Conventa Simply Rocks – 9 Years of Great Results

Conventa 2017, Tina Ramujkic
Conventa 2017, Tina Ramujkic

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