Heading to the south of Poland - from Lodz to Krakow. Driving away from Lodz with so many impressions and information in my head, it was good that the drive took a bit longer. The weather was extraordinary, it suddenly got very warm and I discovered that the airo was not working properly in my camper. Something I need to check when I will be back. It was busy on the road and warm, and felt a bit like a boiled egg when I arrived at the camping in Krakow. I was cautious and parked my camper just outside and checked the place before. It was an excellent idea because I saw a huge party tent and lots of people just next to the camping… not again. Not another party! That’s not what I’m looking for.

So I drove to the second camping just 2 km further and I arrived at an oasis of silence, just what I needed. Here again, the camping was almost empty and due to the unpredictable weather forecast I needed to park my camper on gravel, instead of the grass. Because the entire month of May it hadn’t rained yet. Climate change?

Spending Saturday at the camping, preparing for another dynamic week. Catching up with emails and preparing my presentation and getting some rest. On Sunday I went out for a long walk to explore the nature reserve just a few km away. It was nice to spend some time alone.

From all places in the world

On Monday I got new neighbours, a lovely couple from Canada! From all places in the world. Incredibly, European people don’t travel to Poland but Canadians do. This enthusiastic couple travels for 3 months through Europe together on their motorbike including a trailer. For me, this couple is such a source of inspiration for what you still can do when you retire. I didn’t dare to ask but when I told them that my father is 74 years old, oh, he’s young…

On Monday I went to the Krakow Convention Bureau to discuss the program of the arrival of Nyomi. I’ll think I haven’t mentioned this, right? What a story!

Preparing the arrival of….

Three weeks ago Nyomi booked a call in my diary. I was surprised and she didn’t add any details. She shared during the conversation that she was so inspired by my journey that she wants to join me during my trip. I was blown away by the courage, enthusiasm and support of this young entrepreneur. And we never met in person! Can you imagine? We agreed that she would come to Krakow, my last destination in Poland and then join me in my camper to drive together to Frankfurt. Where we would visit the most important show of our industry together.

Together with Karolina of the Krakow Convention Bureau we discussed all the details of her visit, to make sure everything is arranged. Also with the support of Agnieszka of DMC Poland we put an awesome program together.

Storytelling

On Tuesday I shared my personal story and explained what B2B influencer marketing is for members of Meeting Professionals International in Poland (thank you Monika Dymacz, roommate!) and other suppliers, ambassadors of the city including the Kraków Network. I have been involved in MPI for many years in Belgium and the relationships I build up are still ongoing.

Afterwards, a local young journalist from Ukraine joined me to the camping to capture #MariskaJourney in my camper for Play Krakow News. Incredibly, I feel like a celebrity :-)

I can’t believe it….

I still can’t believe that Nyomi Rose is arriving today in Krakow to see me, and to explore the destination together. It was until we hugged that I felt, yes, it’s real!

And can you imagine what she said, just after her check-in at Vienna House hotel in Krakow, walking towards our lunch appointment (and her first visit ever to Poland!)

I want to live here!

I know now why we get along so well, despite that we have a difference in age. I am just as crazy as her, and I loved her expression. Krakow, you can’t receive a better compliment as a destination :-)

After enjoying a nice lunch, and strolling around with a lovely guide, we were invited to join a concert at the ICE Krakow Congress Centre. A special evening in which Polish and Ukrainian musicians collaborated and gave a unique classical concert. We got the front row seats, sitting between all the VIPS :-) It was an amazing finish of the first day, it couldn’t be better.

On Friday we finally met Agnieszka from DMC Poland, another contact from MPI who I haven’t seen for many years. It was fabulous to see her, in her hometown, such a source of positive energy.

Together with Nyomi and food blogger Szymon Gatlik, we met at the local food market for a coffee, talking about food and our love for the industry. The next stop was the vineyard Winnica Srebrna Góra, which is located just outside, where we tasted some nice Polish wines. Again, I’m surprised by the quality of the wines. No better start for the weekend than with a glass of wine, in the sun in the vineyard surrounded by passionate and great people.

During my stay I hadn’t tried the famous Polish snack, Zapiekanka, so we went to the best place in Krakow, Plac Nowy located in Kazimierz, the formerJewish quarter.

After we meet with Svitlana Hlushanytsia, a lady from the Ukraine who escaped from her country due to the war and lives now in Krakow with her children. If you hear her story, it’s unbelievable what the impact of the war has on people. It could have been me right?

Cherish what you have and be grateful. And to hear what the local community of Poland is doing to support these people is amazing. If you still doubt that Poland is not the right destination for your meeting or event, just think twice about how Poland hosted ‘suddenly’ 3,5 million refugees with very little support from the government.

Saturday program

How do you start your weekend? We start the day with a visit to the hairdresser. I love to go in foreign countries to the hairdresser, always an experience. The week after we are attending the biggest trade show so we need to look good right? Nyomi and I booked an appointment at 9 am and enjoyed the experience.

Our charming guide and driver was already waiting for us just outside the hotel to show us the city from his tiny cute old red car. One of the few cars used in communist times in Poland. I love old-timers and so did Nyomi, and together with the enthusiasm of our driver and guide it was a perfect combination to see more of the city.

He dropped us off at the Radisson hotel, good memories from 7 years ago (time flies) where we had our MPI meeting before the kick off of the official EMEC conference in ICE Krakow.

Together with event planners from South Africa (yes, you read it right!) We prepared soup for the refugees for Ukraine together with Svitlana, and created fruit bags.

It was nice to meet event planners from another continent and to hear their reactions about the country, and their first impressions. Again, amazing that the surrounding countries don’t want to come but for others this is not an issue?

Tired after an intense 3 day program in Krakow, Nyomi and I decided to go to bed early. I needed to prepare my departure with the camper because we have a long drive to Frankfurt ahead.

IMEX Frankfurt here we come… Frankfurt be prepared, Nyomi and I are coming…..

#MariskaJourney Partners