![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Mr-Robert-Stojko.jpg\")
The answers to these and other questions gave us Mr. Robert Stojko, General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Banja Luka.
\nCourayard Hotel Banja Luka is the first branded hotel opened in this city. What do You consider to be its main advantage over other urban hotels?
\nCourtyard by Marriott Hotel Banja Luka is the first and only branded hotel in the city and is part of the world-renowned Marriott International Hotel Group, which has the largest portfolio in the hotel industry, over 30 brands and more than 7,000 hotels in 131 countries. This means that Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka operates according to the defined standards and procedures, which guarantees our guests will have the same experience as any guest, in any city in the world, where there is a Courtyard hotel.
\nThe brand itself is a major advantage over other hotels in the urban environment, because it brings us visibility and presence of the hotel in a far larger number of markets through the Marriott reservation system and BonVoy loyalty program, as well as marketing done globally for Marriott hotels. Through this, we aim to become trendsetters in the city and a place for people who see themselves as business oriented and successful.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/ballroom1.jpg\")
Can You tell us more about congress facilities and how important is congress business for hotel?
\nThe hotel has 340 sq. of conference space, modern equipped and adapted to the business world. We have multifunctional and dividable conference rooms with seating capacity from 10 to 160 and for cocktails up to 200 guests. The conference room at the gallery has daylight and is ideal for smaller events, as well as for conferences. There is also a special, state-of-the-art Boardroom, for business meetings, with 10 seats.
\nThe congress business is one of the most important parts of the hotel business. This segment of the hotel business brings increased interest and promotion not only for the hotel as a potential venue for the congress, but also for the destination itself, and as such, is very important for both our hotel and the hotel industry in general. Organizing a congress is a challenge because, in most cases, it involves all hotel facilities \u2013 not only providing the conference room, but it is necessary to provide accommodation and other accompanying services, from coffee breaks to meals at the hotel for all participants.
\nThe hotel has a lot of guests during the congress, and it has a great opportunity to provide a unique experience through the excellent service it offers to its guests. This is something that guests will take with them and they will become the ambassadors of the hotel, when they share it with their business partners, associates, friends, encouraging them to become customers of the hotel services.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bnxcy-twin-guestroom-2267-hor-clsc.jpg\")
Which additional amenities are available for business guests?
\nBusiness guests have at their disposal a Business Centre with computers and a printer so they can perform their routine office tasks at any time, when they are not in their office. Also, there is a multifunctional space of the hotel, where they are able to access the power outlets and built-in chargers for their appliances. Without having to interrupt their daily routine, they have the opportunity to enjoy the gastronomic offer of Maestro Kitchen&Bar restaurant \u2013 an outdoor space for short business meetings or for relaxing after a work day. All hotel guests have access to a modern, well-equipped fitness centre. We are currently working on equipping the multifunctional Sky bar on the 11th floor of the hotel, where we will offer hotel guests and visitors a place where they can organize their events or enjoy the beautiful Banja Luka view.
\nKnowing and understanding the local market is key to success of international hotel chains. How often do You think international chains do not realize its importance?
\nEach hotel, whether a part of an international hotel chain or an independent hotel, requires knowledge and understanding of the local market. I don\u2019t think that the international chains and their hotels do not understand the importance of this \u2013 they all strive to get to know and understand the local market as much as possible and to support it through various activities and promotions. International chains and their hotels are also working on promoting the local market and destination, to offer guests the full experience during their journey.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/foto-3-15.jpg\")
On the other hand, international chains and their hotels face difficulties in adapting to the local market and its specific expectations, not because of unfamiliarity and misunderstanding of the local market, but because of the need to maintain the brand identity that is characteristic for each hotel. In addition to working to promote the brand, its values \u200b\u200band its standards in the local market, it is necessary to find a balance between brand identity and the local market, taking into account that the international guest expects to receive the same quality of service that is expected from a branded hotel, regardless of destination. It\u2019s a difficult task for every hotel, but it is one of the measures of a hotel’s success and therefore it is of great importance to integrate the hotel and become a part of the local community.
\nIn what way the brand You work for affects the positioning of Banja Luka on the tourist map of our region?
\nCourtyard by Marriott Banja Luka, being part of a large Marriott family, has gained its place on the world map of the hotel industry and has become a part of the international tourist offer. So, with the opening of the hotel, the city of Banja Luka found itself on this same map. Guests will be in a modern and cosy hotel with comfortable rooms, with great gastronomic offer and high level service.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/foto-1-29.jpg\")
Marriott BonVoy Loyalty Program, which is the largest loyalty program in the world, also makes a huge contribution in positioning of our hotel, and Banja Luka, on the tourist map of the region. Members of the program have the opportunity to gain a variety of benefits through their stay at Marriott hotels, including free travel and stay, which many members use to visit and explore destinations that were not necessarily attractive to them, among other things, because there were no hotels where they could stay. This is a huge potential for us and the city of Banja Luka.
\nThe post Unique Experience as Hotel Ambassador appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "What are the benefits of working for an international hotel brand and destination itself, in which way the destination is promoted and what are the biggest challenges in the congress business?\nThe answers to these and other questions gave us Mr. Robert Stojko, General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Banja Luka.\nMr Robert Stojko\nCourayard Hotel Banja Luka is the first branded hotel opened in this city. What do You consider to be its main advantage over other urban hotels?\nCourtyard by Marriott Hotel Banja Luka is the first and only branded hotel in the city and is part of the world-renowned Marriott International Hotel Group, which has the largest portfolio in the hotel industry, over 30 brands and more than 7,000 hotels in 131 countries. This means that Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka operates according to the defined standards and procedures, which guarantees our guests will have the same experience as any guest, in any city in the world, where there is a Courtyard hotel.\nThe brand itself is a major advantage over other hotels in the urban environment, because it brings us visibility and presence of the hotel in a far larger number of markets through the Marriott reservation system and BonVoy loyalty program, as well as marketing done globally for Marriott hotels. Through this, we aim to become trendsetters in the city and a place for people who see themselves as business oriented and successful.\n\nCan You tell us more about congress facilities and how important is congress business for hotel?\nThe hotel has 340 sq. of conference space, modern equipped and adapted to the business world. We have multifunctional and dividable conference rooms with seating capacity from 10 to 160 and for cocktails up to 200 guests. The conference room at the gallery has daylight and is ideal for smaller events, as well as for conferences. There is also a special, state-of-the-art Boardroom, for business meetings, with 10 seats.\nThe congress business is one of the most important parts of the hotel business. This segment of the hotel business brings increased interest and promotion not only for the hotel as a potential venue for the congress, but also for the destination itself, and as such, is very important for both our hotel and the hotel industry in general. Organizing a congress is a challenge because, in most cases, it involves all hotel facilities \u2013 not only providing the conference room, but it is necessary to provide accommodation and other accompanying services, from coffee breaks to meals at the hotel for all participants.