneexecutive, so can be frustratingly slow.So how does Slovenia match up to these special requirements?Association meetings - especially international ones - tend to seek destinationsthat are readily accessible from many points of origin and there is no doubtthat access from across Europe will continue to improve, helped by theabolition of borders with EU neighbours in 2008.Associations also want places that are crime-free with reliable infrastructure.Here Slovenia scores well. It’s a safe country where things work and people are(relatively) punctual. They also mostly speak English, which is a major plus point.As association attendees pay their own way, value for money outside the venueis more important than for corporate meetings and, although prices arecreeping up in Slovenia, the euro in your pocket still goes further than in manyplaces.A major enticement for associations is the very compactness of Slovenia.None of the country’s many attractions or places of interest are more thana two-hour drive from Ljubljana and the choice of easily accessible venuesfor social events is extensive. Delegates can therefore be offered all sorts ofactivities without the organiser losing control.I’m not suggesting that these factors are unimportant to corporate organisers.They are. But the emphasis is different.In the final analysis, it’s an association’s members that ultimately choosethe destination for their annual conference. If there’s a warm welcome anda city or a hotel understands their needs, they’ll choose it and return - timeand again.Tony Carey, CMP, CMMTony is a writer, presenter and consultant to the international meetingsindustry. He can be reached at tonycarey@psilink.co.je25

Kolumna: Miha KovačičKongresi združenjna pohoduPri pripravi novega logotipaSlovenije, ki ne bo samo zaščitniznak turizma, ampakcelotne Slovenije na vseh področjih,je definiranje našeidentitete ena od najpomembnejšihkorakov v tem zahtevnemprojektu. Kljub naši relativnimajhnosti ugotavljamo,da smo zelo veliko.Miha KovačičNekaj podobnega se nam dogaja v kongresni dejavnosti. Slovenija se na mednarodnemkongresnem tržišču uvršča med nove destinacije. Kljub vsem mednarodnimintegracijam se še vedno borimo z mednarodno prepoznavnostjo.To velja predvsem za korporacijske dogodke in incentive potovanja.Ne velja pa to za dogodke znanstveno-strokovnih združenj. Ta se v Sloveniji, šeprej v Jugoslaviji, organizirajo že preko štirideset let. Slovenija je bila za izvedbomednarodnih kongresov znanstveno-strokovnih združenj vedno zanimiva. To potrjujetudi najbolj uveljavljena statistika od ICCA in UIA. Zavedamo se, da je motorteh dogodkov močna znanstvena sfera in odlična organizacijska podpora terustrezna infrastruktura. Slovenija ima relativno veliko število mednarodno uveljavljenihznanstvenikov, odlične profesionalne kongresne organizatorje, le na področjuobsega kongresne infrastrukture ne dosegamo mednarodnega povprečja.Slovenija se, kljub omejenim zmogljivostim za izvedbo kongresov, na mednarodnihstatistikah uvršča na zavidljiva mesta.Predstavnica profesionalne kongresne organizacije s preko tridesetletnimi izkušnjamina področju organizacije kongresov je povedala, da Slovenija ne izkoriščavseh teh priložnosti. Gostiti mednarodni znanstveno-strokovni kongres je za destinacijovelika pridobitev. Pa ne samo finančna, ki je izjemna, ampak tudi promocijskav smislu dvigovanja ugleda države gostiteljice v tujini. Zato bi se morala državabolj načrtno ukvarjati s pridobivanjem takih dogodkov.Z veseljem ugotavljamo, da smo naredili napredek tudi na tem področju.Izboljšujejo in povečujejo se zmogljivosti za izvedbo večjih in zahtevnejšihkongresov, profilirajo se profesionalni kongresni organizatorji, vsi skupaj se povezujejoz slovenskim kongresnim uradom, ki jih aktivno zastopa tako na domačemkakor tudi na tujih trgih. Kot člani ICCA imamo dostop do baz teh dogodkov, potrebujemosamo še dovolj finančnih in kadrovskih resursov za kontinuirano iskanje inpridobivanje dogodkov za Slovenijo. Prepričan sem, da bodo kmalu vsi »stake holderji«prepoznali smisel vlaganja v ta segment kongresne dejavnosti.Miha Kovačič, direktor Zavoda – Kongresnoturistični urad26

Column: Miha KovačičThe Congress Associationon the MarchPreparing a new logo forSlovenia - a brand name notonly for tourism but also forthe whole country in everyfield - is a challenging projectand defining our identity isone of the most importantsteps in it. We find thatdespite our relatively smallsize, we are actually quitea lot.Something similar is happening to usin the area of congresses. Slovenia’sbecoming a new destination on theinternational congress market.Despite all our international integration,we’re still struggling to raise ourinternational profile and in particularthis applies to corporate events andincentive travel.This though, doesn’t apply to scientific-expert association events. These havebeen held in Slovenia, and in Yugoslavia before that, for over forty years.Slovenia’s always been attractive for scientific-expert associations’international congresses and this is also highlighted by ICCA and UIAbenchmark statistics. We’re aware that Slovenia’s influential scientific sphere,excellent organisational support and suitable infrastructure have beendriving forces behind these events. Slovenia has a relatively high numberof internationally recognised scientists and excellent professional congressorganisers, although it doesn’t manage to reach the international average inthe size of the congress infrastructure.Slovenia does well in international statistical league tables, despite havinglimited congress capacities. How can we do better?A professional congress organisation insider with over thirty years’ experiencein the field told us that Slovenia is not exploiting all its opportunities. Hostingan international scientific-expert congress is a very profitable event fora destination. Not just in a monetary sense, outstanding as it is, but alsopromotionally and in terms of boosting the host country’s reputation abroad.Consequently, Slovenia should devote more attention to this and start doingthings aimed at attracting such events.We’re happy to report that progress has been made in this area as well. Our`capability to carry out larger and more complex congresses is improving andincreasing, professional congress organisers are forming and they’re all connectingwith the Slovenian Convention Bureau, which provides active representation onlocal and foreign markets. As ICCA members, we have access to event databases.We just need enough financial and staff resources to be able to do ongoing eventsearch and acquisition for Slovenia. I’m sure that all ‘stakeholders’ will soonrecognise the wisdom of investing in this segment of congress activity.Miha Kovačič, Director of the Slovenian Convention BureauDVOR JEZERŠEK – BRNIK 1768GOSTILNA – RESTAVRACIJA – HOTELT: +386 (0)4 25 29 400W: www.dvor-jezersek.siM: info@dvor-jezersek.siHIŠA KULINARIKE JEZERŠEKCATERINGT: +386 (0)1 361 94 13W: www.jezersek.siM: info@jezersek.si27

Albatros, BledPCO predstavlja logistikoorganizacije kongresaKatere so prednosti sodelovanja s PCO agencijo za naročnika?PCO v kongresni ponudbi predstavlja »software« oz. logistiko organizacije kongresa.Za naročnika sodelovanje predstavlja veliko prednost, saj naročniki nemalokratpodcenjujejo kompleksnost tehnične organizacije dogodka, ki ni takopreprosta. Naročnik/organizator ima dovolj dela s pripravo strokovnega dela inje zanj tehnična organizacija čisti »balast«, ki zahteva ogromno časa in energije.To, kar je za PCO vsakodnevni posel, mora naročnik šele na novo odkrivati.Kakšne storitve lahko PCO opravi v imenu naročnika za razliko od DMC indrugih agencij?Storitve so bolj celovite. DMC je lahko podizvajalec in kreator določenih delov vprogramu in kot takšen prevzame skrb za del storitev, ki jih dobro pozna (dellogistike, npr. prevoze, lokalna vodenja, ipd.), ne prevzema pa finančne odgovornostiin nima vpogleda v celotno organizacijo posameznega dogodka.Kako PCO agencije upravljate odnose z dobavitelji in zagotavljate kakovostsvojih storitev?Dobavitelje in vse partnerje, ki sodelujejo pri projektih, najprej skrbno izberemoin jih stalno spremljamo ter preverjamo. Na osnovi stalnih stikov in izmenjavmnenj in informacij zagotavljamo, da so vedno tekoče in zadostno informirani,kaj od njih želimo in pričakujemo; pojasnimo jim zahteve naših naročnikov oz.njihovih gostov. To je proces, ki se odvija od primera do primera, vsak dogodekima svoje specifičnosti in ne velja enako za vse, torej je tudi pri tem potrebnastalna fleksibilnost.Ali predstavlja sodelovanje s PCO agencijo za naročnika prihranek ali dodatnistrošek? Kako vaša agencija zaračunava svoje storitve?Prisotno je prepričanje, da je organizacija v lastni režiji cenejša in učinkovitejša,kar pa seveda ni res. Delno sem na to vprašanje odgovorila že zgoraj. NalogaPCO je, da v imenu in na račun prireditelja prevzame celotno tehnično organizacijodogodka – od svetovanja do vodenja projekta, načrtovanja, koordinacijevseh del, sestankov, ipd. S tem močno razbremeni prireditelja. Lažje se je dogovoritiza vse storitve na enem mestu kot pa hoditi od vrat do vrat, od hotelado hotela, od restavracije do restavracije, od enega prevoznika do drugega, itd.Tudi cene posameznih storitev so v tem primeru ponavadi višje kot pa če celotnoorganizacijo prevzame PCO.Storitve zaračunavamo preko t.i. »kongresnega fee-ja«, ki pa ni fiksen. Odvisenje od obsega storitev, zahtevnosti, trajanja in vsebine dela (on-line booking, zbiranjevplačil – kotizacij, vodenje celotnega finančnega poslovanja dogodka ...)Druga oblika je tudi pavšalni znesek za organizacijo.Kateri so po vašem mnenju ključni PCO igralci v Sloveniji?Trenutno jih je zelo malo. Do pravih bomo prišli, ko bodo uvedeni standardi napodročju kongresne dejavnosti, oziroma ko bodo ti standardi zaživeli v tej meri,da bodo izpolnjeni zahtevani pogoji. Uvedba standardov, ki je v teku, je nujnostin bo pripomogla k dvigu kakovosti na tem področju.Majda Zidanski, Albatros Bledwww.albatros-bled.com28

Albatros BledThe PCO presents the Logisticsof Congress OrganisationWhat advantages are there for a client in working with a PCO agency?A PCO is the ‘software’ or logistics side of congress organisation. Workingwith a PCO is a great advantage for a client as they often underestimate thecomplexity of an event’s technical organisation, which, in fact, isn’t very easy.The client/organiser has enough work getting the professional part done, whichmeans that the technical organisation side is pure ‘ballast’ to them, ballastrequiring much time and energy. What’s all in a day’s work for a PCO, the clientwould have to work out from the very beginning.What kind of services can a PCO carry out on a client’s behalf compared witha DMC or other agencies? What are the differences?The services are more integrated and complex. A DMC can be a subcontractor andcreator of certain parts of the programme and, as such, take care of the servicesthat it’s well familiar with - parts of the logistics, transport, local guidance, and soon - but it doesn’t assume any financial responsibility and hasn’t got any insightinto the overall organisational structure of a particular event.How do PCO agencies manage their relations with suppliers to ensure qualityservices?First of all we carefully select, then constantly monitor and check the suppliersand all the partners working on a project. On the basis of regular contact andthe exchange of opinions and information, we guarantee that they’re alwayssufficiently informed and up-to-date about what’s required and expected ofthem; we explain our clients’ demands and their guests’ demands to thesuppliers. It’s an ever-changing process; every event’s different and has itsspecifics, which require constant flexibility.Does working with a PCO agency save money or does it create added costs forthe client? How does your agency charge for its services?The conviction that it’s cheaper and more effective to do things yourself isof course not true here. There’s a partial answer to this question in the firstanswer I’ve given you. A PCO’s task is to take over, on the client’s behalf andin their name, the whole technical organisation of an event - consultancyservices, project management, planning, the co-ordination of work andmeetings and so on, which significantly eases the stress on the organiser.It’s easier to sort out every service in one place rather than to go door to door,hotel to hotel, restaurant to restaurant, carrier to carrier and so on. The pricesof individual services are usually higher in this scenario compared with whena PCO takes over the entire organisation.Our services are charged in line with the so-called ‘congress fee’, whichisn’t fixed. It depends on the extent of the services, the level of difficulty,the duration and scope of the work - online booking, collecting participant fees,management of the event’s complete accounts and so on. We can also chargea flat-rate amount for our services.Who, in your opinion, are the key PCO players in Slovenia?There aren’t many right now. Genuine players will crop up after standards incongress activity have been implemented - that is, when these standards startmaking an impact and when the required conditions are met. The ongoing implementationof standards is necessary and will help improve quality in this field.Majda Zidanski, Albatros Bled, www.albatros-bled.com29

Auditoria d.o.o.PCO prevzameprojekt »na ključ«Katere so prednosti sodelovanja sPCO agencijo za naročnika?PCO je profesionalni organizator kongresnihprireditev, torej podjetje, specializiranoza organizacijo in izvedbokompleksnih kongresnih projektov.Če naročnik oziroma strokovni organizatorprireditve v svojem podjetju aliorganizaciji nima na voljo znanja, osebja,časa in tehničnih pripomočkov zaorganizacijo prireditve, mora poiskatizunanje sodelavce in partnerje – profesionalnokongresno organizacijo, kibo povezala in koordinirala naročnike(organizacijski in drugi odbori, mednarodnazdruženja) in izvajalce posameznihstoritev. Naročnik se v takemprimeru ukvarja le še z vsebino instrokovnim programom kongresa, zavse ostalo pa poskrbi PCO. PCO prevzamein vodi celoten projekt »naključ«, koordinira vse izvajalce, zagotavlja,da priprave in izvedba projektapotekajo nemoteno in skrbi za čimboljracionalno poslovanje z namenom, dase zagotovi strokovni in finančni uspehkongresnega projekta.Kakšne storitve lahko PCO opraviv imenu naročnika za razliko odDMC in drugih agencij? V čem serazlikujete?Različne organizacije in podjetja ponujajoposamezne storitve v zvezi zorganizacijo in izvedbo kongresnihprojektov, kot npr. turistične agencije,PR podjetja za promocijo, itd. Takapodjetja se razlikujejo od PCO-jev potem, da organizacija kongresov ni njihovaosnovna dejavnost. PCO se v procespriprave kongresa vključi že v fazinačrtovanja, svetuje naročniku in pomagapri odločitvah na podlagi svojihizkušenj ter znanja, pridobljenega zvečletnim strokovnim delom pri organizacijizahtevnih kongresov. DMC jepodjetje, ki predvsem dobro pozna razmerena kongresni destinaciji in delujekot podizvajalec PCO-jem, predvsempri dogovarjanju z lokalnimipartnerji ter izvaja pretežno turističnidel kongresa.Kako PCO agencije upravljate odnose z dobavitelji in zagotavljate kakovostsvojih storitev?Podjetje Auditoria ima sestavljeno mrežo dolgoročnih poslovnih partnerjev zavse pomembnejše kongresne storitve, ki seveda zagotavljajo kvalitetno in pravočasnoizvajanje zaupanih storitev. Naročnikom svetujemo najboljše rešitvepri izbiri lokacije in ostalih kongresnih storitev in jim zagotavljamo najboljšemožne rešitve v skladu z njihovimi potrebami in razpoložljivimi finančnimisredstvi. V Auditorii skrbimo za redno izobraževanje in strokovno usposabljanjezaposlenih kakor tudi poslovnih partnerjev.Ali predstavlja sodelovanje s PCO agencijo za naročnika prihranek ali dodatnistrošek? Kako vaša agencija zaračunava svoje storitve?Auditoria svoje storitve seveda zaračuna. Svoje delo zaračunavamo po naslednjihosnovnih sklopih: celotna kongresna organizacija (management fee), registracijaudeležencev (registration fee), obdelava referatov in abstraktov (abstractfee) in posamezne tehnične storitve. Naše podjetje naročnikom ne zaračunavanobenim pribitkov na cene posameznih podizvajalcev. Najem PCO-japomeni za naročnika v večini primerov prihranek, glede na to, da PCO pri dobaviteljihobičajno doseže nižje cene in ugodnejše pogoje. Prepustitev vsehkongresnih nalog PCO-ju predstavlja za naročnika tudi velik prihranek v časuin kadrih, s tem, ko se ukvarja samo s stroko, pa mu tak pristop zagotavlja tudikvalitetnejšo strokovno pripravo in izvedbo kongresa.Kateri so po vašem mnenju ključni PCO igralci v Sloveniji?Vprašanje ni enostavno. Kaj so to ključni igralci? Poznam vsaj tri vrste:• PCO-ji, slovenska podjetja, ki jim je organizacija kongresov osnovna dejavnostin s svojo strokovnostjo, dolgoročnim delovanjem, referencami in osebjemzagotavljajo celovito in kvalitetno celovito organizacijo. V Sloveniji sozaenkrat tri podjetja, ki bi si jih upal priporočiti vsakemu naročniku: (po abecednemredu) Albatros, Auditoria in Cankarjev dom, Kongresna dejavnost.• Razen navedenih ključnih »igralcev« imamo v Sloveniji še veliko podjetij inposameznikov, ki se ponujajo kot PCO-ji, nisem pa prepričan, da to dejanskoso, ker se v večini primerov kot taki še niso dokazali. Res pa je, da na različnenačine uspejo pridobiti veliko naročnikov in precej kongresov; kako jih izpeljejo,je pa druga zgodba. Vemo pa, da slaba in nepopolna izvedba za neprimernecene znižuje ugled kongresne dejavnosti kot stroke in poslovnepanoge. Mislim, da je ena od pomembnih nalog slovenskega kongresnegaurada, da postavi kriterije in standarde naše stroke, zaščiti resnične »igralce«,prepreči ali vsaj zmanjša nelojalno konkurenco in »prodajanje megle«in vsem potencialnim kongresnim naročnikom priporoča le tiste ponudnikestoritev, za katere se ve, da svoje delo opravljajo visoko profesionalno.• Tretja kategorija so tuji, mednarodni PCO-ji, ki se zadnje čase pojavljajo vSloveniji. Njihova prisotnost je seveda dobrodošla, posebej v smislu konkurenčnostiin dviga kvalitete storitev, vendar pa se vsaj zaenkrat še niso pokazalikot korektni partnerji in konkurenti na tržišču. Na eni strani podcenjujejoslovensko kongresno stroko, skušajo slovenskim podjetjeim prevzematislovenske naročnike, na drugi strani pa nič ne vlagajo v razvoj in promocijoSlovenije kot kongresne destinacije. In nenazadnje, kolikor je meniznano, niso v Slovenijo pripeljali še niti enega mednarodnega kongresa brezpomoči slovenskih strokovnih organizatorjev.Srečo Peterlič, Auditoria, www.auditoria.si30

Auditoria d.o.o.The PCO takes overthe »Turn-Key« ProjectWhat advantages are there for a clientin working with a PCO agency?A PCO (Professional Congress Organiser)organises congress events. It’s a companyspecialised in organising and carryingout complex congress projects. If clientsor professional event organisers haven’tgot enough of the necessary knowledge,staff, time or technical resources toorganise an event in their companies ororganisations, they must find an externalpartner - a professional congress organisationto integrate and co-ordinateclients (organisational and other committees,international associations) and individualservice contractors. In this casethe client’s only remaining tasks concernthe content and professional programmeof the congress. The PCO takes careof the rest. The PCO takes over andmanages the whole project through to itscompletion, co-ordinates the contractors,makes sure that the preparation andexecution of the project gets done flawlesslyand also that all project relatedactivities are done in a rational manner,the object being the professional andfinancial success of the congress project.What kind of services can a PCO carryout on behalf of a client compared witha DMC or other agencies? What are thedifferences?Various organisations and companiesoffer individual services for organisingand carrying out congress projects,including tourist agencies, PR andpromotion companies and so on. Thesecompanies differ from PCOs in thatorganising congresses isn’t their mainactivity. A PCO enters the congresspreparation process from the planningstage, advises the client and helps makedecisions on the basis of experience andknowledge gained from many years ofprofessional work organising demandingcongresses. A DMC is a companythat knows the conditions at thecongress destination and operates as asubcontractor to a PCO, chiefly in negotiationswith local partners. It mainlydoes the tourism part of the congress.How do PCO agencies manage their relations with the suppliers and ensurequality services?Auditoria has a network of long-term business partners who provide all the importantcongress services, ensuring high-quality and punctual execution of the servicesagreed upon. When clients are selecting a venue and other congress services, wegive advice on the best solutions while guaranteeing the best possible solutions inline with their desires and available financial resources. Here at Auditoria we invest inregular education and professional training for our employees and business partners.Does working with a PCO save money or does it create added costs for theclient? How does your agency charge for its services?Auditoria’s services are, of course, not free of charge. Our work is charged accordingto the following basic sets: complete congress organisation (management fee),registration of the participants (registration fee), processing reports and abstracts(abstract fee) and individual technical solutions. Our company doesn’t charge itsclients extra for any service fees from individual subcontractors. In most cases,hiring a PCO is cheaper for a client as suppliers usually give PCOs lower prices andmore favourable terms. Letting a PCO manage all congress tasks is a large savingin time and staff for the client while the specialisation of a PCO ensures betterquality in the professional preparation and execution of a congress.Who, in your opinion, are the key PCO players in Slovenia?That’s not an easy question. What’s a key player? There are at least three kinds:• Those Slovenian PCO companies whose main activity is congress organisation.What guarantees complete and quality integrated organisation is theirexpertise, many years of operation, references and staff. Right now thereare three companies in Slovenia that I’d dare to recommend to a client.In alphabetical order, Albatros, Auditoria and the Cankarjev dom Culturaland Congress Centre.• In addition to these key ‘players’, Slovenia has many companies and individualscalling themselves PCOs but who I’m not sure can really be called that.In most cases they’ve failed to prove themselves as such. It’s true that theysuccessfully use various methods to get many clients and congresses,but the final realisation is a different story. We know that poor and incompleteexecution at inappropriate prices lowers the reputation of all the congressorganisers as a field and a branch. I think that one of the more importantmissions of the Slovenian Convention Bureau is to set criteria and standardsfor our field and thus protect the true ‘players’ and prevent - or at leastdecrease - the amount of unfair competition and false promises. It must alsoonly recommend to potential congress clients those providers of services thatare known to work with a high degree of professionalism,• The third category is the foreign, international PCOs that have appeared inSlovenia in the last few years. Their presence is, of course, welcome, especiallyin the sense of competition and raising service quality. However, they haven’tproven themselves fair partners or competition on the market yet. On the onehand, they underestimate the Slovenian congress field and try to seizeSlovenian clients from Slovenian companies and, on the other, they investnothing into the development and promotion of Slovenia as a congress destination.To the best of my knowledge, they haven’t brought a single internationalcongress to Slovenia without the help of professional Slovenian organisers.Srečo Peterlič, Auditoria, www.auditoria.si31

