Blogs

In a series of blogs, I wish to focus on infrastructural, social and cultural change brought about through UEFA Euro 2012 in respect of making a city and nation a more exciting proposition for meeting planners, congress organisers', national associations and federations, having successfully hosted an event of the magnitude of the UEFA Euro Championships.

At a recent press conference arranged by the Polish National Tourist Office and PL.2012 (special purpose entity of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism) in the presence of the Minister of Sports Ms Joanna Mucha, I heard first-hand the mechanics and responsibilities necessary to organise a major sporting event. Using Poland’s capital city as the case study or indeed template (replicated in the other host cities of Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw), it became easier to understand why a major sporting event, fosters a ‘legacy’ for the future well-being of a country; none more so than the MICE sector.

The investment in ‘infrastructure’ of 219 projects across Poland, such as stadia, train stations and selected road and rail connections is already getting the attention of international meeting planners and will provide greater ease of access to Poland’s capital city and promote Warsaw as a world-class professional meetings destination. The hotel sector has a strong selection of five-star properties in the city, with investment from IBIS and IBIS Budget to add 800 additional rooms nationally by 2013, for more budget orientated accommodation; all of which will have a knock-on effect to the other major conference centres and host cities.

In the spotlight in this article are just some of the elements Warsaw has been addressing and is on schedule to complete in readiness for June 8^th 2012:

• The construction and opening of a new 58,000-seater National Stadium, followed by the thorough organisational testing of the venue, which included an inaugural concert and fireworks display on the 29^th January 2012, followed by the first football match to be played in the stadium between Poland and Portugal on the 29^th February 2012.
• To cope with the mass arrival and exodus of fans at Warsaw Chopin International Airport, organisers' have created a buffer zone for fans to wait for check-in after matches and a back-up terminal to cope with the busiest periods. Two new piers at the airport opened in 2011 and an increased number of check-in desks will be in operation.
• The Construction of a second international airport ‘Modlin’. Located 40km north-west of Warsaw, with a 2.5km runway and is nearing completion. Initially the airport will be used by private jets arriving for UEFA Euro 2012. Post tournament, the facility has already been selected by Wizzair and Ryanair to run their planned operations from.
• Improvement in public transportation with the delivery of 120 of the 186 modern trams to be supplied before the tournament.
• To ensure security for all, the Warsaw Metropolitan government has invested 109 million PLN over the last 5-years to ensure the latest specialist equipment is available to Police including a mobile HQ, motorboat, air crew, mobile command centre and 192 different types of vehicles. Officers have also been completing a 2-year language course in English.
• Selection of official team hotels and training facilities. The Polish team will stay at the Hyatt Regency Warsaw. Greece will stay at the Warszawianka Wellness & Spa in Jachranka. The Russian team will stay at the Le Meridian Bristol – the PL.2012 has worked with the precise requirements of each nation’s football association.
• PKP Polish Railways at a cost of 300m PLN is building a new 1.9km railway line, which will make it possible to travel from Warsaw Chopin Airport to Warsaw Central Station within only several minutes and will be in service by May 2012.
• Modernisation of existing infrastructure such as Warszawa Stadium Railway Station just 5-minutes from the national stadium and direct links to the airport. Also major road infrastructure to and from the capital city.
• Fans have an opportunity to purchase the ‘Polish Pass’ so that a one-stop shop card enables them to book rooms, purchase medical insurance and tickets for all types of public transportation
• A media platform containing a vast array of helpful information www.polishguide2012.pl

 For more information on Warsaw or Poland in general, please contact the Polish National Tourist Office on +44 (0) 300 303 1813 email london@poland.travel website: www.poland.travel ; www.warsawconvention.pl