Ten Amazing Fam Trips Organized for Hosted Buyers at Conventa

Hosted buyers attending Conventa, exhibition for meetings, events and incentive travel focused on New Europe, will have a chance to upgrade their experience and get to know the region first-hand by going on a familiarization trip of their choice. A record number of 10 meetings destinations in Slovenia, Croatia,  Italy and Montenegro are extending their warm welcome to hosted buyers. Experience the local world of meetings on a two-day trip!

An attractive hosted buyer programme has been created that enables selected meeting planners to attend the Conventa trade show and personally experience the region of South East Europe and emerging destinations of New Europe. Fam trips to exciting destinations in Slovenia, Croatia,  Italy and Montenegro offer hosted buyers a first-hand experience of this emerging region in the world of meetings.

Ljubljana, Slovenia: 16 – 17 January 2017 (pre-tour)

Mrs Tatjana Radovič, Ljubljana Tourism / Convention Bureau: “Our attentively designed programme is a shortcut to unveiling the many qualities of Ljubljana for meetings & incentives in just more than one day. The positive feedbacks from the participants over the past four years are our motivation to be even more creative in 2017. Hosted Buyers are therefore invited to embark on a 24-hours journey (sleep excluded) in order to get a real feel of the capital of Slovenia – which is also the European Green Capital in 2016.

The concept is to showcase the destination in a different, experiential and fun way, combined to professional knowledge. Our guests will have the opportunity to see a selection of meeting- and special event venues alongside the main city attractions. Some time will also be reserved for tasting the enticing local cuisine and the surprising Slovenian wines, even in a more “hands on” way. Small tasks and encounters with interesting personages from various backgrounds will spice up the Ljubljana experience.

We do not wish to reveal all the details, but If we have awaken your curiosity and you are keen to discover a cosy and vibrant city offering a very good value for money meeting & incentive product, do not hesitate to join us for a special welcome to Ljubljana!”

Maribor – Pohorje, Slovenia: 16 – 17 January 2017 (pre-tour)

Ms Sanja Simonič, Terme Maribor: “Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, with its congress – business capacities is known as an eminent host for the realization of congresses, seminars and meetings. Its attractive location by the river Drava, between Pohorje’s sea of forests and wine growing hills, topped with the lively hospitality of the Štajerska inhabitants give the congress destination a special charm, and simultaneously offer abundant possibilities for relaxation, recreation, exploring and entertainment.

Let the throb of the old town core with its thriving cultural history and the rich wine tradition of the oldest vine in the world convince you that Maribor has an attractive heart and soul, where history and tradition mix with dynamism and contemporaneousness. The Old Vine, the oldest vine in the world, with the Old Vine House will enchant you along with medieval towers, castle and museum, the Plague memorial, Bishop Slomšek’s cathedral, the Jewish synagogue, the Art Gallery, theatre and one of the oldest and largest wine cellars in Europe, a ride on a traditional raft, shopping, gambling, whirligig of events and relaxation in city or mountain wellness centres. A trip up Pohorje enraptures hikers, cyclists, adrenaline seekers, skiers, as well as lovers of the tranquillity of nature. Picturesque wine roads crisscrossing over wine growing hills await lovers of wine, homemade culinary delights, ethnological heritage and exquisite panoramic viewing points.

Top-level convention centre Habakuk and other capacities places Maribor in a society of European most attractive cities for meetings. Maribor offers unforgettable experiences, let it be for an hour, a day or more. Have a colourful business or congress day in Maribor! You will love to return here – on leisure also! “

Brdo Estate, Slovenia: 19 – 20 January 2017 (post-tour)

Ms. Darja Remic, Brdo Estate: “Be next to experience top services at the Brdo Estate – the threshold of the Alps that has hosted the most eminent guests from around the world. An enchanting combination of picturesque nature and rich history, located between Ljubljana and Bled, just 10 km from the international airport Jože Pučnik.

Brdo Congress Centre, modern and glass-covered venue for up to 550 guests, offers numerous possibilities for event organization and provides stunning views of the green spaces, lakes and bridges of the park Brdo. Our advantage is that we take care of everything – from planning to execution, topping it all off with superb cuisine and a wide range of incentive ideas such as equestrian adventures, picnic on the lawn or Duck Island, fishing, photo-shooting, golf and much more.

We are proud to announce Brdo Congress Centre has just received “Brand Leader Award 2016” that recognizes leaders in setting new standards in professionalism, reliability and quality in the domain of Congress and Meeting Tourism in South East Europe.

Welcome to Brdo Estate – The Domain of Delights.”

Bled, Slovenia: 19 – 20 January 2017 (post-tour)

Mr Jaka Ažman, Tourist Board Bled: “With its emerald-green lake, picture-postcard church on an island, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps, Bled is Slovenia’s most popular resort, drawing business and leisure guests who like to merge their stay with outdoor activities such as swimming, golf, hiking, biking, boating, cannoning skiing etc.

In addition to Bled being a fabulous sight, Bled boasts excellent infrastructure for meetings and incentives with a Congress Centre accommodating up to 500 delegates and several state-of-the-art meeting facilities and hotels of all categories, reachable within a walking distance.

With rich tradition of being present on the conference map for over 25 years, Bled’s meeting professionals ensure that every event in Bled turns into an inspirational story of success.

