SLOVENIA  PR  EDITORIAL  THE  MEETINGS  SHOW  UK  2015  

   GR-­‐  LJUBLJANA  EXHIBITION  AND  CONVENTION  CENTRE  AS  THE  FINALIST  OF  THE  AIPC  INNOVATION  AWARD  2015    GR-­‐  Ljubljana  Exhibition  and  Convention  Centre  has  become  one  of  the  finalists  for  the  prestigious  award:  The  AIPC  Innovation  Award  2015.    The   AIPC   Innovation   Award   reflects   AIPC’s   mission   of   “Encouraging   and   recognizing  excellence  in  convention  centre  management”.  It  is  made  for  projects  or  initiatives  that  represent  “innovation”  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word;  that  is,  the  development  of  a  new,  more   creative   or   more   effective   approach   to   any   aspect   of   convention   centre  management,  operations  or  marketing.  GR-­‐   Ljubljana   Exhibition   and   Convention   Centre   has   presented   a   new   inovation   of  sustainable   stands   made   of   wooden   crates.   It   is   highly   inovative,   ecological,  multifunctional,   very   adaptable   and   cost   saving   system   for   events   and   exibitions.   The  model   of   the   stands   had   already   won   the   Sustainable   Stand   Award   at   EIBTM   2011,  global  meetings  &  events  exhibition.    Making  a  sustainable  stands  of  wooden  crates  turned  out  to  be  a  huge  opportunity   in  decreasing  costs  and  creating  unique  sales  and  marketing  opportunities.    

     

Your  contact  at  GR  Ljubljana  Exhibition  and  Convention  Centre:  Ana  Božič    Sales  Manager  of  Events  &  Congress  Department  Gospodarsko  razstavišče  d.o.o.    Dunajska  cesta  18,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  300  26  39,  F:  +386  1  300  26  49  E:  ana.bozic@gr-­‐sejem.si  www.gr-­‐sejem.si      Your  contact  at  Slovenian  Convention  Bureau:  Miha  Kovačič  Director  Dunajska  cesta  156,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  569  1260  E:  miha.kovacic@slovenia-­‐convention.com    www.slovenia-­‐convention.com    KENES  INTERNATIONAL  IN  LJUBLJANA      Kenes  International  is  coming  back  to  GR  -­‐  Ljubljana  Exhibition  and  Convention  Centre      Kenes   International,   which   in   2010   brought   to   Ljubljana   the   world   congress   on  autoimmunity  with  1200  participants  as  the  congress  of  the  year  in  Slovenia,  is  coming  back   to   the   GR   –   Ljubljana   Exhibition   and   Convention   Centre.   Due   to   that   excellent  experience   Kenes   will   organize   ESRA   –   European   Society   of   Regional   Anaesthesia  Congress  with  1600  participants  from  all  over  the  world  in  September  2015.    ‘The  Kenes  team  is  very  pleased  and  equally  excited  to  be  returning  to  the  beautiful  and  inviting   city   of   Ljubljana.   As   professional   conference   organizers,   we   value   the  relationship   with   our   trusted   local   partner,   GR   –   Ljubljana   Exhibition   and   Convention  Centre,  who  will  work  closely  with  Kenes  to  ensure  that  all  of  our  delegates’  needs  are  met.     With   the   GR   team   by   our   side,   we   are   guaranteed   a   high   level   of   service   and  support  that  will  make  the  event  a  great  success.  GR  provides  us  with  unmatched  value  for  conference  services  in  an  attractive,  charming  city  that  is  indeed  a  pleasure  to  work  in.  Alongside  our  partner,  Kenes  looks  forward  to  hosting  yet  another  successful  congress  in  Ljubljana  this  year.’  Shoshana  Hofmann,  Procurement  Specialist,  Hotels  and  Venues  Sector  Kenes  Group      

