#BUDCBonTheRoad – 2023 H2 Highlights

The year coming to an end at the Budapest Convention Bureau (BUDCB). The season was ablaze with international MICE activities, marking us as a vibrant hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. From Conventa's groundbreaking "Try Before you Buy" event to the glitzy AMOUR Global showcase, we were asserting our presence on the global stage. Join us on a journey through our year-end exploits as we unravel our city's appeal for MICE professionals worldwide.?

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Conventa Try Before You Buy 2023. September 1-3, Budapest, Marriott Hotel?

Kicking off our autumn spectacle, CONVENTA introduced its innovative "Try Before you Buy" series, making Budapest the inaugural host. Collaborating with us, Conventa curated a two-and-a-half-day event for 18 industry buyers, treating them to a rich program of professional sessions, gastronomic delights, attractions, and city tours. This unique initiative allowed our local industry representatives to showcase their services, fostering connections and collaborations. It was an honor to be the very first host of this new concept, where the aim was showcase the various ?colors” at the beginning of autumn the city has to offer.?

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ALHI Gala Dinner 2023. September 4-5, Budapest?

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) , a global sales partner for more than 250 independent luxury hotels, chose Budapest for its flagship European client event. We seized the opportunity to promote Hungary to ALHI's prestigious attendees, sponsoring the group's gala dinner at the scenic Normafa Event Center. The event highlighted our city's versatility, featuring private transportation by the one and only children’s train through the hills and woods of the Buda side, a spectacular reception, and a three-course dinner. Creative catering ideas and solutions, a hidden gem venue on the top of the hill and a selection of the best buyers presented the event.?

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M&IT Gala Awards 2023. September 15-16, London?

Our representative, Ildikó Lippai , graced the M&IT Magazine Gala Awards in London, where industry leaders gathered to honor those driving the meetings and events sector forward. Recognizing the importance of the UK market, this gala provided a platform for valuable networking with prominent figures in the British tourism industry. To experience from the front row the vibrant atmosphere with over 1.000 industry profesionnals was truly impressive. It absolutely proved to its fame, as of being one of the most influential events of our industry.?

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BIZ Autumn 2023. September 21-22, Vienna?

We made our mark at the BIZ - eventbiz | hotelbiz | seminarbiz Autumn 2023 in Vienna, targeting primarily Austrian, German, and Western European event organizers. The event focused on exhibition, destination image building, networking, and business acquisition, showcasing 50 exhibitors and providing a platform for us to strengthen ties in the MICE sector. In addition, we had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions and explore potential collaborations with key industry players. The positive feedback we received reinforced our commitment to delivering high-quality event solutions, and we look forward to leveraging the valuable connections made at BIZ Autumn 2023 to further enhance our presence in the dynamic events landscape.?

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Danube Navigation Conference Tour 2023. September 18, Budapest?

Collaborating with #VisitHungary, we hosted a house tour and dinner for organizers of the 2024 Danube Navigation Conference. This immersive experience included visits to 4- and 5-star hotels and a renowned restaurant, showcasing Budapest's potential as a conference destination.?

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PCMA Convening EMEA Professional Forum 2023. September 20-22, Copenhagen?

We participated in PCMA 's Convening PCMA EMEA Professional Forum in Copenhagen, featuring educational content and ample networking opportunities. This largest-ever European event of its kind gathered over 500 professionals from worldwide Convention Bureaus, offering insights into the industry's current issues and challenges. Unique, aspiring, provocative – way to describe Convene EMEA event, where besides great new encounters, the most memorable was the sing along, which 100% set the mood for the time of the event.?

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M&I America 2023. October 1-4, El Paso?

Our representative attended M&I America in El Paso, engaging in one-on-one meetings with potential buyers from North and South America. The event, targeting the North and Central American markets, provided an opportunity to showcase Budapest and Hungary as prime MICE destinations. Bringing unforgettable memories and new friends is what m&i does. It was no different in El Paso either. ?Cowboy boots, hats and line dance – will always remind me of El Paso from now on.” – said Ildikó Lippai, our senior sales manager.?

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New York MICE Event Series 2023. October 5-6, New York?

We organized luncheons and destination presentations for 30 prominent professional buyers in New York, aiming to re-establish Hungary's presence in the North American MICE sector. Since Covid-19 this was the very first presence of the Hungarian Tourism Board and it was a great success. No wonder though, as the scenery was set by the two selected venues. First, at the Hungarian Embassy with the support of the Liszt Academy member, the award – winning Hungarian piano artist and a menu representing the finest Hungarian flavors. The second event in contrast, was in a metropolitan setting at the heart of the always buzzing Times square.?

