slovenia green meetings

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INTRODUCTIONI FEEL SLOVENIA

Slovenia is different and you can feel itTime and time again, Slovenia will astound you with its landscape being so varied. Within an hour’s drive it will transform from the Mediterranean blue to the high Alps and then descend into the Pannonian plain. The closeness of diverse landscapes with well preserved nature enables balanced living. Moreover, the variety in such a small area of Slovenia is a precondition for safety. Security and cohabitation are also emphasized in our relation to other countries. It is due to the very variety within that we can respect diversity. Many global languages are spoken by the Slovenes, nevertheless our own Slovenian language is considered a high value connecting us and making us unique, the Slovenians.(Source: www.ukom.gov.si)

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Where is actually Slovenia?

Slovenia is a Central European

country clustered between rather

larger neighbours − Italy, Austria,

Hungary and Croatia. Seen from high

above, its shape reminds of a hen,

which happily lives in a beautiful and

natural environment encompassing

the Alps, the Adriatic and the

lowlands with many thermal springs.

This means an incredible diversity

on half the size of Switzerland − all

within short distances that even a hen

can cover on foot…

Which language do you speak?

Slovenia has its own language that not

many people speak apart from the two

million Slovenes. It’s a Slavic language

with quite a few “peculiarities”,

including the dual case. The first

printed books in our language date

from the mid-16th century. As a

boutique nation, we can’t really expect

foreign visitors to know more than

just a few survival words in Slovenian,

FAQ -Frequently Asked Questions About SloveniaFIVE QUESTIONS ON SLOVENIA, ANSWERED

DIRECTOR OF THE SLOVENIAN CONVENTION BUREAU

and this is why we have to do much

better by decently speaking at least

one foreign language. English is

the most favoured, but also German

and Italian are widely spoken.

Five things by which one remembers Slovenia

world that bears the word LOVE in

its name.

Alps and take a swim in the Adriatic

Sea within the same day.

is covered by forests.

a part of our tradition and Slavic

heritage. This also means that we

are generally ready to do more for

a guest than what is promised on

paper!

caves – more than 9,000 have been

registered so far, with new ones still

being discovered. Half joking, we

could say that taking a stroll

along the western rim of Slovenia,

in the Karst region, where

caves abound, is nearly like walking

on Emmenthal cheese...

Which is the best characteristic of the Slovenes?

My first thought is that we are hard-

working people, both in the business

and in the private sphere. This might

be an influence of the Germanic

culture, which comes as a historical

consequence (the century-long rule

of the Habsburgs over Slovenian

lands). But the closeness of the

Romance world plus the Slavic soul

brings us passion, and it is true that

in everything we do, either when we

work or have fun. you can feel it …

And the advantages of Slovenia as a meetings & incentive travel destination are?

Many destinations (so do we)

can boast an excellent, easy to

reach location, state-of-the-art

infrastructure, professional services,

etc. We believe our advantage is the

people working in our industry and

wider, the often neglected but very

important human factor. Our new

advertisement summarises the main

flexibility, 24h smile, personal

touch and natural charm. The can

was too small to add other positive

qualities…

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How large is Ljubljana?

I guess Ljubljana is just the right size

to maintain a high quality of life. I can

hardly see myself living in a smaller

town, but I’ve had the experience of

living in a metropolis, which is why I

appreciate even more the “compact &

cosy” feel of my city. It’s small enough

to foster personal contacts − also

measured by the number of “hello’s”

one says while shopping on a Saturday

at the picturesque central market or

attending a concert. It’s large enough,

if talking of its spiritual energy, to

attract the prime international names

in arts and culture on its stages. Be it

the institutional or the avant-garde

ones. It’s handy & small enough to

be a true walking and cycling city. Its

heart, as well as its creative potential,

is extra large.

FAQ -Frequently Asked Questions About LjubljanaFIVE QUESTIONS ON LJUBLJANA (MEANING “THE BELOVED”),ANSWERED BY

CONGRESS MANAGER, LJUBLJANA TOURISM

How come the symbol of Ljubljana is a dragon?

There has to be a fierce creature to

protect the city from bad guys…

and nothing is more scary than a

dragon! Maybe this is why Ljubljana

is a really safe city. Jokes aside, as a

(quite independent) woman I feel

relaxed walking downtown on my

own at late hours. You can’t claim

the same for many other cities – but

this might be because they don’t

have a dragon sitting on top of the

castle tower in their coats-of-arms,

as we do. We actually find dragons

foundation of Ljubljana (the poor

beast got slain by Jason), captured in

wrought-iron balustrades along the

river, standing as mighty statues at the

four corners of the famous (guess the

name?) Dragon Bridge. They also live

in many homes, as “dragon(-ess)” is

the loving nickname we use for our

mothers-in-law….

What about the river, which meanders through Ljubljana?

The Ljubljanica is a fascinating

repository of the entire history on the

grounds where my city developed.

For centuries, it was an important

traffic and trade route until a real

road and eventually railway were built

between Vienna and Trieste (1849).

It also represented the last among

navigable rivers that nearly connected

the Black Sea to the Adriatic. The

Ljubljanica is also known as the River

of a Karst river which, on its way to

Ljubljana, disappears underground

a number of times and springs again

to the surface, each time under a

different name. Today, its riverbanks

in the downtown / Old Town area

are among the most popular spots

for socialising, as they are lined with

many cosy cafes and restaurants.

Not to mention how many romantic

encounters and love stories the

weeping willows alongside the river

have witnessed over the time….

What are you most proud of in Ljubljana?

Since I am so fond of my city, I

would need a few pages to list all

the things which make me a proud

“Ljubljančanka”. However, a neutral

and credible source from abroad

popped into my mind, as I felt really

proud when, not so long ago, I read

the news that follow. In the results of

a recent social experiment conducted

by reporters of the Reader’s Digest

magazine, Ljubljana stands out as

the world’s most honest city. To test

honesty levels in the most populous

cities of 32 countries across the world,

RD reporters “lost” 30 mobile phones

in each of them. Then they checked

the nearest police stations and waited

for calls from finders. The winning,

or most honest city turned out to

be Ljubljana, where 29 of 30 mobile

phones were returned, followed on

the chart by Toronto and Seoul.