\nThe hotel has a lot of guests during the congress, and it has a great opportunity to provide a unique experience through the excellent service it offers to its guests. This is something that guests will take with them and they will become the ambassadors of the hotel, when they share it with their business partners, associates, friends, encouraging them to become customers of the hotel services.\n\nWhich additional amenities are available for business guests?\nBusiness guests have at their disposal a Business Centre with computers and a printer so they can perform their routine office tasks at any time, when they are not in their office. Also, there is a multifunctional space of the hotel, where they are able to access the power outlets and built-in chargers for their appliances. Without having to interrupt their daily routine, they have the opportunity to enjoy the gastronomic offer of Maestro Kitchen&Bar restaurant \u2013 an outdoor space for short business meetings or for relaxing after a work day. All hotel guests have access to a modern, well-equipped fitness centre. We are currently working on equipping the multifunctional Sky bar on the 11th floor of the hotel, where we will offer hotel guests and visitors a place where they can organize their events or enjoy the beautiful Banja Luka view.\nKnowing and understanding the local market is key to success of international hotel chains. How often do You think international chains do not realize its importance?\nEach hotel, whether a part of an international hotel chain or an independent hotel, requires knowledge and understanding of the local market. I don\u2019t think that the international chains and their hotels do not understand the importance of this \u2013 they all strive to get to know and understand the local market as much as possible and to support it through various activities and promotions. International chains and their hotels are also working on promoting the local market and destination, to offer guests the full experience during their journey.\n\nOn the other hand, international chains and their hotels face difficulties in adapting to the local market and its specific expectations, not because of unfamiliarity and misunderstanding of the local market, but because of the need to maintain the brand identity that is characteristic for each hotel. In addition to working to promote the brand, its values \u200b\u200band its standards in the local market, it is necessary to find a balance between brand identity and the local market, taking into account that the international guest expects to receive the same quality of service that is expected from a branded hotel, regardless of destination. It\u2019s a difficult task for every hotel, but it is one of the measures of a hotel’s success and therefore it is of great importance to integrate the hotel and become a part of the local community.\nIn what way the brand You work for affects the positioning of Banja Luka on the tourist map of our region?\nCourtyard by Marriott Banja Luka, being part of a large Marriott family, has gained its place on the world map of the hotel industry and has become a part of the international tourist offer. So, with the opening of the hotel, the city of Banja Luka found itself on this same map. Guests will be in a modern and cosy hotel with comfortable rooms, with great gastronomic offer and high level service.\n\nMarriott BonVoy Loyalty Program, which is the largest loyalty program in the world, also makes a huge contribution in positioning of our hotel, and Banja Luka, on the tourist map of the region. Members of the program have the opportunity to gain a variety of benefits through their stay at Marriott hotels, including free travel and stay, which many members use to visit and explore destinations that were not necessarily attractive to them, among other things, because there were no hotels where they could stay. This is a huge potential for us and the city of Banja Luka.\nThe post Unique Experience as Hotel Ambassador appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2020-03-31T09:24:07+02:00", "date_modified": "2020-03-31T09:24:07+02:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/bnxcy-entrance-4285-hor-clsc.jpg", "tags": [ "banja luka", "Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Banja Luka.", "first branded hotel", "Hotels and venues", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "WHERE AND WHY" ], "summary": "What are the benefits of working for an international hotel brand and destination itself, in which way the destination is promoted and what are the biggest challenges in the congress business?" }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/do-something-nice-for-yourself-today/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/do-something-nice-for-yourself-today/", "title": "Do Something Nice for Yourself Today", "content_html": "At the micro-level, they even affect \u2013 as we\u2019re all well aware \u2013 our daily moods. The values you uphold, the kind of person you become, the things you want to achieve. In our professional lives, our interactions with the people we work with also shape the decisions we make and the attitudes we maintain.
\nSEEbtm is the result of all of us who take part in its creation, of our readers, as well as of the suggestions, comments, and praise that we welcome and appreciate. In recent years, SEEbtm has become richer for articles written by Dragana Deh, MSc Psychology and Systemic Psychotherapist. Sadly, Dragana left us in September this year. They say that a single sentence or advice at the right time can change people\u2019s lives. Through the articles she wrote for our ma g a zine, which embodied her expertise and the subject matter she covered, we believe that she succeeded in helping readers and giving them guidance. If that was true for at least one person, then our and her goal was fulfilled. And that is why there\u2019s always a reason to smile. And to say thank you. In honor of that, we bring you fragments from Dragana\u2019s past articles that we think might come useful as an expert\u2019s advice, support, or opinion.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/zna\u010daj-komunikacije-1.jpg\")
What is Important for Good Communication
\nClear, open and direct communication is the rule of exactly every good relationship, and thus of the operations as well.putlockers Understatement, ig no ring, \u201cincompetence\u201d or a lack of desire for active listening, lack of collaboration ability, ambiguity, so-\u00adcalled \u201cdouble messages\u201d (the messages of the opposite/different meaning at the level of verbal and non\u00adverbal communication), individual but unspoken decision to change the plan(s) and operation, are only small parts of what we call unhealthy communication.
\nSuccess is a Result of a Good Team
\nFrom the perspective of psychology, success nowadays is usually measured through a possession of \u201cthree hot intelligences\u201d, namely: social, emotional and practical. Someone holds in his character one or all three of those as highlighted, but, also, all of those can be learned, trained, brought to high level of functionality.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/posebnost-1.jpg\")
One\u2019s Own Uniqueness and Uniqueness of Others
\nStems from Feeling Love or Recognizing Likeness It is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness. When we realize this, uniqueness will become a mirror for recognizing those we love or aspects we love, and get from others \u2013 whether they be artists, athletes, bosses, or random passers\u00adby.
\nSetting the Boundary Between Real and Virtual
\nBeing extreme and exclusive can rarely bring benefit to one\u2019s life. These very standpoints encompass the risk of losing the human element or, in the opposite case, failing to exploit the powerful potentials of technology. It would certainly be useful to switch from the either/or attitude to the both/and stance and accept that virtual reality is the one we live in, but that it should not be the only place where we exist and act.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/cineci-sebi-cinimo-i-drugima-2.jpg\")
By Helping Others, We Actually Help Ourselves
\nBy helping others, we actually help ourselves, whether we recognize it as the driving motive or not. Noble acts boost self\u00ad esteem and trigger the \u201cmechanism\u201d of nobility that
\nevery \u2013 again, average \u2013 person has. A call to humanity can have different names assigned by the modern age. All these names, or meanings, essentially represent paths towards the same goal, which is to stay human in every situation. Taking care of loved ones, as well as others, when we have the opportunity, because willingness should exist in all of us. Being and remaining a noble and worthy per son means far more than mere success or survival, far more than philosophical questions.
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/zasto-je-ucenje-vazno-1.jpg\")
Sensitive topics, as well as topics that in a way touch upon issues of discrimination (practice often shows desirability of male/female roles, but many other topics are also present), can easily be overcome through the principles of games. Starting from the basic principles of the team\u2019s strengths that are based, among other things, on (professional but also basic human) trust, all the way to achieving high productivity levels in work, as well as gratification and satisfaction after the accomplished, all of the steps can be accompanied by certain \u201cgames\u201d. The circumstance that employees who more or less work together intensely in fact don\u2019t know each other can take a toll in productivity, and turn the profits of the company.
