Conventa Crossover 2024 - on Authenticity, Technology and Creativity
13 Sep 2024
The 9th Conventa Crossover dedicated to event organisers and experiential marketing professionals, took place in Center Rog on September, 9-10th. In less than a decade,the event has established itself as one of the most important creative platforms in the European meetings industry, which contributes significantly also to Ljubljana's visibility as a creative destination; Ljubljana Tourism has been involved in the festival since its very beginnings.
The main theme of this year's Conventa Crossover, which brought together around 130 participants from almost 30 countries, was "AUthenticity or AIthenticity". The theme highlighted the increasing relevance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tourism and the importance of finding the right balance between the use of technology and ensuring authenticity (and creativity) in the events. Twenty top speakers discussed these topic at the Centre Rog.
Ms. Petra Stušek, Managing Director of Ljubljana Tourism, emphasized that the Conventa Crossover has become one of the most important events in the European meetings industry precisely because it is based on authenticity: on a unique concept and the close relationships it weaves between the participants. She also highlighted Ljubljana's creativity in staging unique events that are accessible to the widest audience - outdoor events. The city allows locals and visitors to experience extraordinary stories for free, such as the sports spectacles that have taken place so far: volleyball, trampolining and climbing competitions on the Ljubljanica River.
Another important part of the festival is the awards competiotion entitled "Conventa Best Event Award". This year, the finalists were selected by a distinguished jury of 23 international experts. A record 44 events from 16 countries competed for the awards. Events in Slovenia were among the winners in various categories, and this year, for the first time, special awards were also given to the best Slovenian events.
The whole event was oganised in line with the sustainable principles. The city's commitment to sustainability aligns seamlessly with the growing focus on sustainable practices in the events industry. By 2027, our vision is for Ljubljana to be recognized as the leading and most creative urban sustainable lifestyle destination in the world - an ambition that mirrors the innovative spirit of Conventa Crossover and the future of the events industry we're here to shape. During the event the carbon footprint was measured in detail - the data will be used in order to develop further guidelines for improving efforts in reducing its negative impact on the environment.