Kompas d.d.PCO je naročnikovapodaljšana rokaKatere so prednosti sodelovanja s PCO agencijo za naročnika?Zagotovo je nastanek in obstoj profesionalnih kongresnih organizatorjev smiselen,saj je organizacija bodisi kongresov bodisi drugih dogodkov izjemnostresen in naporen posel, njihov obseg in zahtevnost pa to samo potencirata.Pravi PCO naročniku prihrani čas, denar in delo. PCO opravi vse v imenu naročnika,je njegova podaljšana roka, hkrati pa zanj pomeni tudi enega dobavitelja,eno kontaktno osebo in na koncu eno fakturo.Katere storitve lahko PCO opravi v imenu naročnika za razliko od DMC indrugih agencij? V čem se razlikujete?V Kompasu je to kar malo težko vprašanje, saj smo v osnovi turistična agencija(kjer je večina posla DMC), del tega podjetja pa deluje tudi kot PCO. NalogaPCO – ja je v celoti organizirati dogodek in sodelovati pri njegovem razvoju žeod samega zametka, pogosto še pred tem, ko je potrebno eminentne predstavnikeznanosti ali drugih področij, ki jih imamo v Sloveniji precej, prepričati,da naj kandidirajo in tako vnovčijo svoj vpliv v mednarodnih združenjih, katerihčlani so. PCO pripravi kandidaturo, ki je prvi pisni izdelek kongresa, nudisekretariat, pridobiva sponzorje, pripravlja vse kongresno gradivo in podobokongresa, komunicira s predavatelji, prevajalci, organizira razstavo in na koncukoncev odgovarja za uspešno izvedbo dogodka tako po kvalitetni kot tudi finančniplati. Zagotovo je prav, da se na destinaciji, kjer kongres poteka, vključitudi DMC, ki je poznavalec terena in ima sklenjene partnerske pogodbe znajrazličnejšimi dobavitelji. Tako PCO najame DMC, da je potek kongresa šeuspešnejši. Gledano s tega zornega kota ima DMC manj obveznosti in nalog,pa tudi kasneje se vključi v proces dogodka.Kako PCO agencije upravljate odnose z dobavitelji in zagotavljate kakovostsvojih storitev?Nabor partnerjev oz. dobaviteljev je skrbno izbran in revidiran na podlagi letnosklenjenih pogodb. Vsi naši partnerji so preverjeni, zato vemo, kaj ponujamonašim klientom. Z dobavitelji vzpostavljamo partnerski odnos, glede kakovostipa zagotavljamo izpolnitev vseh dogovorov oz. stremimo k preseganjunaročnikovih pričakovanj. Veseli smo odkrite besede, ki nam daje priložnost,da svoje storitve nenehno izboljšujemo.Ali predstavlja sodelovanje s PCO agencijo za naročnika prihranek ali dodatnistrošek? Kako vaša agencija zaračunava svoje storitve?Verjamem, da PCO pomeni prihranek tako v denarju kot v času, saj naročnikavodimo do cilja po bližnjici in prevzemamo vse morebitne »glavobole«, povezanez organizacijo, vključno s financiranjem pred prilivom kotizacij. PCO poznarazmere na trgu in za naročnika izposluje najugodnejše cene in finančneobveze. Svoje storitve zaračunavamo skladno z dogovorom z naročnikom, kakorje pač ugodneje za naročnika. To pa je skoraj toliko načinov, kolikor je naročnikov...Kateri so po vašem mnenju ključni PCO igralci v Sloveniji?Kompas, Cankarjev dom, Abatros, Auditoria, generalni sekretariati ministrstevin znanstvenih institucij, sodelavci predstojnikov klinik UKC Ljubljana ...Maja Vidergar, Kompaswww.kompas.si32

Kompas d.d.The PCO is the Client'sextended ArmWhat advantages are there for a client in working with a PCO agency?Setting up and having professional congress organisers is certainly sensible -organising congresses and other events is an extremely stressful, tiring, broadrangingbusiness, and problems only serve to intensify the situation. The rightPCO serves its client by saving time, money and work. A PCO does everything onbehalf of the client; it acts as his extended arm as well as being a supplier and acontact person, which means that only one invoice needs to be issued at the end.What kind of services can a PCO carry out on behalf of a client comparedwith a DMC or other agencies? What are the differences?That’s a difficult question for us here at Kompas as we’re basically a touristagency, where most of our work is of the DMC type, while a part of the companyoperates as a PCO. A PCO’s mission is to organise an event in its entirety andco-operate in its development from the very start, or often even before that,as you have to persuade eminent representatives from scientific or other fields(there are many of these in Slovenia) to become candidates and thus capitaliseon their influence in the international associations they’re members of. The PCOprepares the candidacy (the first written product for a congress), provides asecretariat, acquires sponsors, prepares all the congress materials and thecongress image, communicates with lecturers and translators, organisesexhibitions and is responsible for the successful execution of the event regardingquality and finances. The decision to include a DMC in the congress destination isdefinitely appropriate as they know the conditions and have partnership contractswith a wide range of suppliers. A PCO hires a DMC to facilitate the smoothrunning of a congress. From this point of view a DMC has fewer obligationsand tasks and enters the event process at a later stage.How do PCO agencies manage their relations with suppliers and ensurequality services?The range of partners or suppliers is carefully selected and verified on thebasis of annually-concluded contracts. All our partners are verified – that’show we know what we’re offering our clients. We establish partnerships withsuppliers and guarantee that all arrangements are fulfilled with regard toquality. We strive to surpass our clients’ expectations. We appreciate honesty,which gives us a chance to continually improve our services.Does working with a PCO save money or does it create added costs forthe client? How does your agency charge for its services?I think that using PCOs saves both time and money as we guide the clienttowards their goals using shortcuts and take on board any eventualheadaches connected to organisation (including financing) before theparticipants’ fees are paid. PCOs know market conditions and can arrangethe best prices and financial commitments for the client. We charge forour services by agreement with the client, whatever suits the client best.This means there are almost as many options as there are clients.Who, in your opinion, are the key PCO players in Slovenia?Kompas, Cankarjev dom, Albatros, Auditoria, the General Secretariats ofMinistries and scientific institutions, those working for the heads of LjubljanaClinical Centre clinics and so on.Maja Vidergar, Kompas, www.kompas.si33

Primeri dobre prakseNaročnik je sprejemalsamo pohvaleNaslov dogodka:Evropski Kongres polimerne kemijeNaročnik:Slovensko kemijsko društvoIzvajalec: Agencija AlbatrosEvropski kongres polimerne kemije je bil eden večjih mednarodnih kongresov vSloveniji v letu 2007 in je vključeval vse elemente: veliko dvorano za plenarnozasedanje, osem dvoran za sekcije, razstavne prostore, izredno veliko spremljevalnihdogodkov – od osnovnih delovnih kosil do banketnih večerij, več sočasnihdnevnih izletov za spremljevalce, tehnično in organizacijsko zahtevne transferjeudeležencev iz letališč v Sloveniji, Italiji in Avstriji, veliko različnih tiskanih edicij,nastanitev v Portorožu in širši okolici (različne kategorije hotelov), veliko koordinacijez organizatorji, celotno finančno vodenje (kotizacije, razstavljavci, plačevanjespremljevalnih dogodkov), zahtevno registracijo udeležencev na kraju dogodka;z eno besedo, šlo je za šolski primer organizacije kongresa z vsemi možnimidodatnimi storitvami.Po mnenju udeležencev in organizatorjev je bil kongres zelo uspešen in odmeven,saj sprejemajo samo pohvale. Kritičnih točk ni bilo, saj je v čudovitem okoljuKongresnega Centra Bernardin, ki je edini lahko zagotovil vse zahtevane pogoje,vse potekalo nemoteno.Pri organizaciji tega kongresa smo se naučili toliko kot pri vsakem, saj je vsakkongres izziv zase. Organizacija tega kongresa nam je zelo ustrezala, saj se zatakšne kot PCO najbolj zavzemamo in si jih želimo. Pri tem smo preizkusili novnačin hitre registracije velikega števila udeležencev v kratkem času (samo enopopoldne), kar nam je odlično uspelo.Majda Zidanski, Albatros BledNaslov dogodka: CEE Cancer PatientSummit - »United against Cancer«Naročnik: European Cancer PatientCoalitionIzvajalec: Auditoria d.o.o.Organizacija kongresov je lahko naprvi pogled precej klišejski posel. Naročniknavadno ne zahteva drugega,kot da je kongres brezhibno izpeljan vskladu z mednarodnimi standardi, daso v zborniku objavljeni vsi povzetki,da vsem udeležencem zagotovimotransfer in namestitev v izbranem ho-Polni optimizmazdruženi proti rakutelu, da so tehnične storitve brezhibne, da ne zmanjka hrane na sprejemu, dase udeleženci dobro počutijo, lokalni organizatorji pa ostanejo v spominu kotodlični gostitelji. Mi pa želimo vsakemu kongresu dati nekaj posebnega, nekaj,po čemer se bodo udeleženci spomnili Slovenije in se morda še vrnili. V temsmislu je bil edinstven kongres »United against cancer« (Združeni proti raku),ki ga je na pobudo gospoda Lojzeta Peterleta v Ljubljani organiziralo združenjeECPC (European Cancer Patient Coalition). November ni najbolj idealen mesecza organizacijo kongresa v Ljubljani, predvsem, če ga naročniki želijo zaključitiz javnim shodom oz. družabnim dogodkom sredi Ljubljane. Vremenski faktorsmo takoj dali na stranski tir in se začeli ukvarjati z vsebino. Kot glavnega partnerjasmo k sodelovanju povabili Društvo onkoloških bolnikov Slovenije. In večkot smo spoznali ljudi, ozdravljenih bolnikov, polnih optimizma in volje, da pomagajotudi drugim, bolj nas je vleklo v projekt in na koncu je v nedeljo, 4. novembra2006, na Kongresnem trgu dežurala cela ekipa Auditorie. Oglaševanje vdnevnih časopisih in plakati po celem mestu so kljub temu, da je bil dogodek vnedeljo, in kljub mrazu, na trg privabilo Ljubljančane, ki jih je čakal topel čaj invroč kostanj, pridružili so se udeleženci kongresa, ki smo jih pripeljali iz hotelaMons, glasbeniki na velikem odru, ki so se vsi po vrsti odrekli honorarju in ozdravljenibolniki, ki so z odra pogumno povedali svoje življenjske zgodbe. In posijaloje sonce! Na stojnice, kjer so se predstavila društva onkoloških bolnikov,na udeležence, ki so se sprehajali po trgu z rdečimi balončki v obliki src. In mismo pozabili na debel fascikel z dovoljenji za izvedbo javne prireditve, elaborato meritvi hrupa, ... in se veselili skupaj z naročniki, da je dogodek uspel.Natalija Bah Čad, vodja projektov, Auditoria d.o.o., www.unitedagainstcancer.eu34

Kandidatura, mednarodnepovezave in lobiranjeNaslov dogodka:Podelitev nagrade Fundacije CIVISMedia – projekt je v pripraviNaročnik:CIVIS Media FoundationIzvajalec: Kompas d.d.Dolgoletnemu partnerstvu z RTV Slovenijain vrsti uspešno izpeljanih dogodkov,med katerimi omenjam skupščinoEBU ter IPI, nam je pripeljalopriložnost, da se izkažemo pri novemprojektu in ga v letu 2008 pripeljemo vSlovenijo. Civis Media Fundation je podvajseti podelitvi nagrade iskala novolokacijo.Dogodek je specifičen iz treh vidikov:- gre za medijski dogodek, ki je izjemnotežaven zaradi postavitve (določenascena, zahtevana višina prostora zapodelitev in veliko število spremljevalnihprostorov za garderobe in ekipe,dostopnost za velike snemalne tovornjake, saj gre najprej za neposreden prenospodelitve, nato pa za predvajanje po odkupljenih pravicah po televizijskih hišah),- gre za edini dogodek, ki bo na dan 8. maja v Sloveniji in EU (predvečer dnevaEvrope), zato si nadejamo obisk eminentnih gostov iz sveta evropske in domačepolitike,- prizorišče ne sme biti konvencionalno in mora odražati specifiko države oz.mesta, kjer podelitev poteka.Do današnjega dne smo definirali prizorišče podelitve nagrade in »after rewardsparty-ja« ter hotele. Vsi, ki se ukvarjamo s celovitimi organizacijami dogodkov,vemo, da so to le temelji in da nas v prihodnjih mesecih čaka še ogromnotrdega dela.Zakaj navajam dogodek, ki se še ni zgodil, kot primer dobre prakse? Zopet iz dvehrazlogov:- prvi je gotovo lobiranje; nič novega, boste rekli, to je potrebno za vsak dogodek. Vtem primeru je bilo kar zahtevno in brez ključnih povezav in podpore politike nebi šlo – kljub našim referencah, da smo kot organizatorji sposobni izpeljati prireditev,kar je bilo v tem primeru ključno in odločilno.- drugi razlog pa je v tem obdobju krepko zasedena Ljubljana. Vlada je zakupilavsako razpoložljivo posteljo in nas, organizatorje dogodkov ter turistične agencije,prepustila na milost in nemilost hotelirjem. Ni odveč povedati, da se ob tem srečujemovsaj z razumevanjem naših partnerjev, ki z naklonjenostjo gledajo na našomajhnost. Duh velike Evrope se je le dotaknil njihovih src ... 35

Good Practice Case StudyThe Organisers receivednothing but PraiseEvent Tittle:The European Polymer Congress 2007Customer:The Slovenian Chemical SocietyContractor: Agencija AlbatrosThis was one of 2007’s largerinternational congresses in Sloveniaand included a wide range of elements:a large hall for the plenarysession, 8 halls for the sections, exhi-bition spaces, a large number of accompanying events from basic workinglunches to banquet dinners, multiple simultaneous day trips for theparticipants, technically and logistically demanding participant transfers fromSlovenian, Italian and Austrian airports, many different printed materials,accommodation in Portorož and the surrounding area in hotels of varyingcategories, a large amount of co-ordination with the organisers, the completefinancial organisation (participation fees, exhibitors, payment for accompanyingevents), the challenging registration of participants at the scene of the event.In short, this was a text book example of how to organise a congress with allpossible additional services.According to participants and the organisers, who have received nothing butpraise, the congress was very successful and prominent. There were nocritical issues as everything ran smoothly in the beautiful environment of theBernardin Convention Centre, which was only venue able to meet everyrequirement.Organising this congress taught us as much as previous ones, as each congressis a different challenge. We were very glad to have the chance to organise thiscongress, as it’s the kind of congress that we, as a PCO, strive for and want to seemore of. We tested a new method of registering a large number of participantsin a short time - only one afternoon - which was a complete success.Majda Zidanski, Albatros BledEvent Title: CEE Cancer PatientSummit – ‘United against Cancer’Customer: European Cancer PatientCoalitionContractor: Auditoria, d.o.o.At first glance, conference organisationmight seem to be a clichéd business.The client doesn’t usually ask for anythingother than that the congress is carriedout in line with international standards,that all summaries are published in thecollection of papers, that all participantsare provided with transfers to and accommodationat the chosen hotel, that techni-Full of OptimismUnited Against Cancercal services are flawless, that the food doesn’t run out at the reception, that the participantsfeel good and that the local organisers are remembered as excellent hosts.We’d like to make each congress something special, something that participants willremember Slovenia for and so might come back again. The ‘United against Cancer’conference organised in Ljubljana by the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC)at the incentive of Lojze Peterle was unique in this sense. November is not an idealmonth for organising a conference in Ljubljana, especially if the clients would like toround off the event with a public gathering, in this case a social event, in the centreof Ljubljana. We immediately disregarded the weather factor and started dealing withthe contents. The Slovenia Association of Oncology Patients was chosen as the mainpartner. And the more people we got to know, including cured patients full ofoptimism and willpower to help others, the more we were drawn to the project, untilfinally, on 4 November 2006, the entire Auditoria team was present at CongressSquare. Advertisements in daily newspapers and billboards all over town drew variousLjubljana residents to the square despite it being a Sunday and despite the cold.Warm tea and hot chestnuts were awaiting them, and they were joined by conferenceparticipants, who we brought from the Mons Hotel, musicians on a big stage, who allwaived their fees, and cured patients, who bravely told their stories from the stage.And the sun came out. It shone upon the stands, where oncology patients’ associationsshowcased themselves and upon the participants, who walked around thesquare with red heart-shaped balloons. And we forgot about the thick file holdingpermits for the organization of a public gathering, reports on noise measurementsand so on, and were pleased, together with the clients, that the event was a success.Natalija Bah Čad, Project Manager, Auditoria, d.o.o., www.unitedagainstcancer.eu36

Candidature, InternationalIntegration and LobbyingEvent Title: Candidature,International Integration and Lobbying– a Project under PreparationCustomer: CIVIS Media FoundationContractor: Kompas, d.d.Our long-term partnership with statebroadcaster Radio Television Sloveniaand the number of events successfullycarried-out, including the EBU and IPImeetings, have given us a chance toprove ourselves in a new project andbring it to Slovenia in 2008 - followingthe twentieth Awards show, the CIVISMedia Foundation is looking for a newlocation.The event is specific in three ways:- it’s a media event that’s extremelyhard to set up, with a set scene andhuge award space, a large numberof accompanying spaces for crewsand dressing rooms. Large filminglorries must have access to the show venue as there’ll be live coverage,with broadcasting rights being sold later to individual broadcasters,- it’s the only event on 8 May 2008 in Slovenia and the EU - on the eveof Europe Day - and so we expect to see prominent guests from theEuropean and local political worlds,- the venue cannot be conventional and must reflect the specifics of the countryor city where the Awards show takes place.So far, the locations for the Awards Show and the ‘after Awards party’ havebeen selected, as have the hotels. However, everyone in the field of integratedevent organisation knows that these are only the foundations and that there’sstill a lot of hard work to be done in the months to come. Why do I nominatethis event, which has not even happened yet, as a case study? For two reasons:- the first certainly being the lobbying, which you’ll say is nothing new and isnecessary for every event. In this case it was quite challenging and wouldn’thave been successful without key connections and political support, despiteour references showing that we as organisers are capable of executing theevent. In this case, lobbying was the key element and the deciding factor.- the second reason was a heavily-booked Ljubljana. The government hasbooked every available bed and left us organisers and tourist agencies at themercy of hotel owners. Fortunately we have met plenty of understanding fromour partners with a favourable attitude towards our small size. The spirit ofthe great Europe has at last touched their hearts…37

Srečanja strokovnih združenjZgradimovelik kongresni centerZa mnenje o izkušnjahs profesionalnimi slovenskimikongresnimi organizatorjismo povprašali nekaj uglednihpredstavnikov organizatorjevtovrstnih dogodkov.Prvi odgovarja dr. VladimirSmrkolj, predsednik organizacijskegaodbora Evropskegatravmatološkega kongresaEurotrauma, 2006.profesionalni organizator imel utečene in zanesljive poti do medijske promocijev Sloveniji. Dobro bi bilo pripeljati na enega od slavnostnih dogodkov neko izjemnoosebo ali skupino ali kakšno izjemno predstavitev. Če je to evropski kongres,bi morala biti oseba ali predstavitev poznana v Evropi, če je svetovni kongres,potem svetovno poznana oseba, dogodek. V Hanovru so nam prikazali nastopčlanov društva Mensa, kar je ostalo vsem v trdnejšem spominu kot večinareferatov. Na nekem drugem kongresu so napravili prvič za publiko laserskoprojekcijo v zadimljeni sobi, ki je dajala vtis trodimenzionalnosti in so se projeciraniljudje, predmeti, gibali med nami. Na svetovnem ortopedskem kongresuso prvič demonstrirali slišanje gluhega otroka preko računalnika in draženjamožganske skorje. Profesionalni organizator bi si moral omisliti katalog domačihin tujih tovrstnih ponudb, skupaj s cenami, seveda.Kako ste zadovoljni s ponudbo in opremljenostjo kongresnih lokacijv Sloveniji?Za velik kongres sta CD in Bernardin premajhna. Predvsem so premajhni prostoriza razstave, kadar je kongres privlačen za razstavljavce.Kako poteka financiranje mednarodnih kongresnih prireditev?S kakšnimi težavami se soočate?V moji stroki se srečujemo z razstavljavci, kotizacijo in sponzorji. Potencialnesponzorje in razstavljavce bi morali sproti obveščati o napredovanju organizacijekongresa, o številu prijav, itd. Morebiti je za finančni uspeh kongresa potrebnaše vsaj tolikšna skrb za sponzorje in razstavljavce kot jo posvečamo udeležencemz obvestili. Morda bi bila potrebna tudi za razstavljavce in sponzorje prva,druga, tretja in dokončna obvestila.Kaj je po vašem mnenju glavna konkurenčna prednost Slovenije z vidikaorganizacije mednarodnih kongresov?Varnost v smislu dosedanje odsotnosti terorističnih dogodkov in groženj, butičnostob majhnosti, nekakšna politična nevtralnost.Kako ocenjujete pomen poslovnega in kongresnega turizma kot enega odslovenskih turističnih produktov in ali je po vašem mnenju konkurenčen naglobalnem trgu?Ne poznam podrobneje razmer v tej panogi, organiziral sem le en evropski kongres,več izkušenj imam le s slovenskimi kongresi in simpoziji. Zdi pa se mi, daje najbrž tovrstni turistični produkt konkurenčen, v primerjavi z drugimi, z manjtruda. Več kot polovico dela je, po mojem mnenju, opravljenega že, ko kongrespridobiš, obisk je s tem zagotovljen in tveganja skoraj ni.Kakšne so vaše izkušnje s profesionalnimikongresnimi organizatorji?Dobre.Kaj najbolj pogrešate pri organizacijivelikih mednarodnih kongresov?Sam bi v lastni režiji v bodoče izpeljalizdajo dnevnih obvestil v obliki vsakodnevnegačasopisa. Želel bi si, da biKaj bi po vašem mnenju morali v Sloveniji izboljšati na področju ponudbekongresnega in poslovnega turizma?Zgraditi velik kongresni center. Sistematično razvijati obkongresno ponudbo, kine bi bila omejena s Slovenijo.Ali v prihodnosti načrtujete organizacijo kakšne večje mednarodne konferenceali kongresa?Odpira se možnost nekega evropskega medicinskega kongresa, ker pa kongresaše nismo dokončno pridobili, ne bi rad izdal podrobnosti.Gorazd Čad38

•Zaposlovnedogodkeširšihdimenzij....na MokricahKonferenčna dvorana Barbara v Depandansihotela Golf Grad Mokrice s sončno terasoin pogledom na prečudoviti angleški park• dve poslovni dvorani v gradu Mokrice ****s skupno kapaciteto do 100 udeležencev•2 poslovno opremljena apartmaja•25 stilsko opremljenih sob & 2 suiti• grajska restavracija z vrhunsko kulinarično ponudbo• masažni salon• vinska klet z možnostjo degustacijeGolf igrišče MokriceVeč kot 11.000 m2 notranjihin zunanjih vodnih površin... v Catežu• 4 poslovne dvorane v hotelu Terme ****• večnamenska dvorana hotela Toplice****• SAVNA PARKz 8 tematsko raznolikimi savnami• TERMALNA RIVIERAveckot samo srecanje• wellness centri• zdravstvene storitve• športno- rekreacijski center• animacijski programTERME ČATEŽTEL: 07/ 49 36 700, 49 36 759FAKS: 07/ 49 35 005mokrice@terme-catez.si;www.mokrice.si; www.mokrice.com;info@terme-catez.si; www.terme-catez.siProjekt obnove Hotela Čatež, Spa & Wellnesscentra in kompleksa Hotel Golf Grad Mokrice jedelno financiran s sredstvi EU

