Poland Showcases Its Strengths for Association Events at HQ Association Meetpoint in Brussels
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8th Oct, 2025
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On 2 October 2025, Poland took the spotlight at the HQ Association Meetpoint in Brussels, a networking event organised by Meeting Media Company in collaboration with the Poland Convention Bureau (PCB). The gathering brought together a select group of association executives representing diverse sectors such as energy, healthcare, renewables, urban development and financial regulation.
An Evening Of Insight And Exchange
Held at the elegant La Villa Lorraine, recognised in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Belgium for its exceptional cuisine and service, the event encouraged open dialogue between association leaders and PCB representatives. The latter provided a detailed overview of Poland’s strengths as a meetings destination, combining accessibility, advanced infrastructure, professional support and a clear vision for sustainability. The format encouraged engagement and debate, reflecting HQ’s mission to connect associations with forward-thinking destinations.
Poland continues to rise steadily in the global meetings market. According to the latest ICCA rankings, Warsaw hosted 62 international association meetings in 2024, placing it 21st in Europe and 31st globally. Meanwhile, Krakow achieved 26th and 42nd place respectively. In the UIA rankings, Poland is ranked 21st worldwide, highlighting its consistent ability to attract international associations. Other regional cities, such as Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań and Katowice, also feature prominently, demonstrating the balanced development of Poland's event infrastructure.
Beyond rankings, Poland’s meetings industry rests on strong structural foundations. The country offers a robust professional framework for international organisers. Its network of modern convention centres across the country, supported by certified service providers, ensures that every major city can accommodate events of varying scale and complexity. Institutional initiatives such as the Polish Congress Ambassadors Programme and the Recommendation Programmes for Professional Congress Organisers and Incentive Travel Companies foster collaboration between academia, business tourism and government partners, ensuring consistency and reliability for planners.
Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of the Meetpoint’s format, both in terms of organisation, Poland’s initiatives and infrastructure, as well as the high-level networking opportunities it created for association executives and the destination. Participants praised the quality of discussions and the chance to explore tangible opportunities for collaboration.
“I am delighted that Poland had the honour of being the first destination to open this new series of HQ Association Meetpoint - combining insightful presentations with productive networking opportunities. Together with Dominika Szulc from the Polish Tourism Organisation Office in Brussels, we presented Poland’s key strengths: its strategic geographic location, the professionalism of its service providers, the availability of top-tier venues and an increasing commitment to sustainability within its meetings and events sector. As we celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the first royal coronation in 2025, we proudly emphasise that the art of hosting meaningful gatherings is woven into Poland’s heritage - from historic royal ceremonies to today’s world-class business events and international association congresses,” says Jarosław Marciuk, Chief Marketing Specialist, Poland Convention Bureau.
Szczecin: A Model Of Regeneration
Poland’s broader sustainability progress is reflected in its performance in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, in which it ranks as one of the leading destinations in Central and Eastern Europe for the adoption of responsible event practices. This achievement reflects the collaborative efforts of Polish cities to integrate sustainability into their conference and events strategies.
Sustainability and transformation were key themes throughout the presentation, with Szczecin emerging as a prime example of Poland’s progressive trajectory. Having once been an industrial shipyard city on the Baltic coast, Szczecin has reinvented itself through urban renewal and environmental innovation. Its Floating Garden 2050 strategy has set a standard for merging green planning with community-led growth.
This commitment has been recognised internationally. Szczecin has been chosen to host the 2026 GDS Forum & Impact Day, which is being organised jointly by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS Movement), #MEET4IMPACT and the City of Szczecin. Scheduled for 16–18 June 2026, the forum will bring together industry changemakers to explore regenerative tourism, destination leadership and how to measure the impact of global events on climate and society.
“The fact that Szczecin will host the GDS-Forum & Impact Day 2026 is a huge honour not only for the city but also for Poland as a whole,” emphasised Aneta Książek, Head of the Poland Convention Bureau at the Polish Tourism Organisation. “By supporting the bidding process, we knew this event could mark a breakthrough in promoting Poland as a responsible and innovative business events destination. Hosting the GDS-Forum & Impact Day places our country at the heart of the global debate on sustainable development and regenerative business tourism. It is also a signal that Poland is increasingly making its mark on the map of the world’s most significant industry events. Szczecin, with its unique location, modern infrastructure and consistent approach to sustainability, fits this narrative perfectly and will be a worthy host.”
Poland’s presentation in Brussels confirmed its growing weight in the European association meetings landscape. With its accessibility, sustainable outlook, and commitment to quality, the country continues to prove why it is “more than expected.”
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