Conventa announces move to summer hybrid format again

Organisers of Southeast Europe MICE trade show Conventa have announced a move to summer dates, 24-25 August 2022, with the event returning to hybrid format. Organisers say the Ljubljana-based show has followed a detailed protocol to comply with ever-changing epidemiological circumstances and had set 10 January 2022 as the cut off date for deciding whether or not to carry out the event in the winter dates. They concluded that the unfavourable epidemiological situation meant running the event in the winter term would be impossible. The event will now take place in conjunction with the Conventa Crossover conference for the second year in a row. Conventa Week will run 24-27 August in live or hybrid form, depending on coronavirus restrictions. Organisers executed a safe event both in 2020 and 2021 and the show is among a handful of business events in the meetings industry that has not been halted by the corona crisis. Gorazd Čad, the co-founder of Conventa, said: “Conventa is entirely adapted to the hybrid future. We could have executed the event digitally in the original term. However, having discussed it with partners, exhibitors and hosted buyers, the message was clear. Everyone wants a live event where they can experience genuine human contact, and we will enable them to do so in August.” Organisers say they have acquired the Safe and Healthy Meetings & Events certificate, which evolved in 2021 based on prior experiences. The updated roadmap includes attendee testing, various hygienic measures and upholding the Conventa bubble. Organisers say they are planning several additional activities online and hybrid elements alongside the main event. Photo: Marko Delbello Ocepek