Meetings of Expert AssociationsLet’s builda large Congress CentreWe asked several respectedrepresentatives of meetingorganisers about theirexperience with Slovenianprofessional congressorganisers. Dr. VladimirSmrkolj, Organising BoardChairman for the EuropeanCongress of Trauma –Eurotrauma (2006),answers first.the person or event must be known across the world. In Hannover, members ofthe Mensa Society gave a performance and that left a stronger impression thanmost of the presented papers. At another congress, they produced a laserprojection in a dimmed room for the first time, which created a threedimensionalillusion allowing the projected people and objects to move amongthe audience. At the World Orthopaedic Congress, the hearing of a deaf childwas demonstrated for the first time, using a computer and stimulating thecerebral cortex. A professional organiser should have a catalogue of local andforeign events of this kind – including prices, of course.How are you satisfied with the offer and equipment at congress locations inSlovenia?Cankarjev dom and Bernardin are too small for large congresses and thisapplies especially to their exhibition spaces when a congress is attractive forexhibitors.What about financing international congress events? What kinds of problemsdo you face?In my field, we face exhibitors, participant fees and sponsors. Potentialsponsors and exhibitors should be kept continuously informed of the progressof the congress organisation, the number of applications, etc. The financialsuccess of a congress perhaps requires giving at least the same amount ofattention to the sponsors and exhibitors as to the participants with notices.The exhibitors and sponsors would perhaps require first, second, third andfinal notices as well.What, in your opinion, is Slovenia’s main advantage over its competition fromthe viewpoint of organising international congresses?Safety, in that there has not yet been any terrorist attacks or threats, andexclusivity in smallness – a sort of political neutrality.What are your experiences withprofessional congress organisers?Good.What do you miss the most whenorganising of large internationalcongresses?I would issue daily notices in the formof a daily newspaper. I would want theprofessional organiser to have testedand reliable media promotionchannels in Slovenia. It would be goodto bring a person of exceptionalimportance to one of the high levelevents – or a group or perhaps someexceptional presentation. If it is aEuropean congress, this person orpresentation must be known inEurope and if it is a world congress,How do you estimate the significance of business and congress tourism asone of Slovenia’s tourism products and, in your opinion, is it competitive inthe global market?I am not familiar with the detailed conditions in this field as I have onlyorganised one European congress. I am more familiar with Sloveniancongresses and symposiums. However, I feel that a tourism product of thiskind might be competitive in comparison with others and with less effort. Morethan half of the work, in my opinion, is already done when the congress isacquired, attendance is thus ensured and there is almost no risk involved.In your opinion, what should Slovenia improve in the field of congress andbusiness tourism?Build a large congress centre. Systematically develop accompanying offers thatwill not be limited to Slovenia.Are you planning on organising any larger international conferences orcongresses in the future?There is the possibility of a European medical congress, but since we have notyet entirely acquired that I do not want to reveal any details.Gorazd Čad40

•Foreventsofbiggerdimensions....at MokriceCongress Hall Barbara in the castle hotelannexe with a sunny terrace and a beautifulview of the English park• 2 business halls in the castle Mokrice**** with the capacityfor up to 100 participants• 2 business apartments• 25 stylish equipped rooms & 2 suites• wine cellar with possibility of wine tastingGolf course MokriceMore than 11.000 m2 ofindoor and outdoor watersurfaces... in Catež• multifunctional congress hall in HotelToplice****• 4 congress halls in Hotel Terme****• SAUNA PARK with 8 different saunas• WELLNESS CENTRES• HEALTH PROGRAMMESMuch more thanjust a business meeting ...• SPORTS-& RECREATION CENTRE• ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMETERME ČATEŽTEL:+ 386 7-49-36-759, + 386 7-49-36-700FAX: + 386 7-49-35-005mokrice@terme-catez.si;www.mokrice.si; www.mokrice.com;info@terme-catez.si; www.terme-catez.siThe reconstruction of the Mokrice Castle GolfHotel, Hotel Čatež and Spa & Wellness Centre haspartially been co-financed by the European Union.

Srečanja strokovnih združenjMajhnostin lepota SlovenijeDr. Jernej Dolinšek,Slovensko društvoza celiakijo, Splošnabolnišnica Maribor,predsednik organizacijskegaodbora mednarodnegakongresa o celiakiji,septembra 2007.Kakšne so vaše izkušnje s profesionalnimi kongresnimi organizatorji?Dosedanje izkušnje so bolj pozitivne kot negativne. Kongresne agencije so sorazmernodobro podkrepljene s strokovnim znanjem, včasih manjka komunikacija,predvsem kadar je lokacija izven mesta, kjer se nahaja sedež kongresnega organizatorja,zato bi bilo smiselno, da imajo te organizacije v večjih kongresnihcentrih svojo pisarno oz. svojega stalnega sodelavca. Pokazalo se je tudi, dalahko tonus sodelovanja oz. dela upade z leti. Kadar smo na kongresu v tujini,kongresna agencija pa je iz tretje države in je za delo najela lokalne sodelavce(običajno mlade), se pogosto pokaže nepoznavanje domačega terena in takratlahko nastopijo zapleti, ki jih opazi tudi zunanji opazovalec.Kaj najbolj pogrešate pri organizaciji velikih mednarodnih kongresov?Fleksibilnost, izkušnje.Kako ste zadovoljni s ponudbo in opremljenostjo kongresnih lokacij v Sloveniji?Glede na vse večje število pomembnih dogodkov, nam lokacij primanjkuje.Opremljenost je zelo individualna in predvsem odvisna od upravitelja posameznelokacije in zato včasih zelo pomanjkljiva ali pa samo enostransko ustrezna.Kako poteka financiranje mednarodnih kongresnih prireditev? S kakšnimi težavamise soočate?Financiranje s strani sponzorjev, udeležencev, javnih agencij, lokalnih skupnosti.Težave v smislu premalega interesa domačih podjetij za dogodke in preslabopoznavanje Slovenije s strani pomembnih mednarodnih sponzorjev.Kaj je po vašem mnenju glavna konkurenčna prednost Slovenije z vidika organizacijemednarodnih kongresov?Položaj v centru Evrope, ki omogoča dostop z vseh delov sveta; majhnost in lepotadržave, ki omogoča zelo zanimive spremljevalne programe.Kako ocenjujete pomen poslovnega in kongresnega turizma kot enega od slovenskihturističnih produktov in ali je po vašem mnenju konkurenčen na globalnemtrgu?Gre za zelo pomembno in zaenkrat še dokaj podcenjeno gospodarsko panogo,ki pa lahko ima velik vpliv. Na globalnem trgu še nismo dovolj konkurenčni.Kaj bi po vašem mnenju morali v Sloveniji izboljšati na področju ponudbe kongresnegain poslovnega turizma?Prepoznavnost Slovenije se bo s predsedovanjem EU in vstopom v Schengen šepovečala. Ta moment je potrebno izkoristiti. Kongresni centri se morajo opremitido najvišjih standardov. Potrebno bo urediti tudi mednarodne letalske povezave.Trenutno edino večje mednarodno letališče v Sloveniji ne omogoča hitregatransferja do vseh slovenskih mest, ki so lahko zelo zanimiva za kongresnodejavnost, razen Ljubljane.Ali v prihodnosti načrtujete organizacijo kakšne večje mednarodne konferenceali kongresa?Da.Gorazd Čad42

Terme Dobrna ~ popoln kraj za ...Terme Dobrna ~ a perfect place for ...... popolno novoletno zabavo /a perfect New Year’s party ...Pride as, ko pogledamo, kaj smo v letu, ki odhaja, zares dobro naredili.Zastavimo si cilje, da bomo naslednje leto še boljši, vmes pa sizaslužimo zares dobro zabavo z našimi najbližjimi. Je kje boljši kraj zato od Term Dobrna? The time comes, when we take a look at what wehad really done great in the passing year. We set the goals to becomeeven better next year. In the meantime we deserve a great party withour closest ones. Is there a better place for that than Terme Dobrna?Decembrski koncerti za izbrano družbo z Darjo Švajger – rezervirajtena 03 78 08 134. December concerts with Darja Švajger – for reservationscall 00386 (0)3 78 08 134....Team building ...udovit kraj za motivacijo sodelavcev. Sprehod po parku ali raziskovanjenarave s kolesom napolnita še tako prazne baterije. Vroa savnain zdravilna termalna voda preistita telo in misli. Še kanek naših programovsprošanja in revitalizacije in sanjsko moštvo je pripravljenoza nove izzive. A wonderful place to motivate your coworkers. A walkin our energetic park or a ride on a bike in an intact nature rell eventhe most empty batteries. A steaming hot sauna and a healing thermalwater cleans your body and clears your thoughts. Add a touch of ourrelaxation and revitalization programs and a Dream Team is ready tomeet new challenges.Polpenzion že od 39,50 € dalje (pri dveh prenoitvah) – pokliite 0378 08 135. Halfboard starting at 39,50 € (two stays) – call 00386 (0)378 08 135.... vecerjo s pridihom drugacnosti /a dinner with a touch of difference ...Ni boljšega okusa, kot je okus uspeha. Povabite svoje poslovne partnerjeali družino na veerjo. Povabite jih na nepozabno veerjo, tako,kot so si jo pripravili stari Rimljani, da bi proslavili svoje uspehe. Thereis no better taste than the taste of success. Invite your business partnersor your family to a dinner. Invite them to an unforgettable dinner.To a kind of dinner, that the ancient Romans prepaired to celebrate theirsuccess.Nepozabno kulinarino in družabno doživetje 25 € na osebo – pokliite03 78 08 168. Unforgettable culinary experience 25 € per person – call00386 (0)3 78 08 168.T: +386 (0)3 78 08 000, E: info@terme-dobrna.si, W: www.terme-dobrna.si

Meetings of Expert AssociationsSlovenia’ssmall size and beautyJernej Dolinšek, MD,Slovene Celiac DiseaseSociety, MariborGeneral Hospital,President of the OrganisingCommittee of theInternational Celiac DiseaseMeeting, September 2007.representative in the larger congress centres. It has also become evident thatthe flexibility of cooperation and work is diminished over the years. When weattend congresses abroad and the congress agency is from a third countryand hires local associates (usually young people) to implement it, the lackof knowledge of the local environment becomes evident, and it is then thatcomplications can arise that can be discerned even by an outside observer.What do you miss the most in the organisation of large internationalcongresses?Flexibility, experience.How satisfied are you with the offer and equipment at congress locations inSlovenia?Considering the increasingly greater number of important events, we arelacking locations. The equipment is rather individual and mostly dependenton the manager of an individual location, so it is sometimes deficient or onlysuitable for some.How does the financing of international congress events proceed? What kindof problems are you faced with?Financing is provided by the sponsors, attendees, public agencies, and localcommunities. We are facing problems in the sense of a lacking interest ofdomestic companies for events and the insufficient knowledge about Sloveniaby important international sponsors.What is, in your opinion, the main competitive advantage of Slovenia fromthe point of view of international congress organisation?Its location in the centre of Europe facilitating access from all parts of theworld; the country’s small size and beauty enabling interesting accompanyingprogrammes.How would you assess the importance of the business and congress tourismas one of Slovenia’s tourist products and is it, in your opinion, competitiveon the global market?It is a very important and, for now, a rather underrated industry that can,however, have an important influence. We are not competitive enough on theglobal market.What is your experience withprofessional congress organisers?My experience so far is more positivethan negative. Congress agencies arerelatively well-equipped in terms ofexpert knowledge, however, there issometimes a lack of communication,primarily when the venue is situatedoutside the location of the congressorganiser’s seat, so it would besensible for these organisations tohave offices or their own permanentWhat should we, in your opinion, improve in Slovenia in the area of congressand business tourism offer?The recognisability of Slovenia will increase with its EU Presidency andjoining the Schengen area. This momentum should be taken advantage of.The congress centres must be equipped to the highest standards. Internationalflights will also have to be arranged. Currently, the largest international airportin Slovenia does not enable a fast transfer to all Slovenian cities that can,save for Ljubljana, prove very interesting for the congress activity.Are you planning to organise any large international conference or congressin the future?Yes.Gorazd Čad44

KOMPAS DESIGN, foto: FOTO SPRINGŽIVAHNE RAZPRAVE / LIVELY DEBATE MAKESPRINAŠAJO NOV POLET / NEW IDEAS TAKE FLIGHTPohorski gozdovi so neizËrpen vir miru,navdiha in sprostitve. Še posebej, ker jetik ob njih na razliËnih lokacijah tudi vsedrugo, kar potrebujete…The Pohorje forests are an inexhaustiblesource of peace, inspiration and relaxation.Especially when everything else you needis available in various locations close athand…hoteli HABAKUK, novi BELLEVUE in PIRAMIDAThe HABAKUK, new BELLEVUE and PIRAMIDA hotelsveË klimatiziranih in tehniËno opremljenihkongresnih dvoran ter klubski prostorizunanji in notranji bazeni, whirlpoolis termalno vodo, savne, solariji,dvorane za fitnes, lepotilni centriorganizacija posebnih dogodkov,družabnih sreËanj in dogodivšËin na prostemair-conditioned and fully-equippedconference rooms and club roomsindoor and outdoor swimming pools,thermal whirlpools, saunas, solariums,fitness centres, beauty centresspecial events, social gatherings andoutdoor adventuresTerme Maribor. Naravno okolje za poslovna sreËanja.The natural environment for business meetings.www.termemb.siHotel HabakukPohorska ulica 592000 MariborTel.: +386 02 30 08 100habakuk@termemb.sinovi Hotel BellevueNa Slemenu 352208 PohorjeTel.: +386 02 60 75 100bellevue@termemb.siHotel PiramidaUlica heroja Šlandra 102000 MariborTel.: +386 02 23 44 400piramida@termemb.si

Sobe z razgledom – vendar ne v Toskani ...Srečanja in motivacijskiprogrami v alpskem svetuAlpski prostor je zagotovoena od determinant turističnepodobe Slovenije, prav takopa je pomembno sooblikovaldel njene nacionalne identitete– začenši z najvišjim gorskimvrhom, Triglavom, ki jeupodobljen na državnem grbuter opevan v neštetih stihihin melodijah. Ta leži vosrčju Triglavskega narodnegaparka – edinega v Sloveniji– ki se razteza na skoraj84.000 hektarjih površine.Praktično vse občine naobmočju Julijskih Alp, kjer turizempredstavlja eno od pomembnihgospodarskih dejavnosti,prostorsko segajo vrobni del tega zaščitenegaozemlja.Tatjana RadovičPrva slika, ki si jo prikličem pred oči, je za naše (insajderske) pojme že skorajstereotipna, ko je govora o lepotah naše dežele ... saj veste, Bled. Skoraj ni tujegaobiskovalca, ki bi odšel iz Slovenije, ne da bi videl ta kraj in prevzeto vzdihnilob pogledu nanj, posebej z dramatične višine srednjeveškega gradu. Blejskojezero je bilo in ostaja ena od nosilnih podob ali simbolov našega turizma,sam kraj, ki se kot letovišče razvija že preko 150 let (da mnogo starejših, romarskihčasov in starodavnih obiskovalcev termalnih vrelcev niti ne omenjam)pa stalno nadgrajuje svojo turistično ponudbo in kakovost produktov. V obdobjudo 2. svetovne vojne je Bled že slovel kot svetovljanski zdraviliški in turističnikraj, najprej cesarske Avstrije in kasneje Kraljevine Jugoslavije. V zadnjih desetletjihse ta tradicija le nadaljuje.Od predvojnega jet-seta do mednarodnih znanstvenikovBled se nesporno uvršča med vodilne destinacije v Sloveniji za kongrese in poslovnasrečanja srednje velikosti, kakor tudi za medvladne in diplomatsko-protokolarnedogodke. Naravne danosti in bližnja okolica s slikovitimi gorskimikraji ter rekami pa ponujajo široko paleto možnosti za aktivna doživetja na prostem,različnih težavnostnih stopenj v praktično vseh letnih časih. Domiselnihidej za teambuilding ali incentive programe je na pretek, ampak o tem malo kasneje.Najprej en kratek pregled v preteklost in v »hardware«. Bled ni novo imena kongresnem zemljevidu, saj je Festivalna dvorana s 500 sedeži eden od prvihprireditveno-kongresnih objektov v Sloveniji, naša najstarejša zasebna kongresnaagencija, Albatros Bled, pa je bila ustanovljena leta 1986.Novejše obdobje je prineslo na sceno nove igralce, saj so številni hoteli sprejelistrateške usmeritve, ki so narekovale vlaganja tudi v sodobno kongresno infrastrukturoin razvoj s tem povezanih produktov. Najmočnejša hotelska družba –Sava Hoteli Bled – v svojih šestih hotelih v razponu od treh do petih zvezdic ponujanajvečje hotelske konferenčne zmogljivosti v kraju, hkrati pa upravlja slikovitoblejsko igrišče za golf z 18 + 9 igralnimi polji. V hotelih, dveh penzionih inapartmajski hiši razpolaga s preko 630 sobami in 1.000 ležišči. Nedavno prenovljenHotel Golf, kjer največja dvorana sprejme 350 oseb v kino postavitvi,ima skupne zmogljivosti za do 900 udeležencev srečanj. Ta objekt se odlikujetudi po večjem centru za dobro počutje z obsežnimi bazenskimi površinami. TakoGrand Hotel Toplice kot Hotel Park razpolagata z lastnimi sodobnimi dvoranamiza izvedbo srečanj; v prvem, največja nudi prostor za max. 270 udeležencev,v drugem pa do 120, dopolnjujejo pa ju številne manjše enote. Manjša srečanjaje možno izvesti tudi v od vrveža odmaknjenem hotelu Vila Bled (nekdajletna rezidenca jugoslovanske kraljeve družine, nato pa predsedniška rezidencaJosipa Broza – Tita), ki je včlanjen v prestižno verigo Relais & Chateau. In tupridem do asociacije na film »Soba z razgledom«, saj se iz večine naštetih prostorovodpira prelepa veduta na jezero in otok (edini v Sloveniji!) ter pečino, vrhkatere kraljuje Blejski grad. Slednji je enkratno prizorišče za sprejeme in pogostitve,posebej v toplejših mesecih, ko je za dogodke možno uporabiti zunanjeterase. Srednjeveški čas prikličejo graščak s spremstvom, ki pozdravi goste,vinska klet, nad katero bdi menih in stara grajska tiskarna z repliko Gutenbergovelesene tiskarske stiskalnice, kjer mojster Janez ustvarja odtise starih grafik.Možno je tudi gastronomsko doživetje teh davnih časov, saj se obisk gradulahko zaključi s srednjeveško pojedino.Številni drugi hoteli v kraju, kot npr. oba Best Western hotela – Kompas in Lovec(štiri zvezdice, slednji popolnoma obnovljen), ter Jelovica in Astoria, meddrugim ponujajo konferenčne prostore različnih dimenzij, z največjo zmogljivo-46

stjo 150 sedežev. Vse hotelske hišebrez izjeme si zelo prizadevajo za dovršenokulinariko in visoko raven storitev,kar znajo ceniti tako počitniškikot poslovni gostje.Kaj pa »software«? Aktivno nadgradnjokonference ali element incentiveprograma se lahko izvede na samemBledu, možnosti pa se pomnožijo vradiju največ 40 kilometrov oddaljenosti.Vožnja s tradicionalno pletnodo otoka ali raje tekmovanje v čolnihna delu trase veslaškega centra, kjerpotekajo tudi prvenstva na svetovniravni? Vožnje s kočijo okoli jezera alijahalni treking po okolici? Organizacijagolf turnirja? »Dine-around« –večerja s postanki na različnih točkahob jezeru in spust plavajočih svečk, zvoskom napolnjenih jajčnih lupin, kičarobno osvetlijo gladino jezera?Uprizoritev legende o potopljenemzvonu? Spoznavanje čebelarske inlectarske tradicije, ali tradicionalnihgostiln, vključno s tisto, kjer so domasvetovno znane legende alpskih poskočnic– Avseniki. V zimskem časuakcija »vse na ledu« – od hitrega tečajahokeja do iger na ledu ali celodisco programa ...? Pa sankanje z lokalnegasmučišča Straža, kjer se jemožno spustiti po adrenalinski trasitudi poleti. Nedaleč stran, skok doBohinjskega jezera, morda čez Pokljuškoplanoto, ki je raj za tekaškosmučanje. Tam čakajo plezalne stene,adrenalinski park, gondola na Vogel(pozimi idealen kraj za igre nasnegu ali smučarsko tekmovanje), odkoder se odpre krasna panorama naBohinjsko jezero in Julijce. Slediplanšarski golaž in obisk tradicionalnesirarne. Rafting na Savi, soteskanjev številnih rečnih pritokih v regiji,panoramski leti ali tandemski skoki spadalom, da planinskih in kolesarskihpoti niti ne omenim, so niz vsega,kar je v teh krajih mogoče početiali doživeti.Bled je biser,Soča je smaragd ...Bohinjski konec ima zelo dobro razvitohotelsko infrastrukturo, vendar jebolj usmerjen v počitniški turizem, zatonajvečje seminarske zmogljivostilahko sprejmejo do 100 gostov. Je pa,samo 35 km stran od Bleda, pravi raj47

za teambuilding programe. Le malodlje, vendar v drugo smer, je KranjskaGora, naš najbolj znan gorski turističnikraj in pomembno zimsko-športnosredišče, ki se je opredelila za razvojkonferenčnih storitev kot dopolnitvesvoje druge pestre ponudbe.Vodilno hotelsko podjetje v kraju, HITAlpinea, upravlja pet hotelov s skupno600 sobami pod blagovno znamko HITHolidays Kranjska Gora. Konferenčnezmogljivosti – največje so v hotelihKompas in Larix, so primerne za srečanjaz do 360 udeleženci, kar je zmogljivostnajvečje med 20 dvoranami.Casinoja Relax in Larix, večnamenskašportna in prireditvena dvorana Vitranc,center za dobro počutje AquaLarix, ponujajo dodatne alternative zaprijetno bivanje gostov. Lepe konferenčnezmogljivosti ima tudi hotelLek, ki leži malo odmaknjen iz vaškegajedra proti jezeru Jasna, ob cesti,ki pelje na prelaz Vršič. Sama KranjskaGora z okolico ponuja neštete možnostiza športne aktivnosti, rekreacijoin team building, tako v toplejši kottudi v zimski sezoni. Kaj pravite na tečajplezanja po ledenih slapovih? Izzivza manj in bolj adrenalinske tipe – poletnosankališče ali mountain bikepark? Pa nočno sankanje ali z baklamiosvetljen nočni sprehod s krpljami?Vožnja s sanmi na pasjo vprego ali takimina motorni pogon? Za manj drzneje morda dovolj miselni polet obpogledu na planiške skakalnice v doliniPonc ali foto-lov – slikanje živali vnjihovem naravnem ambientu, vspremstvu izkušenega vodnika ...In hop čez Vršič, na bovško stran, obsmaragdno Sočo, ki je v Sloveniji»zakon« za vodne adrenalinske športe.Do Posočja se da priti z Bleda tudiz muzejskim vlakom, ki pelje po slikovitipoti in je idealen izlet za skupine(za velike je možen tudi ekskluzivnizakup), prav tako slikovita pa jecesta, ki sem jo omenila. Bovec ravnozaradi Soče privablja množico navdušencevvodnih športov, z lego obvznožju Kanina pa se v zimskih me-secih spremeni v izhodišče za smučanje na najvišji legi v naši državi. V samemBovcu sta dva hotela, ki razpolagata s konferenčnimi dvoranami za največdvesto oseb, malo izven kraja pa je trdnjava Kluže, ki je res atraktivna lokacijaza družabne ali kulturne dogodke. Posebna je tudi Pristava Lepena,idealen kompleks hišic v tradicionalnem slogu za manjše seminarje – v stikuz naravo in morda v sedlu, saj je pristava znana po jahalni ponudbi. V bližiniBovca je še mnogo slikovitih krajev, element motivacijskega potovanja pa jelahko tudi vožnja s starodobniki po stari, panoramski mangartski cesti ...Pa še spust po dolini Soče do Kobarida, ki slovi po Muzeju 1. svetovne vojne in(skoraj neverjetno) nekaterih od najboljših restavracij v Sloveniji, do Tolmina,odkoder Soča bolj umirjeno vijuga proti nižje ležečim krajem. In manj kot urovožnje stran (čudež male Slovenije) se odpre popolnoma drugačen svet vinorodnihGoriških Brd ...Pogled proti severovzhodu države pa se zaustavi še v Logarski dolini (KamniškoSavinjske Alpe), ki je, takoj za Bledom, ena najbolj fotogeničnih in najpogostejeovekovečenih alpskih vedut. V družinsko vodenem Hotelu Plesnik so lepe konferenčnezmogljivosti za manjša srečanja (do 80 sedežev v kino postavitvi), najnovejšapridobitev pa je dvorana za največ 150 udeležencev. Tako kot Bled je tudiLogarska dolina znana kot posebno prizorišče za poroke, saj je slikovitostnarave in krajev nadvse lepa kulisa za slavnostne dogodke. Morda komu ta namigše kdaj pride prav.Alpski prostor v Sloveniji je sinteza številnih vidikov našega življenjskega sloga:tam ohranjamo kulturno dediščino v starih mestnih jedrih in tradicionalnih vaseh,izročila starih obrti in običajev, predvsem pa spoštujemo, dihamo in se gibljemoz naravo. Predstavljajte si torej konferenco ali delovno srečanje s pogledomna hribe kot sredino slike, okoli katere lahko sestavite mozaik res različnihdoživetij, kjer umetne kisikove kure prav gotovo niso potrebne ...Tatjana Radovič, vodja kongresne dejavnosti, Zavod za turizem Ljubljana48