\nSEEbtm Magazine\u2019s Team
\nThe post Do Something Nice for Yourself Today appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Success is made up of people. In your personal life, the people surrounding you and sharing your day-\u00adto\u00ad-day considerably affect your path of growth.\nAt the micro-level, they even affect \u2013 as we\u2019re all well aware \u2013 our daily moods. The values you uphold, the kind of person you become, the things you want to achieve. In our professional lives, our interactions with the people we work with also shape the decisions we make and the attitudes we maintain.\n\nSEEbtm is the result of all of us who take part in its creation, of our readers, as well as of the suggestions, comments, and praise that we welcome and appreciate. In recent years, SEEbtm has become richer for articles written by Dragana Deh, MSc Psychology and Systemic Psychotherapist. Sadly, Dragana left us in September this year. They say that a single sentence or advice at the right time can change people\u2019s lives. Through the articles she wrote for our ma g a zine, which embodied her expertise and the subject matter she covered, we believe that she succeeded in helping readers and giving them guidance. If that was true for at least one person, then our and her goal was fulfilled. And that is why there\u2019s always a reason to smile. And to say thank you. In honor of that, we bring you fragments from Dragana\u2019s past articles that we think might come useful as an expert\u2019s advice, support, or opinion.\n\n\nWhat is Important for Good Communication \nClear, open and direct communication is the rule of exactly every good relationship, and thus of the operations as well.putlockers Understatement, ig no ring, \u201cincompetence\u201d or a lack of desire for active listening, lack of collaboration ability, ambiguity, so-\u00adcalled \u201cdouble messages\u201d (the messages of the opposite/different meaning at the level of verbal and non\u00adverbal communication), individual but unspoken decision to change the plan(s) and operation, are only small parts of what we call unhealthy communication.\nSuccess is a Result of a Good Team \nFrom the perspective of psychology, success nowadays is usually measured through a possession of \u201cthree hot intelligences\u201d, namely: social, emotional and practical. Someone holds in his character one or all three of those as highlighted, but, also, all of those can be learned, trained, brought to high level of functionality.\n\nOne\u2019s Own Uniqueness and Uniqueness of Others\nStems from Feeling Love or Recognizing Likeness It is true that we are unique, but the breadth of our insights into our own uniqueness and uniqueness of others stems from feeling love or recognizing likeness. When we realize this, uniqueness will become a mirror for recognizing those we love or aspects we love, and get from others \u2013 whether they be artists, athletes, bosses, or random passers\u00adby.\nSetting the Boundary Between Real and Virtual \nBeing extreme and exclusive can rarely bring benefit to one\u2019s life. These very standpoints encompass the risk of losing the human element or, in the opposite case, failing to exploit the powerful potentials of technology. It would certainly be useful to switch from the either/or attitude to the both/and stance and accept that virtual reality is the one we live in, but that it should not be the only place where we exist and act.\n\nBy Helping Others, We Actually Help Ourselves \nBy helping others, we actually help ourselves, whether we recognize it as the driving motive or not. Noble acts boost self\u00ad esteem and trigger the \u201cmechanism\u201d of nobility that\nevery \u2013 again, average \u2013 person has. A call to humanity can have different names assigned by the modern age. All these names, or meanings, essentially represent paths towards the same goal, which is to stay human in every situation. Taking care of loved ones, as well as others, when we have the opportunity, because willingness should exist in all of us. Being and remaining a noble and worthy per son means far more than mere success or survival, far more than philosophical questions.\n\nWhy Is Playing Important? \nSensitive topics, as well as topics that in a way touch upon issues of discrimination (practice often shows desirability of male/female roles, but many other topics are also present), can easily be overcome through the principles of games. Starting from the basic principles of the team\u2019s strengths that are based, among other things, on (professional but also basic human) trust, all the way to achieving high productivity levels in work, as well as gratification and satisfaction after the accomplished, all of the steps can be accompanied by certain \u201cgames\u201d. The circumstance that employees who more or less work together intensely in fact don\u2019t know each other can take a toll in productivity, and turn the profits of the company.\nSEEbtm Magazine\u2019s Team\nThe post Do Something Nice for Yourself Today appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-26T09:45:46+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-26T09:45:46+01:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/NASLOVNA-128.jpg", "tags": [ "Experts opinions", "Interviews", "MUST READ" ], "summary": "Success is made up of people. In your personal life, the people surrounding you and putlockerssharing your day-\u00adto\u00ad-day considerably affect your path of growth." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/novi-sad-as-a-mice-destination/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/novi-sad-as-a-mice-destination/", "title": "Novi Sad as a MICE Destination", "content_html": "Executive Manager for MICE activities and Member of the Executive Board, Andrea Knezy, answered questions about the Congress Center Master and Novi Sad as a destination.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Andrea-Knezy.jpg\")
Congress Center Master is supported by state institutions in an effort to present Novi Sad as one\u00ad of\u00ad a \u00adkind MICE destination. What does this partnership include?
\nThe Congress Center Master is a key institution working to attract and organize national and international professional and business meetings in Novi Sad. We work with a number of national institutions, the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the City of Novi Sad, the Serbia Convention Bureau, whose logistical, institutional, and financial platforms support scientific and business associations, companies, and corporations that hold their meetings at the Novi Sad Fair. Using the synergy of all relevant stakeholders in the process of applying for hosting international events, we are showcasing the strength of the destination\u2019s uniqueness and the profession in the given field. Then our city not only becomes an international center where the latest developments and achievements in different professions and sciences are shared, but also it enhances the business environment, international visibility, and business prospects on the global stage.
\nThis year is especially important for Novi Sad \u2013 the city was voted the European Youth Capital in 2019, and in 2021 it will also be the European Capital of Culture. What exactly does that mean for the city?
\nOur strategic focus involves supporting, creating, and participating in programs that promote the city as a destination for young, enterprising, and creative people from Serbia and across Europe, as well as a place where they can start or continue running their businesses and bring together any one who wants to offer their services and ideas on the global market.
\nThat means that in the coming period the City of Novi Sad is set to host a whole series of conferences, seminars, and business meetings that will create a dynamic environment and an opportunity to promote Novi Sad in key sectors.
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/0F1A5398_resize-Copy.jpg\")
Novi Sad is also recognized as a destination for organizing international conferences and professional business events. Next year, Master Congress Center Master will be hosting two international conventions with more than 1,000 participants. What are these conventions?
\nOur main task is to partner up with the MICE industry and leading professors, scientists, and doctors who are active members of international associations and apply to host important global conventions. Our activities are targeting associations that are capable of appealing to international conventions and business events. Those very strategic activities have led to more than 2,500 events taking place at the Congress Center Master so far, and next year we will be hosting two global conventions with more than 1,000 participants. The convention center\u2019s long\u00adtime partner is Novi Sad\u2019s Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, a two-\u00adtime world champion having earned the title for 20th International Sunflower Conference 2020 and World Soybean Research Conference XI.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/02.02.2017-133.jpg\")
What do you think will traditional trade show events look like in the future?
\nLocal and global trends and developments have brought about new leanings towards cutting down the number of days and grandiose promotions, while the focus is shifting towards the target business audience, ready\u00ad-made platforms for closing deals and selling ideas, services, and products. In addition to a slew of activities geared towards improved targeted publicity, better internal positioning, modern event branding, and strategies for exhibiting and participating concepts, the segment coming to the fore as the most important includes professional events, seminars, trainings, and workshops. Events centered around agri culture, medicine, and IT will surely remain a priority in the Convention Center\u2019s calendar in the coming period.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/10-godina-retro.jpg\")
In terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by?