The congress that left the strongest mark on Ljubljana?

They say that you never forget the

first one… I was by far not born yet

at that time, since I am referring to

the Congress of the Holy Alliance,

which took place in Ljubljana in 1821,

and whose resolutions changed the

then political image of Europe after

Napoleon’s downfall. Not only did it

assemble some of the great rulers of

that time, but it lasted an incredible

four months! The prominent guests

and their entourage were also

generous tourists who attended many

a social event, specially designated to

make Ljubljana, which then counted

20,000 residents, more “glitzy”. Many

decades later, Congress Square, the

Road of Two Emperors, the Inn of the

Russian Tsar and the Bavarian Court

still remind us of this historic event

and congress.

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FACTS ABOUT SLOVENIA

GEOGRAPHYPosition: Slovenia is in central Europe

Area: 20,273 km2

Capital city: Ljubljana

Climate: Alpine, Pannonian, Mediterranean

Time: Central European Time (UTC + 1), Central European Summer Time

(UTC + 2)

Average temperatures: July 21°C, January 0°C

Neighbouring countries and length of the borders: with Austria 330 km, with

Italy 280 km, with Hungary 102 km, with Croatia 670 km; total 1,382 km

Length of coastline: 46.6 km

Highest peak: Triglav, 2,864 m

Average height above sea level: 556.8 m.

POPULATION Population of Ljubljana: 280,000

Official language: Slovene; also Hungarian and Italian in their respective

ethnically mixed areas

Religion: The majority of the population is Roman Catholic; Slovenia also has

40 other officially registered religious communities

Universities: University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor, University of

Primorska.

STATE Slovenia is a democratic parliamentary republic since June 25, 1991. Before

that Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia

President of the Republic: dr. Danilo Türk

Membership in international organisations: Slovenia has been a member of

the European Union since 1 May 2004 and a member of NATO since 7 April

2004. It is also a member of many other international organisations.

ECONOMYCurrency: euro (EUR), since 1 January 2007

GDP per capita (in EUR): 22,800

Industry:

total GDP in 2008

Tourism is an increasingly important service sector.

Manufacturing construction for

agriculture

PRACTICAL INFORMATION Electricity supply: 230 V

Units of measurement: metric – metres, kilometres, grams, kilograms

Temperatures are expressed in degrees Celsius

Tips: tips are welcome when you are satisfied and happy with the service, but

are not obligatory

Visas: EU/EEA citizens do not need a passport to enter Slovenia, only a valid

identity card

Drinking water: tap water is perfectly safe for drinking.

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MEETINGS IN CITIESBREATHE TO THE URBAN BEAT

Ljubljana

The capital, offers a blend of old

charm and new cool, is a small, but

stylish city of arts, music, history and

gastronomy. With a population of

280,000, it is conveniently compact

and a true walking city. It is therefore

logistically easy to run programmes

there, as almost everything is close

at hand. In their free time, delegates

with its narrow cobbled streets and the

Ljubljanica riverbanks that are lined

with excellent restaurants (ideal for

organising dine-arounds) and trendy

bars. Over 50,000 university students

largely contribute to the city’s youthful

image and urban creativity. Ljubljana’s

relaxing atmosphere and interesting

shopping options - from antiques to art

galleries and designer clothes are also

appreciated by the many visitors who

come throughout the year.

Maribor

Maribor is simultaneously charmingly

small and clasped between Pohorje's

wonderful nature on the one side and

wine-growing hills on the other, with

the river Drava, which wending its

way through it. The second city in

Slovenia perfectly combines several

culture, thermal water, ski slopes and

vineyards on its outskirts. Coming to

meeting facilities, the major player is

Terme Maribor, which manages several

hotels, including the 5-star Habakuk

with a modern congress centre and an

excellent thermal & spa product. Host

of incentive and outdoor teambuilding

experiences are connected with the

river and the great nature in the

highlands. Maribor is not far from the

Austrian border and the city of Graz,

which is the closest airport offering

international connections. Maribor

will be the European Capital of Culture

in 2012!

Nova Gorica

Nova Gorica developed after WW

II just across the border from Italian

Gorizia. Today it is known as the “town

of roses” (depicted in its coat-of-arms)

enjoys the mild local climate, and as

the leading gaming and entertainment

centre in the country. The HIT Group

is the major player in the above

context, and within their tourism

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portfolio we find the best-equipped

hotels in the area, featuring casinos,

conference facilities and wellness. Just

a short drive away, the wine routes in

the Goriška Brda hills, where some of

our internationally most acclaimed

wine growers come from, are an

unexpected discovery. And so is the

green hue of the Soča River, the queen

of white-water sports in Slovenia.

Velenje as a small modern town with

a mining tradition. This year Velenje

was announced as Slovenia's most

green municipality referring to their

suistainable projects.

Accommodation

5* Hotel Lev, Ljubljana

Hotel Habakuk, Maribor

4* Grand Hotel Union, Ljubljana

Austria Trend Hotel, Ljubljana

Best Western Premier Hotel Slon, Ljubljana

Mons – Hotel & Congress Centre,

Ljubljana

Antiq Hotel, Ljubljana

Hotel Bellevue,

Hotel Piramida

Hotel Arena, Maribor

Hotel Perla, Hotel Park, Nova Gorica

Hotel Paka, Velenje

3* City Hotel, Ljubljana

Hotel Orel, Maribor

Hotel Bolfenk, Maribor

Meeting facilitiesLjubljana

The conference facilities are well-

structured, including the two largest

venues in Slovenia,

Cankarjev dom Cultural and Congress

Centre (max 2,000 seats, auditorium

style) and the Ljubljana Exhibition

and Convention Centre (max. 2,200

seats theatre-style). Several well-run

convention and meeting hotels in

the 5 to 3 stars range, complement

the two bigger players. Among them,

the largest Grand Hotel Union, has

function space offering a maximum

plenary seating for 800 delegates,

theatre-style. Excellent facilities for

up to 400 delegates can be found at

Mons, Lev, Austria Trend Ljubljana

and Slon Best Western Premier hotels,

while a few others are equipped to host

smaller events. Even some academic

venues and business premises are

well equipped for hosting smal to

mid-sized conferences. A host of

delightful special event venues –mainly

museums and galleries, are available,

and probably in highest demand is

Ljubljana Castle, which is of medieval

origin. The castle dominates the city’s

skyline and offers flexible function

areas both inside and out, a restaurant

plus a viewing tower.