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Break the Ice Forum 2023. October 5-7, Salzburg?

A BUDCB colleague participated in the Break The Ice near Salzburg, engaging in 22 pre-arranged MICE meetings and fostering connections in this European B2B event. The skilfully fostered connections in this European B2B event, reinforcing our dedication to expanding our network and providing tailored solutions for our clients. The experience not only enriched our understanding of industry trends but also highlighted the importance of personalized engagement in building lasting partnerships.?

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AMOUR Global 2023 2023. October 8-11, Budapest?

We hosted the prestigious Amour Global event, bringing together 100 international buyers and 120 exhibitors to showcase our city's romantic allure. We actively participated, negotiating with wedding and travel organizers, and engaging in the Love Travel Awards ceremony. Presenting a destination at it’s best. This was our priority that we managed with the support of the local suppliers, who contributed their time and efforts creating true memories.?

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Sustainability Meeting – creating the MICE Collective Sustainability Commitment 2023. October 13, Budapest?

We played a pivotal role in the MICE Sustainability Strategy, contributing to the creation of the Sustainability Board. This board, consisting of key stakeholders, worked towards developing a sustainability week and strategy. 25 selected local suppliers, playing pivotal roles in the industry gathered, and under the guidance of the experts in the topic from IN2destination Research and Consultancy in Tourism, S.L. together, through a series of creative tasks composed the sustainability guideline.?

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IMEX Las Vegas 2023. October 17-19, Las Vegas?

Our vibrant presence at IMEX Las Vegas, with a 40-square-meter stand and six Hungarian service providers, showcased Budapest as a prime destination for MICE events. Our team conducted numerous B2B meetings, reinforcing Hungary's standing in the global MICE community. Moreover, the lively atmosphere and dynamic interactions at IMEX Las Vegas were a testament to our commitment to promoting Budapest as a premier destination The positive feedback received during the event only fuels our enthusiasm to continue championing Budapest as a top-notch choice for memorable and successful business events.?

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M&I Europe Autumn 2023. October 22-25, Como?

Noemi Molnar-Gyori represented BUDCB at the M&I Europe Autumn event in Como, focusing on building new client relationships and promoting Budapest as a leading MICE destination. The hands-on approach allowed us to showcase the unique offerings of Budapest and establish meaningful connections with key decision-makers in the events industry.?

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ICCA Congress 2023 2023. November 12-15, Bangkok?

The ICCA Congress in Bangkok served as a crucial meeting point for global MICE professionals. Industry experts and associations convened to discuss trends, share best practices, and form long-lasting connections, with us actively participating in the discourse. So much laughters and memories were shared, and information exchanged that it is hard to highlight one or two. The morning information hubs were absolutely my favorite, as for being eye – opening in every topic attended. Not to mention the thai gastronomical delicacies we had the chance to taste from day to day, and the farewell experience supported by Iamsterdam.

IBTM World 2023. 2023 November 28-30, Barcelona

We marked our presence at IBTM World 2023 in Barcelona. This global MICE industry event served as a platform for our representatives to connect and collaborate with industry peers. The event showcased the dynamism of the MICE industry and allowed our colleagues to highlight Budapest’s potential during captivating destination presentations. The grand finale each day was the "Taste of Hungary" events, where attendees could enjoy casual conversations and the best of Hungarian wines.

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Signing the MICE Collective Sustainability Commitment 2023. December 12, Budapest?

Concluding the hard work of many great experts and service providers, we managed to finish and sign the document with the newly appointed sustainabitlity committee. The emergence of the “Embracing Sustainability: The Hungary MICE Collective Commitment” signifies a proactive response to the escalating imperative within the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector in Hungary to prioritize sustainability and adopt responsible practices. The introduction highlights the increasing global awareness in recent years regarding the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with MICE events. Recognizing Hungary’s pivotal role in hosting events of international significance, there exists a compelling need for a unified commitment to sustainable practices. This commitment is underpinned by the acknowledgment that sustainability is not merely a moral obligation but a strategic imperative. Sustainable MICE operations not only mitigate the environmental footprint but also foster the development of more resilient and attractive event destinations. Moreover, they serve to attract discerning attendees and clients while contributing to the well-being of local communities.?

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All in all, our activities showcased our city's dynamism and commitment to being a premier destination for the global MICE community. As we navigate through these impactful events, it's evident that Budapest is not just a destination; it's an experience waiting to be explored.?

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#BUDCBAroundTheWorld #MICE #BudapestEvents #ICCA2023 #IMEXLA #M&I #PMCA #Amour #BIZAutumn #ALHI #Conventa?#IBTM #M&I