\nThe challenges that the Novi Sad Fair\u2019s management faced, wherein as the executive director I encountered a series of business decisions and responsibilities. My years of experience contributed to professional growth, personal and professional development, numerous new contacts, new skills in different fields acquired by coworkers and clients while agreeing events. However, the most memorable moments in the last ten years were the teamwork in the MICE Activity Department and the excellent business results brought forth by the combined efforts.
\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then?
\nI can freely say that I live my work and I work in an industry that I\u2019ve always wanted to become part of… It was quite natural that my professional track record led me to the role of Executive Director at the Master Congress Center. When the Serbian Convention Bureau was launched, I remember I was very happy and proud to be presenting the Novi Sad Convention Bureau and representing all relevant entities in the city\u2019s MICE industry.
\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade?
\nI am proud of the SEEbtm Award we won as the region\u2019s best convention center \u2013 Best Convention Venue 2018 \u2013 thanks to votes from our associates, clients, and business partners. I\u2019m proud of our clients for getting better in planning their events, their support leading to an increased number of events annually at the convention center, all newly acquired contacts and skills, and the convention center\u2019s team, which has been growing together with me over the years. People rarely have the opportunity to try out most things they see, hear, or read about with their company teams, and my job made this possible for me.
\nThe post Novi Sad as a MICE Destination appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "The Congress Center Master is 13 years old, with more than 2,500 references and 300 days of activity a year.\nExecutive Manager for MICE activities and Member of the Executive Board, Andrea Knezy, answered questions about the Congress Center Master and Novi Sad as a destination.\nAndrea Knezy\nCongress Center Master is supported by state institutions in an effort to present Novi Sad as one\u00ad of\u00ad a \u00adkind MICE destination. What does this partnership include? \nThe Congress Center Master is a key institution working to attract and organize national and international professional and business meetings in Novi Sad. We work with a number of national institutions, the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the City of Novi Sad, the Serbia Convention Bureau, whose logistical, institutional, and financial platforms support scientific and business associations, companies, and corporations that hold their meetings at the Novi Sad Fair. Using the synergy of all relevant stakeholders in the process of applying for hosting international events, we are showcasing the strength of the destination\u2019s uniqueness and the profession in the given field. Then our city not only becomes an international center where the latest developments and achievements in different professions and sciences are shared, but also it enhances the business environment, international visibility, and business prospects on the global stage.\nThis year is especially important for Novi Sad \u2013 the city was voted the European Youth Capital in 2019, and in 2021 it will also be the European Capital of Culture. What exactly does that mean for the city? \nOur strategic focus involves supporting, creating, and participating in programs that promote the city as a destination for young, enterprising, and creative people from Serbia and across Europe, as well as a place where they can start or continue running their businesses and bring together any one who wants to offer their services and ideas on the global market.\nThat means that in the coming period the City of Novi Sad is set to host a whole series of conferences, seminars, and business meetings that will create a dynamic environment and an opportunity to promote Novi Sad in key sectors.\n\nNovi Sad is also recognized as a destination for organizing international conferences and professional business events. Next year, Master Congress Center Master will be hosting two international conventions with more than 1,000 participants. What are these conventions?\nOur main task is to partner up with the MICE industry and leading professors, scientists, and doctors who are active members of international associations and apply to host important global conventions. Our activities are targeting associations that are capable of appealing to international conventions and business events. Those very strategic activities have led to more than 2,500 events taking place at the Congress Center Master so far, and next year we will be hosting two global conventions with more than 1,000 participants. The convention center\u2019s long\u00adtime partner is Novi Sad\u2019s Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, a two-\u00adtime world champion having earned the title for 20th International Sunflower Conference 2020 and World Soybean Research Conference XI.\n\nWhat do you think will traditional trade show events look like in the future? \nLocal and global trends and developments have brought about new leanings towards cutting down the number of days and grandiose promotions, while the focus is shifting towards the target business audience, ready\u00ad-made platforms for closing deals and selling ideas, services, and products. In addition to a slew of activities geared towards improved targeted publicity, better internal positioning, modern event branding, and strategies for exhibiting and participating concepts, the segment coming to the fore as the most important includes professional events, seminars, trainings, and workshops. Events centered around agri culture, medicine, and IT will surely remain a priority in the Convention Center\u2019s calendar in the coming period.\n\nIn terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by? \nThe challenges that the Novi Sad Fair\u2019s management faced, wherein as the executive director I encountered a series of business decisions and responsibilities. My years of experience contributed to professional growth, personal and professional development, numerous new contacts, new skills in different fields acquired by coworkers and clients while agreeing events. However, the most memorable moments in the last ten years were the teamwork in the MICE Activity Department and the excellent business results brought forth by the combined efforts.\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then? \nI can freely say that I live my work and I work in an industry that I\u2019ve always wanted to become part of… It was quite natural that my professional track record led me to the role of Executive Director at the Master Congress Center. When the Serbian Convention Bureau was launched, I remember I was very happy and proud to be presenting the Novi Sad Convention Bureau and representing all relevant entities in the city\u2019s MICE industry.\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade? \nI am proud of the SEEbtm Award we won as the region\u2019s best convention center \u2013 Best Convention Venue 2018 \u2013 thanks to votes from our associates, clients, and business partners. I\u2019m proud of our clients for getting better in planning their events, their support leading to an increased number of events annually at the convention center, all newly acquired contacts and skills, and the convention center\u2019s team, which has been growing together with me over the years. People rarely have the opportunity to try out most things they see, hear, or read about with their company teams, and my job made this possible for me.\nThe post Novi Sad as a MICE Destination appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-23T09:56:18+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-23T09:56:18+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-127.jpg", "tags": [ "Congress Center Master", "event organization", "novi sad fair", "Destinations", "Hotels and venues", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "WHERE AND WHY" ], "summary": "The Congress Center Master is 13 years old, with more than 2,500 references and 300 days of activity a year." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/five-years-of-southern-shine/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/five-years-of-southern-shine/", "title": "Five Years of Southern Shine", "content_html": "On\u00ad this\u00ad occasion,\u00ad we\u00ad met\u00ad with\u00ad Mr Ivan Gajic, Director of Sales and Marketing of the Regent Hotel, \u00adto\u00ad tell\u00ad us more\u00ad about\u00ad the\u00ad past\u00ad months\u00ad and\u00ad plans\u00ad for\u00ad the\u00ad end\u00ad of the\u00ad year\u00ad/\u00adspring\u00ad 2020.
\nWhat will you remember as a company in 2019?
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ivan-Gaji\u0107-Direktor-prodaje-i-marketinga.jpg\")
This year will be memorable as it was our first jubilee as August 1st marked the fifth anniversary of the ope\u00adning of Regent Porto Montenegro. On the eve of the anniversary, the BAIA was the third wing to open at the hotel after an investment of \u20ac36 million. We have now architecturally completed the hotel project and today we offer our guests a diversified selection of rooms, residences and elite pentho\u00aduses, which we consider to be the best gift for the five-year anniversary for our guests. The unobtrusive luxury and great design are the work of international architectural firm WATG and Tin Zervudachi, a celebrated interior designer from the eminent Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi company, who, through our two existing wings, is behind the already recognizable na\u00adutical design. Most of the rooms have views of the sea, the Bay of Kotor and the hotel\u2019s infinity pool, wh\u00adich was named one of the 30 best hotel pools in the world in 2018. Personalized guest services, a rich restaurant offering, and the Spa continues to be, in addition to exceptional comfort, the prime feature of any stay at Regent Porto Montenegro.