Maribor

The Conference Centre of the

Habakuk Hotel covers 1600 square

meters and can seat up to 830

participants. It is intended for

seminars, lectures, conferences,

congresses and other events. Six

halls and several smaller rooms

are equipped with state-of-the-art

visual equipment, also providing

the possibility of simultaneous

interpretation. Conference centre

Arena is located at the foothills of

Pohorje, only 5 km from the city

centre. It offers 6 multifunctional

halls with the capacity of up to 800

participants.

Hotel Bellevue situated in an

impressive location, away from the

city bustle yet within easy reach of

Maribor city, at 1050 m above sea level,

offers meeting facilities, equipped with

all necessary technical equipment.

Conference Centre Bolfenk, which

offers 7 halls with the capacity of up to

120 participants is close by. Meetings

can be held in The Business Club of

the Piramida Hotel in the city centre.

Nova Gorica

Conference Centre Perla offers 5

modernly equipped conference halls

with capacity for up to 280 delagates.

Hotel Perla is also known as the largest

casino in Europe.

Special venuesLjubljana Castle and open-air theatre

Križanke, Ljubljana

Tivoli Manor and Park Promenade,

Cultural events, Festivals

Pohorje Plateau, Maribor, Wine

Cellar Maribor

Narodni dom, Maribor

Goriška Brda Castle and Wine Cellar

AccessibilityLjubljana

information about the accesibily of

the Ljubljana can be found at page 23

Maribor, 150 km from Ljubljana

Airport, 120 km from Ljubljana, 72

km from Graz Airport (Austria)

Nova Gorica, 125 km from Ljubljana

Airport, 108 km from Ljubljana, 35 km

from Trieste Airport (Italy)

Tips for incentivesLjubljana can be discoverd in many

different ways. Besides sight seeing

tours of the historical features there are

boat or baloon rides, a wide range of

activities from informal lunches at the

colorful open market to the traditional

Slovenian Evening, playing golf in the

city,… or a boat trip to Ljubljana Barje

moor with bird watching.

Explore Pohorje's primeval forest,

peat moors with lakes, mighty

waterfalls. Stroll between vineyards,

orchards and woods, along wine roads

and scenic panoramic paths, etc.

River Drava trip - Sail on a traditional

raft or modern boat and get acquainted

with the city from an entirely new

perspective.

SymbolsLjubljana Dragon as can be seen on

the Dragon’s Bridge is a symbol of

“A long time ago, the Greek hero Jason

and his companions from the ship

Argo, stole the Golden Fleece from the

Colchian king. In an effort to escape

its pursuers the ship took a wrong

turn and, instead of sailing south on

the Aegean Sea, it found its way to the

mouth of the Danube river”.

“Stara trta”in Maribor, is the oldest

vine in the world, the oldest living

specimen on our planet of a noble

grape vine that still bears grapes!

With an age of over 400 years it is

registered in the Guinness Book of

Records as the oldest vine in the world.

Recommended by the localsLjubljanica river gives Ljubljana a

special charm. Strolling along the river

banks will help you feel the rhythm of

the city and its inhabitants!

Lent, oldest part of Maribor, with its

famous towers and remains of the city

walls is the venue for the traditional

summer Lent Festival.

Starting from Nova Gorica, you

can easily reach Goriška Brda and

enjoy a visit to famous Slovenian wine

producers, like Kristančič (Movia),

Ščurek. producers, like Kristančič

(Movia), Ščurek.

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MEETINGS IN CITIESBREATHE TO THE URBAN BEAT

Ljubljana

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Lake Bled, the pearl of the Julian

Alps, is one of the most famous

attractions in Slovenia

and it really is truly spectacular.

An ancient castle, which can be used

to host events, sits high on a cliff

boasting breathtaking views over the

lake and surrounding mountains. Bled

can be reached in less than one hour

from the capital. Not far away, there is

another Alpine pearl, lake Bohinj.

Kranjska Gora, a popular ski and

all-year-round resort, boasts modern

meeting facilities with views of

mountain peaks, ski slopes and a

wonderful alpine atmosphere.

All three resorts are located in or

close by Triglav National Park, the

only national park in Slovenia, which

extends along the Italian border and

close to the Austrian border in the

north-west of Slovenia. The park

of the territory of Slovenia and was

named after the highest mountain of

Slovenia, Triglav (2864 m), located

nearly in the centre of the park.

Not only the lakes, but also the Soča

river makes this part of Slovenia so

special. Bovec and other localities

in the Soča valley are perfect choice

for the pre- and post- congress tours

as well as for incentives. Another

picturesque Alpine valley, called

Logarska dolina attracts visitors with

its calmness and natural beauty.

AccommodationBled provides a wide array of

accommodation from 5-to 3-star

category.

5*Sava Hotels Bled – Grand Hotel

Toplice, Bled

Bohinj Eko Park Hotel, Bohinjska

Bistrica

4*Sava Hotels Bled – Park Hotel, Golf

Hotel, Bled

Vila Bled, Bled

Hotel, Kranjska Gora

Hotel Astoria, Bled

Hotel Lek, Kranjska Gora

Hotel Drnča, Bohinjska Bistrica

Dvor Jezeršek, Zgornji Brnik (close to

Ljubljana airport)

Hotel Plesnik, Solčava (Logarska

Valley)

*Listed hotels are members of the

Slovenian Convention Bureau.

