MEET Riga Closes its Doors in March

Time flies and the Latvia capital, Riga, is undergoing a wind of change that has led to the restructuring of the entire city administration under one roof of Investments, Tourism, PR and city Marketing. 

For this reason, MEET RIGA, the city's official convention bureau, will close its doors at the end of March, giving way to a new Riga Investment Agency that will take office at the end of the summer.

One of the most striking changes in this overhaul led to the departure of MeetRiga's managing director, Aigars Smiltans, after 10 years of planning and leading business events in the Baltic city. Aigars Smiltans has played an integral role in developing Riga as a meeting, conferences, congresses and corporate events destination, while helping industry professionals choose the right suppliers.

We asked him what this transition will look like: "We don't know yet, but we hope that the synergy between the various departments of the organisation will benefit from the consolidation process." For now, the bottom line is that the Restructuring of Riga Tourism Development Bureau and MEET RIGA is covered by larger plans of the Riga City administration as a whole.

In his latest Linkedin post, Aigars announced that he is leaving his duties, the closing of the Convention Bureau and left a message of thanks to the entire industry: “It was a great 10-year period of meeting vivid, wise, marvellous and inspiring people from the Meetings and Events industry and a time of gaining new lifetime friends! Thank you for sharing with me your inspiring stories, advice and know-how! And special thanks to the one who mentored me!” 

He also thanked to the "personalities of the Meetings & Events industry of Latvia, who supported me throughout all those years! I was truly honored to be on the cover of (our) MIM Europe #127 issue"

At the last meeting & incentives forum of 2019, Aigars was considered the Leading Sales Professional of the year. A true gentle giant, the HQ team wishes him the best of luck for his next career steps and will be on top of future news about the new convention agency in Riga.

Do not miss our upcoming interview with Aigars about the city plans and the future of meetings in Riga, in May's HQ #99.