Conventa 2017
LJUBLJANA WELCOMES THE 9TH EDITION OF CONVENTA IN ITS GREEN EMBRACE! Petra Stušek, Managing Director of Ljubljana Tourism
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ooking back at the first eight years of the Conventa Show, I can only praise the smart development and achieved quality of this specialised show that puts into the limelight the meetings & incentive offering of the New Europe. It comes as a coincidence that in this same period Ljubljana has gone through a remarkable makeover, which could be defined as a passage from »Cinderella City« to »Sexy LJ«, dressed in trendy green on top. This huge transformation and the way to success were paved by a clear vision, coupled by strong will and passion. Less than 10 years ago, the Mayor of Ljubljana, Zoran Janković, mapped the sustainable development master plan, Ljubljana 2025, defining the key projects aimed at improving the city's functionality and the quality of life of its residents and visitors alike. The gradual expansion of the traffic-free zone, the landscaping of the Ljubljanica riverbanks, which won the prestigious European Prize for Public Open Space 2012, and the further implementation of green policies are among many projects that not only changed the image of Ljubljana. They actually generated a series of other effects, such as positive attitude and pride, which turned local residents into proud ambassadors of their city, including a favourable reaction to tourism and the increasing number of foreign visitors. This visible process also had a strong impact on changing the perception of the city among the domestic and foreign public: from a rather “incognito” status it stepped among destinations on the bucket list to visit. The meetings industry sector also drew a benefit from this positive shift in Ljubljana’s image and stronger brand in the international arena. The many efforts invested were crowned by a series of prestigious awards that Ljubljana received over the last years. At the top of the list is the title of European Green Capital 2016, which the European Commission awarded Ljubljana because it has, in the shortest amount of time, introduced the largest number of positive changes in the quality of life, turning into a city that is environmentally and tourist friendly, and very liveable. Less than two years ago, at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) global summit, Ljubljana won the Tourism for Tomorrow Destination Award for 2015. As the jury explained: »Extensive pedestrian spaces, an eco-
logical zone and state of the art under-street recycling systems have greatly improved the city. Central to Ljubljana’s success is the partnership between Ljubljana Tourism and the Municipality, which is really a shared vision for the destination, with sustainability principles at the heart«. The growth of the tourism and meetings industry has given a boost to investments in the hotel sector, with refurbishments and upgrades of existing properties underway, new expansion plans and hotel openings announced, together with new contents, products, and improved overall services. There are many other initiatives that visitors to Ljubljana notice, or we are proud of: the only vehicles allowed to permanently enter the traffic-free zone have a kind name – Kavalir, or Gentle helper. The ride is free of charge and green, as they run on electric power. The Urban electric tourist train is a novelty in town. Our tap water is chemically untreated, retaining practically the same quality as at the very source. The BicikeLJ shared bicycle scheme is a success, and a car-sharing model of electric vehicles has been recently launched. Yet, the “green list” is much much longer. Coming to the meetings industry, for a city of its size, the venue options in Ljubljana are really ample. Two flexible and centrally located congress centres with a different space concept, a number of functional and well-equipped convention- and meeting hotels in historic or modern shells, plus academic venues are the backbone of Ljubljana's meetings facilities. One of its strong points is also the compact size – easy logistics and walking distances to many of the venues, the Old Town and other points of interest are appreciated by planners and attendees alike. Moreover, at least a dozen of special event venues are found within 15 minutes walking from the most central spot, the crown being one of the city landmarks - the Ljubljana Castle. Professional service with a personal touch is the name of the game in the destination.This “human factor” is what clients often stress as one of our advantages, plus the genuine hospitality that also participants to Conventa will undoubtedly experience. Ljubljana Tourism with its Convention Bureau, a proud partner of Conventa from the start, will do its best to contribute to the show’s success yet another year. And we already look forward to celebrating soon a round milestone -its 10th anniversary in 2018! 11