     Your  contact  at  GR  Ljubljana  Exhibition  and  Convention  Centre:  Ana  Božič    Sales  Manager  of  Events  &  Congress  Department  Gospodarsko  razstavišče  d.o.o.    Dunajska  cesta  18,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  300  26  39,  F:  +386  1  300  26  49  E:  ana.bozic@gr-­‐sejem.si  www.gr-­‐sejem.si      Your  contact  at  Slovenian  Convention  Bureau:  Miha  Kovačič  Director  Dunajska  cesta  156,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  569  1260  E:  miha.kovacic@slovenia-­‐convention.com    www.slovenia-­‐convention.com              

BURSTING  WITH  EXPECTATIONS    The  CD  Congress  Centre  Ljubljana  proudly  announces  that  2015  is  a  great  congress  year.  For  its  part  alone,  CD  is  hosting  25  international  meetings  and  congress-­‐related  events.  Although  all  of  them  are  special,  one  is  unique.  We  would  like  to  bring  your  attention  to  “EUPSA   2015”,   the   16th   European   Congress   of   Paediatric   Surgery  “SLOVENIA   2015”,  which   is   to   take   place   in   CD   between   17   and   20   June.   Owing   to   the   charismatic   and  dedicated  Congress  Chairman,  Prof.  Silvo  LIPOVŠEK,  MD  FEBPS,  Head  of  the  Department  of  Paediatric   Surgery  at   the  University  Medical  Center  Maribor  and   representative   for  Slovenia   in   WOFAPS   (World   Federation   of   Associations   of   Pediatric   Surgery),   the  paediatric  surgery  in  Slovenia  has  been  just  recently  recognised  as  a  specialty.  As  Prof.  Lipovšek  always  says,  “Children  are  not  little  adults.  They  deserve  a  specialised  approach  which  must  be  provided  by   fully  dedicated  and  specially   trained  surgeons  to  solve  the  problems  of  this  critical,  sensitive  and  delicate  field”.      Besides  working   to   achieve   the   recognition   of   Paediatric   Surgery   as   a   specialty,   Prof.  Lipovšek  has  been  dedicated  to  preparing  and  training  “the  first  generation  of  Paediatric  Surgeons”   of   Slovenia.   The   “CD   Congress   Centre   Ljubljana”   has   been   involved   in  preparing  for  the  EUPSA  annual  congress  since  2010.        

     Your  contact  at  Cankarjev  dom  –  Culture  and  Congress  Centre:  

Dušica  Todorovič  Marketing  Deputy  Director    Prešernova  cesta  10,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  (0)1  24  17  124,  F:  +386  (0)1  24  17  296  E:  dusica.todorovic cd-­‐cc.si  www.cd-­‐cc.si/congress    Your  contact  at  Slovenian  Convention  Bureau:  Miha  Kovačič  Director  Dunajska  cesta  156,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  569  1260  E:  miha.kovacic@slovenia-­‐convention.com    www.slovenia-­‐convention.com      A  SMART  WORLD      Are   you   fascinated  with   technology   in   all   its  multiple   forms,   and  obsessed  with  being  informed  about   the   latest  developments   in  everything   from  smartphones   to  emerging  tech?      From   4   until   8   May,   the   CD   Congress   Centre   Ljubljana   is   hosting   the   11th   IEEE  International   Conference   on   Automatic   Face   and   Gesture   Recognition   (FG   2015).   The  conference   is   the   premier   international   forum   for   research   in   image   and   video-­‐based  face,  gesture,  and  body  movement  recognition.    These  technologies  have  become  the  key  components  of  many  highly  advanced  smart  devices   and   systems,   such   as   smart   phones,   TV-­‐sets,   houses,   cities   and   ambient  intelligent  systems,  and  are  used  to  enhance  both  user  experience  and  comfort,  ensure  added  safety  to  vulnerable  social  groups,   including  the  elderly  and  children,  as  well  as  address   the   needs   of   advertising   industry   and,   ultimately,   deter   and   combat   crime.  More:  http://www.fg2015.org.      