Rooms with a View – but not in TuscanyMeetings and Incentivesin the Alpine RegionThe Alpine region is certainlya defining characteristic ofSlovenia’s tourist image andit’s also been an importantfactor in shaping its nationalidentity – starting with itshighest mountain peak,Triglav, which is prominenton the state coat of arms andcelebrated in countless versesand melodies. It lies in theheart of the Triglav NationalPark – the only one of its kindin Slovenia – which coversnearly 84,000 hectares. Justabout every municipality inthe Julian Alps, where tourismis one of the most significanteconomic activities, extends tothe edge of this protected area.This tradition has continued in the past few decades, and Bled constantlystrives to update its tourist offer and product quality.From pre-war jet-setters to international scientistsBled is without doubt among the leading Slovenian destination for mediumsizecongresses, corporate meetings as well as intergovernmental anddiplomatic-protocol events. Its natural assets and surroundings, withpicturesque mountains and rivers, offer a wide range of options for outdooractivities of various difficulty levels just about all year round. There are creativeideas for teambuilding or incentive programmes in abundance but they will bediscussed later. First, a brief overview of the past and the ‘hardware’. Bled isn’ta new name on the congress map as the 500-seat Festival Hall was one of thefirst congress and event venues in Slovenia, and our oldest private congressagency, Albatros Bled, was set up in 1986.The more recent period has brought new players onto the scene as several hotelshave adopted strategic policies that push investment into moderncongress infrastructure and the development of related products. The strongesthotel company – Sava Hoteli Bled – with their six hotels in the three to five-starrange, has the biggest hotel conference capacities in Bled and also manages thepicturesque Bled golf course with twin 18 + 9 holes. The hotels, two guest housesand an apartment building altogether have over 630 rooms and 1000 beds. Therecently renovated Hotel Golf, where the largest hall accommodates 350 delegatestheatre style, has a total meeting room capacity of 900 seats. This building boasts alarge wellness centre and plentiful pool space. The Grand Hotel Toplice and theHotel Park both have modern meeting facilities. The former has space for amaximum of 270 delegates and the latter up to 120. Both are complemented bynumerous smaller function rooms. Smaller meetings can be held at the peacefulVila Bled hotel, which used to be the residence of the Yugoslav royal family andlater was a presidential residence of Josip Broz Tito. It’s now a member of theThe first image that comes to mindwhen people talk about the beauty ofour country is an almost stereotypicalone from our (insider’s) point of view… you know, Bled. Hardly any foreignvisitors leave Slovenia without goingthere and sighing with admiration,especially when they catch the viewof the lake from the dramaticallytowering medieval castle. Lake Bledis a fundamental image or symbol ofour tourism, as is the town itself,which has been developing as a resortfor over 150 years, not mentioning theearliest tourists - medieval pilgrimsand, some centuries later, visitorsto the thermal spas. Bled was acosmopolitan health and touristresort as early as before World War II,first in imperial Austrian times andthen in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.49

^prestigious Relais & Chateau group.And here we come to the associationwith the movie ‘A Room with a View’ asmost places mentioned offer beautifulviews of the landscape, the lake, theisland - the only one in Slovenia - andthe cliff, on top of which reigns BledCastle. The castle is also an excellentvenue for social functions, especially inthe warmer months when its outsideterraces can be used. The medieval erais conjured up by the lord of the castleand his retinue who greet guests, awine cellar guarded by a monk andthe castle’s old printing house with areplica of Gutenberg’s wooden printingpress, where master Janez createsimpressions of old graphics. Thesemedieval days can also be relivedgastronomically with a medieval feastat the end of the castle visit.Other hotels in the locality, such asboth Best Western hotels - theKompas and Lovec (four star, thelatter completely restored) - as wellas the Jelovica and the Astoria offer,among other amenities, conferencerooms of varying sizes for a maximumcapacity of 150 delegates. All thehotels put great emphasis onexquisite culinary offers and a highservice level, which are appreciatedby both leisure and business guests.What about the ‘software’? Bled allowsconference add-ons such as activeelements or an incentive programme,and the possibilities are even greaterwithin a 40-kilometre radius. What canyou choose? How about a ride to theisland on a traditional ‘pletna boat’ ora boating competition on the part ofthe lake where the world rowingchampionships take place. Perhapsrides around the lake in a horse-drawncarriage or a riding trek around thearea? What about a golf tournament?‘Dine-around’ – dinner with stops atvarious places by the lake where youcan release floating candles (eggshellsfilled with wax), which light up thelake surface wonderfully? Or are-enactment of ‘the legend of thesunken bell’? How about getting to know the beekeeping and gingerbread-makingtraditions or the traditional inns, including the one that’s home to the Avseniki,famous legends of Alpine folk dancing songs. In winter there’s the ‘everyone onice’ special activity offer – everything from quick ice hockey courses to games andeven a disco programme on the ice. Otherwise, you might like to try sledding onthe local Straža ski slope, an adrenaline-rush inducing course you can even use insummer. The surrounding area offers a hike to the Bohinj Lake area or perhapsover the Pokljuka plateau, which is a cross-country skiing paradise. In Bohinj, youwill find climbing walls, an adrenaline park and a cable car to Mount Vogel (anideal place for snow games or skiing competitions in winter) where a magnificentpanorama of Lake Bohinj and the Julian Alps unfolds. Rafting on the Sava,canyoning in the numerous streams in the region, panoramic flights or tandemparachuting – not to mention mountaineering and cycling paths - these activitiesare just a few more on the list of the things you can do and experience here.Bled is a pearl, the Soča River is an emeraldThe Bohinj area has very well developed hotel infrastructure but it’s aimedmore towards leisure tourism, which is why the largest seminar facilities onlycater for up to 100 guests. However, there’s a paradise here for teambuildingprogrammes just 35 kilometres from Bled. Just a little further than that, but inanother direction, is Kranjska Gora, our most famous mountain resort and animportant winter sports centre, which has been developing conference servicesin addition to its existing rich offer.The leading hotel company there is HIT Alpinea, which has five hotels with atotal of 600 rooms under the HIT Holidays Kranjska Gora trademark. As forconference facilities belonging to this group (20 function rooms altogether),the biggest are in the Kompas and Larix hotels, where the seating capacityallows meetings of up to 360 delegates. The Relax and Larix casinos, theVitranc multipurpose sports and event hall and the Aqua Larix wellness centreoffer additional ways to enjoy a pleasant stay. The Lek hotel, just a shortdistance from the village towards Jasna Lake on the road up to the Vršič passalso has good meeting facilities. Kranjska Gora and its surroundings offerlimitless options for sporting activities, recreation and teambuilding all yearround. Why not try a beginner’s ice climbing course on frozen waterfalls.How about a challenge with more or less adrenaline – a mountain bike parkor a summer sledding slope? Perhaps night-time sledding is another optionfor you, or a torch-lit evening snow shoe walk? Riding a dog-sledge or asnowmobile? The less adventurous might be happy with an imaginary jump onthe Planica ski jumps in the Ponce valley or photo-hunting with an experiencedguide, photographing wildlife in its natural environment.After a climb over the Vršič pass to the Bovec side we get to the emerald SočaRiver, which is Slovenia’s queen of adrenaline sports. You can also get to thePosočje area by taking a vintage train along a picturesque mountain route.It’s an ideal excursion for groups, and for larger ones, the train can be hiredexclusively. The road over Vršič is very picturesque. Bovec attracts a lot ofwater sports fans because of the Soča River. In winter, as it’s at the foot ofMt. Kanin, it’s a starting point for skiing the highest slopes in our country.There are two hotels with meeting facilities in Bovec, with maximum seatingfor 200 guests. The nearby Kluže fortress is an original historic venue for socialor cultural events. There’s also the special Pristava Lepena holiday village,a complex of traditional houses that are also suitable for smaller seminars in50

touch with nature and perhaps withthe saddle, as Pristava Lepena is alsoknown for its riding offer. The arearound Bovec features many otherscenic places and driving vintage carsalong the old, panoramic Mangartroad could be part of a breathtakingincentive programme.Let’s now follow the stream of the SočaRiver valley towards Kobarid, famousfor its World War I museum and,perhaps surprisingly, some ofSlovenia’s best restaurants, and furtheron towards Tolmin, where the Sočastarts to meander more calmly towardsthe sea. Less than an hour’s drive away- a miracle of Slovenia’s small size - isthe completely different world of theGoriška Brda wine-growing region.The Logarska valley in the Kamniško-Savinjske Alps is in the centre-north ofthe country. After Bled it’s one of themost photogenic and often-depictedAlpine landscapes in Slovenia. At thefamily-run Hotel Plesnik there arefunctional conference facilities forsmaller meetings (up to 80 seatstheatre style) and their latest additionis a hall for up to 150 delegates. LikeBled, the Logarska valley is also aspecial wedding venue as the stunninglandscape makes an extraordinarilybeautiful background for specialoccasions. Perhaps someone will findthis tip useful in the future.Slovenia’s Alpine regions are asynthesis of many aspects of ourlifestyle. It’s where we keep ourcultural heritage alive, in the traditionsof old trades and customs in the oldtowns and traditional villages. Butmost of all, we respect, breathe andmove with nature. Picture yourself aconference or a business meeting withmountain views in the centre of thescene, around which you can build amosaic of vastly different experiencesand where an oxygen bar is trulyunnecessary…Tatjana Radovič, Congress Manager,Ljubljana Tourist Board 51

SWOT analizaAnaliza kongresnegaprodukta na BleduPoglavitne prednosti Bleda sona področju srečanj zagotovonjegove edinstvene naravnedanosti, lahka dostopnost inprenovljene hotelske ter konferenčnezmogljivosti. Na Bleduponujamo zaokrožen produkt,ki poleg izbire med nastanitvijokategorije treh, štirihali petih zvezdic in sodobnihdvoran vključuje celovitotehnično in strokovno podporo,raznoliko gostinsko ponudbo,sprostitvene programe,igranje golfa in številnemožnosti za organizacijo motivacijskihsrečanj v vseh letnihčasih.Nenazadnje se ponašamo z dolgoletnimi izkušnjami, saj Bled slovi po odličniorganizaciji srečanj na najvišji ravni in je zato pogosto prizorišče pomembnihprotokolarnih dogodkov.Slabosti Bleda so zasedenost najbolj želenih terminov za poslovne dogodke, dotrajanostFestivalne dvorane in nezmožnost organizacije srečanj, večjih od 500udeležencev. Soočamo se s prometnimi težavami, preobremenjeno regionalnocesto in pomanjkanjem parkirnih mest. Kot slabost vidimo tudi relativno neprepoznavnostSlovenije in vedno ostrejšo konkurenco drugih držav na področjuposlovnih dogodkov.Ena najpomembnejših priložnosti je zatorej dvig prepoznavnosti Slovenije. Pričakujemo,da bo k temu pripomoglo bližajoče se predsedovanje Slovenije Evropskiuniji, kakor tudi prizadevanja Kongresnega urada in Slovenske turističneorganizacije ter nadaljnje povezovanje ponudnikov. Priložnost za Bled je tudiprestavitev terminov srečanj v izvensezonske mesece, čemur smo vedno pogostejepriča v zadnjem letu. Omeniti velja še dokončanje avtoceste, izgradnjoblejske obvoznice, vzpostavitev novih letalskih linij in povezovanje s kongresnimcentrom Brdo, ki ne razpolaga z lastnimi nastanitvenimi zmogljivostmi. Če smopri slabostih omenili dotrajanost Festivalne dvorane, potem bi med priložnostivsekakor vključili tudi obnovljeno Festivalno dvorano. Dejstvo je, da so načrtiobnove in posodobitve v izdelavi (novi stoli, odrska tehnika, povečanje srednjedvorane za bankete in kabine za simultano prevajanje). Festivalna dvorana Bledbo že v letu 2008 obnovljena in bo še naprej ostala edina dvorana s 500 sedežina Gorenjskem.Poglavitno nevarnost vidimo v prodornejšem trženju drugih destinacij, ki so nazemljevidu poslovnih srečanj sorazmerno nove. Nenazadnje se bo marsikateriorganizator srečanj pri izbiri destinacije odločal v prid cenejše, kar pa Bled vprimerjavi z vzhodno Evropo zagotovo ni. Med nevarnostmi vidimo tudi bistvenoboljše avio povezave destinacij v Evropi, ki uspešno tržijo kongresni produkt.Petra Čuk in Alenka Bešter, Sava Hoteli Bled, www.hotelibled.comEva Štravs Podlogar, Turizem Bled, www.bled.si52

SWOT AnalysisAnalysis of the BledCongress ProductIn the meetings field, Bled’smain advantages lie in itsunique natural location, easyaccessibility and renovatedhotel and conferencecapabilities. Bled is a wellroundedproduct offering,in addition to its rangeof three-, four- or five-staraccommodation and modernhalls, integrated technicaland professional support,diverse catering services,relaxation programmes, golfand numerous possibilitiesfor organising motivationalmeetings in all seasons.We have, after all, years of experience as Bled is famous for its excellentorganisation of meetings at the highest level, which is why it’s often chosenas a venue for important protocol events.Bled’s disadvantages are its (un)availability during the most desired times forbusiness events, the poor condition of the Festival Hall and the inability to hostmeetings with more than 500 participants. There are also traffic problems,congestion on the regional road and a lack of places to park. Additional disadvantagesare that Slovenia is still relatively unknown and we face ever-toughercompetition from other countries in the field of business meeting organisation.For this reason, one of the most important opportunities lies in raising theawareness of Slovenia. We expect this to improve due to Slovenia’s EU presidencyas well as the efforts of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, the SlovenianTourist Board and, lastly, the continuing integration of service providers.Another opportunity for Bled is to move meeting dates to the off-seasonmonths, which has been happening more and more in the past year. Otheropportunities are the completion of the highway, building the Bled bypass, theestablishment of new air routes and integration with Brdo Congress Centre,which has no accommodation capacities of its own. If under the weaknesses wementioned the dilapidation of the Festival Hall, then we can definitely includethe renovated Festival Hall under opportunities. It is a fact that the renovationand updating plans are under production (new chairs, stage technology,enlargement of the medium hall for banquets and simultaneous translationbooths). The Bled Festival Hall will be renovated already in 2008 and willremain the only hall in the Gorenjska region with seating for 500 visitors.The main danger that we see is other destinations that are comparatively newon the business meeting map improving their marketing. Additionally, Bled iscertainly not cheap, in comparison with Eastern Europe, and many meetingorganisers may choose a cheaper destination based purely on price. We seethe threats also in the significantly improved flights to European destinationsthat are successfully marketing congress tourism.Petra Čuk in Alenka Bešter, Sava Hoteli Bled, www.hotelibled.comEva Štravs Podlogar, Turizem Bled, www.bled.si53

Adria AirwaysV pripravi številne novostiPredsednik uprave AdrieAirways Tadej Tufek, 32-letnimagister znanosti s področjaekonomije in poslovnih ved,je v dobrem letu in pol vodenjanacionalnega letalskegaprevoznika uspešno saniralpodjetje. V tem času se jedružba dokapitalizirala ins tem omogočila širjenje inoptimiziranje flote za redniin čarterski promet. S predsednikomuprave smo sepogovarjali o poslovnihnačrtih in novostih, ki jihpripravljajo na področjukongresnega turizma.Kako ste zadovoljni s poslovnimi rezultati v prvi polovici leta 2007?Dosedanji poslovni rezultati so dobri in so posledica trdega dela vseh zaposlenihin sledenju ciljem, ki smo si jih zastavili. Verjamem, da bo tako tudi ob konculeta, saj je večina rezultatov v skladu s planiranimi ali jih celo presegajo. Pouspešni sanaciji in reorganizaciji podjetja smo letos uspeli pridobiti zaupanjelastnikov in v družbo pripeljati svež kapital. Odločili smo se za strategijo razvojain rasti potniškega prometa, tako poslovnega segmenta kot čarterskega ter vsistematičnost delovanja na področju tehnične podpore in vzdrževanja letal.Floto letal smo v maju dopolnili z dvema novima, tehnološko sodobnima, okoljuprijaznejšima, udobnima in ekonomičnima letaloma kanadskega proizvajalcaBombardier Aerospace, CRJ 900, ki sta odlično zapolnila vrzel med večjimi Airbusiin malimi CRJ 200. Tako smo izboljšali odstotek zasedenosti potniške kabine,s čimer smo povečali učinkovitost, kar se kaže tudi na rezultatih poslovanja.V prvi polovici leta smo prepeljali več kot pol milijona potnikov, dvignili zasedenostpotniške kabine na povprečno mesečno raven 70 odstotkov, odprli novedestinacije in ponudili nove produkte. Vzpostavili smo nov pristop v trženju inoglaševanju naših letal in povečali ugled blagovne znamke Adria. Na večih področjihsmo še poglobili sodelovanje z združenjem letalskih prevoznikov StarAlliance, tudi pri vzpostavitvi ponudbe za kongresni turizem »Conventions Plus«in uspešno vpeljali elektronsko vozovnico. Postopoma bomo uvedli možnostprijave na let preko interneta »Web check in«, ki bo olajšal prijavo predvsemposlovnim uporabnikom, saj bo skrajšal postopke prijave na letaliških okencih.Zelo pomembna novost bo tudi SMS-obvestilo, s katero bo potnik lahko obveščeno morebitnih zamudah letov. Proučujemo že možnost uvedbe nakupa letalskevozovnice preko mobilnega telefona. Ponudili bomo torej več novosti, s ka-Tadej Tufek (Foto/Photo: Dean Dubokovič)54

terimi se želimo še bolj približati potnikom.Kako ocenjujete letalsko dostopnostSlovenije v primerjavi z ostalimi kongresnimidestinacijami v okolici Slovenije(Avstrija, severna Italija, Hrvaška)?Republika Slovenija je z direktnimi letalskimipovezavami, ki jih ponujamo vAdrii Airways z Letališča Jožeta PučnikaLjubljana, z vključenostjo AdrieAirways v združenje letalskih prevoznikovStar Alliance in tudi z drugimipartnerji slovenskega letalskega prevoznika,povezana s celim svetom. Samonaš prevoznik leti na preko dvajsetrednih destinacij, na nekatere tudi večkratdnevno. Poleg rednega prevozaponujamo številne čarterske lete innudimo storitev zakupa letala za različnepotrebe, ki postaja tudi v slovenskemprostoru vedno bolj aktualna.Počasi se odpira tudi mariborsko letališče,kar Slovenijo še bolj zbližuje inpovezuje z ostalimi kraji v Evropi.Ali v prihodnjem letu načrtujejte nove redne letalske povezave in širitev vašeflote?V luči predsedovanja Republike Slovenije Evropski uniji, porastu letalskega prometain tudi konstantni rasti poslovno kongresnega turizma seveda načrtujejemonove letalske povezave. V letošnjem letu smo odprli dodatne linije znotrajposlovnih središč Evropske unije. Za naslednje leto že potekajo dogovori v smeriboljše povezave Slovenije s skandinavskimi državami, za odprtje nove redneletalske povezave s Španijo in Grčijo in še kaj. V načrtu imamo povečati našofloto letal še za najmanj eno letalo CRJ-900.Ali na nivoju družbe spremljate delež poslovnih in kongresnih gostov, ki potujejoz vašo letalsko družbo? Kakšen je bil ta delež po vaši oceni v preteklemletu?V Adrii Airways predstavljajo poslovni leti levji delež v poslovanju. Število poslovnihpotnikov pa konstantno narašča. Tudi po naših analizah prodanih vozovnicposlovnega razreda.V Adrii posvečamo veliko skrb poslovnemu potniku. Letimo v glavna poslovnasredišča Evrope, v Frankfurt, Zuerich, Muenchen in drugam, na primarna letališča,večinoma tudi večkrat dnevno. Trudimo se, da frekvence naših letov časovnoustrezajo sodobnemu poslovnežu. Za poslovne in pogoste potnike uporabljamoStar Alliance priority in nagrajujemo zvestobo naših potnikov v programuzbiranja milj Miles & More. Redno spremljamo kvaliteto obroka na letalu insmernice ponudbe kvalitetne storitve, ki so v uporabi pri letalskih prevoznikih.Po izvedenih anketah, ki jih opravljamo dvakrat letno, je tipičen Adriin potnikmoški poslovnež srednjih let.Mag. Marjan Ravnikar, podpredsednik uprave in mag. Tadej Tufek, predsednik uprave Adria Airways. •Marjan Ravnikar, M.Sc., Vice President of the Board of Adria Airways, and Tadej Tufek, M.Sc., Presedientof the Board of Adria Airways. (Foto/Photo: Dean Dubokovič)55