\nWhat kind of identity Regent and Porto Mon\u00adtenegro bear as the business destination?
\nMontenegro is very interesting business destination. However we believe that we succeeded differentiating ourselves as the ideal car la\u00adunch destination. Parallel to the great collaboration with the in\u00adternational MICE agencies, we take pride in the fact that our partners from the region and many other countries around the world have chosen us to host some of the most important confere\u00adnces and corporate events for their company and business partners. With 230 corporate events behind us, we can conclude that we\u2019ve had an exceptional year. Customised guest service is our trademark and we were thrilled to be recognized for this in this year\u2019s Forbes Tra\u00advel Guide \u2013 the only independent rating system for hotels, restaurants and spas globally \u2013 which scored our hotel highly for customer service. Even though that the service and the hotel facilities are rated, most of the standards \u2013 up to 75% refer to the service. Reasons for this are substantial guests\u2019 expectations of the five star hotel; each detail counts as much as the content of a stay and visits of the cultural and natural attractions. We are proud of the progress we made as a system; we have welcomed numerous positive reactions of the guests which ultimately led to the positive business results especially in the Food and Beverage department. It is worth noting that last year we became part of IHG, a global hotel group with over 5,723 hotels worldwide. Integrating our
\nsy\u00ads\u00adtems, as well as the combination of ex\u00adpe\u00adrience within the reservation, sales and marketing systems has been our main goal to reach our target audience worldwide and in the region.
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Salon-Boka-1.jpg\")
What business clients may expect from Regent hotel in the future?
\nNew offerings that we would like to highlight are the numerous options available for creating great incentive trips and team buildings within the hotel and Porto Montenegro nautical village. Numerous facilities and activities are available to create the ideal package according to the needs of employees for team buildings and incentive trips. Sports such as tennis, sailing and SUP boarding are all available, as well as exploring the hinterland of Boka Kotorska, relaxing spa experiences, wine tasting, gourmet workshops and competitive cooking workshops under the supervision of our experienced chef. I would like to highlight the expansive area of Porto Montenegro Arena which has extraordinary intelligent content thought through; activities such as archery, cricket, croquet, miniature golf and laser clay shooting are available as the interesting elements for the team building trips.
\n
In terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by?
\nI am extremely grateful that I have testified to the development of the luxury hotel industry within the region and very proud of my humble contribution to the same. The period of 10 years I will remember after inspiring leaders that I have had honor working with, digitization of business and number of agencies and tour operators I have worked with solely via internet and achieved extraordinary results..
\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then?
\nDuring my 14 years of career in hospitality, I have held various sales and marketing management roles within international hotel chains. I joined Regent as Director of Sales and since 2018 I am honored to lead Sales and Marketing department at Regent Porto Montenegro. I have enjoyed each and single chapter of the business growth.
\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade?
\nI am proud of each single step taken and every single resolved challenge. However the results make memories. I do belong to the generation that believes that teamwork and the satisfaction of each and single employee at workplace is important; only this kind of synergy can bring results at the personal and professional level and extraordinary results.
\nThe post Five Years of Southern Shine appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Regent Porto Montenegro, synonym of luxury in the region this year, recently marked five years of successful business.\nOn\u00ad this\u00ad occasion,\u00ad we\u00ad met\u00ad with\u00ad Mr Ivan Gajic, Director of Sales and Marketing of the Regent Hotel, \u00adto\u00ad tell\u00ad us more\u00ad about\u00ad the\u00ad past\u00ad months\u00ad and\u00ad plans\u00ad for\u00ad the\u00ad end\u00ad of the\u00ad year\u00ad/\u00adspring\u00ad 2020.\nWhat will you remember as a company in 2019?\nIvan Gajic\nThis year will be memorable as it was our first jubilee as August 1st marked the fifth anniversary of the ope\u00adning of Regent Porto Montenegro. On the eve of the anniversary, the BAIA was the third wing to open at the hotel after an investment of \u20ac36 million. We have now architecturally completed the hotel project and today we offer our guests a diversified selection of rooms, residences and elite pentho\u00aduses, which we consider to be the best gift for the five-year anniversary for our guests. The unobtrusive luxury and great design are the work of international architectural firm WATG and Tin Zervudachi, a celebrated interior designer from the eminent Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi company, who, through our two existing wings, is behind the already recognizable na\u00adutical design. Most of the rooms have views of the sea, the Bay of Kotor and the hotel\u2019s infinity pool, wh\u00adich was named one of the 30 best hotel pools in the world in 2018. Personalized guest services, a rich restaurant offering, and the Spa continues to be, in addition to exceptional comfort, the prime feature of any stay at Regent Porto Montenegro.\nWhat kind of identity Regent and Porto Mon\u00adtenegro bear as the business destination?\n\nMontenegro is very interesting business destination. However we believe that we succeeded differentiating ourselves as the ideal car la\u00adunch destination. Parallel to the great collaboration with the in\u00adternational MICE agencies, we take pride in the fact that our partners from the region and many other countries around the world have chosen us to host some of the most important confere\u00adnces and corporate events for their company and business partners. With 230 corporate events behind us, we can conclude that we\u2019ve had an exceptional year. Customised guest service is our trademark and we were thrilled to be recognized for this in this year\u2019s Forbes Tra\u00advel Guide \u2013 the only independent rating system for hotels, restaurants and spas globally \u2013 which scored our hotel highly for customer service. Even though that the service and the hotel facilities are rated, most of the standards \u2013 up to 75% refer to the service. Reasons for this are substantial guests\u2019 expectations of the five star hotel; each detail counts as much as the content of a stay and visits of the cultural and natural attractions. We are proud of the progress we made as a system; we have welcomed numerous positive reactions of the guests which ultimately led to the positive business results especially in the Food and Beverage department. It is worth noting that last year we became part of IHG, a global hotel group with over 5,723 hotels worldwide. Integrating our\nsy\u00ads\u00adtems, as well as the combination of ex\u00adpe\u00adrience within the reservation, sales and marketing systems has been our main goal to reach our target audience worldwide and in the region.\n\n\nWhat business clients may expect from Regent hotel in the future?\nNew offerings that we would like to highlight are the numerous options available for creating great incentive trips and team buildings within the hotel and Porto Montenegro nautical village. Numerous facilities and activities are available to create the ideal package according to the needs of employees for team buildings and incentive trips. Sports such as tennis, sailing and SUP boarding are all available, as well as exploring the hinterland of Boka Kotorska, relaxing spa experiences, wine tasting, gourmet workshops and competitive cooking workshops under the supervision of our experienced chef. I would like to highlight the expansive area of Porto Montenegro Arena which has extraordinary intelligent content thought through; activities such as archery, cricket, croquet, miniature golf and laser clay shooting are available as the interesting elements for the team building trips.\n\nIn terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by? \nI am extremely grateful that I have testified to the development of the luxury hotel industry within the region and very proud of my humble contribution to the same. The period of 10 years I will remember after inspiring leaders that I have had honor working with, digitization of business and number of agencies and tour operators I have worked with solely via internet and achieved extraordinary results..\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then? \nDuring my 14 years of career in hospitality, I have held various sales and marketing management roles within international hotel chains. I joined Regent as Director of Sales and since 2018 I am honored to lead Sales and Marketing department at Regent Porto Montenegro. I have enjoyed each and single chapter of the business growth.\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade? \nI am proud of each single step taken and every single resolved challenge. However the results make memories. I do belong to the generation that believes that teamwork and the satisfaction of each and single employee at workplace is important; only this kind of synergy can bring results at the personal and professional level and extraordinary results.\nThe post Five Years of Southern Shine appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-20T09:20:53+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-20T09:20:53+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-126.jpg", "tags": [ "hotel", "Hotel Regent Porto Montenegro", "INTERVIEW", "regent porto montenegro", "Destinations", "Hotels and venues", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "WHERE AND WHY" ], "summary": "Regent Porto Montenegro, synonym of luxury in the region this year, recently marked five years of successful business." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/novi-sad-fair-the-oldest-trade-show-venue-in-serbia/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/novi-sad-fair-the-oldest-trade-show-venue-in-serbia/", "title": "Novi Sad Fair \u2013 The Oldest Trade Show Venue in Serbia", "content_html": "Its contribution and importance for the Serbian economy\u2019s development is measured by the results that the exhibitors achieve at the venue. We talked about all this with the General Manager of Serbia\u2019s oldest trade show venue, Mr. Slobodan Cvetkovic.