     Your  contact  at  Cankarjev  dom  –  Culture  and  Congress  Centre:  Dušica  Todorovič  Marketing  Deputy  Director    Prešernova  cesta  10,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  (0)1  24  17  124,  F:  +386  (0)1  24  17  296  E:  dusica.todorovic cd-­‐cc.si  www.cd-­‐cc.si/congress    Your  contact  at  Slovenian  Convention  Bureau:  Miha  Kovačič  Director  Dunajska  cesta  156,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  569  1260  E:  miha.kovacic@slovenia-­‐convention.com    www.slovenia-­‐convention.com      LJUBLJANA   AMONG   THE   FINALISTS   OF   THE   WTTC   TOURISM   FOR   TOMORROW  AWARDS  2015    Ljubljana  made   it   into   the   finals  of   this  years'  WTTC  Tourism   for  Tomorrow  Awards,  awarded  by  the  World  Travel  &  Tourism  Council  (WTTC).  Ljubljana  is  one  of  the  three  

finalists  in  the  Destination  Award  category.  The  award  winners  will  be  announced  on  16  April  in  Madrid.    The   Awards   are   based   upon   sustainable   tourism   principles   and   aim   to   educate   and  inspire   travel   and   tourism   businesses   and   destinations   on   how   to   improve   the  sustainability   of   the   sector.   They   are   regarded   to   be   the   highest   accolade   for  sustainability  within  the  global  travel  and  tourism  industry.    The  15   finalists  of  the  2015  Awards  were  announced  today  in  five  different  categories  aiming  at  different   sustainable  activities  by   tourism  organisations  and  companies.  The  award   categories   are   covering   destination   stewardship,   community   benefit,  environmental  management,  workforce  development  and  innovation.    The  destination  awards  are  received  by  those  tourism  destination  organisations  which  showcase   the   commitment   to   supporting   and   delivering   sustainable   tourism   best  practices   in   their   destinations.   Beside   Ljubljana,   (which   is   also   the   European   Green  Capital  2016),  other  finalists  in  this  category  are  Northeast  and  Yilan  Coast  (Taiwan)  and  Sozopol  (Bulgaria).  

   Your  contact  at  Ljubljana  Tourism/Convention  Bureau:    Tatjana  Radovic  

Congress  Manager  Krekov  trg  10,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  306  45  84  E:  tatjana.radovic@visitljubljana.si  www.visitljubljana.com/meetings    Your  contact  at  Slovenian  Convention  Bureau:  Miha  Kovačič  Director  Dunajska  cesta  156,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  569  1260  E:  miha.kovacic@slovenia-­‐convention.com    www.slovenia-­‐convention.com            SooLNua   OFFERS   ANOTHER   VIEWPOINT   ON   MICE   FOR   SLOVENIAN   CONVENTION  BUREAU    Ireland   based   Meetings   &   Events   consultancy   SoolNua   has   been   retained   by   the  Slovenian   Convention   Bureau   to   advise   over   the   next   12   months   on   strategy   and  marketing  for  the  lucrative  meetings,  incentives,  conferences  and  events  (MICE)  sector.      Announcing   the   appointment,   Miha   Kovačič,   Director   of   the   Slovenian   Convention  Bureau,   said   “After   a   decade   of   promoting   and   positioning   of   Slovenia   as   a   MICE  destination  it  is  time  to  put  in  the  higher  gear.  Now  we  want  SoolNua  to  take  us  to  the  next   level.”  Delaney  and  Gilligan  have   immense   industry  experience  and  expertise  and  can  help  us  craft  a  compelling  story  for  Slovenia  as  a  MICE  destination”.    SoolNua  Managing  Partner,  Patrick  Delaney  stated  “We  started  as  a  DMC  in  Ireland  and,  from   the   outset,   realized   our   first   challenge   was   to   build   destination   awareness.  Slovenia  has  made  great  strides  as  a  MICE  destination  but  remains  a  shy,  hidden  gem.  It  needs   to  amplify   its  voice  and   tell   its  wonderful   story  with  confidence  and  conviction.  We  are  truly  privileged  to  play  a  part  in  bringing  this  about”.    Gilligan  added  “During  our  recent  trips  to  Slovenia  we’ve  been  impressed  by  the  quality  of  the  MICE  product.  Slovenia  may  be  small  country  but   it  offers  extraordinary  variety  from   city   to   countryside   and   mountain   to   maritime.   Most   of   all   there’s   a   palpable  energy  about  the  place,  an  easy  friendliness  in  its  people,  a  sense  of  welcome,  a  can-­‐do  attitude.   As   MICE   buyers   look   increasingly   for   experiential   authenticity,   Slovenia   is  destined  to  emerge  strongly”.    

