Try Before You Buy Budva concluded in Montenegro with curated one-to-one meetings between exhibitors and hosted buyers. The event drew 15 suppliers from Budva, including hotels, DMC agencies, and event agencies. Before the meetings began, attendees were greeted by Budva Mayor Nikola Jovanović and Snežana Vejnović of Talas Montenegro DMC, who presented opportunities for organising events in Budva and Montenegro.

The boutique three-day B2B event, Try Before You Buy Budva, took place between 30 September and 2 October 2026, and was organised by Conventa and the Tourist Organisation of Budva, in partnership with Montenegro Stars Hotel Group and Talas Montenegro DMC. The meeting took place at Hotel Splendid, where over 180 pre-arranged meetings were held.

Twenty handpicked hosted buyers, who represent event agencies and companies from 15 European countries, experienced the best of Budva, drenched in sunlight. Participants explored some of the city’s most exclusive event venues, discovered Montenegro’s history and culture, and enjoyed sweeping views from panoramic roads. A highlight of the experience was the ride in legendary Yugo cars from the Kuk Mountains to Cetinje. Another memory that will doubtless linger in the attendees’ minds is the lunch at the Rađenović family, where they savoured local cuisine made with an abundance of love and copious homegrown ingredients.

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“It was great to discover the destination on a deeper level and gain such a personal experience of everything Montenegro has to offer. The places we visited were beautiful, and I especially enjoyed the food, culture, art and the overall atmosphere.”

Feedback from hosted buyers overwhelmingly points to the event’s success. Attendees were amazed by the locals’ hospitality, openness, and the diversity of Budva’s event offerings. Commenting on the experience, Jitka Hřebíková from BOHO Travel said: “I truly enjoyed every moment, and it was great to discover the destination on a deeper level and gain such a personal experience of everything Montenegro has to offer. The places we visited were beautiful, and I especially enjoyed the food, culture, art and the overall atmosphere.”

Elliot Stroud from EFS Sports UK likewise extolled the destination and the quality of meetings: “What an absolutely incredible time we’ve had! Montenegro and Budva have totally blown me away. Thank you to the team for making the last few days so special, and giving us such an amazing experience. The meetings today were also superb. Everything has been just perfect. There is so much potential here, and I am already very excited about coming back.”

Gorazd Čad, the co-founder of Conventa, said this about the event format: “The greatest advantage of such boutique events is the close partnership with destinations that truly wish to showcase the best they have. As we prioritise a boutique group, the approach is incredibly personal and relaxed. Guests can undoubtedly tell whether an experience is authentic and genuine, and this can be the greatest impetus for the start of a successful cooperation and for fostering new business opportunities.”

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Try Before You Buy by Conventa is a curated boutique hosted buyer programme and networking event series that lets international event planners experience regional MICE destinations before hosting their next event.

Learn more about the event programme here: https://conventa.si/events/explore-budva/.