Ali Adria Airways načrtuje posebneprodukte za kongresne in poslovnegoste?V Adrii se zavedamo, da je področjedogodkov tisti del turističnega gospodarstva,ki je v nenehnem vzponu, karSlovenija vidno dokazuje z večanjemrazpoložljivih kapacitet. Adria je članicaZavoda Kongresnoturistični urad inaktivno sodeluje v slovenskem poslovnemturizmu. Redno se udeležuje promocijskihaktivnosti v organizaciji Zavoda-Kongresnoturističniurad terSTO, kar vključuje udeležbo na slovenskikongresni borzi SIMEX, na svetovnihborzah ter sejmih s področja poslovnegaturizma (IMEX v Frankfurtu,EIBTM v Barceloni ter EMIF v Bruslju),ter na različnih workshop-ih. Sodelovanjesmo na področju kongresnegaturizma nadgradili še s programomzdruženja Star Alliance »ConventionsPlus«, kjer Star Alliance enotno nastopakot uradni letalski prevoznik (v letu2008 med drugim za WCET).Na kakšen način lahko Adria Airwayspomaga in sodeluje z organizatorjivečjih mednarodnih kongresov?Kot slovenski nacionalni letalski prevozniklahko ponudimo storitev prevozaudeležencev preko naših rednih linij alitudi kot zakupljen let. Ponudimo lahkoposlovno sodelovanje na področju nudenjavseh letalskih prevoznih storitevna progah Adrie Airways za udeležencevašega dogodka, in sicer kot uradni letalskiprevoznik. Podrobnosti sodelovanjase določijo s podpisom dogovora.Udeležencem kongresov v sklopu dogovoraz organizatorjem zagotavljamodoločen popust na naših direktnih linijahter ostale izpolnitve obveznosti izdogovora. Če ugotovimo, da dogodekustreza kriterijem združenja Star Alliance,kar je odvisno od velikosti kongresa,števila držav ter kontinentov, izkaterih udeleženci prihajajo, lahko dogovorrazširimo na vse članice združenja,ki bodo privolile v sodelovanje intako ponudimo vse prednosti produkta»Conventions Plus«.Kako ocenjujete pomen poslovnega in kongresnega turizma kot enega odslovenskih turističnih produktov in ali je po vašem mnenju konkurenčen naglobalnem trgu?V zadnjih letih je opazen porast slovenskega poslovnega in kongresnega turizma. Zrastjo ponudbe se izboljšuje tudi kvaliteta. Lahko bi rekli, da je že primerljiva in konkurenčnana globalnem trgu. Za preboj v sam vrh prepoznavnosti bo potrebno storitiše kaj v trženju produktov, povezanosti vseh udeležencev pri ponudbi celovitega produktain programov obkongresnih dejavnosti. Je pa področje dogodkov tisti del turističnegagospodarstva, ki je v nenehni porasti, kar se dokazuje tudi z večjo ponudboin razpoložljivostjo kapacitet v Sloveniji, tako prenočitev in kongresnih prostorov.Kaj bi po vašem mnenju morali v Sloveniji izboljšati na področju ponudbekongresnega in poslovnega turizma?Vsi akterji v nekem produktu bi morali nastopati bolj povezano in enovito, sepovezati med seboj in ponuditi enovit produkt z vsemi predpostavkami. Ravno vtej smeri delujemo tudi v Adrii Airways. Adria Airways, regionalna članica združenjaStar Alliance je tudi članica Zavoda-Kongresnoturistični urad ter hkratiaktivni akter v slovenskem poslovnem turizmu. V letošnjem letu smo se pridružiliprestižnemu združenju ponudnikov kongresnegqa turizma MPI – MeetingsProfessionals International, na kar smo še posebej ponosni.Kaj menite o pomenu nizkocenovnih prevoznikov za poslovni in kongresniturizem?Menim, da je za poslovni in kongresni turizem struktura in vsebina ponudbe rednihletalskih prevoznikov bolj prilagojena njihovim potrebam. Gre za zahtevnejšegoste in letalske potnike, ki pričakujejo kakovostno in kvalitetno storitev,od rezervacije vozovnice naprej. Redni letalski prevoznik ponuja možnost večjeizbire destinacij in prihoda na dejansko željeno destinacijo. Adria Airways kotregionalna članica združenja Star Alliance nudi svojim potnikom povezavo zostalimi članicami združenja na preko 850 destinacij po celem svetu. Ravno takov sklopu Star Allianca nudimo našim potnikom vse prednosti produkta »ConventionPlus«, ki smo ga v Adrii tudi podprli, z namenom, da našim potnikomponudimo kvalitetno in cenovno primerno ponudbo. Nizkocenovni prevoznikiizvajajo drugačen pristop k letalskemu prometu in se po kvaliteti storitve prevozapotnikov ne morejo primerjati z rednimi letalskimi prevozniki.Kako ocenjujete pomen predsedovanja Slovenije EU za razvoj turizma inkakšna bo vloga Adrie Airways?Predsedovanje Republike Slovenije EU v prvi polovici leta 2008 je za celotnoslovensko gospodarstvo izrednega pomena. Še posebej se bo povečala prepoznavnostnaše dežele, tako v Evropski uniji kot v svetu in posledično tudi AdrieAirways. To je odlična priložnost za razvoj turizma, ki je nikakor ne smemo prepustitinaključju. Adria Airways se na predsedovanje že pripravlja. V septembrusmo povečali število letov v Bruselj. Dodali smo dve novi frekvenci, tako da vBruselj letimo 18 krat tedensko; od ponedeljka do petka kar trikrat dnevno. Povečalismo tudi število letov med drugimim evropskimi prestolnicami, med njimiFrankfurt, Zuerich in Muenchen in dodali nov let v Amsterdam. V času predsedovanjaračunamo na porast potnikov poslovnežev in tukaj ima kongresna turističnadejavnost svojo priložnost, da predstavi programe in poveča kongresnoin turistično privlačnost Slovenije v svetu.Gorazd Čad56

Adria AirwaysNumerous Noveltiesbeing preparedTadej Tufek, the President ofthe Board of Adria Airways,the 32-year old Master ofSciences in Economy andBusiness Sciences, hassuccessfully rehabilitated thecompany in a good year and ahalf of managing the nationalairline. During this period,the company has performeda capital increase, thusproviding for the expansionand optimization of the fleetfor the regular and chartertransport. We have beentalking with the President ofthe Board about the businessplans and novelties thatthe company is preparing inthe field of congress tourism.How pleased are you with the business results for the first half of 2007?The present business results are good and a consequence of hard work ofall the employees and the result of following set goals. I believe that thesituation will be the same at the end of the year, since most of the resultsare in accordance with the planned ones or even surpass them. After thesuccessful rehabilitation and reorganisation of the company, we managed togain the trust of owners this year and brought fresh capital to the company.We decided for the strategy of development and growth of passenger transportboth in the business and the charter segment and for the systematic operationin the field of technical support and aircraft maintenance. In May, our aircraftfleet was complemented with two new, technologically more capable,environment friendlier, more comfortable and more economic aircrafts of theCanadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace, CRJ 900, which excellentlyfilled the gap between the bigger Airbuses and the smaller CRJ 200s. In thismanner, we managed to increase the percentage of occupancy of thepassenger cabin, thus also increasing efficiency, which is evident also in ourbusiness results. In the first half year, we transported over half a millionpassengers, increased the occupancy of the passenger cabin to an averagemonthly level of 70 percent, opened new destinations and offered newproducts. We generated a new approach in marketing and advertising of ouraircrafts and increased the Adria brand image. In several fields, we evendeepened our cooperation with Star Alliance, including establishing our“Convention Plus” offer of conference tourism and successfully introducedthe e-ticket. We will gradually introduce the possibility of checking in overthe internet, “Web check in”, which will facilitate checking ins, especiallyfor business users, as it will cut short procedures of checking in at airportcounters. A very important novelty will also be the SMS notifications by meansof which the passenger will have the opportunity of being notified of flightdelays. We are also already looking into the option of introducing purchasingof flight tickets with the help of mobile phones. We are, therefore, going tooffer several novelties, which are aimed at reaching the users even more.How would you estimate the plane accessibility of Slovenia compared to othercongress destinations in its vicinity (Austria, northern Italy, Croatia)?With its direct air connections offered by Adria Airways from the Jože PučnikAirport, with the inclusion of Adria Airways in Star Alliance and with otherpartners of the Slovenian national air carrier, Slovenia is connected with theentire world. Our carrier itself flies to over twenty regular destinations, to someeven several times a day. In addition to scheduled passenger service, we alsooffer several charter flights and the service of leasing an aircraft for variousneeds, which is becoming increasingly interesting in Slovenia. The Mariborairport is slowly opening as well, which additionally brings Slovenia closer to andconnects it with other European destinations.Tadej Tufek (Foto/Photo: Dean Dubokovič)Are you planning any new scheduled air connections and expansions of yourfleet for the next year?In the light of Slovenia’s Presidency of the European Union, the increase of airtraffic and the constant growth of the business and congress tourism, we areof course planning new air connections. This year, we have already openedadditional lines within business centres of the European Union. For the next year,we are already conducting talks aimed at offering better connection of Sloveniawith the Scandinavian countries, at opening a new scheduled air connection with57

Spain and Greece and more. We planto increase our aircraft fleet by at leastone more CRJ-900 aircraft.At the level of the company, do youfollow the share of business andcongress guests travelling with yourairline? In your estimate, what wasthe share of such passengers in theprevious year?With Adria Airways, business flightstake up the lion’s share of operationand the number of businesspassengers is constantly rising, whichis also evident from our analysis of thenumber of sold business class tickets.We at Adria pay special attention to thebusiness passenger. We fly to the mainEuropean business centres, toFrankfurt, Zurich, Munich andelsewhere, to their primary airports,mostly several times a day. We striveto prepare the frequency of our flightsso as to comply with the modernbusinessperson. For our business andfrequent passengers, we use the StarAlliance priority and award the loyaltyof our passengers as part of our Miles& More programme. We regularlyfollow the quality of meals servedaboard the airplane and the guidelinesconcerning offer of a quality serviceas used by air carriers. Judging fromthe conducted surveys carried outtwice a year, Adria’s typical passengeris a middle-aged businessman.Does Adria Airways plan any specialproducts for congress and businessguests?We at Adria are aware that the areaof events is that part of the touristeconomy, which is constantly rising,which Slovenia evidently proves byincreasing available capacities. Adriais a member of the SlovenianConvention Bureau and activelypartakes in Slovenian businesstourism. It regularly participates inpromotional activities of the SlovenianConvention Bureau and the SlovenianTourist Board, including also theparticipation at the Slovenian Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events(SIMEX), at worldwide exhibitions and fairs from the area of business tourism(IMEX in Frankfurt, EIBTM in Barcelona and EMIF in Brussles) as well as at variousworkshops. We even additionally upgraded our partaking in the area of congresstourism with the Star Alliance “Conventions Plus” programme, where Star Allianceis uniformly present as the official air carrier (in 2008 also for WCET).In what way can Adria Airways help and cooperate with organizers of biggerinternational congresses?As the Slovenian national air carrier, we can offer the service of the transportof participants through our scheduled flights as well as through a leased flight.As the official air carrier, we can provide business cooperation in the area ofoffering all air transport services on Adria Airways’ lines for the participants ofthe event. Details of the cooperation are settled by means of a signed agreement.As part of the agreement with the organiser, we ensure participants of thecongress a certain discount on our direct lines and fulfilment of other obligationsstated in the agreement. If it is ascertained that the event corresponds to thecriteria set by Star Alliance, which depends on the size of the congress and thenumber of participating countries and continents, the agreement can beexpanded to all members of the Alliance which would consent to cooperation,thus offering all advantages of the “Convention Plus” product.How do you estimate the importance of the business and congress tourismas one of Slovenian tourist products and do you see such tourism to becompetitive on the global market?In the last few years, an increase in the Slovenian congress and businesstourism is evident. With the growth of the offer, the quality is increasing as well.We might say that it is already comparable to and competitive on the globalmarket. For the breakthrough to the top of recognition, much needs to be done inmarketing of the products, connection of all participants in offering an overallproduct and programme of accompanying congress activities. The area of eventsis that part of the tourist economy, which is constantly rising, which is evidentfrom a bigger offer and availability of capacities in Slovenia, both in overnightstays and congress facilities.In your opinion, what should be improved in Slovenia in the area of congressand business tourism offer?All players of a product should be more connected and uniform, link up and offera more uniform product with all assumptions. This is exactly the direction inwhich we at Adria Airways are operating. Adria Airways, a regional member ofStar Alliance, is also a member of the Slovenian Convention Bureau and at thesame time an active player in Slovenian business tourism. This year, we joinedthe prestigious association of providers of congress tourism, MPI – MeetingsProfessionals International, of which we are especially proud.What do you think about the significance of low-fare airlines for business andcongress tourism?It is my opinion that for the business and congress tourism, the structure andcontents of regular air carriers’ offer is more adapted to their needs. Theseare more demanding guests and air passengers who expect a quality servicefrom the reservation of the ticket onwards. A regular air carrier provides thepossibility of a bigger choice in destination and the arrival to the actual desired58

destination. Adria Airways, as aregional Star Alliance member, offersits passengers connections with otheralliance members to over 850destinations thorough the world.As part of Star Alliance, we also offerour passengers all advantages of the“Convention Plus” product, supportedby Adria with the intent to offer ourpassengers a quality and value formoney offer. Low-fare airlines havea different approach to air trafficand in quality of passenger transportservices cannot be compared toregular air carriers.How would you estimate theimportance of Slovenia’s EUPresidency for the development oftourism and what will the role ofAdria Airways be?Slovenia’s Presidency of the EuropeanUnion in the first half of 2008 is ofutmost importance for the entireSlovenian economy. It will especiallyincrease our country’s recognitionboth in the European Union and theworld, and consequently also therecognition of Adria Airways. This isan excellent opportunity for thedevelopment of tourism, which wemust not leave to chance.Adria Airways is already preparingitself for the Presidency. In September,we increased the number of flights toBrussels. We added two newfrequencies, so that we fly to Brussels18 times a week, from Monday toFriday as much as three times a day.We also increased the number offlights between other European capitals,among them Frankfurt, Zurichand Munich and we added a new flightto Amsterdam. During the Presidency,we expect an increase in the numberof business passengers and it is herethat the congress tourist activity hasits chance to present its programmesthus enhancing the congress andtourist appeal of Slovenia in the world.Gorazd Čad59

EIBTM 2007Osrednja svetovna borzaza kongresni turizemBorza EIBTM se je v zadnjihštirih letih uveljavila kotosrednja svetovna borza zakongresni turizem. Letošnjaborza bo potekala med 27. in29. novembrom v Barceloni,na njej pa se bo predstavilatudi Slovenska turističnaorganizacija v sodelovanjuz Zavodom-Kongresnoturističniurad. O borzi EIBTM2007, ki jo organizira podjetjeReed Travel Exhibitions, smose pogovarjali z MandyTorrens, direktorico sejmaEIBTM in Paulom Kennedyjem,direktorjem grupacijestrokovni sejmi v korporacijiReed Travel Exhibitions. Zaupalasta nam, kakšna so pričakovanjaorganizatorjev zaEIBTM 2007, kakšne so novostiv primerjavi s preteklimileti, kakšen bo spremljevalniin izobraževalni programter kakšni so načrti zaprihodnost.Kakšna so pričakovanja organizatorjev glede sodelovanja razstavljavcev ingostujočih kupcev na EIBTM 2007?EIBTM 2007, ki bo potekal med 27. in 29. novembrom, bo na eni izmed vodilnihin najpopularnejših lokacij, v Barceloni, povezal strokovnjake za srečanja in takoomogočil poslovne priložnosti brez primere, izjemne priložnosti za mreženjein vrhunsko strokovno izobraževanje. EIBTM 2007 bo pod eno streho v trehdneh omogočal srečanja več kot 2800 vabljenih kupcev z vsega sveta. Na letošnjemdogodku bo po pričakovanjih zastopanih več kot 95 držav in več kot 6000gostujočih kupcev, obiskovalcev sejma ter novinarjev z vsega sveta.Novi razstavljavci, ki so letošnjo udeležbo že potrdili, so med drugimi Chile Tourism,Prestige Hotels of the World, Vietnam, Korea, Nepal, Fairmont/Raffles inVincci Hotels, medtem ko številni razstavljavci letos povečujejo svoj razstavniprostor, med njimi razstavljavci iz Argentine, s Švedske, iz Hrvaške, iz Dominikanskerepublike, Hongkonga, Romunije, z Norveške, Islandije, iz Avstrije,Egipta in s Slovaške ter Turismo Andaluz in Maison de la France.EIBTM kupcem pomaga poiskati nove destinacije in storitve, medtem ko omogočadogodke za mreženje in navezovanje stikov, kot tudi sledenje trenutnimtrendom. Resnično univerzalno občestvo obiskovalcev vključuje podjetja, združenja,agencije, profesionalne konferenčne organizacije in strokovne medije.Kako bo regionalizacija dogodkov EIBTM vplivala na glavni dogodek; bo imelEIBTM zaradi tega manj obiskovalcev?Regionalizacije dogodkov EIBTM ni. Kot spremljevalne dogodke EIBTM-ja inAIME-ja v Melbournu smo izvedli nekaj precej različnih dogodkov, kot sta60

GIBTM (Abu Dhabi) in CIBTM (Peking);to je, s precejšnjim povečanjemštevila novih razstavljavcev ingostujočih kupcev, odlično učinkovalona EIBTM.tional, Vivian Virtual Event Designer in Parrimark Technology, če jih naštejemole nekaj.• Razširjeni Event Services Village z 21 razstavljavci – z več kot 30-odstotnimpovečanjem od leta 2006.• Večje število Post Event Tours, ki vključujejo osem novih destinacij, kot soAlicante, Oviedo, San Sebastian, Salamanca, Toledo, Madrid, Valencia in Benetke.Letos lahko gostujoči kupci s ponovno potrditvijo sodelovanja izbirajoKompas CorporateKONGRESI, POSLOVNA POTOVANJA, LETALSKE VOZOVNICEKompas Corporate je Kompasovablagovna znamka za vrhunskecelostne storitve za vse poslovneuporabnike – podjetja, razli~neustanove in vladne institucije izSlovenije in tujine.Ne glede na to, kaj želite –letalsko vozovnico ali celotnoorganizacijo konference kjerkolina svetu – je Kompas Corporatetu zato, da poskrbi za vse.Katere so novosti EIBTM 2007?EIBTM 2007 je poln novih idej za kongresnoindustrijo. Rekordna je udeležbanovih razstavljavcev, med katerimiso Kitajska nacionalna turističnaorganizacija (China National TouristOffice (prvič), Nepal, Sun International,Ekvador, Vietnam, Prestige Hotelsof the World; in do zdaj najštevilčnejšiudeleženci iz vzhodno- in srednjeevropskihdržav, vštevši Hrvaško,Madžarsko, Romunijo, Poljsko in Srbijo.Prvič se samostojno predstavljatadve večji evropski mesti –München in Birmingham, mnogi drugirazstavljavci pa se po nekajkratniodsotnosti vračajo na prizoriščeEIBTM, med njimi Visit Florida, HyattHotels and Resorts, Nova Zelandija,Koreja in Zacchera Hotels. Poleg tegaje več kot štirideset glavnih razstavljavcevpovečalo svoje razstavneprostore.Nove pobude za 2007 vključujejo:• Novo, ločeno področje Mediteran invečjo zastopanost Španije kot ciljapotovanja, ki je v poročilu IndustryTrends and Market Share 2006 zavzelaprvo mesto kot »najbolj zaželenadržava za konferenčno inspodbujevalno poslovanje«.• Tehnološko uro, ki bo v razpravahin interaktivnih delavnicah postreglaz različnimi temami s področjatehnologije. Dobrodošel je vsakdo,ki želi od vodilnih strokovnjakovpridobiti informacije o najnovejšihtehnoloških trendih in o tem, kakojih kar najbolje izkoristiti.• MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM, kije razprodan (23 razstavljavcev) invključuje številne novince, kot soCelcom, Spotme, Sherpa Solutions,Global Executive in a2z Inc., ki sepridružujejo stalnim razstavljavcemMICEpoint, Meeting Matrix Internatelefon:01 2006 151 • congressesakompas.si • www.kompas.si61

med skupno 13 destinacijami (zAmsterdamom, Londonom, Bilbaom,Costa Daurado in Sitgesom).• Novi, tretji Hosted Buyer Loungeter več dogodkov za mreženje inizobraževanje.Kdo so ključni partnerji dogodka leta2007?Naši ključni partnerji ostajajo BarcelonaConvention Bureau, Gremi d’Hoteles(the Barcelona Hotels Association),Turespana, Ultramar ExpressEvent Management (naš DMC) in BCD(turistične agencije). Seveda nas neposrednopodpirajo vodilna združenjapanoge in več kot 60 svetovnih medijskihpartnerjev.Kako je zagotovljena kakovost programagostujočih kupcev?Program gostujočih kupcev EIBTM jeodprt za posameznike, ki organizirajo,imajo vpliv ali proračunsko odločajoo mednarodnih srečanjih, konferencah,zborovanjih, poslovnih potovanjihin lansiranju izdelkov. Vsak gostujočikupec mora izpolnjevati strogakvalifikacijska merila, vključno zletnim proračunom, s številom izvedbmednarodnih dogodkov in z ravnjoodgovornosti, preden je sprejet v program.Ko je kupec registriran v programu,izbere razstavljavca, s katerimse želi srečati med obiskom prireditve,zanje pa je prirejen tudi predrazporeddogovorjenih srečanj. Prednostiudeležbe v programu HostedBuyer so številne in vključujejo:- program za kupčev osebni predrazporeddogovorjenih srečanj z mednarodnimirazstavljavci;- osebni spletni dnevnik s poudarjenimi predrazporedi dogovorjenih srečanj,ki omogoča povpraševanje po dodatnih srečanjih z več razstavljavci;- dovolj časa za raziskovanje in doživetje EIBTM zunaj predrazporejenih dogovorjenihsrečanj;- dostop do profesionalnega izobraževalnega programa s specifičnimi programiza agencije, združenja in družbe;- neprecenljive priložnosti mreženja in dostop do ekskluzivnih dnevnih prostorovza mreženje Hosted Buyer;- brezplačno potovanje in nastanitev;- lokalne prevoze med letališčem, hotelom in Fira Gran Via;- priložnost za udeležbo na enem izmed mnogih porazstavnih potovanj, ki seorganizirajo za gostujoče kupce.Obiskovalci, ki niso kvalificirani kot gostujoči kupci, se lahko dogodka udeležijokot obiskovalci sejma, EIBTM pa ponuja popust za lete z letalsko družboIberia in znižane cene bivanja v uradnih hotelih EIBTM.Kakšen je letošnji program spremljevalnih dogodkov?EIBTM se v celoti posveča dvigovanju standardov panoge, saj spodbuja izobraževanjein razvoj skozi njegov hitro razširjajoč se in inovativen izobraževalniprogram v Barceloni. Letošnji Agency Programme bo poskrbel za vrhunskeizobraževalne seminarje, ki bodo pokrivali ključne teme in težave, skaterimi se danes sooča naša panoga. Program obsega dopoldansko, strukturiranoizobraževanje in bo izpolnjeval specifične zahteve mednarodnihagentov. Program Corporate Programme bo zagotovil visoko usmerjeno profesionalnoizobraževanje in je edinstven zato, ker je edini mednarodni program,namenjen izključno srečevanju načrtovalcev iz korporacijskih organizacij.Program obsega dve različni izobraževalni uri in večer mreženja. ProgramEIBTM Association Programme je prilagojen zahtevam zaposlenih načrtovalcevkongresov in srečanj. V šestem letu nov programski okvir kupcemponuja tridnevno demonstracijo. Izobraževanje bo v torek popoldne in v sredodopoldne, mreženje v sredo zvečer, v četrtek pa bo na voljo več časa za obiskEIBTM in srečanja z razstavljavci.EIBTM je več kot le razstava; omogoča številne priložnosti za sprostitev inutrjevanje poslovnih vezi ob številnih prireditvah, ki bodo potekale ves častrajanja dogodka. Gostje so vabljeni k mreženju na eni izmed številnih prireditev,ki bodo potekale v treh dneh trajanja EIBTM – od zabave z dobrodošlicoin nagrad EIBTM do porazstavnih potovanj; EIBTM vsakomur ponuja priložnostza srečanje s starimi in novimi prijatelji, medtem ko okuša radosti Barcelone.Ali načrtujete širitev EIBTM v nove regije?Da, lansirali bomo nove dogodke, načrte pa bomo objavili v naslednjihmesecih.Kako bo letos predstavljena alpsko-jadranska regija?EIBTM je doživel pomemben porast pri letošnji udeležbi novih razstavljavcev,veliko razstavljavcev pa se vrača in ti povečujejo svoj razstavni prostor.Večja evropska mesta, kot sta München in Birmingham, imajo že potrjenesamostojne predstavitve, prvič pa pozdravljamo Adventure Myanmar – DMCiz Burme in China National Tourist Office, kar je odlična novica za bližajočese olimpijske igre.Slovenija letos na EIBTM sodeluje na novi lokaciji, na razstavni površini skupajz drugimi destinacijami iz regije, vključno s Hrvaško, ki je letos svoj razstavniprostor povečala za 33 odstotkov, z Romunijo, ki ga je povečala za 64odstotkov, s Slovaško, katere razstavni prostor je večji za tretjino, in z Madžarsko.Ukrajina se letos predstavlja na dveh razstavnih prostorih – NationalTourist Organisation of Ukraine in Olymp Travel. Tudi Italija bo na predstavitviz dvonadstropnim razstavnim prostorom, nameščenim v novem delu,kjer bodo razstavne površine razstavljavcev iz južnih sredozemskih držav,naredila velik vtis.Gorazd Čad62