Established   in  early  2014  by  Patrick  Delaney  and  Pádraic  Gilligan,   SoolNua  works  with  destinations,  hotels  and  venues  on  MICE  related  matters   including  strategy,  marketing  and  training.  Delaney  and  Gilligan  began  working  together  in  1994  as  Delaney  Marketing  Consultants.  Delaney  Marketing  acquired  Ovation  in  2001  and  became  Ireland’s  largest  destination,  conference  and  event  management  company  with  60  team  members  over  3  locations.  In  2007  Ovation  was  acquired  by  MCI.  Delaney  and  Gilligan  joined  the  Board  of  Directors  at  MCI  and  established  MCI’s  destination  services  division,  Ovation  Global  DMC  with  offices  at  120  locations  worldwide.      Your  contact  at  Slovenian  Convention  Bureau:  Miha  Kovačič  Director  Dunajska  cesta  156,  SI-­‐1000  Ljubljana,  Slovenia  T:  +386  1  569  1260  E:  miha.kovacic@slovenia-­‐convention.com    www.slovenia-­‐convention.com      FIRST  GUIDE  THROUGH  SLOVENIAN  INCENTIVE  PROGRAMS  PUBLISHED      After  Kongres  Magazine   revealed   its   first  version  of  Kongres   Incentive   Ideas  book   in  2014   which   contained   the   best   of   the   best   South   East   European   Incentive  programmes.  They  captured  140  programmes  from  7  countries.  Then  in  July  Kongres  Magazine  presented  new  and  improved  Book,  which  offered  200  ideas  from  countries  of   South   East   Europe.   Now   we   are   happy   to   present  Slovenian   Incentive   Ideas  Book  which  presents  more  than  100  programs  from  all  over  Slovenia.      Slovenian  Convention  Bureau  with  collaboration  of  Kongres  Magazine   released   its   first  guide   through   Slovenian   incentive   programs.   Programs   are   divided   into   7   categories  from  adrenaline  to  active,  CSR,  cultural,  historical,  culinary  and  luxury  experience.      This   unique   guide  offers   green,   new,   versatile,   safe   and   yet   undiscovered   programs,  between   Alps,   Mediterranean   Sea   and   Panonian   flatlands.   Any   season   is   the   right  season  to  visit  Slovenia.  This  guide  includes  programs  that  are  perfect  for  seasons  of  the  year.  Since  in  Slovenia  the  sun  shines  more  than  2.000  hours  a  year,  every  season  offers  perfect  time  for  incentive  programs.      Slovenian   Convention   Bureau   and   Kongres   Magazine   have   brought   together   many  wonderful   locations   with   authentic   programmes   to   charm   even   the  most   demanding  clients.   We   invite   you   to   flip   through   pages   and   discover   a   wide   range   of   programs  which  will  leave  you  speechless.      Access   to   Slovenian   Incentive   Ideas   Book  under    http://issuu.com/gcad/docs/kus_incentive_ideas_book_2014_issuu/1