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Forum of the Croatian Meetings Industry: A Fusion of Ideas, Trends, and Flavours in the MICE Industry
photo credit: Ivan Banić
Forum of the Croatian Meetings Industry: A Fusion of Ideas, Trends, and Flavours in the MICE Industry
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On the 9th of December 2024, the 13th Forum of the Croatian Meetings Industry was held at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb, organized by the Croatian Meeting Professionals Association (CMPA) (HUPKT). This important annual gathering brought together leading congress tourism professionals to discuss current topics, share experiences, and celebrate excellence in the industry.

At the beginning of the Forum, the assembled MICE experts were welcomed by Igor Radić, advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, and Slavija Jačan Obratov, director of brand and tourism product development at the Croatian National Tourist Board. Both emphasized that the meetings industry is vital for the development of year-round tourism in Croatia and noted HUPKT's role as one of the key partners of state institutions in this mission. They also highlighted the growing success of their collaboration over the years.

A New Cycle of Certification for Meetings Industry Professionals

Ranko Filipović, the president of the association, briefly presented the association’s activities over the past year and plans for 2025. He placed special emphasis on the 6th cycle of the certification program for congress professionals, held from the 9th to the 12th of December in Zagreb. This program enables participants to obtain the CCMEP (Certified Croatian Meetings and Events Professional) certificate, which is becoming increasingly recognized and valued not only within the industry but also by clients organizing events. The certificate is valid for five years, after which recertification is conducted based on educational credits earned by attending HUPKT-organized events.

Awards and Recognition for Congress Ambassadors and Industry Peers

One of the highlights of the Forum was the awards ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to the development of meetings tourism in Croatia. These prestigious awards celebrate efforts to raise standards and strengthen the competitiveness of Croatia's MICE industry.

One award was presented to Associate Professor Dr. Snježana Dotlić, a Croatian Congress Ambassador, for her role in bringing a major international congress to Dubrovnik this September—the 22nd Meeting of the European Association for Haematopathology (EA4HP) and the Society for Hematopathology (SH). Dubrovnik was originally scheduled to host this significant event, but the pandemic forced it into a virtual format. Thanks to Dr. Dotlić’s dedication, Dubrovnik was re-nominated to host the event in 2024. Recognizing her efforts, the Croatian Meetings Tourism Association awarded her the Annual Award of the Croatian Meetings Industry for organizing the event.

Gastronomy in Events – A Key Topic of the Forum

This year's Forum placed particular emphasis on the theme "Gastronomy in Events," explored through keynote speeches and panel discussions. Experts discussed how gastronomic concepts can enhance events and create unique experiences for participants.

Debora Petrović, vice president of HUPKT, presented the content and conclusions of workshops held throughout the year in Dubrovnik, Zadar, and Opatija.

Andrea Puizina, sales director of Virgin Hotels in New York, delivered a keynote speech, sharing her experiences and perspectives on the role of gastronomy in planning and executing successful events. Her presentation, rich with practical examples, highlighted how carefully crafted menus and collaborations with renowned chefs can significantly boost participant satisfaction.

The program continued with a panel discussion on "Gastronomy in Events," moderated by Aleksandra Uhernik Đurđek. Panelists included Andrea Puizina, chef Marijo Čapek, nutritionist Darija Vranešić Bender, and Stanka Karažija, general manager of art’otel in Zagreb. They shared their expertise and experiences, discussing innovative approaches, trends, and challenges facing the industry.

The Forum concluded in a positive atmosphere with participant networking and informal socializing. Once again, this event demonstrated its significance as a platform for knowledge exchange and strengthening cooperation among meetings industry professionals.

Pozdrav dragi posjetitelju!

Ocjeni svoj boravak u Dubrovniku.

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