MEETINGS IN THE ALPSTHE ALPS MIRRORED IN THE LAKES

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Meeting facilitiesLarger meeting facilities are available

in Bled Congress Centre as well

as several 5- and 4-star facilities

managed by Sava Hotels & Resorts.

two Best Western Hotels, Kompas and

Lovec, Astoria Hotel and the unique

Vila Bled Hotel. As a destination it

can cater for meetings with up to 500

delegates.

capacity of the biggest congress hall



Special venuesBled Castle

Island on the Bled lake

Mountain HutsVila Bled

AccessibilityBled, 25 km from Ljubljana Airport,

54 km from Ljubljana

Bohinj, 55 km from Ljubljana

Airport, 75 km from Ljubljana

Kranjska Gora, 65 km from

Ljubljana Airport, 85 km from

Ljubljana

Tips for incentivesBled:

golf at Bled Golf Course, which is

ranked among the top 100 courses

in Europe and offers both an 18-hole

and a 9-hole course

Kranjska Gora:

plan guided cycling and hiking tours

with local experts

visit the land of Kekec (a character

from a famous Slovenian movie) and

experience a shepherd’s life 100

years ago

Bohinj:

spend an »old-fashioned« day in

the village, which is known for its

delicious cheese and admire the

special hayracks in Studor village

take the old-timer train along the

Bohinj line the very same which

carried our ancestors along this scenic

route 100 years ago

a day on the beekeeping trail and

learn more about the importance of

bees.

Winter portrays a special time of

year with all the magic of snow. May

we suggest a trip by torch light,

free-ride skiing, snowshoeing, ride

in a reindeer driven sleigh or with

dog sleds, snow-biking or skating on

frozen lakes or ? Or perhaps a visit

to the Igloo Village with a fondue

dinner followed by an overnight stay

in candle lit rooms with cosy sleeping

bags on ice beds.

Recommended by the locals:Cream slices (kremšnita), known as a

Bled speciality for decades, in fact has

now become one of the

symbols of Bled!

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Portorož is the leading coastal resort

that boasts a mild climate, lush

vegetation and more than 100 years

tradition in the hospitality industry,

which is reflected in its high-quality

hotel infrastructure. This includes

several 5- and 4-star properties with

excellent meeting facilities. The

largest convention hotel venue in

Portorož (St. Bernardin, Adriatic

Resort & Convention Center) can

welcome up to 1,100 delegates

theatre-style in the largest auditorium.

The Lifeclass Hotels & Spa are

renowned for their fantastic thermal

and wellness products and offer the

largest plenary seating arrangements

for 520 pax. This resort features the

most luxurious hotel in Slovenia, the

Kempinski Palace Portorož.

MEETINGS ON THE COAST AND AT THE KARST FROM ADRIATIC BLUE TO THE MYSTERIOUS KARST

Many attractions are close at hand,

even within walking distance, such

as the charming and historic town

of Piran, once a fishing port. The

Sečovlje saltpans where, just as

centuries ago, salt is still harvested

manually. These are now a landscape

park and a haven for both birds and

ornithologists. Incentives themed

on salt-panning can be organised

there for smaller groups. Many other

options are at hand – from boat trips

with fish picnics to yachting regattas,

or even a day trip to Venice by

catamaran. Istria, with its vineyards,

olive groves and truffles is just around

the corner.

The Slovenian Karst, featuring the

vast majority of the 9,000 caves in the

country, is regarded by many as one

of the most beautiful underground

worlds on the planet. The Skocjan

Caves, which could be a fantastic

film setting for the Lord of the

Rings, are included in the UNESCO

World Heritage List. This region is

also home to the famous Lipizzaner

horses. Nearby the Lipica Stud Farm

offers hotel seminar facilities and a

golf course.

Accommodation

5*

Bernardin, Grand Hotel Metropol

Portorož

Kempinski Palace Portorož

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AccessibilityPortorož, 138 km from Ljubljana

Airport, 119 km from Ljubljana, 79

km from Trieste Airport

Postojna, 71km from Ljubljana

Airport, 53 km from Ljubljana

Lipica, 103 km from Ljubljana

Airport, 85 km from Ljubljana, 50 km

from Trieste Airport

Nova Gorica, 125 km from


Ljubljana, 35 km from Trieste Airport

Tips for IncentivesCoast: Portorož, Piran

Especially in summer, along the entire

Slovenian coast from Ankaran to the

Sečovlje salt pans, there are a variety

of events such as different shows and

performances, traditional harvesting

of salt, medieval market, Piran

musical evenings, concerts and operas

at the Auditorium of Portorož.

Many of these attractions can be

tailor-made for groups!

Karst: Postojna Cave, Skocjan Cave,

Vilenica, Lipica

Underground caves offer a

4*

Hotel Salinera

Slovenija, Hotel Riviera Superior,

Hotel Apollo, Hotel Neptun, Hotel

Mirna

3*

Roža, Hotel Lucija, Hotel Barbara,

Vila Maia, Apartments Salinera, Hotel

Piran, Vila Piranesi

Hotel Maestoso, Lipica

*Listed hotels are members of the

Slovenian Convention Bureau.

Meeting facilitiesThe largest convention hotel venue

in Portorož (St. Bernardin, Adriatic

Resort & Convention Center) can

welcome up to 1,100 delegates

theatre-style in the largest auditorium.

Congress centre Portus of Lifeclass

Hotels, located in the very centre of

Portoroz, consists of seven versatile

meeting rooms of various sizes that

can accommodate between 20 and

520 participants. With its lounge and

foyer it is an ideal venue for informal

meetings over a buffet, a cocktail, or

for a more formal reception, special

occasion or simply a place to spend

a pleasant evening accompanied

by piano music. Kempinski Palace

Portoroz where Archduke Franz

Ferdinand once led the waltz for

the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy

in the grand ballroom. Now it is a

contemporary world-class hotel with

an old-world atmosphere and offers

state-of-the art facilities for up to

254 delegates. Other hotels in the

resort also offer facilities for smaller

meetings. At Karst region Lipica can

offer meeting facilities for up to 200

delegates.

Special venuesSaltpans in Sečovlje, close to

Portorož provides fairytale scenery for

an outdoor event

Avditorij Portorož is an

amphitheatre-style open-air theatre

for up to 1,800 guests

Predjama Castle (close to Postojna

Caves) famous for its legend of

Erasmus and jousting events held at

various times of the yea

Lipica Stud Farm

magnificent background for special

events, from concerts to more

adventurous trekking programmes.

Gaia's Kingdom is a spectacular

multimedia performance which

upgrades the standard tour of

Postojna Cave, one of Slovenia's

natural treasures, into a totally new

and memorable experience.

