From 18 to 19 January 2017, Slovenia and Ljubljana hosted the 9th Conventa, New Europe exhibition for meetings, events and incentives. The success of the show known for highlighting a boutique business experience with a personal touch, recorded a significant growth; the highest number of meetings providers attending the show as exhibitors, hosted buyers coming from a record number of different countries from around the globe and a record number of fam trips organized for international buyers.
Nine years of the Conventa in figures:
- 1,887 hosted buyers from 47 countries
- 1,048 exhibitors from 17 countries
- 17,079 One2One prescheduled meetings
The development of Conventa:
2007
- The first trade show hosted 35 exhibitors and 40 hosted buyers
- First ‘Simex’, predecessor of the Conventa show
- Development of One2One system for pre-scheduling meetings
2008
- 50 exhibitors and for the first time over 100 hosted buyers
- Decision to expand the project across borders
- First catalogue: Meet in SEE
2009
- 82 exhibitors and for the first time over 157 hosted buyers
- The launch of the Conventa brand
- Over 3,000 One2One meetings
- The start of ‘Academy Conventa’
2010
- Exceeding 100 exhibitors
- 266 hosted buyers
- Conventa starts to recognise outstanding achievements by granting awards
- The launch of the Meeting Services spot
2011
- 23 % more exhibitors from 9 SEE countries
- 271 hosted buyers
- The launch of the Conventa Wild Card programme
- Conventa Hall of Fame award granted for the first time
- 2,232 billateral talks
- Conventa wins Sustainable Stand Award at EIBTM
- Introduction of ‘Eco Day’ and ‘Eco Village’
- Conventa hosted first IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum
2012
- 142 exhibitors
- 10 SEE destinations presented at the show
- Conventa TV – broadcasting live for the first time
- The launch of the Conventa mobile site
- Conventa hosts Meeting Star Awards for the first time
2013
- Expanding the borders – Turkey joins the Conventa exhibitors
- Hosting the SEEPCO meeting
- Celebrating the 5-year anniversary – Conventa give me five!
- Inside award granted for the first time at Conventa
- Introducing Conventa mingling
2014
- The largest number of international meeting planners in the history of the show (over 200)
- The highest quality hosted buyers (62.78 % were rated as good or excellent by exhibitors)
- Introduction of 6 Es (Experience, Engagement, Education, Emotions, Energy and Entertainment)
- Congress destinations presented in the highest number so far (12)
- A record number of pre-arranged meetings (3,158)
- The best and most extensive educational programme offered (3 days overall)
- First Conventa Ambassador
2015
- Record number of hosted buyers (279)
- 146 exhibitors
- 3,365 One2One meetings
- For the first time Conventa invites emerging destinations of New Europe
- Congress destinations presented in the highest number so far (15)
- Adding another E to the mix
- Introducing Conventa Valley
- Exhibitors at Meeting Services Spot get their own One2One system
- More media partners than ever
2016
- Conventa Best Event award for the first time
- SITE conference – Society for Incentive Travel Excellence
- New partnership with Turkish Airlines
- Record number of participants from New Europe
- New Conventa Coffee corner provided by the Bernardin Group
2017
- Record number of exhibitors (149), first time from Krakow, Lviv, Košice
- 95 % of hosted buyers are new and they come from a record number of different countries (35)
- Record number of fam trips (11)
- Experts’ Corner transformed in Experts’ campfire
- New sustainable ways of green transportation of Conventa guests
“As a professional meeting planner I’m being continuously asked for something different, value-centred. I firmly believe that South East Europe can provide answers to many of these needs. Go there and check it out.” Patrick M Delaney, Soolnua
Save the date for next year when Conventa will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. Mark your calendars as the show returns from 24 to 25 January 2018!
Photo: Tina Ramujkić