Doubtlessly Bled is a synonym of a perfect destination for doing business with pleasure and creating iconic meetings with character. To get a taste of it, we warmly invite you to join us on Bled Fam Trip 2017.”

Portorož & Piran, Slovenia: 19 – 21 January 2017 (post-tour)

Mr Igor Novel, Tourist Board Portoroz: “Portorož & Piran easily fits your schedule. Don’t lose your precious time, here everything is at your fingertips.

Enjoy your business meetings with a breathtaking view of the sea. It’s easy to achieve success and wellbeing surrounded by air full of natural scents that promote brain activity. And after business is done, you can restore your energy by taking advantage of one of the most comprehensive wellness offers in Europe, enjoying your favourite sports activities or simply savouring the beauty of the many natural and cultural gems of this charming region.

Enjoy your business with “a pinch of the Mediterranean”.

Kranjska Gora, Slovenia: 19 – 21 January 2017 (post-tour)

Mrs Tjaša Šuvak, HIT Alpinea: “Winter time in Kranjska Gora is really magical, with joining us on our Fam trip to Kranjska Gora, we will take you to our winter wonderland and offer you active time in Kranjska Gora with lots of outdoor activities, great food, casinos, hotels presentation,… We designed the Fam Trip to show you all the secrets of organizing a great event in Kranjska Gora, surrounded by mountains, nature, great people and traditional culinary adventures.

We are warmly welcoming you to join us on our Fam trip to Kranjska Gora and discower 8 great reasons for coming to Kranjska Gora where business and nature go hand by hand.” 

Zagreb, Croatia: 19 – 21 January 2017 (post-tour)

Mr Zlatan Muftić, Zagreb Convention Bureau: “Allow us to present you Zagreb, one of the oldest European cities and since July 2013 the youngest metropolis of the European Union. By taking part in the Zagreb Fam Trip you will get a unique opportunity to explore and get to know Zagreb, its conference and events  venues and facilities both historical and new, get fresh ideas for incentive  programmes, see major landmarks, enjoy tasty local dishes, learn about Zagreb proverbial hospitality.

We take pride in being your hosts and are looking forward to welcoming you in Zagreb!”

Split, Croatia: 19 – 21 January 2017 (post-tour)

Mr Ozren Kovačević, Le Meridien Lav Split: “Croatia’s second-largest city, Split is a great place to see Dalmatian life as it’s really lived. Always buzzing, this exuberant city has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. Step inside Diocletian’s Palace (a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments) and you’ll see dozens of bars, restaurants and shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where Split life has been humming along for thousands of years.

To top it off, Split has a unique setting. Its dramatic coastal mountains act as the perfect backdrop to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic. There you can find Le Meridien Lav Split, just a stone’s throw from Split and 25 km from the International Airport of Split, the hotel’s unique setting offers the perfect starting point from which to explore the Dalmatian coast.

Le Méridien Split provides you with a different perspective on the destination, a new way of seeing Dalmatia through a selection of unique experiences offered throughout the resort and along this exciting coastline. Discover the unknown, gain cultural insight, see things differently!

Take advantage of approximately 2,500 square meters of total conference space including pillar less grand ballroom with natural light equaling 800 square meters and eight meeting rooms for a total of nine meeting spaces. Each 381 guestrooms and suite has floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to large balconies!”

Trieste, Italy: 19 – 21 January 2017 (post-tour)

Mrs. Brenda Lee Fabbro, PromoTurismoFVG, DMO Friuli Venezia Giulia Region: “We would be more than delighted to give you  the opportunity to discover  Trieste, the Italian city located in the centre of Europe, where you will breathe a multicultural atmosphere,  which  will charm you with historic cafés, art, heterogeneous architecture and enchanting sea.
A journey of discovery of the city’s history, literature and art, from the Roman era to medieval wonders, to the Habsburg splendour.  Trieste achieves a perfect balance of styles in its architecture: Art Nouveau, eclectic and Baroque buildings stand cheek-by-jowl with Roman remains and solid, self-confident eighteenth-century Habsburg piles. But also a journey on tastes where traditional dishes and amazing food rituals  can give you  a variety of flavors and aromas.
The ideal destination where every event becomes an unforgettable experience, a wonderful place for everyone’s enjoyment.”

Monte Negro: 20 – 22 January 2017 (post-tour)

Milica Antic, Montenegro Convention Bureau: “Montenegro – The country, with its area of only 13,812 square kilometers, provides excellent facilities for conferences, incentives and team building activities and being a relatively small country, this wide array of experiences – from sunny beaches to mountain hiking and whitewater rafting – is no more than a day trip away from where ever you are staying. The topography of Montenegro ranges from dramatic coastline, to magnificent mountain ranges, to the world’s second deepest canyon (after the Grand Canyon), and, incredibly, the only Fjord in the Mediterranean. It is also home to cultural and heritage sites listed by UNESCO.” 

The ninth Conventa will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenian from 18 to 19 January 2017.

The hosted buyer programme is available to the leading meeting industry buyers from associations, corporations and agencies organizing events. If you organize, influence or make budgetary decisions for international meetings, incentive travel, conventions, product launches, staff trainings or events then you may be eligible to attend Conventa as a hosted buyer.

For more information please visit www.conventa.si