My journey through Poland - first stop Poznan
Years ago I came to the city for the wedding of my Dutch friend who married a Polish lady from Poznan. I was their witness and we celebrated their wedding spread over 2 days, a fantastic experience which I still remember. And to be honest, I have never been back to the city because I saw my friend in the Netherlands, when he visited his family.
After 16 years I came back to Poznan.
The drive from Germany towards Poland was smooth. I took the toll road and as soon as I crossed the border, the ‘foreign campers’ disappeared :-). Arrived safely to Poznan on Saturday afternoon at my friend's, where I parked my camper on their driveway, in front of their house. The luxury of using the facilities of their house, but I still slept in my camper to keep my cat company.
Poznan on the map of Europe. source: Poznan Congress Centre
What can happen in one week in Poznan? A lot!
I spent seven days in Poznan and it was first stop during my journey across Poland. What a great time it has been! Here`s a list of my meetings and expriences in the capital of Wielkopolska (Greater Poland region)
Wojciech Mania and Aleksander Rudawski
Visited the Poznan Convention Bureau to talk about the actual situation of the MICE industry. I met members of the team - Jan, Aleksander and Wojciech
Discovered the city together with Aleksander and Wojciech of the Poznan Convention Bureau and Poznan Travel tourism organisation
Karolina Niementowska, Sabrina Żymierska, Magdalena Holowinska
Visited the Poznan Convention Center (Miedzynarodowe Targi Poznanskie - Grupa MTP) to see what are the possibilities in this particular situation. I met amazing female team of eventprofs - (thank you for the delicious lunch)
Met the passionate and dynamic Agnieszka Ciesielska, a professional Polish event blogger. She runs a blog called Eventowa Blogerka
Went on a meeting with the sweetest Polish guy of the country (more details later)
Rediscovered the variety of the Polish cuisine
The last day we recorded a podcast with Agnieszka.
Listen to our podcast recorded in Poznan - EventTalks with Mariska Kesteloo.
Just like Agnieszka (Eventowa Blogerka and Avatarland) says:
“It’s April 10th and we recorded this podcast. Our talks are endless, especially as we are skimming around the discussion about the approach to the new reality, survival, and development in the coming months. After a few moments, we feel that we have found a common understanding. Our market perception is similar, although the places where we live and work seem distant.”
Listen to our talk recorded in Poznan.
Unusual meetings
Before we dive into business, I will share more details about my unusual meeting, because I am sure you are super curious.
Poznan Motor Show
I received free tickets from the Poznan Congress Centre for the Poznan Motor Show, the largest show of Eastern Europe.
Cars, motors are not high on my priority list but I wanted to see the show, because I was curious to see it from a business point of view. And where do I find someone who’s extremely passionate about cars, more specifically, the Formula 1 and Max Verstappen? Simon, the son of my best friend :-) He’s 10 years old and knows all the ins and outs about the F1 (and he shared a lot of information with me, not an expert yet, getting close).
About the show, it was business as usual. Just a regular show as any other show, just the fact that the percentage of men was quite high.
St. Martin Crossaints Museum
On Saturday we spend the entire day together, combining the motor show, with a visit to the croissant museum. Huh? Yes, the most famous attraction of the city is the St. Martin croissants museum and it was fun and very engaging for all ages. Thank you Poznan Convention Bureau, it was definitely worth discovering the experience.
This was the first time I saw other tourists, and as direct as I am, sitting next to a friendly German man and asked if he had any doubts about coming to Poland. And he was honest and said that he seriously considered cancelling his trip. Luckily he decided to come at the end.
Google Poland and you will see …
Did you know that Poland is safe is one of the most googled items? And that the tourism industry will have a loss of at least 40%? There are no facts and figures about the meeting and event industry but I assume it will be the same or even worse.
Your questions
And before you ask the questions, I will share them. Also my friends ask me similar questions.
Have I felt unsafe? No
Have I seen refugees sleeping on the street? No
Do I have the impression that life in Poznan was disrupted by the refugees? No
Did I see any refugees? Yes, but a small group of 30 people were wating to enter a building in the center.
Is Poznan a destination for your upcoming event, conference or tradeshow? Yes, definitely!
It’s great to be back in Poland and I’m enjoying my time. The people are very helpful and friendly and despite the fact that a lot of people have misperceptions about the country, come and discover the country with your own eyes. Price-quality ratio is great. On top of the many reasons I shared already.
The camper life
And in between, life goes one and of course I had some challenges… never a dull moment in my life.
On Saturday I suddenly had a battery issue, my camper didn’t want to start and also in my camper I had no electricity… We tried again on Sunday but my camper didn’t want to start, despite that the garage just replaced my battery before departure. The electricity in the camper worked again.
The advantage of living in a neighbourhood is fantastic and there’s always someone who knows everything about cars. My friend saw his neighbour and after a few hours he fixed it. Thanks! A huge thank you, a package of ‘stroopwafels’ and a few beers, it was solved.
Next destination
After amazing 7 days I can leave Poznan towards my next destination. Where would it be?
Lower Silesia (Dolnoslaskie), the region with its capital Wroclaw. On 20th of April I will give a presentation for Wroclaw Convention Bureau members.
But before that I will take some time off and will stay at a camping outside of the city, in the countryside. Time to relax, enjoy nature, and a bit of working. Remember, now Word of MICE office is on 4 wheels and there is still work to do.
This is going to be my first ‘real’ camping experience. And what a surprise, I will be staying at campig site that is owned by a Dutch.
See you soon!