SymbolsHuman fish (Proteus) is the most

famous of around 130 different

species of animals living in Postojna

Caves.

Piran salt from the Sečovlje

Salina Nature Park is still today

produced in the traditional manner.

Recommended by the locals:The Karst is known for its »osmice«,

where farmers open their doors and

serve their homegrown food and wine

for one week every year. If you are not

lucky enough to catch the right week,

a tailor-made visit of typical Karst

farm-houses can be organised with

tasting of the local specialities, such

as Teran (indigenous Slovenian wine)

and pršut (Karst prosciutto).

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MEETINGS AT THERMAL SPAS TAKE A DIP AND RELAX IN THE SPAS

Slovenia is also a smart choice for

those seeking spa and wellness

programmes because it has a rich

tradition and long list of outstanding

health and tourist resorts.

Modern spa facilities are combined

with meeting rooms which makes a

perfect combination for small and

middle size conferences....

Slovenia’s spas offer extraordinary

natural assets in a green environment,

as most of them are set in rural

areas. There are 15 natural health

resorts to choose between and they

are all of a high standard. Several of

them can provide very functional

meeting facilities for medium-sized

events, combined with relaxing and

invigorating wellness programmes.

To name a few – Terme Čatež, Terme

Rogaška, Terme Olimia, Terme Krka,

Terme Ptuj, etc. are established players

on the market. Many of the spas are

found in the north eastern to south

eastern part of the country, often

in wine-producing regions so wine

tasting is a natural accompaniment

while staying there. As remnants

of the past, several ancient castles,

now serving cultural or hospitality

purposes, are dotted around − a few

of them offer golf courses.

This is just a taster of genuine local

experiences that you should try for

yourselves as to be able to say…

I FEEL SLOVENIA!

Accommodation5*Hotel Livada, Moravske Toplice

4*

Toplice

Balnea Superior, Hotel Kristal

Laško

Hotel Breza

Hotel Zagreb, Grand Hotel Rogaška,

Hotel Strossmayer, Hotel Slovenija

2000

21

Hotel ...

Lifeclass Hotels & Spa (described in

the Coast Region)

Meeting facilitiesMeeting facilities in Slovenian Spa

resorts can offer meeting halls and

rooms from 200 up to 550 delegates.

In 2010 a new Congress Center has

been opened in Thermana Laško. It

is composed of 8 rooms, of which

the largest hall can accept 490

participants.

Special venuesOtocec Castle (Terme Krka)

Mokrice Castle (Terme Čatež)

Orhidelia Wellness Centre (Terme

Olimia)

Ptuj Castle (Terme Ptuj)

AccessibilityMost of the Slovenian spa resorts are

positioned in east, which means that

some of them are close to Croatia and

others closer to Austria and Hungary.

Driving along the highways instead

of motorways will be rewarded with

beautiful views of the countryside.

Besides Ljubljana Airport, Zagreb or

Graz airports can be used as well. The

distance from Ljubljana Airport to the

spas is from one hour and a half to

two hours drive.

Distances to some of the spa resorts:


Ljubljana

91 km from Ljubljana Airport, 65 km

from Ljubljana

from Ljubljana Airport, 116 km from

Ljubljana, 90 km from Zagreb Airport

(Croatia)


Ljubljana

Tips for incentivesSlovenian Natural Spas are a

great sample of “health resorts for

the healthy,” combining centuries

of tradition and experience in

balneology with some lesser known

Eastern philosophies and methods of

treatment that add additional charm

and attractiveness to their offer.

Enjoying the thermal water, massages,

saunas are all incentives!

Golf can be played in many of

Slovenian spas.

SymbolsThermal springs with healing

qualities and mineral waters that have

been appreciated for centuries!

Radenska is one of the best mineral

waters bearing the trademark of the

three hearts. Its healing properties

were discovered in the 19th

century.

22

ORGANISING A MEETING IN SLOVENIA

Profes-sionalsupport, highquality of services Over the last years, special attention

has been paid to the constant

upgrading of hotels and the quality

of service, destination management

and new tourist products, topped

by investments into infrastructure –

including several convention facilities.

When planning to hold an event

in Slovenia, whether a congress, a

corporate meeting or an incentive,

clients can rely on the expertise and

professional support of local PCO,

DMC and event agencies, and there

are also several companies specialised

in outdoor and teambuilding

programmes. Their assistance can

help a client in delivering a well-

balanced and memorable experience

to participants. The Slovenian

Convention Bureau acts as a

professional intermediary between

meeting planners and suppliers,

assisting organisers to select

the most appropriate solution

for their event.

Diverse, yet compact The exceptionally diverse landscapes

of Slovenia have some common

features that link a specific area into

a whole. To help you decide which

part of the country to visit, and to let

you know what to see and what to

do there, we have divided Slovenian

Alpine world, the north-eastern

uplands and lowlands, the Karst and

the coast. The capital city is where all

four groups meet, and is important

enough to have been given its own

section.

The compact and handy-sized

Slovenia allows a meeting planner to

create a well diversified programme

while staying in one destination. The

short driving distances within the

country are ideal to include different

localities. Just as an example, for an

event that is held in Ljubljana, one can

plan a specially tailored visit of the

Postojna Caves, including a concert

and a drink in their fascinating

underworld space, concluded by

a buffet in a renovated mansion,

which can welcome several hundred

guests. The caves also offer unique

team building or off the beaten track

programmes in the underworld.

Distancewise, it’s just 45 minutes

driving from Ljubljana or one hour

from Portorož to offer delegates a

“wow-effect”.

Close,easily accessibleand safeThe vastly forested Slovenia, which

is only half the size of Switzerland,

can be easily reached by air, road

and rail. The flight time from

the major European hubs mostly

doesn’t exceed two hours. The

main international airport is

set 25 km from Ljubljana, and is

currently served by around 250

direct scheduled flights per week,

with a high share among them that

are operated by Adria Airways,

the national airline of Slovenia

and a regional member of the Star

Alliance.

However, even some airports

across our borders, as Trieste,

Graz, Klagenfurt and Zagreb,

can well serve nearby destinations

in Slovenia as an alternative to

Ljubljana.

