Why Warsaw is emerging as the main event in Central-Eastern Europe

Standing on the observation deck of the 30th floor of the Palace of Science and Culture in the heart of Warsaw gave me confidence in the then capital of Poland.

Dramatic Manhattan-style skyscrapers designed by leading architects cluster around the airport, and many more are planned.

The regular sight of planes approaching Chopin International Airport suggests its proximity to the city center.

In 2017, Polish airports saw 17% more passengers than in 2016. New flights from January 2019 include LOT Polish Airlines’ new 12 weekly flights from London City Airport, a physical and metaphorical link between two major European economic hearts. Capital city airports.

This confidence has been reflected in performance when Poland moved up to the group of developed countries in the FTSE Russell index in 2018. According to ICCA, the number of events in Warsaw more than doubled between 2007 and 2017 (144%).

In addition, significant new exhibition and congress facilities have been added in recent years to meet demand and support the rapidly growing industry.

Palace of Science and Culture

The Palace of Science and Culture was built in 1955 on the initiative of Joseph Stalin “as a gift of the Soviet people to the Poles”. The people of Warsaw say that “the best view of the city is from the top of the palace, because you can’t see the building itself”, such are the memories from the communist era.

However, this World Heritage monument is a huge, storied building complex with four theaters, a cinema, three museums, four universities, a dance school and a conference hall, which will soon reopen after renovation. With 10,000 m² of exhibition space and capacity for meetings and conferences of up to 4,000 participants, the building will host the next DentExpo in 2020.

PGE Narodowy Stadium

Another prominent superstructure across the Vistula in the Praga district was the crown-shaped PGE Narodowy National Stadium, affectionately known as the red and white “nest”. Opened on the eve of Euro 2012 as the center of the football championships, this architecturally sophisticated and multi-purpose arena is capable of hosting global events thanks to its state-of-the-art convention center and 22,000 m² of exhibition space.

Events at PGE Narodowy include the organization of a windsurfing regatta, followed by a motorsport show within a few days of each other. The Rolling Stones have performed there, while the 2014 UN Conference on Change and the 2016 NATO Summit have used the stadium.

Prague

Next to the stadium, there are still plans to establish a concert hall, a convention center and a hotel, all of which would contribute to the continuous renewal of the neighborhoods of “Prague”.

Prague’s location on the right bank of the Vistula helped it escape the destruction of the city center during World War II. The hipster part of town is famous for its pre- and post-incentive tour that dives into the quirky side of Warsaw’s turbulent history.

Tours can be arranged with a fleet of 10 communist-era historic vans “Nysa 522” (7 people per van) and 5 retro buses (34-48 per bus) that pass by the Neon Muzeum. And inspired postwar confidence through the “great neonization” campaign.

Museum of Polish Vodka

Also the Polish Vodka Museum, whose multimedia exhibitions tell about the 500-year history of Polish vodka? The former 1897 Koneser Vodka Distillery can offer large MICE event spaces in addition to the connected buildings.

Feet firmly on the pavement in Warsaw, I am told that the trade fair and exhibition industry serves as an important driver of the economy and a way to raise the city’s international profile.

Davide Odella, Commercial Director of EXPO XXI Warsaw, an important event with almost 20 years of experience and 3000 active events, declared.

Ptak Warsaw Expo International Convention and Exhibition Centre

EXPO XXI now has some new locations to fight in; Ptak Warsaw Expo International Exhibition & Congress Center opened its doors in 2015 and was recently ranked 1st in Poland and 19th in Europe in terms of total area by the “Global Association of the Exhibition Industry” (UFI). Ptak is in fact the largest exhibition center in all of Central Eastern Europe (CEE), with six pavilions for a total area of ​​143,000 m2.

The size and scope of the space allows for events in the B2B and B2C world to intertwine and thrive. Examples include the Warsaw Motor Show, Go Active and Warsaw Industry Week: Ptak Warsaw Expo is the largest organizer of nearly 30 own events and developing them all – growing at more than 30% annually. Ptak is still a very young organizer, but is developing an excellent reputation as a major organizer and exhibition venue,” says Zaneta berus, CEO of In21Win and board member of Ptak Warsaw.

Global expo

Last opening in the city in 2018 was the Global Expo Convention and Exhibition Center, which includes the largest conference and banquet hall at 2,015 square feet; built on the site of the former FSO car factory, Global Expo combines post-industrial design and innovation technology.

New locations have attracted new exhibitions, increasing demand for housing, especially in the area of ​​the former Mokotów/Sluzewiec factory. The area is a symbol of internationalization, with international companies, hotel chains and apartments all located close to Chopin International Airport.

Poland’s capital is a master of reinvention, and the investments, facilities and big profits of the stock market industry have provided a good barometer of Warsaw’s current and future health. EXPO XXI, Ptak and Global Expo define Warsaw’s global presence for leading event organizers, but are part of a much larger ecosystem in the city’s MICE portfolio, perfectly suited to the new cultural dynamics and competitive pricing. These key ingredients make Warsaw the commercial and technological center of the EEC.

Fact file

ACCOMMODATION: Vienna House Mokotow, a property with 164 rooms and 180 square meters of meeting space, designed according to millennium trends with high-speed WiFi, open lobby, bar, restaurant and desks, all conducive to creativity. The Vienna House Hotel Group has five other properties across Poland, with more in the pipeline.