Poland should become a land of congresses and conferences. Such is one of the recommendations of European Union experts. A new plan to develop tourism in Poland up to 2006, adopted by the government, includes the vision of turning Poland into the land of meetings.

It can be safely stated today that Poland already has a mature conference market. Gatherings for several hundred people can be held in more than 300 professional facilities throughout Poland, as is evident by this catalogue. Meeting facilities are found in all the country's regions, attesting to the importance central and local authorities attach to the conference sector. The staff at the centres have been well trained to serve business guests in a professional manner. World-class conference equipment is available, and the wishes of even the most demanding clients are fulfilled.

At present, however, new horizons are opening before us. Poland's conference industry is now setting its sights on congresses – large gatherings for several hundred or even several thousand participants coming from all the different countries of the world. Congresses afford a good opportunity to enhance the country's prestige, access the latest know-how, take part in the exchange of scientific ideas and develop professionally. Such big international gatherings set the standards for the entire sector's professional preparations. Congresses are a true yardstick of a given country's preparation to participate in international political, economic, social and scientific life.

Several conditions must exist if international congresses are to come to Poland. One of the basic ones is infrastructure. Over the past decade, Poland has become an focus of interest to big corporations, and both local and foreign investments have led to new building projects. New and prestigious buildings worthy of the 21st century are going up. A symbol of such prestige and a sign of ambitious solutions is the Metropolitan Building, due to open in Poland's capital towards the end of 2003. Taking part in its design phase is the world-renowned architect Lord Norman Foster. Another example of historic infrastructural changes is the government's motorway-construction programme, announced in 2002, which should substantially improve the country's transport network.

Great transformations have also affected the congressional infrastructure. In spring 2002, the very modern, 6,000 sq. metre Gromada Congress and Exhibition Centre began operations near Warsaw's Okecie Airport. The airport itself, which since last year bears the name of Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin, now includes a new hotel. In terms of modernity and capacity, the facility was designed to meet the needs of growing passenger traffic.

Also in spring 2002, a hall accommodating more than 2,000 has gone into service on the campus of Warsaw's Private Collage of Business and Administration. Like other Polish institutions of higher education – Warsaw Polytechnic, Jagiellonian University, Lódź University – they ensure conditions for congresses organised not only by the academic community. In 2001, the EXPO 21 exhibition complex opened in almost the very centre of Warsaw. Apart for trade fairs, it also provides facilities for congresses and conferences. The new Warszawianka Congress Centre has been in service for more than a year in the forested Warsaw suburb of Jachranka.

A new congress and exhibition complex known as Royal Port —eran is due to arise in Warsaw. It will include a congress hall designed to accommodate 2,850, exhibition and sport halls, a hotel with nearly 2,000 rooms, Poland's biggest aquapark, a yacht marina and all the necessary back-up facilities. Congress-related projects have also been announced by the cities of Kraków, Sopot, Wroc3aw and Poznan.

Large events for several thousand participants have been taking place for years and continue to be held at Warsaw's Palace of Culture and Science which has undergone thorough modernisation. Comprehensive congress services for up to 2,000 participants are provided by the Masurian Congress Centre in Hotel Go3ebiewski in Miko3ajki. In the mountains of southern Poland, Orle Gniazdo (Eagle's Nest) in picturesque Szczyrk is able to accommodate congresses of up to 1,000 participants. Congresses are also held in well-known sports and entertainment facilities – the Hala Ludowa of Wroc3aw, the "Spodek" ("Saucer") of Katowice and Poznan’s Arena as well as glittery philharmonic halls and theatres such as Warsaw's Wielki Theatre, S3owacki Theatre of Kraków or Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz.

It should be noted that major investments serving the conference and congress industry are being carried out by hotel chains. Significant changes are being made by the biggest hotel chain in this part of Europe, Orbis, which has teamed up with Accord, French strategic investor. Appearing on the map of Poland are more and more hotels affiliated with such well-known international chains as Mercure, Sofitel and Novotel. Best Western is expanding its network. New hotels have been built by Radisson SAS, Holiday Inn and Campanile. Recently Hyatt has added its logo to the already well-established Marriott and Sheraton, and Westin is now building a hotel of its own. New construction projects are being carried out by the Qubus hotel chain. One of its new hotels in Legnica offers 1,000 sq. metres of floor space for conferences and exhibitions. An interesting development has been the gradually growing availability to the conference market of formerly inaccessible facilities belonging to major firms (banks, telecommunications, insurance companies) and state institutions (the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Armed Forces). Incentive events are increasing in popularity, and the number of facilities catering to incentive travel is growing.

Poland has all the conditions to become a popular international meeting venue. Frequently mentioned amongst Poland's advantages are its central location, the region's high sense of security, convenient transport, moderate climate, the lack of other threats such as social or political unrest. And finally, there is that traditional Polish hospitality, Polish nation's openness and friendly attitude towards visitors. It should be added that factors enhancing Poland's advantages include its membership of NATO, gradual integration with the European Union and growing involvement in international economic life.

Poland represents a great intellectual potential which can also be tapped to attract congresses. Many area of science and the economy as well as cultural and social life predestine Poland to play host to professional gatherings. The new Convention Bureau of Poland, set up as part of the Polish Tourist Organisation, is to become a platform of co-operation for more than a twelve thousand scholars and specialists in various fields of endeavour. They can play the role of ambassadors promoting Poland as a congress country. Similar structures of the Convention Bureau are being set up in numerous regions of the country – Warsaw, Gdansk, Katowice, Kraków, Lódź, Poznan and Wroc3aw.

Businesses and organisations planning congresses can count on the assistance of professional congress organisers. They can advise clients on the choice of a congress centre, hotel and transport facilities. They can obtain the best negotiated price and ensure the efficient implementation of the entire programme down to the last detail. The industry organisation affiliating such organisers is the Conferences and Congresses in Poland Association.

The publicity surrounding major congresses is a way to promote the country. Congresses can become its calling card. In 2002, Poland has begun popularising a new identification logo. The emblem accentuates an easy-going attitude, naturalness and joie de vie. We hope those traits will help generate interest in Poland as the country of meetings -- the land of congresses.