23

Distances from the capital to other localities:

Ljubljana – Bled 50 km;

40 minutes driving

Ljubljana – Maribor 120 km;

1 h 15 minutes driving

Ljubljana – Portorož 120 km;

1 h 15 minutes driving

The longest diagonal across Slovenia

is covered within three and a half

hours driving.

Main airport:

Jože Pučnik Ljubljana Airport

Distances from Ljubljana Airport to

major meeting destinations:

Ljubljana 25 km

Bled 35 km

Maribor 145 km

Portorož 140 km

Distances from the neighbouringairports by road:

Amsterdam 1 to 2 times a day 1 a day 2 h

Belgrade 1 a day 1 a day 1 h 20 min

Brussels 4 times a day 1 to 3 times a day 1 h 50 min

Budapest 2 times a day 1 a day 50 min

Copenhagen 3 times a week 1 a day 1 h 55 min

Frankfurt 4 times a day 2 to 3 times a day 1 h 25 min

Istanbul 1 to 3 time a day 2 to 3 times a day 3 h

Kiev 2 times a week 1 a day 3 h 5 min

London 2 to 3 times a day 2 to 3 times a day 1 h 20 min

Moscow 1 a day 1 a day 2h 55 min

Munich 4 a day 3 times a day 1 h

Paris 4 times a day 3 to 4 times a day 2 h

Priština 1 a day 1 a day 1 h 35min

Sarajevo 1 a day 1 a day 1 h 5min

Skopje 1 a day 1 a day 1 h 35min

Tirana 1 a day 1 a day 1h 25 min

Vienna 3 to 4 times a day 3 to 4 times a day 50 min

Warshaw 1 a day 1 h 35 min

Zurich 3 times a day 2 to 3 times a day 1 h

City Weekdays Weekends Flight time

AUSTRIAGraz Airport

to Maribor 60 km to Ljubljana 187 km

Some of the spas in north east Slovenia can be well accssesed via Graz.

Klagenfurt Airport

to Bled 130 km to Kranjska Gora 60 km to Ljubljana 85 km

Conference venues in north (Alpine) Slovenia can be well accessed via Klagenfurt Airport.

Vienna International Airport

to Maribor 255 km to Ljubljana 380 km

CROATIAZagreb Airport

to Maribor 120 km

to Ljubljana 140 kmConference venues in south east Slovenia (notably some of the spas) can be well accessed via ZagrebAirport.

ITALYTrieste Ronchi Airport

to Nova Gorica 35 km to Ljubljana 130 km

Venice Marco Polo Airport

to Nova Gorica 130 km to Ljubljana 230 km

Flight connections with the highest frequences from Ljubljana Airport to major European cities:(Other destinatons connected from

Athens, Barcelona, Belgrade, Dublin,

Helsinki, London Stansted, Madrid,

Manchester, Podgorica, Prague,

Stockholm.) More information at

www.lju-airport.si

27

Privileged downtown location

173 luxurious hotel rooms of standard and superior categories

Splendid congress and banquet hall on the ground floor boasting capacity of 350 people in theatre layout

Six multi-purpose meeting rooms on the 13th floor offering prime views of the city centre or central park

Exclusive restaurant Pri Levu

Professional service that matches the number of stars

Relaxed Elegance

Hotel Lev is yet another reason to visit Ljubljana

Vošnjakova ulica 1, SI - 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija, T: +386 (0) 1 43 32 155, E: [email protected], www.hotel-lev.si

30

HOW GREEN IS SLOVENIADEVOTED TO OUR PLANET:Interview with Prof.

Adjusting the tourism industry to

climatechange will be a circular

and lasting process that requires a

systematicallyconsidere approach,

which needs to be economically

valued. The meetings industry as such

will be affected to a relatively lesser

degree by climate change and will

therefore expand, which means there

will be more competition.

A genuine slogan for the future is

well defined by “less can be more”.

There might not be such a mass

participation to major scientific

congresses anymore, although

really important decisions cannot

be reached at a distance. You need

the contact with people, which only

meetings can enable.

Research and academic work

frequently entails travel and various

scientific gatherings. Given today’s

fast pace of life, these must be as

effective and focussed as possible. The

location of meetings is therefore very

and other traffic connections, and

in a stress-free setting as natural and

safe as possible.

Green, rich with rivers and streams,

and blessed with diverse climates,

Slovenia is ideal for organising

academic meetings since it offers all

of these features and more, as well as

friendly, communicative, and

resourceful people who add a positive

stamp to any meeting. It is therefore

no surprise that many of my colleagues

from European and other universities

who visit Slovenia often ask, “When

are we going next to meet in Slovenia?”

BOGATAJ, PHD, IS A PROFESSOR AT THE BIOTECHNICALFACULTY IN LJUBLJANA,PRINCIPAL OF THE CHAIR OF AGROM-ETEOROLOGY AT THE SAME FACULTYAND ONE OF THE VICECHAIRMEN OF THEINTERGOVERNMENTALPANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC) IN GENEVA, WHICHWAS AWARDED LAST YEAR’S NOBEL PRIZE TOGETHERWITH AL GORE.

31

SLOVENIA GREENMEETINGS SLOVENIA IS GREEN AND FULL OF SURPRISES

Slovenia is a land of water. And the world beneath.

Slovenia is one of Europe's richest

countries in terms of the volume of

river water per capita! One trait of

Slovenia is its underground rivers,

which create Karst caves below

the earth's surface. There are more

than 8,000 such caves in Slovenia!

Another of Slovenia's splendours is

its thermal and mineral waters, which

for centuries have attracted those in

search of health and relaxation. Water

is drinkable directly from the tap

throughout Slovenia, and is considered

among the cleanest in Europe!

Slovenia is a land of biodiversity. Important to Europe. More than one-third of Slovenia's land

mass is included in Europe's Natura

2000 network, whose protected areas

maintain the biodiversity of Europe.

More than 22,000 animal and plant

species live in Slovenia, meaning that

on the continent can be found in an

of the earth's entire surface. At the

crossroad of various geotectonic and

biogeographic regions there also live

endemic plant and animal species!

Slovenia is a land of local curiosities. And local specialities.

