photo credit: TZGD, Conventa
Dubrovnik has once again reaffirmed its status as the leading destination in the region by winning the prestigious Meetings Star Award for the best meeting destination in the M category (up to 1,200 participants) at this year's awards ceremony as part of the Conventa trade show.
The Meetings Star Award, presented by the renowned Kongres Magazine, is considered the "Michelin Guide" of the meeting industry in New Europe, covering Central and South-eastern European countries. This award is based on precisely defined criteria and standards, with destinations evaluated according to the Meeting Experience Index, which includes as many as 75 assessment criteria.
Among the Brightest Stars in the MICE Industry
A panel of leading industry experts recognized Dubrovnik’s exceptional quality, awarding it a total score of 4.39, highlighting the city as one of Europe's most recognizable meeting destinations. In their official statement, the jury emphasized that Dubrovnik is an undisputed leader in regional tourism and often the first choice for event organizers in this part of the world. The panel also credited Dubrovnik’s leading position to recent projects, including hotel renovations, new air connections to the U.S., and the construction of the Pelješac Bridge. As they put it, “Dubrovnik ages like fine wine and surpasses the competition.”
The awards ceremony was held in the Grand Hall of Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana, bringing together more than 400 distinguished guests and top professionals from the European MICE industry.
"We are proud to have continuously won this award for 15 years, proving the quality of our offerings and Dubrovnik’s ongoing commitment to delivering a world-class experience for meeting and event organizers. With its unique blend of historical heritage, top-tier hotels and conference facilities, and ever-improving transport connections, Dubrovnik remains the preferred choice for event planners from around the globe."
Strong Interest from International Buyers at B2B Meetings
In addition to winning this prestigious award, Dubrovnik showcased its MICE potential at Conventa, engaging with numerous international buyers from the business events sector. Meetings were held with buyers from countries such as Scandinavia, the UK, Germany, Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Turkey, with a particular focus on incentive travel. In this segment, direct flight availability remains a key factor in destination selection.
This year’s Conventa hosted around 150 exhibitors and 180 buyers from 37 countries. Alongside the Dubrovnik Tourist Board’s Convention Bureau, Croatia was represented by the Zagreb Convention Bureau, the Croatian National Tourist Board, Croatia Airlines, and Valamar Hotels & Resorts, which also showcased Dubrovnik. Conventa also gathered numerous exhibitors from other parts of Croatia, further confirming New Europe’s status as a key MICE industry destination.
Dubrovnik has once again demonstrated why it is an essential meeting destination—the combination of rich history, modern infrastructure, and top-tier services makes it the ideal location for hosting prestigious business events. This latest award further reinforces its global recognition and continuous growth in the business tourism sector.