EIBTM 2007New Ideasfor the Meetings IndustryThe EIBTM exhibition hasestablished itself in the lastfour years as the centralglobal exhibition forcongress tourism. This year'sexhibition will take placebetween 27 and 29 Novemberin Barcelona. The SlovenianTourist Board will alsobe presenting itself incooperation with theSlovenian ConventionBureau.We spoke with MandyTorrens, EIBTM ExhibitionDirector, and Paul Kennedy,Reed Travel ExhibitionsGroup Exhibition Director,about the EIBTM 2007exhibition organised by ReedTravel Exhibitions. They toldus about the expectationsof the organisers of EIBTM2007, what the novelties arein comparison with previousyears, what the accompanyingand educationalprogramme will be, and whattheir plans for the future are.What are the organisers' expectations for exhibitor and hosted buyerparticipation at EIBTM 2007?EIBTM 2007, taking place from 27-29 th November, will connect meetingprofessionals in Barcelona, one of the world's leading and most populardestinations, creating unrivalled business opportunities, exceptional networkingopportunities and cutting-edge professional education.EIBTM 2007 offers a chance to meet over 2,800 global suppliers under one roofover a three-day period. Over 95 countries are represented, with 6,000+ HostedBuyers, Trade Visitors and Press from around the world expected to be at thisyear’s event.New exhibitors confirmed as participants this year include, amongst others,Chile Tourism, Prestige Hotels of the World, Vietnam, Korea, Nepal, Fairmont /Raffles and Vincci Hotels. The many exhibitors increasing their stand space thisyear include Argentina, Sweden, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong,Romania, Norway, Iceland, Austria, Egypt, Slovakia, Turismo Andaluz andMaison de la France.EIBTM allows buyers to source new destinations and services while givingopportunities to network and build relationships, as well as keep up withcurrent trends. The truly global audience of visitors includes corporations,associations, agencies, professional conference organisations and industrymedia.How will regionalisation of EIBTM events affect the main event? Will EIBTMhave fewer visitors because of this?There’s no regionalisation of EIBTM events. We’ve launched quite separate events– GIBTM (Abu Dhabi) and CIBTM (Beijing) – to sit alongside EIBTM and AIME inMelbourne. The impact on EIBTM has been excellent with substantial increasesin new exhibitors to EIBTM and the number of Hosted Buyers to EIBTM.What are the new features of EIBTM 2007?EIBTM 2007 is packed with new ideas for the meetings industry. A record line-upof new exhibitors includes the China National Tourist Office (for the first time),63

Nepal, Sun International, Ecuador,Vietnam, Prestige Hotels of the World,plus the biggest ever presence ofEastern and Central Europeanparticipants, including Croatia, Hungary,Romania, Poland and Serbia.Two major European cities, Munich andBirmingham, will exhibit independentlyfor the first time, and many otherexhibitors are returning to EIBTM aftera period of absence, including VisitFlorida, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, NewZealand, Korea and Zacchera Hotels.In addition, over 40 other main exhibitorstands have increased their space.New initiatives for 2007 include:• A new separate Mediterranean areaand increased representation fromSpain – a destination that topped the2006 Industry Trends and MarketShare report for ‘the most preferreddestination for conference andincentive business’.• A Technology Hour, which willtake place daily with differenttechnology-related topics in interactivesessions and debate. Everyone isencouraged to attend in order to hearfrom leading industry experts aboutthe latest technology trends and howto maximise their use.• The MPI Technology Village at EIBTMis sold out – 23 exhibitors – andincludes a number of newcomerssuch as Celcom, Spotme, SherpaSolutions, Global Executive and a2zInc. They join returning exhibitorsMICEpoint, Meeting MatrixInternational, Vivian Virtual EventDesigner and Parrimark Technologyto name just a few.• An expanded Event Services’ Villagewith 21 exhibitors – up more than 30%on 2006.• An increased number of Post-EventTours including 8 new destinations –Alicante, Oviedo, San Sebastian,Salamanca, Toledo, Madrid, Valenciaand Venice. This year the HostedBuyers can choose from a total of13 destinations with Amsterdam,London, Bilbao, Costa Daurada andSitges confirming their participation once again.• A new third Hosted Buyer Lounge and increased networking and education.Who are key partners of the 2007 event?Our key partners remain the Barcelona Convention Bureau, Gremi d’Hoteles (theBarcelona Hotels Association), Turespana, Ultramar Express Event Management(our DMC) and BCD (our travel management company). We are, of course, directlysupported by the leading industry associations and over 60 global media partners.How do you ensure the quality of hosted buyers?The EIBTM Hosted Buyer programme is open to individuals that organize, influenceor make budgetary decisions for international meetings, conferences, conventions,business travel and product launches. Every Hosted Buyer must meet strict qualifyingcriteria including their annual budget, the number of events held internationallyand the level of responsibility before being accepted onto the programme. Onceregistered onto the programme, buyers then select exhibitors that they’d like tomeet during their visit and a programme of pre-scheduled appointments is set upfor them.The benefits of attending as part of the Hosted Buyer Programme are numerousand include:- A personal buyer-driven pre-scheduled appointment programme with internationalexhibitors.- A personal online diary highlighting pre-scheduled appointments and allowing theoption to request extra appointments with additional exhibitors.- Significant time to explore and experience EIBTM outside pre-scheduled appointments.- Access to the Professional Education Programme with a sector-specific programmefor agencies, associations and corporates.- Valuable networking opportunities and access to the exclusive Hosted Buyer networkinglounges.- Complimentary travel and accommodation.- Local transfers between the airport, hotels and Fira Gran Via.- Opportunities to attend one of the many post show tours on offer to HostedBuyers.Visitors who may not qualify as Hosted Buyers can attend the event as trade visitorsand EIBTM offers flight discounts with Iberia and reduced rates in the EIBTM officialhotels.What’s this year’s accompanying events programme like?EIBTM is totally dedicated to raising industry standards, encouraging learning anddevelopment through its fast expanding and innovative education programme inBarcelona. This year an Agency Programme will provide cutting edge educationalseminars covering key topics and issues facing our industry today. The programmeis a morning of structured education specifically tailored to meet internationalagents’ needs. The Corporate Programme will provide highly targeted industryprofessional education and is unique in being the only international programmedesigned specifically for meeting planners from corporate organisations. The programmehas two different education sessions and an evening networking event.The EIBTM Association Programme has evolved to meet the needs of the busyAssociation meeting planner. Now in its 6th year, the new programme format offersbuyers three days at the show. Education sessions will be on Tuesday afternoon andWednesday morning, the networking event on Wednesday evening, and Thursday64

will provide more time to experienceEIBTM including appointments withexhibitors.More than just an exhibition, EIBTMoffers plenty of opportunities to relaxand strengthen business relationshipsat the many networking functions heldthroughout the event. All guests areinvited to network at one of the manyfunctions held through the three daysof EIBTM. From the welcome party andEIBTM Awards to post-show tours,EIBTM provides everyone withopportunities to meet and greet oldand new friends alike, while samplingthe delights of Barcelona.Kraljestvo zabaveSkrivnostni svet Afrike, kraljestvo udobjain zabave ter gastronomski raj!HOTEL KONGO ****Udobje štirih zvezdic vsodobno opremljenih sobahDnevni počitekSobna strežbaPrijazna recepcijska službaDo you plan further expansion ofEIBTM events into new regions?Yes. We’ll be launching new eventsand we’re going to announce our plansin the next few months.How is the Alps-Adria region going tobe represented this year?EIBTM has seen a significant rise in newexhibitors attending this year’s eventas well as many returning exhibitorsincreasing their stand space.Major European cities such as Munichand Birmingham have confirmed standalonerepresentation. For the first timewe welcome Adventure Myanmar, a DMCbased in Burma and the China NationalTourist Office which is great news aheadof next year’s Olympic Games.Slovenia participates at this year’sEIBTM in a new location on the floorplan surrounded by other destinationsfrom the region. These include Croatiathat’s expanded its stand by 33%,Romania that’s increased by 64%,Slovakia that’s expanded by a third andHungary. Ukraine will be representedon two stands this year – the NationalTourist Organisation of Ukraine andOlymp Travel. Italy’s going to make a bigimpact at the show with a double-deckerstand in the new SouthernMediterranean area of the floor plan.Gorazd ČadRESTAVRACIJIJedi za kraljevi užitekPo domače in tudi drugače:slovenske, mednarodne inribje jediIzbrana ponudba izAfriške kuhinjeMpapatukiVrhunska a la carte restavracijaOaza ljubiteljev vrhunskih pijačMalice in kosilaBalkangoEdinstveno gurmanskodoživetje, kjer popoln obrokzacvrči pred vašimi očmiIGRALNI SALON165 igralnih avtomatov4 elektronske ruleteBrezplačna brezalk. pijačaBrezplačne pogostitveVznemerljive nagradne igreBogat zabavni programLIMO SERVISOsem in pol metrskilinconovi limuziniZa prestižni dogodekPoslovno ali zasebnoBREZPLAČNA PONUDBALIMUZINE: LIMO SPECIAL!Telefon: 080 13 19www.kongo-hc.com65

Kolumna: Joyce DogniezV korak s spremembami!Evropska kongresna industrijase spreminja. Prihodnovih tržišč je spremenil dinamikoposlovanja in odvzelprednost poznavanja konkurence.Ne le, da smo pričazdruževanju evropskih držav,ampak moramo upoštevatitudi druge države sveta.Z novimi vrstami tehnologije, kot soRFID, socialna omrežja in mobilnenaprave, sta se popolnoma spremenilatudi zasnova in način izvedbesrečanj. Prav tako so se pojavili številninovi načini srečevanja in sodelovanjapri izmenjavi znanja, ki našo industrijosili k delitvi novih izkušenjvsem vpletenim. Resnično je že čas,da gremo v korak s spremembami!Da bi sledili tem hitrim spremembamin se posvetili naraščajočim potrebampo znanju in izmenjavi informacij, želiMPI razviti bogato, globalno kongresnoin prireditveno skupnost, ki bo, kobo omogočala definirati njihovo pove-Joyce Dogniezzavo z MPI skozi fleksibilno družbeno strukturo, vključno s soustvarjanjem visokokakovostnih članskih proizvodov in uslug, koristna za vse člane.Gonilna sila te vizije je globalna strategija, namenjena zagotavljanju uspešnejšegapovezovanja strokovnjakov tako, da jih neposredno poveže s kritičnimznanjem panoge, koristnimi povezavami in širšim ter bolj dinamičnimtržiščem.Medtem ko je MPI v svetu prisoten od ustanovitve prve mednarodne sekcije vTorontu leta 1978, nam nova globalna strategija omogoča doseči naraščajočeštevilo profesionalnih organizatorjev kongresov in dogodkov po vsem svetuter jih povezati z obsežno množico znanja, mrežami in s tržišči, ki jih lahkonajdemo le v največji globalni skupnosti panoge. MPI je nenehno razvijajočase skupnost, ki trenutno vključuje skoraj 23.000 članov v 65 državah ter 68sekcij in klubov.Pravzaprav MPI v Evropi pravkar doživlja rast, kakršne še ni bilo; njegovo evropskočlanstvo je naraslo na skoraj 2000 članov, vštevši sekcijo v Španiji, karje pripeljalo do skupaj enajstih sekcij v Evropi. Evropske sekcije so najhitrejerastoči segment MPI-jevega članstva, ki je v letnem porastu za 20 odstotkov.Prav tako smo osredotočeni na porast naše prisotnosti v Aziji in na Bližnjemvzhodu. Odprtje singapurske pisarne bo 25. oktobra. Kot smo že naznanili vmarcu, bomo aprila 2008 v Dubaju organizirali strokovno izobraževalno konferenco– Bližnji vzhod, ki ji bo jeseni 2008 sledil PEC-Azija. Evropsko pisarnosmo poleg tega preimenovali v pisarno Evropa / Bližnji vzhod / Afrika (EMEA),da bi se lažje približali članom iz teh regij.Izobraževanje moramo prilagoditi, da bi lahko izpolnili zahteve teh regij in držav.Medtem ko sta tehnologija in turizem svet spremenila v intimnejšo skupnostin so padle številne kulturne, geografske in tržne ovire, pa je vodenje mednarodnihkonferenc vse prej kot standardni delovni postopek. V panogi, kjer jeusmerjanje pozornosti k podrobnostim večjega pomena kot drugje, mednarodnapozornost le še povečuje število podrobnosti, ki se jim morajo posvetiti načrtovalciin dobavitelji.Kulturne razlike med regijami so lahko ogromne, zato morajo biti posebnosti,od prehranskih potreb, pravil oblačenja do verskih obredov in družbene hierarhije,upoštevana. Za lažje nadzorovanje takih razlik uvajamo inovativne tehnike,kot je CultureActive© Tool, ki članom omogoča izpopolniti sposobnost razumevanjain komuniciranja s kulturami sveta, izboljšati kulturne kompetence in pridobitistrokovno znanje.To so osnovni razlogi, zaradi katerih smo svojo vizijo osredotočili na izgradnjoglobalne konferenčne in prireditvene skupnosti. Z usposobitvijo globalne skupnostilahko gradimo znanje in tržne platforme, ki zadovoljujejo spreminjajoče inrazvijajoče se potrebe članov. Svojo kulturo gradimo kot kulturo soustvarjanja zaktiviranjem sposobnosti sodelovanja.Torej smo pravkar priča veliki plimi sprememb na bolje. Prva generacija posebejizobraženih in usposobljenih strokovnjakov za organizacijo konferenc bokmalu začela delati. Nedvomno bo to za vse nas pomenilo dvig delovnih standardov,in čeprav za koga morda zveni preteče, je to izvrstna novica, obenem papomeni, da se morajo profesionalni organizatorji konferenc dejavno obvezati kvseživljenjskemu izobraževanju, posodobiti strokovno znanje, deliti izkušnje, bitidel strokovnih mrež in se udeleževati tečajev ali izobraževalnih konferenc, sicerbodo ostali zadaj!Joyce Dogniez, CMM, Meeting Professionals International,poslovna direktorica, EMEA, www.mpiweb.org66

Column: Joyce DogniezKeep up with the Changes!The European meetings industryis changing. New marketshave appeared, have changedthe dynamics of how to dobusiness and have taken awaythe comfort of knowing whoyour competitors are. Not onlyare we seeing emergingEuropean countries, but wealso have to consider the restof the world.The way we design and executemeetings has profoundly changedthrough new technologies like RFID,social networks and mobile devices.Many other ways of meeting andsharing knowledge have also emerged,pushing our industry to deliver newexperiences for all those involved.Indeed, it’s time to keep up withchange.To keep up with these rapid changesand to address the increasing needsfor knowledge and exchangeof information, MPI’s new vision is to build a rich worldwide meetings andevents community that delivers value to all its members by letting them definetheir engagement with MPI through a flexible community structure, including‘co-creating’ high-value member products and services.A key driver of the vision is our global strategy created to make meetingprofessionals more successful by directly connecting them to critical industryknowledge, profitable connections and a broader and more dynamic marketplace.While MPI has enjoyed a global presence since its first international chapteropened in Toronto in 1978, our new global strategy lets us reach out further to thegrowing number of meetings and events professionals worldwide and connectthem to the vast array of knowledge, networks and marketplaces that can only befound in the industry’s largest global community. MPI is an ever-evolving communitythat now has nearly 23,000 members in 68 chapters and clubs in 65 countries.In fact, MPI is seeing unprecedented growth in Europe. MPI’s Europeanmembership has grown to nearly 2,000 and we’ve added a chapter in Spain,bringing the total number of chapters in Europe to 11. The European chaptersare the fastest-growing segment of MPI’s membership, increasing by more than20% in only a year.We’re also focused on growing our presence in Asia and the Middle East.A Singapore office opens on 25 October 2007. As announced in March, we’relaunching a Professional Education Conference-Middle East in Dubai in April 2008followed by one for PEC-Asia in autumn 2008. Additionally, we’ve renamed ourEuropean office to the Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) office to help us getcloser to members in those regions.We have to customise education to meet the needs of those regions andcountries. While technology and travel are making the world a more intimatecommunity and many cultural, geographic and marketplace barriers havedisappeared, the business of running an international meeting is anything butstandard operating procedure. In an industry where attention to detail is morecritical than most, international considerations only increase the amount of detailthat needs attending to, by planners and suppliers alike.Cultural differences can be vast from one region to the next, and specifics rangingfrom dietary needs to dress codes to religious observances and social hierarchymust be taken into account. To manage these differences, we use innovativetechniques like the CultureActive© Tool. This offers members a chance toimprove their ability to understand and communicate with global cultures,improving cultural competence and acquisition of skills.These are the main reasons we focus our vision on building a global meeting andevent industry community. By setting up a global community, we’re able to buildknowledge and marketplace platforms that satisfy our members’ changing andevolving needs. We’re adapting our culture to one of co-creation by activating thepower of collaboration.So what we’re seeing right now is a huge groundswell of change for the better.The first generation of specifically educated and trained meeting professionalswill soon enter the workforce. There’s no doubt that this will raise the bar for usall and it’s great news, as threatening as it might sound to some. But it alsomeans that current meeting professionals need to actively engage in lifelonglearning, update their skills, share practices, belong to peer-to-peer networksand attend courses or educational conferences. Otherwise they’ll be left behind.By Joyce Dogniez, CMM, Meeting Professionals International,Director of Operations, EMEA, www.mpiweb.org67

Kolumna: Kathryn GoldsteinMPI podpisala dogovor okorporativni družbeni odgovornostiOrganizacija Meeting ProfessionalsInternational (MPI) si zeloprizadeva za trajnostno poslovanjepri srečanjih in dogodkihter družbeno odgovornih prebivalcihsveta. Zato je bila odločitevte svetovne organizacije, dapostane podpisnica dogovoraZdruženih narodov o CSR (CorporateSocial Responsibility –korporativna družbena odgovornost),povsem »naravna«.CSR je koncept, ki organizacije spodbujak upoštevanju interesov družbe s prevzemanjemodgovornosti za vpliv dejavnostite organizacije na stranke, uslužbence,delničarje, skupnosti in okolje v vseh vidikihnjihovega delovanja.MPI ima edinstven položaj za uresničitevobčutnih sprememb, saj je vodilna organizacijapanoge in hkrati dom skoraj23.000 strokovnjakov za srečanja in dogodke.Organizacija MPI je julija na srečanjuWorld Education Congress a laMontréal naznanila, da bo podpisala globalnidogovor Združenih narodov o CSR,kar je drzna vodstvena poteza. Pozneje jeupravni odbor MPI-ja podal svojo soglasnoodobritev.Kathryn GoldsteinGlobalni dogovor Združenih narodov o CSR je največja pobuda korporativne odgovornostina svetu, saj ima več kot 3700 udeležencev in deležnikov iz več kot stotih držav.Za udeležene organizacije je mogočna platforma za povečevanje njihove predanostitrajnostnemu poslovanju in svetovnemu državljanstvu. Sestavlja jo več kot petdesetdržavnih mrež v razvitih in rastočih gospodarstvih in podpisnicam ponuja priložnostza podpiranje njihovih ciljev v zvezi s CSR.Globalni dogovor Združenih narodov vsebuje deset načel na področjih človekovih pravic,dela, trajnostnega ravnanja z okoljem in protikorupcije. Dogovor od podjetij znotrajnjihovega vplivnega področja zahteva podpiranje in uveljavljanje teh načel kot temeljnihvrednot.Organizacija MPI je obdržala podjetje Wallace and Partners za pomoč pri razvoju nastajajočihizobraževalnih in tržnih priložnosti v zvezi s CSR za MPI-jevo svetovno skupnost.Dobilo je tudi nalogo pospeševanja MPI-jeve predanosti trajnostnemu ravnanjuz okoljem pri izvedbi dogodkov.Na srečanju World Education Congress a la Montréal smo, da bi bili odgovorni partnerjiskupnosti Montréala, naredili naslednje:Manj papirnatih odpadkovUvodni in zaključni sprejem: Brez uporabe papirnatih izdelkov.Digitalne oznake: Metrske table pred sejnimi sobami so bile zamenjane z digitalnimioznakami.Tehnologija za odzive občinstva: Papirnati obrazci za ocenjevanje sej so bili zamenjaniz elektronskimi različicami.CD-ji z gradivi: Sejna gradiva so bila na voljo na CD-jih, zato papirnata gradiva niso bilapotrebna. Gradiva so bila pred in med konferenco ter po njej na voljo tudi preko našegaspletnega orodja Itinerary Planner (načrtovalec potovanj).Reciklirani papir: Vsa kongresna gradiva so bila natisnjena na recikliranem papirju.Pomagali smo izboljšati kakovost zraka.Avtobusne vozovnice: Vsi udeleženci so dobili avtobusne vozovnice, s čimer smospodbujali uporabo javnega prevoza in pomagali zniževati emisije.Črnilo na rastlinski osnovi: Vsa kongresna gradiva so bila natisnjena s črnili na rastlinskiosnovi, kar zmanjšuje izpust hlapnih organskih spojin v ozračje zaradi črnil.Recikliranje in varčevanje vode v Palais des congres de Montréal.Steklenice za vodo, primerne za ponovno uporabo: Po vsem prireditvenem centru sobili na voljo hladilniki vode za ponovno polnjenje steklenic z vodo.Reciklažne postaje: Postavljene so bile po kongresnih prostorih, razstavnih hodnikihin področjih s hrano, in sicer za predmete iz papirja, plastike ali aluminija.Recikliranje gradiv: Čistilno osebje Palaisa je pobralo vsa preostala natisnjena gradivav sejnih sobah in jih odložilo pri reciklažnih postajah.Načini postrežbe s hrano: Konferenčni center je za zmanjšanje odpadkov pri postrežbis hrano med prireditvami in sejami uporabljal porcelanaste krožnike; mleko, smetana,sladkor itd. so bili postreženi brez embalaže, namesto v posameznih paketih; ostankihrane so bili darovani v dobrodelne namene; smeti so bile porabljene za kompost.MPI ve, da so pobude CSR sijajne priložnosti za strokovnjake za srečanja in dogodke,da pustijo velik vpliv na okolju in sprejmejo tri odločilne dejavnike, imenovane ljudje,planet in dobiček. Naša globalna skupnost bo nadaljevala vpeljevanje izobraževalnihin izvedbenih vidikov dogovora CSR v MPI-jeve pobude v zvezi z znanjem in dogodki intako zmanjšala ogljikov odtis na okolju, ki jih puščajo pisarne in konference. Našaspletna stran za CSR na www.MPIWeb.org vsebuje podrobnosti in informacije o sredstvihter je redno osvežena. Obiskujte jo redno in delite z nami svoje poglede in idejeza izboljšanje sveta.Kathryn Goldstein, direktorica komunikacij, MPI, www.mpiweb.org68

