From August 19th to 21st, Gdańsk and Sopot hosted the latest summer edition of the “Let’s Meet” series. The event attracted hosted buyers from the UK, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania and France. The Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau partnered for this event, which took place in the Pomeranian region in the summer of 2024.
Let’s Meet is an initiative by the Gdańsk Tourism Organisation and the Gdańsk Convention Bureau, aimed at fostering connections between local tourism businesses and international hosted buyers, including MICE organizers and corporate meeting planners. The new format of the event replaces the traditional table meetings with a series of site visits, providing a more engaging experience and a better understanding of the local offerings.
“We’ve now completed two editions of Let’s Meet in this new format. We are delighted to see significant interest in participating in this event. This way, we fulfil one of our core tasks – supporting the local tourism industry and promoting Gdańsk as an ideal location for meetings, conferences, workshops, and other events,” said Łukasz Wysocki, President of the Gdańsk Tourism Organisation.
“Poland continues to solidify its position as a premier MICE destination, offering an exceptional blend of modern facilities and cultural richness. Events like ‘Let’s Meet’ demonstrate our capacity to attract international event planners and showcase the distinct advantages of cities like Gdańsk and Sopot. Gdańsk is gaining prominence as a competitive second-tier MICE destination, a trend clearly reflected in the latest ICCA rankings. This growth underscores our strategic focus on promoting the city as a dynamic venue for global meetings and events, combining high-quality infrastructure with unique local experiences,” – said Jaroslaw Marciuk, Chief Marketing Specialist at the Polish Tourism Organisation – Poland Convention Bureau.
With their strategic location on the Baltic Sea, Gdańsk and Sopot offer a compelling proposition for the MICE market. Their combination of state-of-the-art venues, scenic coastal settings, and diverse water-based activities makes them stand out as attractive and versatile destinations for meetings and events.”
Highlights of the Event
The event began with visits to two Radisson hotels in Gdańsk: the Radisson Blu Hotel Gdańsk on Długi Targ and the Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdańsk on Granary Island. The Radisson Blu Hotel Gdańsk offers five conference rooms with a total area of 1,000 m², accommodating up to 200 people. The Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdańsk is notable for its modern conference rooms with views over the Motława River and luxury apartments. A dedicated hotel game helped integrate the group, offering participants a chance to explore the guestbook, conference rooms, hotel rooms, and interesting facts about the hotel and the city.
The program also included numerous networking activities, B2B meetings, and additional attractions organized by Tarifa Corporate Events, a company with POT-recommended PCO and ITC certifications.
On the first day, participants engaged in an incentive game at the Sassy restaurant, ending with a spectacular sunset on the Sassy Roof Top, offering a unique view of the historic Old and Main Town.
Day Two
The second day began with a visit to the European Solidarity Centre (ECS). Participants had the chance to learn about the struggle for freedom, the legacy of the Solidarity movement, view the historic Gate No. 2, and tour the museum. This visit left a profound impression on the international guests. The ECS has an auditorium for 430 people, several smaller conference rooms, and modern exhibition spaces, making it a versatile venue for hosting conferences and other events. Its historical significance adds a unique character to any event.
The next stop was the AmberExpo Exhibition and Convention Centre, where participants witnessed preparations for upcoming major trade events, such as the AMBERIF fair. AmberExpo offers a 12,000 m² space with multiple exhibition halls and conference rooms, including VIP rooms directly connected to the exhibition hall, making it an ideal venue for large trade shows, conferences, and other business events.
At noon, guests arrived at the Olivia Star complex, which offers a variety of event spaces, from Olivia Garden to venues on higher floors. The 32nd floor features an observation deck, the 34th floor hosts rentable event spaces, and the 33rd floor houses two Michelin-recommended restaurants. Arco by Paco Perez, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in northern Poland, and the nearby Treinta y Tres, both offered a memorable lunch for the guests.
In the afternoon, after returning to the historic city centre from Granary Island, the group travelled by MotlawaBoats on the Vistula River to the location for a networking session. The boats docked at the marina of the Grano Hotel Solmarina, where guests could enjoy views of the Vistula River and the bridge connecting Żuławy with Sobieszewo Island. The Grano Hotel Solmarina features modern conference rooms and event spaces, ideal for smaller meetings and intimate events.
Day Three
The third day focused on Sopot. Guests explored the conference facilities at the Sopot Marriott Resort & Spa, which offers three conference rooms with a total area of 500 m², accommodating up to 300 people. The hotel also boasts one of the best spas in Poland, with 33 treatment rooms and pools, including a rooftop pool with views over the Baltic Sea.
MICE Venues and Facilities Visited
During Let’s Meet, hosted buyers visited and explored various MICE venues and facilities, including hotels in Gdańsk and Sopot, congress and conference centres, as well as restaurants and unique venues:
- Radisson Hotel & Suites Gdansk
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Gdansk
- European Solidarity Centre
- AmberExpo Exhibition and Convention Centre
- Olivia Star
- Sopot Marriott Resort & SPA
- Grano Hotel Solmarina
The event was partnered by the Polish Tourism Organisation and Poland Convention Bureau.