An important part of Slovenia's

sustained commitments is the

preservation of local traditions, and

ethnographic, culinary and other

specialties. At every step of the way,

in every season and in every region,

Slovenia offers different curiosities

that have been preserved through the

centuries. Wine growing represents a

part of Slovenia's cultural and natural

heritage. The culinary arts, which are

based on naturally grown ingredients,

represent an important part of today's

green delights.

Experience green – act green. It's not hard to do in Slovenia!

Slovenia is situated in the heart of

Europe, and can be accessed from

all directions, including by modes of

transport that are less harmful to the

environment. Public transportation

may be used throughout Slovenia,

while some regions may be explored

on foot or by bicycle. You may refresh

yourself during your excursions with

water directly from the tap! Enjoy

local dishes and purchase goods made

in Slovenia, which have not harmed

the planet via long transport. Do not

pollute the environment with waste!

Bring it back with you, and place it

in separate collection bins, available

throughout most of Slovenia.

Ljubljana going green

Ljubljana’s green outfit can be

wherever you stand in the city, you

can always see (at least) a tree. But this

is just a fragment of the full picture.

What really affects our daily existence

and will shape our future are the

growing environmental awareness

of the local residents as well as the

endeavours of the city authorities

aimed at a sustainable mid- to long

term development, embodied in a

project vision of Ljubljana by the year

2025. Green policies that are being

implemented at the city level are

gradually turning Ljubljana into an

environmentally friendly destination.

The municipality has applied a

recycling policy with regards to the

separation of solid waste and over

95 percent of the sewage system is

conveyed to a recently built waste-

water recycling plant. The landfill gas

is used as a renewable, green energy

source, mainly for the production of

electricity.

The green character of Ljubljana can

be immediately recognised by the

number of cyclists pedalling along the

designated lanes, which are organised

in a true city network. Parking lots

have introduced the “park & ride”

package, including the use of a bicycle.

The growing size of the pedestrian

zones and the introduction of low

emission buses in the public transport

are other important elements aimed

at improving the quality of life in

Ljubljana now and in the future.

The congress and meeting facilities

in Ljubljana are following closely the

development of these new trends

and technologies, investing in and

implementing new, green solutions.

Equally so, the recent renovations

and refurbishments in the city hotels

contribute to lowering the carbon

footprint of these facilities and their

guests, respectively. Last, but not least,

conference organisers and service

providers are increasingly considering

the ecological and CSR aspect of

running meetings. Local produce for

the catering, recyclable badges, use of

public transport when possible, tap

water instead of bottled are some items

that are highly recommended to clients

as a common standard.

32

Sustainability in the meeting industry

Increasingly, the Slovenian meeting

and incentive providers focus on

implementation of environmentally

friendly business practices and

development of innovative green

products and services. The first

Green Global Certificate was

presented to one of the Slovenian

Hotels in 2009. Green Globe is the

worldwide sustainability certification

based on internationally accepted

criteria for sustainable operation and

management of travel and tourism

businesses.

Slovenian Convention Bureau have

prepared “Road to Green Meeting”

manual, that will help congress

organisers and suppliers.

Join the “BeBeecampaign”

Slovenia is a diverse country

occupying a small area with pristine

nature. The surrounding greenery

that relaxes every eye, fresh air,

diverse scenery and the exquisite

taste of the local cuisine among

others convince meeting planners to

host their meetings and incentives

in Slovenia. So as to make the first

step in reducing meeting industry’s

negative impacts on the environment,

the Slovenian Convention Bureau

launches a socially responsible

campaign »BeBee«

The BeBee campaign focuses on

protecting bees that symbolise the

diversity of natural resources and

unspoiled nature in Slovenia. Bees

relate to the Slovenian uniqueness

seeing that Slovenia is the only

European country that has protected

its indigenous species, the Carniolan

bee. Bees reveal the state of the

environment / level of environmental

protection and symbolize the

Slovenian vision of preserving nature.

Thus the BeBee campaign aims to

increase the number of bee colonies,

slowing down the negative trend

of loss of bee colonies. The BeBee

campaign hence invites the meeting

industry actors to adopt a bee colony.

We kindly invite you to take an active

role and support the aspirations of

the Slovenian Convention Bureau in

reducing our environmental impact

and having a positive impact on the

Slovenian beekeepers' clubs.

34

GO SMART. GO CREATIVE. GO MICE.

CONGRESS AND MARKETING AGENCY

www.go-mice.eu

3636

Catalogue Directory of Members of the Slovenian Convention Bureau by Category

Slovenian Tourist BoardSlovenian Tourist Board (STB) is the official national tourist

organisation responsible for:

a tourist destination

infastructure

Slovenian Tourist Board

Slovenia

Slovenian Convention Bureau

Ljubljana Tourism

national and international leisure travel and convention

Maribor Tourist Board

Cankarjev dom, Cultural and Congress Centre

Category A - Convention & visitors bureau

Slovenian Convention Bureau

Slovenia


Convention Bureau

Slovenia


Contact person: Bernarda Karo

Slovenia

Category B - Professional congress organiser

Category E - Congress & exhibition centre

Cultural and Congress Centre

3737

Go®Mice

Category B - Professional congress organiser

Slovenia

Intours

Kompas

Liberty Incentives & Congresses Slovenia

M tours Bled

Category C - DMC & incentive agency

Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia

3838

CatalogueKoren Sports

Category D - Event agency

Life Events

Maya Team

TBA - Teambuilding Academy

GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia

Category E - Congress & exhibition centre

Category H - Other congress services suppliers

Convention Centre

KorenSportsKorenSports

39

Bernardin Group

Category F - Convention hotel

Category G - Hotel with conference facilities

Bernardin Group

Slovenia

Grand Hotel Union

LifeClass Hotels & Spa

Mons, Hotel & Congress Centre, Ljubljana

Terme Maribor



Slovenia



Slovenia


Slovenia



Slovenia

40

CatalogueThermana Laško


Slovenia

Austria Trend Hotel Ljubljana Superior

Best Western Premier HotelSlon

Bohinj Park ECO Hotel

City Hotel Ljubljana


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia

41

Hit Alpinea

Slovenia

HIT Nova Gorica

Hotel Astoria Bled

Hotel Lek


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia


Contact person: Sandra Fiorelli

Slovenia

42

CatalogueHotel Lev


Slovenia

Hotel Paka

Hotel Plesnik

Lipica Stud Farm


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia

43

Rogaška Hotels & Lotus Wellness Centre


Slovenia

Sava Hoteli Bled

Sport Center Pohorje

Terme Krka


Slovenia


Contact person: Iris Kociper

Slovenia

Category G - hotel with conference facilities

Slovenia


Slovenia

44

CatalogueTerme Olimia


Slovenia

Terme Ptuj

Terme Radenci - RadenciHealth Resort

Terme Spa Rogaška


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia

45

ABC rent a car – Europcar Slovenia


Slovenia

Adria Airways

Alkemist Translation Company

Jezeršek Catering

Klaro Web Agency


Slovenia

Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia

46

CatalogueKongres Magazine / Go®Mice


Slovenia

Ljubljana Airport

Robotrade

The Slovenia Times

Turistica - Faculty of TourismStudies Portorose


Category J - Other venues

Slovenia


Slovenia


Slovenia


47

Vivo Catering

Slovenia and abroad and specialises in organising event

Category H -Other congress services suppliers

Slovenia

Bled Culture Institute – BledCastle, Bled Congress CentreCongress organisation in Bled has a long tradition and is an

Festival Ljubljana

Postojna Cave

Vila Bled

Category I - Special venue

Category J - Other venues

Bled Congress Centre

Bled Culture Institute

Slovenia


Slovenia



Slovenia

4848

CatalogueBohinj Tourist BoardBohinj Tourist board is the top-most organisation on the

field of tourism in the area of Bohinj. It is responsible for

coordination of activities related to tourist economy and

activities of tourist association. Its main activities are in

the field of tourism destination management in Bohinj,

promotion, marketing, information and reservation system,

development of new sustainable tourism product

Category A- Convention & visitors bureau

(standardization in process)

Contact person: Klemen Langus

e: [email protected]

Bohinj Tourist board

Triglavska cesta 30

4264 Bohinjska Bistrica, Slovenia

T: +386 (0)4 574 75 90

www.bohinj.si

The Tourist Board Portorož is an economic and interest

association of the Municipality of Piran. It's main goal is to

perform an effective and professional promotion of the offer

of the tourist destination Portoroz & Piran and to promote

it's member’s profitable activities. Besides marketing,

designing tourist offers, encouraging the development of

tourist infrastructures, forming of the tourist products and

providing statistics it also provides information for visitors

in two Tourist information offices.

S5 KongresConsultants, marketing experts and providers of long term

congress organization services. Complete meetings and event

management consultancy service for academic, scientific

and medical organisations, associations, government and

corporations. No.1 »one stop shop« in Slovenia and South-

Eastern Europe.

Antiq HotelThe exclusive Antiq Palace Hotel & Spa, is the most unique

addition to Ljubljana’s meetings & accommodation offering.

Enjoying a premium location in the historic town centre, this

boutique meeting point features 3 unique conference suites

and a dedicated business centre designed to exceed your

expectations. The sophisticated and yet intimate atmosphere

of this 16th century former noble residence combined with

the exceptional service, spacious accommodations and

superb accessibility will ensure the success of every event.

Standard A: Convention and Visitors Bureau

(standardisation in process)

Contact person: Lea Šuligoj

Tourist Board Portoroz

Obala 16, 6320 Portoroz, Slovenia

T: +386 (0)5 674 82 60

e:[email protected]

www.portoroz.si

Standard H; Other Congress Services Supplier


Contact person: Srečo Peterlič s.p


Štihova ulica 18, 1000 Ljubljana

T: +386 (0)1 231 63 25

Slovenia

www.s5kongres.si

Standard G: Hotel with Conference facilities


Contact person: Katie Smirnina


Antiq Palace Hotel & Spa

Gosposka Ulica 10

1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

T: +386 (0) 838 96 700

www.antiqpalace.com

Standard G: Hotel with Conference facilities


Contact person: Marcela Klofutar


www.hoteltriglavbled.net

T: +386 (0)4 575 26 15

Hotel Triglav BledHotel Triglav Bled and A la carte restaurant 1906 Bled fill

the gap in the tourist offer in Bled. Unique location, antique

furniture, great cuisine … Uroš Štefelin Culinary School

offers various programs for different target groups. Among

other culinary workshops:

- for children to experience the profession of a chef or waiter

- for adults to learn about modern culinary procedures etc.

- teambuilding for businesses groups learning to prepare

Slovenian dishes, while working in teams

- promote the local pear with the AFI Forest Bled

4949

Standard D: Event Agency


Contact person: Uroš Zajec


ProfitWe are always exploring new approaches, technical

possibilities, ideas, programmes and culinary innovations

to incorporate in events for clients.

The parallel management of all elements of an event with

the personal controlling and an extensive well-briefed team

which takes care of even the smallest detail, no matter the

complexity of the event, brings out a magic that you have

to experience.

We take pride of our longstanding cooperation with clients,

as a result of the high-quality business relationship.

50

CONTACT DETAILS OF MEMBERS

Slovenian Tourist Board

Slovenian Convention Bureau A

A

A

B

B

Intours C

C

C

C Bled

Koren Sports D

D

D

D

F

F

F

F

F 7

F

3

G 8

G

G

Bostrica

G

G

G

G

G Bled

G

G 8

Nam

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Stan

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ww

w

Loca

lity

Max

. ple

nary

cap

acity

No. o

f mee

ting

room

s

No. o

f hot

el ro

oms

*standardisation in process

51

G

G 6

G

G 7

G

G

G

Slatina

3

Sava hoteli Bled G Bled

G 3

G

G

G 7

G

G

G 6

G

Slatina

Bled 3

G 6

Sora pri

Bled

I Bled

I 7

I

I 6 68

I Bled

3

Bled

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Max

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cap

acity

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s

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*standardisation in process

52

www.slovenia-convention.com

+386 (0)4 259 45 [email protected]

Feel the people. Taste fresh ideas.

SLO

VEN

IAM

EET

ING

S

www.slovenia.info www.slovenia-convention.com

slovenia green meetings

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