Column: Kathryn GoldsteinMPI Signs the UNCompact on CSRMeeting ProfessionalsInternational (MPI) ispassionate about beingsustainable in our meetingsand events and sociallyresponsible citizens of theworld. So it was a “natural”move for the global meetingsand events community tobecome a signatory to theUnited Nations Compacton Corporate SocialResponsibility (CSR).CSR is a concept that encouragesorganizations to consider society’sinterests by taking responsibilityfor their activities’ impact oncustomers, employees, shareholders,communities and the environmentin all aspects of their operations.As home to nearly 23,000 meetingsand events professionals and anindustry leader, MPI is uniquelypositioned to influence substantivechange. In a bold leadershipstatement in July, MPI announcedat the World Education Congressa la Montréal its plans to sign the UNGlobal Compact on CSR.Subsequently, the MPI board ofdirectors gave their unanimousapproval.The UN Global Compact on CSR isthe world’s largest corporateresponsibility initiative with 3,700-plusparticipants and stakeholders frommore than 100 countries. It providesa powerful platform to participating organizations seeking to advance theircommitments to sustainability and global citizenship. It comprises more than50 national networks in developed and emerging economies and providesa chance for signatories to further their CSR objectives.There are ten principles in the UN Global Compact in the areas of humanrights, labour, environmental sustainability and anti-corruption. The Compactasks companies to support and enact these principles as core values withintheir spheres of influence.MPI has retained Wallace and Partners to assist them in developing emergingeducational and marketplace opportunities related to CSR for MPI’s globalcommunity. They also have been tasked with accelerating MPI’s commitmentto environmental sustainability at its events.Here’s what we did at the a la Montréal World Education Congress to beresponsible partners of the Montréal community:Reduced waste paperOpening and Closing Reception: No paper products usedDigital Signage: Meter boards outside session rooms replaced with digitalsignageAudience Response Technology: Paper session evaluation forms replacedwith electronic evaluationsCD of Session Handouts: Session materials available on CD, eliminating printedhandouts. Handouts also available through our online Itinerary Planner toolbefore, during and after the conferenceRecycled Paper: All congress materials were printed on recycled paperHelped improve air qualityBus Passes: All attendees received bus passes to encourage mass transitand help reduce pollutant emissionsVegetable-Based Ink: All congress materials were printed withvegetable-based inks, minimizing atmospheric release of Volatile OrganicCompounds from inksRecycling and conservation at Palais des congres de MontréalReusable Water Bottles: Water coolers were available throughout theconvention centre for filling reusable water bottlesRecycling Stations: Recycling stations throughout conference level,exhibition aisles and food areas for paper, plastic and aluminium itemsHandout Recycling: Palais cleaning personnel collected any printed handoutsleft in session rooms for transfer to Recycling StationsFood Service Methods: To reduce waste in food service methods, theconference centre uses porcelain dishes during functions and in itsconcessions; serves milk, creamer, sugar, etc. in bulk instead of individualpackets; gives leftover food to local food banks; and composts garbageMPI understands that CSR initiatives are tremendous opportunities formeetings and events professionals to make a profound impact on theenvironment and embraces the triple bottom line of ‘people, planet and profit’.Our global community will continue to introduce CSR’s educational and executionalaspects into MPI knowledge and events initiatives and reduce our carbonfootprint both at our offices and conferences. Our designated CSR pages atwww.MPIWeb.org provide more details with regular updates and resourceinformation. Visit often and share your insights and ideas to improve our world.Kathryn Goldstein, Director of Communications, MPI, www.mpiweb.org69

Hiša kulinarike JezeršekUčili smo sebein vzgajali naročnikeIdeja za catering je prišlaspontano. Pred skoraj tridesetimileti so pripravljali topleobroke in jih vozili v tovarne.Bilo je obdobje socializma,podjetja so organizirala velikasrečanja za zaposlene inpotrebovala so pomoč. Leta‘83 so Jezerškovi pripravilisrečanje za Iskro kot enonajvečjih podjetij tistegačasa, skuhali 13.500 golažev– in začel se je »catering«.»Zgodba se je hitro razvijala, kmalu sose nam odprla vrata Cankarjevega doma,kjer smo naredili prvi sprejem zaSlovenijavino – in s tem se je na neknačin odprlo. To je bilo pred osamosvojitvijoSlovenije, v letih, ki so bila bogatas kongresi. Za naše razmere smo bilikar inovativni, pripravljati smo začeli žehladno – tople bifeje, »cocktail partyje«,»coffee breake« in podobno. Zanimivoje, da smo to tržno nišo sami odpiraliin jo hkrati tudi sami zapolnjevali.Tudi naši naročniki so takrat cateringšele spoznavali kot zanimivo novost, kise je zelo hitro prijela. Učili smo sebe,vzgajali goste in tudi naročnike. Šlo jeres za pionirsko delo na področju cateringa,tako v Sloveniji kot tudi v celi takratniJugoslaviji. Po osamosvojitvismo opustili pripravo toplih obrokov inse v celoti preusmerili v catering. Želeta ‘94 smo ugotovili, da potrebujemourejene prostorske pogoje in zgradilisvojo hišo kulinarike. Tedaj smo lahkozačeli govoriti o pravem cateringu,«pripoveduje Franc Jezeršek, duša inmotor Hiše kulinarike Jezeršek.prostorih catering podjetja, postrežba pa na lokaciji naročnika. Catering se sicerlahko odvija tudi na bolj nenavadnih lokacijah, na ladji, vlaku, na letalu, (odkoder ta pojem pravzaprav izvira). Jaz osebno si želim besedo posloveniti, pa jeto kljub velikim in ne samo mojim naporom zaenkrat kot kaže nemogoče. Lahkojo prevedemo samo opisno: priprava in dostava hrane za postrežbo na lokacijiizven poslovnih prostorov catering podjetja.Kakšne so zakonitosti dobrega cateringa?Dobra hrana in odlična postrežba sta šele vstopnici, od tu naprej se dela dogodek.Naročniku moramo pomagati doseči cilj, kakršen koli to je. Zadnje časežal opažam, da ponudniki catering storitev delajo nestrokovno, da poneumljajostroko, kar je seveda slabo.V kakšnem smislu nestrokovno?Jedi servirajo na nestrokoven način, nestrokovna so poimenovanja jedi, iz sebedelajo »klovne« pri postrežbi. Gre sicer bolj za izjeme kot pravilo, pa vendar.Pravila stroke morajo biti »zakon«, še posebej v cateringu, kjer so oblike postrežbein ambienti tako različni. Naši najbolj nepozabni dogodki so se odvijali nanajbolj nenavadnih lokacijah – v Železničarskem muzeju, v tovarni Tomos srediorodjarne, na ladjah ... že izbrana lokacija da dogodku poudarek, rdečo nit, zatosem prepričan, da mora biti storitev cateringa zato, da se lahko vključi v katerikoliambient, popolnoma korektna.Catering je relativno nov način postrežbe, ali slovenska catering podjetja dosegajosvetovne standarde?Udeležil sem se kar nekaj kongresov ICCA in moja ugotovitev je, da je naše delodobro in v skladu z uveljavljenimi svetovnimi merili, da nas ni treba biti sram.Moram pa opozoriti, da obstajajo različne oblike cateringa, ki zahtevajo različniG. Jezeršek, začniva z definicijo cateringa.Moja definicija bi bila: catering je pripravagostinskega dela dogodka v70

nivo storitev. Zaradi majhnosti trgasmo vsi včasih primorani sprejeti kakšnonaročilo, ki nam ni ravno v izziv.Brez malih poslov pa ni velikih. In vednoje seveda treba biti pozoren, v katerosmer gredo svetovni trendi.In kam gredo trendi?Zdrava prehrana, več zelenjave in sadja,manj težkih jedi za povabljence, kivečinoma ne delajo težkega fizičnegadela. Pomembo je, da vemo, za kogapripravljamo hrano – ali bo med povabljenimiveč moških ali žensk, ali bodogostje domači ali tujci ... Lahko gre zaskupino ljudi na izletu po Sloveniji, kijim bo naša pogostitev prva in edinahrana tisti dan; povsem drugačna bonaša ponudba na diplomatskem sprejemu,kamor se ljudje zagotovo nepridejo najest. Tukaj bo bolj kot količinapomemben izbor, ponudba. Za nasje zelo pomembno, da nam naročnikpove, komu je namenjena pogostitev.Kakšni so slovenski naročniki?Zelo osveščeni, zahtevni, zelo dobrovedo, kaj želijo, sledijo trendom. Če jebila nekoč pomenbna količina, zdaj niveč tako, pomemben je izbor, izgled,jedi morajo biti sveže pripravljene.Ker nas poznajo, je komunikacija precejlažja, medtem ko nas mnogi tujciše vedno obravnavajo kot sestavni delBalkana in potrebnega je več dokazovanja,več prepričevanja, včasih jihpredhodno celo povabimo na kosilo alivečerjo, da nas preizkusijo in namverjamejo.Pogosto delate za tuje naročnike?Zelo pogosto. Delamo za veleposlaništva,skoraj vsa so naši naročniki;veliko smo delali v tujini – na Dunaju,v Parizu, Davosu, v Bruslju, v Albertvillu;tuji naročniki stopijo z nami vkontakt preko Kongresnega urada alipreko ljubljanskega TIC-a, pa tudipreko agencij. Letno naredimo približnotisoč prireditev, to je po tri dnevnoin med njimi so različni naročniki, takodomači kot tuji.Ali tujim naročnikom ponudite kaj več slovenske kulinarike, domačih vin?Absolutno, še posebej v tujini in na mednarodnih dogodkih je pomembno, daponudimo čimveč nacionalne kulinarike. Ob teh priložnostih ponavadi pripravimo»tržnico« slovenske hrane, na eni »stojnici« imamo različne vrste mesa, nadrugi kruhe, potem sire, štruklje ...Ste kdaj delali z združenji?Delali smo za Gospodarsko zbornico Slovenije, za Obrtno zbornico, Zdravniško,Odvetniško zbornico ... skorajda ni večjega druženja, za katerega še ne bi pripravljalicateringa.Omenili ste, da se na vas poleg končnih naročnikov obračajo tudi agencije?Tudi. Nam je seveda lažje, če delamo s končnimi naročniki, čeprav je ta pojemzelo relativen. Najslabše je, kadar je vmes več posrednikov in do nas ne prideprava informacija glede želja naročnikov. Seveda pa teh težav z agencijami, skaterimi že dlje sodelujemo, nimamo.Bi lahko izpostavili kakšen aktualen problem?Ja, vedno bolj problematični so časi od naročila do izvedbe, ki so vse krajši.Včasih se je za dogodek vedelo nekaj tednov ali celo mesecev v naprej, zdaj pamora biti naš odzivni čas izredno kratek; v zadnjem hipu prihaja do velikihsprememb tudi glede števila gostov, odzivamo se na vremenske razmere ... odnas se zahteva vedno večjo fleksibilnost in to ni vedno lahko.Ste družinsko podjetje, kdo pri vas kreira nove jedi?Gre za timsko delo, čeprav imamo sodelavko, ki dela prav na razvoju novih jedi.Sicer vsak opravi svoj del, skupaj pa ustvarimo vse novosti. A vsaka novost izjemnohitro zastari. V Ljubljani, na primer, hodi redno na sprejeme okoli tisoč ljudi,od katerih jih kakšnih tristo srečam prav na vsakem. Tako se zgodi, da se z istimigosti v istem dnevu srečamo večkrat na različnih lokacijah. Zato je kakršnokoli »štancanje« idej povsem neprimerno.Kateri dogodki so vam ostali najbolj v spominu?Dogodkov je bilo ogromno ... Nekateri med njimi so bili zelo veliki, drugi izrednopomembni. Letos smo delali doslej največjo prireditev po številu udeležencev– Mercatorijado v obliki piknika za 25.000 gostov. Veliki dogodki so biliprednovoletni sprejemi na Gospodarskem razstavišču – za do 10.000 gostov.Med zahtevnejše uvrščam mednarodne kongrese, med njimi kongres endokrinologovv Cankarjevem domu in v Tivolskem gradu, ki je bil za tiste čase resvelik projekt, potem predlansko pogostitev za udeležnce srečanja OVSE, inmnoge druge. Čeprav je na prvi pogled pogostitev obrobnega pomena, pa jeza naročnika, ki želi tudi skozi kulinariko zaokrožiti svoj dogodek, zelo pomembna.Kakšen je vaš sanjski catering?(smeh) Moj sanjski caterig bi se zagotovo odvijal v zares lepem ambientu, ki jihje v Sloveniji premalo, z ustrezno ureditvijo prostora, tudi s cvetjem, glasbo ...pripravljali bi izbrane jedi za ne preveliko število gostov, ki bi v vsem tem uživali.Če imaš naročnika, ki zna takšno zaokroženo ponudbo ceniti in če ima on goste,ki jo zanjo ceniti, potem je to že sanjsko, kajne.Jakica Jesih71

The Jezeršek House of CuisineWe taught ourselvesand educated the clientsThe catering idea was bornspontaneously. Almost thirtyyears ago, companiesprepared warm meals anddelivered them to factories.That was during the timeof socialism, when statecompanies organised bigmeetings for their employeesand they needed help.In 1983, the Jezeršek familyprepared a meeting for theIskra company, which was atthat time one of the biggestcompanies in Slovenia. Theycooked 13,500 goulashes and,thus, catering was born.“The story developed quickly and soon the doors to the Cankarjev dom facilitywere opened. We prepared the first reception for the company Slovenijavinothere, which, in a way, opened the doors. This was before Slovenia’sindependence, during years that were full of congresses. We were ratherinnovative for our circumstances, we started preparing cold and warm buffets,cocktail parties, coffee breaks and similar events. It is interesting that wewere the ones opening this market niche and, at the same time, closing it.Our clients were just starting to get to know the catering business as aninteresting novelty, and it quickly stuck with them. We taught ourselves andeducated our guests and clients. This was true pioneer work in the fieldof catering both in Slovenia as well as in the then-Yugoslavia. Afterindependence, stopped preparing warm meals and fully directed our activityto catering. Already in 1994, we realised that we needed a well-regulatedfacility and we built our house of cuisine. It was then that we were able tostart talking about actual catering,” says Franc Jezeršek, the soul and engineof the Jezeršek House of Cuisine.Mr Jezeršek, let us start with the definition of catering.My definition would be: catering is the preparation of the catering part of anevent, at the location of the catering company, with service at the location ofthe client. Catering can of course take place on rather unusual locations; onships, trains or planes (where this term actually originates from). Personally,I have been trying to find a nice Slovenian word for this term but despite greatefforts, and not only mine, that currently seems to be impossible. It can betranslated only in a descriptive manner: preparation and delivery of food tobe served outside the business premises of the catering company.What are the rules of good catering?Good food and excellent service are merely the ticket; from there on, the eventis prepared. We have to help our client achieve his goal, whatever it might be.Lately, I’ve been noticing that providers of catering services have been doing theirjob in an unprofessional manner, stultifying the trade, which is of course bad.What have you noticed is “unprofessional”?The dishes are served unprofessionally, the names of the dishes areunprofessional, they make themselves into “clowns” while serving. Theseare more exceptions than the rule, but still. The rules of the trade need to be“the law”, especially in catering, where forms of service and the surroundingsare so different. Our most memorable events took place at the most unusuallocations – at the Railway Museum, at the Tomos factory in the midst of thetolls division, on ships… The chosen location already gives the event a certainstress, a central theme, and this is why I am convinced that the cateringservice, in order to be able to fit into any kind of surroundings, needs to becompletely correct.Catering is a relatively new way of service. Do Slovenian catering companiesachieve world standards?I have participated at quite a few ICCA congresses and have asserted that ourwork is good and in accordance with enforced world standards, and that wedon’t have to be ashamed. But I have to warn that there are various cateringforms that demand a different level of service. Due to the small size of themarket, we are occasionally forced to accept an order which is not really a72

challenge. But without the smallbusinesses, the big ones don’t comeeither. And of course, you always haveto be attentive to which directionworld trends are going.And where are the trends going?Healthy food, more vegetables andfruit, less heavy food for guests, whousually aren’t involved in heavyphysical work. It is important to knowfor whom you are preparing the food –will there be more men or womenamong the guests, will the guestsbe foreigners or local people… Theymight be a group of people travellingthrough Slovenia and our service andfood will be the first and only real foodfor that day. The offer at a diplomaticreception, on the other hand, willcertainly be completely different, aspeople definitely don’t attend suchevents in order to eat their fill. Here,more than the quantity, the origin andoffer are important. It is very importantto us that the client lets us know forwhom the service is intended.What are Slovenian consumers like?Very informed, they know exactly whatthey want and they follow trends. Ifquantity used to be important, this isnow no longer the case. The choiceand appearance of the dishes matterand they have to be freshly prepared.Since they know us, communicationis much easier, while numerousforeigners still see us as part ofthe Balkans and much moredemonstration is needed, morepersuasion. Sometimes we eveninvite them to lunch or dinnerbeforehand, in order for them to testand believe us.Do you often work for foreignclients?Very often. We work for embassies,almost all of them are our clients; wehave worked abroad a lot – in Vienna,Paris, Davos, Brussels and Alberville.Foreign clients contact us through theSlovenian Convention Bureau orthrough the Ljubljana TouristInformation Centre and also throughagencies. Annually, we prepare aboutone thousand events, that is three aday, and these events include variousclients, both domestic and foreign.Do you offer foreign clients a lot of Slovenian cuisine and domestic wines?Absolutely. Especially abroad and at international events, it is important tooffer as much as possible of the national cuisine. At such occasions, we usuallyprepare a “market” of Slovenian food. On one “stand” are various meats, on theother breads, cheese, dumplings…Have you ever worked with Associations?We have worked for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, theChamber of Crafts of Slovenia, the Medical Chamber of Slovenia, the BarAssociation of Slovenia… There is almost no large association for which wehave not prepared catering.You mentioned that in addition to final clients, agencies come to you as well.Yes. It is of course easier for us to work with final clients even though this is avery relative term. The worst thing is, if there are several intermediaries andwe do not receive the right information concerning the client’s expectations.These problems, however, do not appear with the agencies with whom wework.Could you expose a current problem?Yes, the time from receiving an order to the actual implementation is gettingshorter all the time, thus causing a few problems. In the past, you used toknow about the event weeks and months in advance, and now our reaction timehas to be really fast. At the last moment, there are changes concerning thenumber of guests, we have to react to weather conditions… An increasinglygreater flexibility is asked of us and this isn’t always easy.You are a family business. Who creates the new dishes?This is teamwork even though we do have an associate who works primarilyat the development of new dishes. We all do our share of the work and createall the novelties together. But each novelty grows old very quickly. In Ljubljana,for example, about a thousand people regularly attend receptions, and I meetabout 300 at each of them, so it might happen that I meet the same guestsa few times a day at various locations. For this reason, any kind of “serialproduction idea” is completely inappropriate.Which events have proven to be the most memorable?There were numerous events… Some of them were very big, others extremelyimportant… This year, we worked for the biggest number of participants so far.That was the Mercatorijada carried out as a picnic for 25,000 guests. Otherlarge events included receptions before the New Year, for up to 10,000 guests,organised at the Ljubljana Fairgrounds. Among the most demanding ones,I would mention international congresses, among them the congress ofendocrinologists at the Cankarjev dom facility and the Tivoli castle, which wasa really extensive project. There is also the service organised for participantsof the OVSE meeting two years ago and many more. Even though at first glancethe treat is of no big importance, for the client wishing to round up his eventthrough cuisine, it is very important.What would your dream catering look like?(laughter) My dream catering would definitely take place in a reallybeautiful surrounding, of which there are not enough in Slovenia, withappropriate room arrangement, including flowers, music… Chosen dishesfor a limited number of guests, who would also come to enjoy the atmosphere,would be prepared. If you have a client, who can appreciate such a round-upoffer and if he has guests who can appreciate it, then that is already dreamy,isn’t it?Jakica Jesih73