\nWhat are the values that the Novi Sad Fair nurtures that keep its nearly a century long tradition?
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Slobodan-Cvetkovi\u0107.jpg\")
Out tradition serves as a solid foundation for the future \u2013 96 years ago, the Fair\u2019s founders had the idea to create an institution that would, above all, incorporate the needs of the farmers, and later on also the economy segment working in light industrial production. The Agricultural Fair remains our largest and most important event to this day, and this year it took place for the 96th time. It\u2019s hard to list all the events that are not trade shows in the strictest terms and that make up an important part of our venue\u2019s tradition. We have a responsibility to uphold the tradition in the years to come and keep the Fair in line with global and local economic trends and ensure the best possible conditions for our exhibitors, in turn encouraging their growth and at the same time achieving good business results for the Fair.
\nHow important are trade shows as events for establishing business partnerships and collaborations?
\nOur trade shows are much more than that. Their modern concepts promote cooperation between countries and economies and integrate improvements of skills, production, and science development. In addition, they promote the importance of innovation and represent a synthesis of experience and achievements in the Serbian economy. The international events we host are also the meeting place of the East and the West, the economy, politics, and diplomacy, as well as professional audiences and science.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Poljoprivredni-sajam.jpg\")
Can you tell us about the Novi Sad Fair\u2019s most important past and planned investments?
\nIn order to remain competitive, the Novi Sad Fair must continue to invest in the company\u2019s fixed assets. The most significant investments include the renovations of halls and equipment, targeting more functional and easier trade show and other rentals. We invested in upgrading the management and CCTV systems, Wi\u00adFi, convention center equipment, computer equipment, and other systems that ensure competitiveness in the modern business environment.
\nHow are specialist meetings growing into events and how much do they contribute to the development of traditional trade show events?
\nIn the early 2000, \u02bafourth generation\u02ba trade shows started to emerge. This involved the necessary expansions of offerings with specialized activities \u2014 trainings, conferences, and professional events. For this reason, the Novi Sad Fair is building Congress Center Master. Business people have little time and they need to be provided with a single place where they can do everything under the required conditions. Those were the building blocks of \u02bafourth generation\u02ba trade shows. With the opening of the Congress Center, the Novi Sad Fair\u2019s comparative advantage becomes one of the most prestigious and modern convention venues in this part of Eu rope. Our non\u00ad-trade show time slots are filled with events that bring together experts, business people, and scientists coming from a wide variety of fields. Some of these events, along with talks and educations, as an additional segment, also develop practical presentations over time. That is one of the ways for meetings to evolve into bigger events.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Priznanja-koja-Novosadski-sajam-dodeljuje-kao-potvrdu-kvaliteta.jpg\")
The Novi Sad Fair is a member of many international associations. What are the most significant among them, and how does membership help the fair\u2019s international reputation?
\nThe Novi Sad Fair is a member of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Central European Fair Alliance (CEFA), European Federation of Agricultural Exhibition and Show Organisers (EURASCO), and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Memberships in these organizations contribute to sharing experiences, networking, and monitoring the latest trends. The fact that the Novi Sad Fair is not merely a formal member in these organizations is reflected in the Fair hosting the General Assembly of the Central European Fair Alliance, which brings together 18 venues from 12 countries, as well as the General Assembly of the European Federation of Agricultural Exhibitions and Show Organisers, which took place at the milestone 80th International Agricultural Fair, attended by representatives of 26 agricultural trade shows from 21 countries. The Novi Sad Fair also plays a key proactive role in the region that is fully in alignment with the mission of the Central European Fair Alliance.
\nThe post Novi Sad Fair – The Oldest Trade Show Venue in Serbia appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "In addition to organizing trade shows and exhibitions, the Novi Sad Fair plays host to conventions and professional events, as well as different events in partnership with innovative companies, organizations, and individuals.\nIts contribution and importance for the Serbian economy\u2019s development is measured by the results that the exhibitors achieve at the venue. We talked about all this with the General Manager of Serbia\u2019s oldest trade show venue, Mr. Slobodan Cvetkovic.\nWhat are the values that the Novi Sad Fair nurtures that keep its nearly a century long tradition?\nSlobodan Cvetkovic\nOut tradition serves as a solid foundation for the future \u2013 96 years ago, the Fair\u2019s founders had the idea to create an institution that would, above all, incorporate the needs of the farmers, and later on also the economy segment working in light industrial production. The Agricultural Fair remains our largest and most important event to this day, and this year it took place for the 96th time. It\u2019s hard to list all the events that are not trade shows in the strictest terms and that make up an important part of our venue\u2019s tradition. We have a responsibility to uphold the tradition in the years to come and keep the Fair in line with global and local economic trends and ensure the best possible conditions for our exhibitors, in turn encouraging their growth and at the same time achieving good business results for the Fair.\nHow important are trade shows as events for establishing business partnerships and collaborations? \nOur trade shows are much more than that. Their modern concepts promote cooperation between countries and economies and integrate improvements of skills, production, and science development. In addition, they promote the importance of innovation and represent a synthesis of experience and achievements in the Serbian economy. The international events we host are also the meeting place of the East and the West, the economy, politics, and diplomacy, as well as professional audiences and science.\nUFI\nCan you tell us about the Novi Sad Fair\u2019s most important past and planned investments? \nIn order to remain competitive, the Novi Sad Fair must continue to invest in the company\u2019s fixed assets. The most significant investments include the renovations of halls and equipment, targeting more functional and easier trade show and other rentals. We invested in upgrading the management and CCTV systems, Wi\u00adFi, convention center equipment, computer equipment, and other systems that ensure competitiveness in the modern business environment.\nHow are specialist meetings growing into events and how much do they contribute to the development of traditional trade show events? \nIn the early 2000, \u02bafourth generation\u02ba trade shows started to emerge. This involved the necessary expansions of offerings with specialized activities \u2014 trainings, conferences, and professional events. For this reason, the Novi Sad Fair is building Congress Center Master. Business people have little time and they need to be provided with a single place where they can do everything under the required conditions. Those were the building blocks of \u02bafourth generation\u02ba trade shows. With the opening of the Congress Center, the Novi Sad Fair\u2019s comparative advantage becomes one of the most prestigious and modern convention venues in this part of Eu rope. Our non\u00ad-trade show time slots are filled with events that bring together experts, business people, and scientists coming from a wide variety of fields. Some of these events, along with talks and educations, as an additional segment, also develop practical presentations over time. That is one of the ways for meetings to evolve into bigger events.