MEETEX 2023, the only B2B trade fair for business tourism in Croatia, begins on March 28th.

Traditionally, the end of March is reserved for MEETEX – Croatian Meeting Experience Summit, the only B2B gathering of congress and business tourism representatives in Croatia. It is also the most important gathering of its kind and is included in the top 10 European B2B events in the MICE industry.

PARTICIPANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD GATHER IN ZAGREB FOR MEETEX

After two years of virtual meetings and networking, this year MEETEX is being held in person again. From March 28th to 30th, the Westin Hotel in Zagreb will be the meeting place for over 160 congress industry professionals from around the world. Over 1,200 one-on-one business meetings have been arranged with domestic exhibitors and buyers from 17 countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as guests from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Domestic exhibitors will include representatives from agencies, tourist boards, congresses, boutique and luxury hotels, the event industry, and many other participants in the business tourism industry.

MEETEX AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS AND CONGRESS TOURISM

This year, the focus is on a greater number of meetings and more intense networking. The business tourism segment is extremely important because it brings guests who spend several times more than leisure guests. Additionally, they come outside the main season, thus extending it in an extremely high-quality manner. According to some estimates, business guests generate up to 30% of the total revenue in tourism.

“Although we were extremely satisfied with the hybrid editions of 2021 and 2022 as organizers, as well as all other participants, we are thrilled to be returning to a completely live event for this fifth edition of MEETEX. MEETEX is an outstanding opportunity for all participants in the Croatian business tourism industry – even the smaller ones – to present themselves to the world through meetings with carefully selected buyers and initiate new business relationships. It is encouraging to see that interest in Croatia as a business tourism destination continues to grow, which was our goal when we launched MEETEX. With this year’s event, the number of one-on-one meetings will exceed 6,500, which is a great average and a very positive trend for the future,” said Adem Braco Suljić, co-founder and director of MEETEX.

JOINING THE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

It is commendable that the MEETEX organizational team, as well as the MICE industry, pays great attention to sustainability. They have joined the German initiative FrauBlau, which has a mission to preserve wetland areas as a catalyst for carbon footprint reduction. Of course, this is in line with SDG6 protocols for the preservation of water resources.

This year, MEETEX also has the support of partners such as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Tourist Board, and the Zagreb Tourist Bord. They have recognized the great importance of such events for the development of congress and business tourism in Croatia.

Photos: Meetex