On 11 November 2024, the Slovenian Congress Bureau presented the Slovenian Congress Ambassador Programme Awards at a ceremony held at the Rog Centre in Ljubljana, where 17 individuals were awarded the title of Slovenian Congress Ambassador for 2024.
Through their international activities, the organization of key events and connecting Slovenia with global MICE networks, the award recipients have made significant contributions to promoting Slovenia as a top destination for international congresses, conferences and other professional events. The award ceremony honoured their outstanding achievements and their impact on the internationalisation of Slovenia in the context of scientific, expert and business meetings.
New this year
This year’s awards ceremony was especially significant due to the introduction of a brand new accolade, the International Congress Ambassador Award, which was presented to Iain Bitran, Executive Director of the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM). Mr. Bitran has chosen Slovenia to host the prestigious ISPIM Innovation Conference 2023, focused on innovation and the circular economy. His passion for Slovenia and its potential for growth in the international congress market has made him a true ambassador of our country.
For her many years of work in organising international scientific events, Prof. Dr. Bojana Beović, distinguished expert in infectious diseases and President of the Slovenian Medical Chamber, was awarded the title of Honorary Congress Ambassador. Mrs. Beović has been particularly recognised for her leadership of the expert advisory group during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as having organised numerous international scientific events that have elevated Slovenia’s profile in the global healthcare field.
The Green Commitment and sustainable carbon footprint measurement
The entire project is financially supported by the Slovenian Tourist Board, a strategic partner of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, committed to a green future. The event was held in line with our Green Commitment which includes the sustainable organisation of events with a reduced environmental impact. This year, the carbon footprint of the event was measured as part of the Planet Positive Event methodology. Participant mobility data was collected and all the necessary procedures for certification were carried out. In this way, both international and local events can reduce their environmental footprint and increase overall sustainability by focusing on sustainable practices.
To this purpose we have prepared documents such as the Green Action Plan and Sustainable Accessibility, which will be published on our website. The documents outline concrete actions to further improve sustainable practices in the organisation of congresses and conferences.
Congress Ambassadors 2024
Next to the above individuals, the list of this year’s Congress Ambassadors features renowned experts who have organized outstanding conferences, congresses, and education programmes in the field of artificial intelligence, mathematics, biometrics, and other cutting-edge scientific disciplines. They are:
- Dr. Jurij Avramovič Gregorič, for the organization of The Cathlab of the Future
- Prof. dr. Gregor Dolinar, for the organization of the EGMO 2023 – European Girls Mathematical Olympiad
- Assoc. Prof. dr., MD Katja Groleger Sršen, for the organization of the 35th Annual Meeting European Academy of Childhood Disability
- Assoc. Prof. dr. Vida Groznik, for the organization of the 1st European Summer School on Artificial Intelligence & 20th Advanced Course on Artificial Intelligence
- Assoc. Prof. dr. Matej Bernard Kobav, for the organization of the 30th Quadrennial Session of the CIE – International Commission on Illumination
- MSc Lucijana Kračun Berc, for the organization of the EGMO 2023 – European Girls Mathematical Olympiad
- Dr. Lucija Perharič, Head Physician, for the organization of the EUROTOX 2023
- MA Nataša Ritonija, for the organization of the European Youth Olympic Festival 2023 Maribor
- Mr. Sebastjan Sitar, for the organization of the ILGA Europe Annual Conference 2023 Rising to the Moment
- Dr. Martin Šala, for the organization of the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry – EWCPS
- Dr. Vid Simon Šelih, for the organization of the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry – EWCPS
- Prof. dr. Gregor Štiglic, for the organization of the 21st International Conference Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
- Prof. dr. Vitomir Štruc, for the organization of the IEEE International Joint Conference on Biometrics (IJCB 2023)
- Assoc. Prof. dr. Slavko Žitnik, for the organization of the 34th European Summer School in Logic, Language and Information
- Prof. dr. Polona Žnidaršič Plazl, for the organization of the European Biotechnology Congress 2023
We congratulate all the winners and commend them for their extraordinary contribution to the promotion of Slovenia as a global events destination. With their international activities, professionalism and organisation of top-class events, they have been key in furthering the reputation of our country on the world MICE map. Through their efforts, Slovenia is becoming recognised as a place where experts meet and exchange knowledge, experience and ideas, contributing to growth and development in various fields from scientific and economic to cultural and social, and promoting international cooperation and innovation.
“We believe that by networking and fostering strong connections, we can attract a wide range of events to Slovenia – from small business meetings to large congresses and conferences that bring not only participants but also new knowledge, ideas, lasting ties and fresh perspectives to our country.” Fredi Fontanot, Slovenian Convention Bureau
Celebrating success and building the future
The Congress Ambassador Programme is not only a recognition of distinguished individuals, but also an important tool for promoting Slovenia as a top destination for international events. The programme enables Slovenia to build recognition in the worldwide MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, events/exhibitions) sector and contributes to its reputation in scientific, business, cultural and sporting circles. Furthermore, Slovenia gains numerous opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and the development of innovation and new expertise.
The programme focuses on providing assistance and support to the organisers of international events during all stages of their implementation. By connecting local experts with international partners and networks, the Slovenian Congress Bureau and its partners can provide all the necessary conditions for the successful organisation of events, and the expansion of Slovenia’s visibility on the global congress market.
The event was designed and executed by the agency Paideia, creating an unforgettable experience with its exceptional professionalism and dedication. In doing so, it has once again proved its important role in supporting the Slovenian professional meetings industry and its highest standards.
At the award ceremony, the award winners received unique crystal plaques, specially made for them by Rogaška Glassworks, world renowned for its phenomenal quality. The event was rounded off with a culinary feast by Jezeršek Catering. This moment of celebration was an opportunity to reconnect and share visions for a future in which Slovenia continues to play a key role on the international congress map.
With a growing number of standout congress ambassadors and a commitment to organising top-class international events, Slovenia is already preparing for a bright future. The programme provides a strong foundation for building long-term international connections as Slovenia continues to host events that will contribute to its development and growth in the global professional meetings and events market.
About the Slovenian Congress Bureau
The Slovenian Congress Bureau is a key organisation for the comprehensive development of the MICE industry in Slovenia, which has been promoting the country as an attractive destination for international congresses, conferences, incentive travel and other expert meetings for more than 20 years. By cooperating with national and international partners, such as the strategic partner Slovenian Tourist Board, the Slovenian Congress Bureau provides professional support in the organisation of events and promotes the exchange of knowledge, networking and the expansion of international connections.
The Slovenian Convention Bureau operates on the global market with a wide range of activities and promotional events, mainly in foreign target markets, and connects domestic stakeholders in the industry. In doing so, it promotes the building of a strong network of important institutions in the meetings and events sector in Slovenia. The Bureau works with a wide range of stakeholders, including hotels, venues, agencies, transport companies and other key industry players. The national Convention Bureau thus operates in both the digital and physical environment, allowing flexibility and a wide reach for both organisers and participants of international events who want to take full advantage of everything Slovenia has to offer as a congress destination.
Your contact at the Slovenian Congress Bureau:
Jasna Jašič, Marketing and Communications Manager
E: jasna.jasic@slovenia-convention.com | W: www.slovenia-convention.com, www.congress-ambassador.si
Photography: Žiga Intihar, Paideia