\nNovi Sad Fair Quality Awards\nThe Novi Sad Fair is a member of many international associations. What are the most significant among them, and how does membership help the fair\u2019s international reputation?\nThe Novi Sad Fair is a member of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Central European Fair Alliance (CEFA), European Federation of Agricultural Exhibition and Show Organisers (EURASCO), and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Memberships in these organizations contribute to sharing experiences, networking, and monitoring the latest trends. The fact that the Novi Sad Fair is not merely a formal member in these organizations is reflected in the Fair hosting the General Assembly of the Central European Fair Alliance, which brings together 18 venues from 12 countries, as well as the General Assembly of the European Federation of Agricultural Exhibitions and Show Organisers, which took place at the milestone 80th International Agricultural Fair, attended by representatives of 26 agricultural trade shows from 21 countries. The Novi Sad Fair also plays a key proactive role in the region that is fully in alignment with the mission of the Central European Fair Alliance.\nThe post Novi Sad Fair – The Oldest Trade Show Venue in Serbia appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-18T09:16:50+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-26T11:00:06+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/NS-sajam-naslovna.jpg", "tags": [ "novi sad", "novi sad fair", "Destinations", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "WHERE AND WHY" ], "summary": "In addition to organizing trade shows and exhibitions, the Novi Sad Fair plays host to conventions and professional events, as well as different events in partner ship with innovative companies, organizations, and individuals." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-combination-of-business-and-vacation/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/the-combination-of-business-and-vacation/", "title": "The Combination of Business and Vacation", "content_html": "The largest conference and exhibition space in the old part of Belgrade is located in this hotel and it is spanning on over 2,000 sqm, which management proudly points out. Mr. Ivan Vitorovic, the CEO of the Mona Hotel Management Ltd., revealed more to us on this and other topics.
\n![\"Ivan](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Ivan-Vitorovi\u0107.jpg\")
The Mona Plaza Hotel opened in Belgrade. What are your expectations?
\nI expect to repeat the great success we achieved with our first hotel on Mountain Zlatibor. We\u2019ve proven ourselves at a resort destination, and now it\u2019s time to prove ourselves at a market that is in all likelihood the most challenging of all \u2013 the Belgrade market because it is a regional, and European metropolis, so doing business here is more demanding due to constant challenges. Still, the expertise we have is significant, and we look at this project as the next step towards establishing the Mona Plaza brand not only in Serbia but in the region as well.
\nWhat do you consider to be the main advantage of Mona Plaza over other Belgrade hotels?
\nIt\u2019s hard to explain using just one word, but I\u2019ll try to do it using a term from the travel industry, which is bleisure travel. The combination of business and vacation is something that will mark our new Dorcol hotel, and this may very well be the basic guiding principle imbued with our concept of this hotel and the further development of the Mona Plaza brand. The very fact that we are located in downtown Dorcol which continues to evolve in line with today\u2019s trends, gives us the right to be proud of our location. The unique Sonda Coffee Bar and Restaurant, which is an homage to the first chocolate factory that was located at this very site, comes as icing on the cake to this hotel that also offers plenty of business-related amenities.
\nWhat additional amenities or options are available to business and other guests at the Mona Plaza Hotel?
\nIn addition to the 170 accommodation units, we have many multi functional conference and banquet venues. The largest venue has a capacity of up to 450 people in theater-style, followed by a venue with a capacity of up to 250 people, five meetings and conference venues for 30 to 100 people, as well as two banquet venues with an area of 250 sqm.
\nObviously, there are also mandatory Wellness Center facilities, which will be available to both hotel guests and external guests \u2013 club members. The Wellness Center, which will have a relaxation area, sauna, steam room, gym and massage section will actually be focused on personal training.
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/srp-3.jpg\")
The Zlatibor Mona Hotel first opened in 2007. What transformations has this hotel undergone over the past 12 years?
\nActually, this hotel first opened in 2005, and at the time it was called the Zlatibor Hotel and decorated with modest 3 stars. In 2007, a major renovation began when hotel capacity expanded to 90 units, including a convention room and a wellness center. The first edition of the Zlatibor Mona Hotel was one of the first modern hotels outside of Belgrade, and you could say that we were pioneers in the brownfield investment in the hotel industry. The hotel became very popular in a short period of time, and in parallel with its growth the popularity of Mountain Zlatibor as a destination grew as well, which I believe was a mutual process. Guided by good business operations, in 2012, we renovated the existing part of the hotel and constructed a new wing, expanding the capacity to 120 accommodation units, and the hotel got a modern congress hall with 550 seats, and a children\u2019s playroom with an area of 200 sqm. These facilities still exist today, but the main transformation that the hotel has undergone is meeting the market needs.
\nHow important is MICE business to your hotel group?
\nThe popular MICE segment is the most significant segment of the future business operations of the Mona Plaza Hotel, and the forecasted market share is 54%. That\u2019s why we have included numerous conference and banquet facilities in the concept. The Zlatibor and Javor destinations certainly provide excellent conditions for a stronger development of the incentive component, while Belgrade provides a better space for conferences, congresses and events. However, what is very important in order to position yourself in this segment is the unique offering of high-quality venues and excellent service and a good background story.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/eng-2.jpg\")
Can you tell us a bit about the further development and plans of Mona Hotel Management?
\nAt the moment, our plans are to regionally position two brands, including Mona Plaza in the 4-star hotel category with over 100 rooms and a full service, and a 3-star Argo brand with a limited garni service and capacity of up to 70 rooms. In this sense, in addition to the Mona Plaza Hotel in Dorcol, next year we plan to renovate and upgrade the hotel on Mountain Zlatibor, while in the Argo brand category next year we plan to open a hotel on Mountain Javor. We are also negotiating the locations on Mountain Zlatibor, in Belgrade, Montenegro, in terms of investments in our own or leasing other, existing hotels. Our plan is to reach a goal of 1,000 owned or leased rooms over the next five years, after which we will intensify our external growth through management contracts under the Mona Hotel Management brands in the region and in the European Union.
\n
In terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by?
\nI would say most of all by a nice and intensive growth of the hotel industry in Serbia, the arrival of international brands, and the creation of Serbian hotel industry. Indeed, Serbia has come a long way in terms of tourism over the past 10 years, but what makes me even happier is the potential we have for further development.
\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then?
\nIt has definitely been an upward journey in every sense. False modesty aside, the business results we have achieved and continue to achieve probably speak the most about it. Ten years ago, I was in charge of marketing and sales at the hotel, then I worked as the CEO, and now I\u2019m the general manager of the company. However, the question of position is not the most important. What is the most important to me on this journey is the fact that I have enjoyed every second of it, doing the work I love with the people I appreciate! And that\u2019s my biggest wish for the future!
\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade?