Kongresni standardi in kakovost storitevKako izbrati pravegakongresnega organizatorja?Kdaj in kako se pričnejopriprave na organizacijozahtevne kongresne prireditve?Z izbiro lokacije, opredelitvijooblike srečanja innjegove vsebine? Ali mordaz izborom profesionalnegakongresnega organizatorja?In kaj je profesionalnikongresni organizator?Kdaj potrebujete profesionalnega kongresnegaorganizatorja?Profesionalni kongresni organizator se v proces priprave prireditve lahko vključi vrazličnih fazah priprave in z različnimi storitvami. Smiselno je, da ga naročnik najamečimprej, saj njegove izkušnje in strokovno znanje lahko pomagajo pri pravilnemplaniranju prireditve. Pravilna »nastavitev« priprav, priprava projekta, vključno sstroškovnikom prireditve ter terminski načrt priprav so ključni za uspeh prireditve.V prvi fazi načrtovanja bo profesionalni kongresni organizator svetoval, pomagalter ponujal znanje pri iskanju in določanju primerne lokacije ter izvajalcevposameznih storitev, potrebnih za uspešno izvedbo prireditve, pripravil preliminarnistroškovnik in časovno razpredelnico posameznih aktivnosti, potrebnihpri načrtovanju in organizaciji prireditve. PCO-ji ponujajo tudi svetovanje, sodelovanjein pomoč pri pripravi kandidatur za (predvsem) mednarodne kongrese.PonudbaPCO svoje storitve seveda zaračuna. Načini obračunavanja storitev se med posameznimiPCO-ji razlikujejo. Osnovni segmenti, na katere bi morala biti razdeljenavsaka ponudba, so:• Splošna organizacija in izvedba prireditve• Organizacija in izvedba razstave• Organizacija in pridobivanje sponzorjev• Koordinacija in administracija strokovnega programa• Postopki prijav in registracija udeležencev• Organizacija hotelskih namestitev• Organizacija družabnih, kulturnih in drugih spremljajočih dogodkov.Predstavitev ponudbePonudnik naj pripravi kratko predstavitev podjetja in ponujenih storitev v pogovoruz naročniki. Na splošno 10-20 minut zadostuje za predstavitev, 30-45 minutpa je na voljo za vprašanja in odgovore.Podjetje, specializirano za organizacijoin izvedbo (management) kongresnihprireditev, ki svetuje naročniku inmu pomaga pri odločitvah na podlagisvojih izkušenj ter znanja, pridobljenegaz večletnim strokovnim delompri organizaciji zahtevnih kongresov insorodnih prireditev.Mednarodno združenje profesionalnihkongresnih organizatorjev (IAPCO) jepripravilo odlična priporočila strokovnimkongresnim organizatorjem – naročnikomza izbiro primernega PCOja.V tokratnem prispevku navajampovzetke, celoten tekst pa je dosegljivna www.iapco.org.Nekaj osnovnih vprašanj, ki jih je ob pogovoru potrebno postaviti kandidatu:• Ali ima ponudnik izkušnje in reference pri organizaciji podobnih prireditev inna podobnih lokacijah?• Je podjetje finančno stabilno in ali ima dovolj posla, ki potrjuje, da bo še naprejstabilno?• Je podjetje vpleteno v kakšne pravne zaplete ali finančne spore s prejšnjimistrankami?• Kaj je glavna dejavnost podjetja? Veliko podjetij ponuja organizacijo kongresnihstoritev, čeprav to ni njihova glavna dejavnost. Ali je pri takšnih podjetjihobseg kongresnih storitev dovolj velik in pogost, da zagotavlja primerneizkušnje in kvaliteto ponujenih storitev?• Ali je podjetje tehnološko dovolj usposobljeno, da bo lahko organiziralo zahtevnoprireditev?• Ali ima podjetje dovolj izkušenih sodelavcev za organizacijo zahtevne prireditve?• Kdo v podjetju je zadolžen za finančno plat prireditve in kdo nadzoruje računovodstvo?Potrebno je zagotoviti, da so vsi prihodki in stroški prireditve naločenem (pod) računu, da je vsak trenutek možen vpogled v finančno stanjeprireditve, ter da ima naročnik pravico odločanja o finančnih zadevah.74

• Kako je podjetje pripravljeno na nepričakovaneokoliščine/zaplete, kise lahko pripetijo osebju, zadolženemuza organizacijo prireditve (bolezen,nesreča, odpoved delovnega razmerja...)• Ali ima podjetje izkušnje pri pridobivanjuudeležencev, razstavljalcev insponzorjev?• Katere ponujene storitve podjetjeopravlja samostojno in za katere najemapodizvajalce?• Ali je podjetje član strokovnih združenj,ki skrbijo za strokovnost inkvaliteto storitev? Ali je podjetje aktivnov teh združenjih? Katera so tazdruženja in kakšen je njihov ugled?• Ali podjetje skrbi za strokovno izobraževanjein usposabljanje zaposlenih,kakšne so reference zaposlenihna tem področju?• Na kakšne načine in s kakšnimi dokazililahko podjetje zagovarja svojokvaliteto?• Kako podjetje skrbi za motivacijo, izpopolnjevanjein socialno varnostsvojih sodelavcev?Dogovor o sodelovanjumed naročnikom inprofesionalnim kongresnimorganizatorjemSodelovanje ekip in posameznikov prisnovanju, pripravah in organizacijikongresne prireditve je običajno dolgotrajno(včasih tudi več let), zato jepravilna sestava »teama« in medsebojnozaupanje bistveno, ne glede nato, kdo je naročnik in kdo izvajalec.Priporočljivo je, da ekipa naročnikov,še pred podpisom pogodbe, obiščedelovne prostore ponudnika in se seznaniz ekipo in posamezniki, zadolženimiza organizacijo prireditve.Povzeto po: How to Choose the RightPCO, International Association of ProfessionalCongress Organizers(www.iapco.org)Srečo Peterlič, Auditoria; predsedniksveta Zavoda-Kongresnoturistični urad75

Congress Standards and Service QualityHow to choose the rightCongress Organiser?When and in what way dopreparations for organisinga demanding congress eventstart? After you’ve chosena location and definedthe type of meeting and itscontent? Or perhaps afteryou’ve selected a professionalcongress organiser?And what’s a professionalcongress organiser anyway?It’s a company specialised in the organisation and execution - management -of congress events. It advises the client and helps it make decisions based ontheir experience and knowledge acquired over the course of many years ofprofessional work organising demanding congresses and similar events.IAPCO, the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers hasprepared excellent recommendations for professional congress organisersand clients in the selection of a suitable PCO. These are some excerpts fromthe text, which is available at www.iapco.org.When do you need a Professional Congress Organiser?A PCO can join the preparation process with various services at various stages.It makes sense that the client should hire them as early as possible, as theirexperience and expert knowledge can help in the proper planning of the event.What’s vital for the event’s success is proper ‘configuration’ of preparations,as well as project preparation, including the event’s costs and the preparationtime schedule.In the first phase of planning, the PCO advises, helps and offers knowledge inthe search for and determination of a suitable location, as well as the individualservice contractors required for successful event execution. They’ll alsoprepare a preliminary bill of costs and a time schedule of the individualactivities required in planning and organising the event. PCOs also offerconsulting services, co-operation and help in preparing candidacies for(mostly) international congresses.The OfferA PCO charges for its services, of course. Methods of charging differ betweenthe various PCOs. The basic segments that each offer should be divided intoare:• General organisation and execution of the event• Organisation and execution of the exhibition• The organisation and obtaining of sponsors• Co-ordination and administration of the expert programme• Application procedures and participant registration• Organisation of hotel accommodation• Organisation of social, cultural and other accompanying eventsPresentation of the OfferThe service provider should prepare a short presentation of their companyand the services offered in an interview with the client(s). In general terms,10-20 minutes is enough for the presentation, with 30-45 minutes after thepresentation for them to answer any questions.Some basic questions that should be asked during an interview include:• Does the company have a proven track record in organising similar eventsin similar locations?• Is the company financially sound and do they have a sufficient amount offorward business to suggest that they will continue to be so?• Is the company involved in any legal issues or financial disputes with pastclients?76

• What’s the company’s main activity?Many companies offer congressorganising services even though it’snot their main activity. Is the scopeof their congress services largeand frequent enough so that thecompany has suitable experienceand quality in the services it offers?• Is the company sufficiently advancedtechnologically to handle therequirements of the event?• Does the company have enoughexperienced staff to be able tohandle the organisation of ademanding event?• Who in the company is responsiblefor the finances of the event andwho controls the accounting?It’s important to ensure that allcongress income and expenses areon a separate (sub)account, so it’spossible to access the financialstatus at any time and so the clienthas the right to decide any financialmatters.• How is the company preparedfor unforeseen circumstances/complications that could affect thestaff involved in the organising ofthe event (sickness, accident, termination of employment and so on)?• Does the company have experience in attracting participants, exhibitorsand sponsors?• Which of the services on offer does the company perform by itself and whichare performed by subcontractors?• Does the company belong to any expert associations that maintain the level ofprofessionalism and service quality? Is the company active in these associations?What are the names of these associations and what’s their reputation?• Does the company provide professional education and training for itsemployees and what are the references of those employed in this field?• In what ways and with which supporting documents can the companyguarantee its quality?• How does the company handle the motivation, improvement and socialsecurity of its workers?The Co-operation Agreement between the Clientand the Professional Congress OrganiserThe co-operation of teams and individuals in the design, preparation andorganising of a congress event is usually long-term - sometimes even overseveral years - which is why a suitable team and mutual trust are essential,regardless of who the client and the contractor are. It’s recommended thatthe client’s team visits the service provider’s offices and meets the team andindividuals assigned to the event’s organisation before signing the contract.Taken from: How to choose the right PCO, International Associationof Professional Congress Organizers (www.iapco.org)Srečo Peterlič, Auditoria; President of the Board of Slovenian Convention BureauVivo catering navduševal s kulinaričnimi mojstrovinamiVivo Catering Impress with Their Culinary MasterpiecesVivo catering je na štiridnevnem mednarodnem konjeniškem turnirju v preskakovanju ovir za svetovnipokal, ki je potekal na Posestvu Ugar v Ribnici, zopet navduševal in razvajal goste iz Slovenije in tujines svojimi kulinaričnimi mojstrovinami. Strokovno osebje podjetja Vivo catering je v sončni Ribniciposkrbelo za odlično organizacijo, pripravo in postrežbo jedi ter pripomoglo k navdušenemu insproščenemu vzdušju med ogledi tekem. Tako se je zopet izkazalo, da so kreativnost, strokovnost,prilagodljivost, osebni pristop in odlično pripravljena hrana moto osebja Vivo cateringiz gradu Fužine v Ljubljani, ki zmore poskrbeti za še tako zahtevno prireditev.Vivo catering have again impressed and treated guests from Slovenia and abroad with their culinarymasterpieces at the four-day international equestrian World Cup competition in show jumping, whichtook place at the Posestvo Ugar in Ribnica. The expert staff of the Vivo catering company providedexcellent organisation, preparation and serving of meals at the sunny Ribnica in addition to contributingto an enthusiastic and relaxed atmosphere during breaks between shows. The Vivo catering companystaff from the Fužine Castle have again demonstrated that their motto is creativity, professionalism,adaptability, a personal approach, and excellently prepared food. They have also provedthat they can handle even the most demanding of events.77

Letališče Jožeta Pučnika LjubljanaOdpiramo prostorposlovnim srečanjemNa Letališču Jožeta PučnikaLjubljana lahko organiziraterazlična poslovna srečanja,krajše seminarje in predstavitveizdelkov.Obenem bo letališče med predsedovanjem Slovenije Evropski uniji glavna vstopnatočka v našo državo. Ker že sedaj večino letalskih potnikov predstavljajoposlovneži, bi jim z organizacijo poslovnega sestanka pri nas lahko prihranilimnogo dragocenega časa. Poslovne in druge dogodke lahko pripravitev treh dvoranah, ki jih lahko še dodatno prilagodimo vašim željam.V poslovni stavbi podjetja Aerodrom Ljubljana d.d., ki upravlja z letališčem, jemoderna konferenčna dvorana, ki sprejme do 100 ljudi. V njej so vsa potrebnaračunalniška oprema za predstavitve, krmilni in video konferenčni sistem teroprema za simultano prevajanje. Pred njo je tudi prostor za družabna srečanjaali ločene pogovore v ožjem krogu.V manjši dvorani v medetaži potniškega terminala imamo prostora za 22 udeležencevkonferenc ali poslovnih sestankov. Tudi njim je na voljo vsa potrebnatehnična oprema.Salon Edvarda Rusjana pa se nahaja v pritličju terminala, poleg restavracije.Primeren je za zasebna poslovna kosila, manjše predstavitve in sprejeme.Več informacij o organizaciji poslovnih in drugih srečanj na letališču lahkodobite na telefonski številki 04 206 14 64.www.lju-airport.siPromocijsko sporočilo80

Airport Jože Pučnik LjubljanaOpening Spacefor Business MeetingsYou may now organisevarious business meetings,short seminars and productpresentations at LjubljanaJože Pučnik airport.During Slovenia's EU Presidency, the airport is going to be the main entry pointto this country. As most air travellers are business people, organising businessmeetings at our facilities means you’ll save them a great deal of valuable time.Meetings and other events can be held in any of our three meeting rooms,which can be further adapted to suit your requirements.In the Aerodrom Ljubljana building, which houses the airport's administration,there’s a modern conference hall which can take up to 100 people. The hallis equipped with all the necessary computer equipment for presentations,a control and video conferencing system as well as equipment for simultaneoustranslation. There is also an adjacent room which can be used for socialising ormore private conversations.In a smaller hall in the passenger terminal, there is space for up to 22 peopleto attend conferences or business meetings. This space is also furnished withall the necessary technical equipment.The Edvard Rusjan reception room is on the ground floor of the terminal,next to the restaurant. It is suitable for private business lunches, smallerpresentations and receptions.More information regarding the organisation of business and other meetingsat the airport can be obtained by calling +386 (4) 206 14 64.www.lju-airport.si, Advertising feature81

HIT Nova GoricaPrepoznavno igralniško– konferenčno mestoDružba Hit, d. d., je že dve desetletjinajvečje in poslovnonajbolj uspešno slovenskoigralniško-turistično podjetje,ki zna zadovoljiti najzahtevnejšegagosta in mu izpolnitiskoraj vse želje in pričakovanja.Že doslej se je Hit v spominmnogih zapisal kot odličenorganizator sestankov,konferenc, dogodkov in incentiveprogramov, odslej pabo še učinkovitejši gostiteljposlovnih gostov, ki si želijo vsproščenem vzdušju nabiratinova znanja, sklepati poslovnevezi, predstavljati projekte,izdelke in storitve ter se prijateljskodružiti v privlačnemokolju igralniško-zabaviščnegacentra Perla.Kot biser v ogrlici vrhunskih Hitovih storitev pa z letošnjim letom Perla ponujaše več: s tehnično najsodobneje opremljeno novo konferenčno dvorano Pinta jenjihova storitev širša in še bolj kakovostna.Nova prostorna dvorana Pinta v konferenčni postavitvi sprejme 280 udeležencev,z možnostjo pregraditve v tri samostojne dvorane. Dopolnjuje jo manjšasejna soba v neposredni bližini, z večjim svetlim predprostorom za sprejeme inpogostitve. Center igre in zabave sicer ponuja tudi 250 udobnih sob (od tega 24apartmajev, med njimi so 4 luksuzni). Drugi del konferenčnih prostorov se zaokrožujev bližini prireditvene dvorane Arena s 320 sedeži in diskoteke s 100 sedeži,kjer so tudi štiri manjše sejne sobe. Vse so opremljene z najsodobnejšotehniko. Hitove konferenčne in sejne dvorane ponujajo široko paleto možnih postavitev,ki omogočajo kakovostno delo v prijaznem in gostoljubnem okolju, vabljivemza organiziranje vseh vrst poslovnih srečanj.Z letošnjim letom je Nova Gorica bogatejša tudi za obnovljen in povečan igralniško-zabaviščnicenter Park, ki skupaj s Perlo in hoteloma Lipo (Šempeter priGorici) in Sabotinom (Solkan) ter Hitovimi restavracijami predstavljajo srce turističnedestinacije Goriške. Nova Gorica slovi po spektakularnih zabavnih programihv Parku in Perli, po široki paleti iger na srečo, po turističnih znamenitostihin odmevnih kulturnih prireditvah. Zgodovinsko in kulturno bogata preteklost,izjemno kulinarično izročilo in neposredna bližina treh svetovno znanihvinorodnih okolišev so dobro izhodišče za številne izlete in doživetja. Nova Gorica,mesto vrtnic, je mlado mesto z blagim podnebjem, dostopno gostom z vsegasveta. Leži na križišču prometnih in železniških poti, v bližini letališč in marin,le streljaj od morja in Alp. Na stičišču slikovitega Posočja, Vipavske doline, Krasain Brd se na zanimiv način prepletajo vplivi slovanske, romanske in germanskekulture. Goriška torej vabi v široko naročje zabave, iger, eno-gastronomskihposebnosti ter športno-rekreativnih prireditev. Poslovno-konferenčni turizem,ki ga z novo vizijo načrtuje družba Hit, je zaradi vsega naštetega toliko boljnaravna in logična dopolnitev njihove znane vrhunske ponudbe.www.hit.siPromocijsko sporočilo82

HIT Nova GoricaA distinguished gaming– conference CityHit is a company that’s beenthe biggest and, businesswise, the most successfulgaming- tourism companyin Slovenia for the past twodecades, able to please themost demanding guests andmaking just about all theirwishes and expectations cometrue. To date, Hit has etcheditself in the minds of manyas an excellent organiser ofmeetings, conferences, eventsand incentive programmes.In the future, it will also beknown as a still better host tobusiness guests who’d like toacquire new knowledge, makebusiness contacts, presentprojects, products and services,as well as socialise in a relaxedatmosphere in the appealingsurroundings of the Perlagaming-entertainment centre.The new spacious Pinta auditorium can accommodate up to 280 participantsconference style, and it’s possible to partition the space into three separateauditoriums. This is supplemented by a smaller meeting room close by with alarge, bright room for receptions and entertainment. The gaming- entertainmentcentre also offers 250 comfortable rooms (including 24 apartments, four of whichare luxury). The conference facilities are rounded off by the nearby Arena eventsauditorium with seating for 320 and a 100-seat discotheque, where a further foursmaller meeting rooms are also available. All are furnished with the mostup-to-date technical equipment. Hit's conference and meeting facilities offer abroad palette of possible set-ups, enabling quality work in a friendly and hospitableenvironment, enticing for the organisation of all kinds of business meetings.As of this year, Nova Gorica is also enriched by the renovation and enlargementof the Park gaming-entertainment centre. This and the Perla, the Lipa Hotel(in Šempeter pri Gorici) the Sabotin Hotel (in Solkan) and Hit's restaurants are theheart of Gorica as a tourist destination. Nova Gorica is famous for the spectacularentertainment programmes at the Park and Perla, the broad palette of gamesof chance, its tourist attractions and its notable cultural performances.With a historical and culturally rich past, excellent culinary tradition andproximity to three world renowned winegrowing regions, it’s a good startingpoint for a variety of trips and experiences. Nova Gorica, the city of roses,is a young city with a mild climate and is accessible to guests from all overthe world. It’s at a road and rail crossroads, near airports and marinas, andjust a stone's throw away from the sea and the Alps, where the picturesquePosočje, Vipava Valley, Kras and Brda come together, where there’s aninteresting interweaving of Slavic, Romanic and Germanic cultures. Goricabeckons you to enjoy its wide variety of entertainment, gambling, uniqueculinary specialties and sporting and recreational events. Given all of the above,business-conference tourism as planned in Hit’s new vision is an even morenatural and logical addition to what’s already recognised as a superior offer.www.hit.siAdvertising featureAs the jewel in the crown of Hit'sservices, this year Perla is to offereven more. The new Pinta conferenceauditorium, equipped with state-ofthe-arttechnical equipment, makestheir services yet wider ranging andhigher quality.83

WEB 2.0 pristopZa učinkovitejšo promocijokongresne dejavnostiHitrejši način življenja,zahteve po stalnem izobraževanjuin prenasičenostz informacijami vzbujajoslehernemu udeležencu, patudi organizatorju kongresnedejavnosti vprašanje, kakoostati v stiku z znanjem,ki ga pridobi na konferenci.Srž tega, kar sleherni posameznik išče, so prečiščene, preverjene, hitre in edukativneinformacije ob pravem času. Internet in multimedijske vsebine, npr. streamingvideo, omogočajo posamezniku, da sam izbere čas in prostor za dodatnoizobraževanje, ki poteka bodisi preko interneta v realnem času (živi prenos), nazahtevo (iz arhiva) ali preko klasičnih medijev (dvd). Za ponudnika kongresnih dejavnostiuvedba takega pristopa ne zahteva nikakršnih dodatnih obremenitev. Nadrugi strani uporabnik potrebuje le osebni računalnik, dostop do interneta ali dvdpredvajalnik ter prostodostopen brskalnik. Uporaba tega pristopa omogoča prenašanjeseminarjev, predavanj, konferenc, poslovnih srečanj, sejemskih dogodkov,šolanje zaposlenih na daljavo, izdelavo izobraževalnih dvd-jev ...WEB 2.0 pristop omogoča integracijo avdio/video vsebin s prezentacijami, referenčnimipovezavami in dodatnimi gradivi. To poveča že obstoječim tehnologijamuporabnost in doseg ter pomeni s praktično enakimi stroški večjo dodanovrednost in hkrati vzpodbudi proces nastanka dolgoročno zainteresirane ciljnepublike, ki se tako iz lokalnega nivoja razširi na svetovni spletni nivo. Vsebinepostanejo v trenutku oddaljene le za en klik.Naše dolgoletne izkušnje obsegajo izdelavo celotne vertikale kongresne dejavnosti,od organizacije malih do največjih konferenc, celostne grafične podobe,informacijskega sistema, spletne podpore, avdio/videa in graditve socialnih omrežij(social community).Omenjeni pristop se je izkazal kot win-win kombinacija tako na slovenski ravnikot tudi v evropskem in svetovnem merilu. Med drugim je koncept potrjen tudina večih projektih pod okriljem EU. Na enem izmed teh projektov sodeluje večkot 40 evropskih institucij v obdobju do leta 2011.Z največjim veseljem vam predstavimo prednosti novega, še učinkovitejšegapristopa na primeru vaše prakse. Za kakršna koli vprašanja smo vam vedno navoljo: ES3M ART d.o.o. - es3mart@gmail.comPromocijsko sporočiloPrimer postavitve videopredavanj na portalu.84

The WEB 2.0 ApproachFor more effectiveCongress PromotionEach participant andcongress organiser wondershow to stay in touch withthe knowledge gained ata conference due to our fasterpace of life, demands forconstant education andinformation overload.We are all essentially searching for filtered, verified, quick and educational informationat the right time. The internet and multimedia content such as streamingvideo allow individuals to themselves choose the time and space for additionaleducation provided over the internet in real-time (live transmission), on demand(from an archive) or on classic media (DVD). Implementing this approach placesno additional workload whatsoever on the congress provider. On the other side,the users only need a personal computer, access to the internet or a DVD player anda freely accessible browser. The following things are possible with this approach -transmission of seminars, lectures, conferences, business meetings and fair events;distance learning by employees, authoring of educational DVDs and so on.The WEB 2.0 approach allows audio/video content integration with presentations,reference links and additional materials. This increases the usability and rangeof existing technology and amounts to added value at practically the same cost.At the same time, this stimulates the formation of a target audience withlong-term interest, thus expanding the process from a local level to a globalinternet level. The content is instantly only a mouse-click away.Our many years of experience encompass the planning of congress activitiesin their entirety, from the organisation of any conference up to the very largest,as well as designing integrated graphic images, information systems, providingweb support and audio/video content and the building of social communities.This approach has shown itself to be a win-win combination in Slovenia as wellas in Europe and globally. Among others, the concept has also been verified inmultiple projects under EU auspices. One of these projects includes more than40 European institutions and will last until 2011.We will be glad to showcase the advantages of this new and even more effectiveapproach on the basis of your individual case. Should you have any additionalquestions you can always reach us at es3mart@gmail.com, ES3M ARTAdvertising featureSlika prikazuje videopredavanje, kjer je film sinhroniziran z ustrezno prezentacijo. • Video Conferencewith the videofilm, sinchronised with the presentation.85

Najboljši posliNajboljše izobraževanjeNajboljši networkingGlobalna borza srečanj in incentivov Registrirajte se brezplačno na Brezplačni leti in namestitev za kvalificirane vabljene kupce»Med mojim obiskom EIBTM-a v Barceloni sem v 48urah dosegel vrsto ciljev, ki bi mi sicer vzeli mesece.Iz tega razloga lahko borzo vsem toplo priporočam.«G. Antonio Minetti, komercialni direktor Planet Services S.R.L.