\nI am proud to have been a part of a nice story called Mona Hotel Management from the very beginning, which is being studied by future economists and hoteliers as an example of a good practice! Along the way, I\u2019ve gone through all the challenges with investors, and we\u2019ve learned new things and developed every day, and together managed to create an independent company with over 250 staff members from one small business and I\u2019m sure we will continue to grow! I am proud that I have been able to justify the trust shown by the company and make the right strategic decisions! And I am especially proud of my son, daughter and wife!
\nThe post The Combination of Business and Vacation appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Belgrade became richer for another hotel on December 16th – the Mona Plaza Hotel.\nThe largest conference and exhibition space in the old part of Belgrade is located in this hotel and it is spanning on over 2,000 sqm, which management proudly points out. Mr. Ivan Vitorovic, the CEO of the Mona Hotel Management Ltd., revealed more to us on this and other topics.\nIvan Vitorovic\nThe Mona Plaza Hotel opened in Belgrade. What are your expectations? \nI expect to repeat the great success we achieved with our first hotel on Mountain Zlatibor. We\u2019ve proven ourselves at a resort destination, and now it\u2019s time to prove ourselves at a market that is in all likelihood the most challenging of all \u2013 the Belgrade market because it is a regional, and European metropolis, so doing business here is more demanding due to constant challenges. Still, the expertise we have is significant, and we look at this project as the next step towards establishing the Mona Plaza brand not only in Serbia but in the region as well.\nWhat do you consider to be the main advantage of Mona Plaza over other Belgrade hotels?\nIt\u2019s hard to explain using just one word, but I\u2019ll try to do it using a term from the travel industry, which is bleisure travel. The combination of business and vacation is something that will mark our new Dorcol hotel, and this may very well be the basic guiding principle imbued with our concept of this hotel and the further development of the Mona Plaza brand. The very fact that we are located in downtown Dorcol which continues to evolve in line with today\u2019s trends, gives us the right to be proud of our location. The unique Sonda Coffee Bar and Restaurant, which is an homage to the first chocolate factory that was located at this very site, comes as icing on the cake to this hotel that also offers plenty of business-related amenities.\nWhat additional amenities or options are available to business and other guests at the Mona Plaza Hotel? \nIn addition to the 170 accommodation units, we have many multi functional conference and banquet venues. The largest venue has a capacity of up to 450 people in theater-style, followed by a venue with a capacity of up to 250 people, five meetings and conference venues for 30 to 100 people, as well as two banquet venues with an area of 250 sqm.\nObviously, there are also mandatory Wellness Center facilities, which will be available to both hotel guests and external guests \u2013 club members. The Wellness Center, which will have a relaxation area, sauna, steam room, gym and massage section will actually be focused on personal training.\n\nThe Zlatibor Mona Hotel first opened in 2007. What transformations has this hotel undergone over the past 12 years? \nActually, this hotel first opened in 2005, and at the time it was called the Zlatibor Hotel and decorated with modest 3 stars. In 2007, a major renovation began when hotel capacity expanded to 90 units, including a convention room and a wellness center. The first edition of the Zlatibor Mona Hotel was one of the first modern hotels outside of Belgrade, and you could say that we were pioneers in the brownfield investment in the hotel industry. The hotel became very popular in a short period of time, and in parallel with its growth the popularity of Mountain Zlatibor as a destination grew as well, which I believe was a mutual process. Guided by good business operations, in 2012, we renovated the existing part of the hotel and constructed a new wing, expanding the capacity to 120 accommodation units, and the hotel got a modern congress hall with 550 seats, and a children\u2019s playroom with an area of 200 sqm. These facilities still exist today, but the main transformation that the hotel has undergone is meeting the market needs.\nHow important is MICE business to your hotel group?\nThe popular MICE segment is the most significant segment of the future business operations of the Mona Plaza Hotel, and the forecasted market share is 54%. That\u2019s why we have included numerous conference and banquet facilities in the concept. The Zlatibor and Javor destinations certainly provide excellent conditions for a stronger development of the incentive component, while Belgrade provides a better space for conferences, congresses and events. However, what is very important in order to position yourself in this segment is the unique offering of high-quality venues and excellent service and a good background story.\n\nCan you tell us a bit about the further development and plans of Mona Hotel Management? \nAt the moment, our plans are to regionally position two brands, including Mona Plaza in the 4-star hotel category with over 100 rooms and a full service, and a 3-star Argo brand with a limited garni service and capacity of up to 70 rooms. In this sense, in addition to the Mona Plaza Hotel in Dorcol, next year we plan to renovate and upgrade the hotel on Mountain Zlatibor, while in the Argo brand category next year we plan to open a hotel on Mountain Javor. We are also negotiating the locations on Mountain Zlatibor, in Belgrade, Montenegro, in terms of investments in our own or leasing other, existing hotels. Our plan is to reach a goal of 1,000 owned or leased rooms over the next five years, after which we will intensify our external growth through management contracts under the Mona Hotel Management brands in the region and in the European Union.\n\nIn terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by? \nI would say most of all by a nice and intensive growth of the hotel industry in Serbia, the arrival of international brands, and the creation of Serbian hotel industry. Indeed, Serbia has come a long way in terms of tourism over the past 10 years, but what makes me even happier is the potential we have for further development.\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then? \nIt has definitely been an upward journey in every sense. False modesty aside, the business results we have achieved and continue to achieve probably speak the most about it. Ten years ago, I was in charge of marketing and sales at the hotel, then I worked as the CEO, and now I\u2019m the general manager of the company. However, the question of position is not the most important. What is the most important to me on this journey is the fact that I have enjoyed every second of it, doing the work I love with the people I appreciate! And that\u2019s my biggest wish for the future!\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade? \nI am proud to have been a part of a nice story called Mona Hotel Management from the very beginning, which is being studied by future economists and hoteliers as an example of a good practice! Along the way, I\u2019ve gone through all the challenges with investors, and we\u2019ve learned new things and developed every day, and together managed to create an independent company with over 250 staff members from one small business and I\u2019m sure we will continue to grow! I am proud that I have been able to justify the trust shown by the company and make the right strategic decisions! And I am especially proud of my son, daughter and wife!\nThe post The Combination of Business and Vacation appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-17T09:32:28+01:00", "date_modified": "2020-01-17T09:46:10+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-124.jpg", "tags": [ "belgrade", "event organization", "New hotel", "Hot topics", "Interviews", "MUST READ" ], "summary": "Belgrade became richer for another hotel on December 16th - the Mona Plaza Hotel." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/amec-different-forms-of-education-in-medical-sector/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/amec-different-forms-of-education-in-medical-sector/", "title": "AMEC \u2013 Different Forms of Education in Medical Sector", "content_html": "For that reason, the association\u2019s activity plan includes monitoring and applying local and global innovations, writing and publishing papers, textbooks, and other publications, participating in national and foreign professional events and in national and international medical projects, as well as educating university students of medicine and related fields.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Miloje-Toma\u0161evi\u0107.jpg\")
Can you tell us about the reasons behind launching the AMEC?
\nThe AMEC (Academic Medical Education Center) was founded in May 2013. Its founders and members are physicians, mostly clinicians, medical university professors, and junior associates, all who share the common goal off providing on going education and training for physicians and other medical staff in different medical fields.
\nFollowing the global trends, you recently launched expert Webinars. Can you tell us more about it?
\nThe AMEC offers the service of fully organizing webinars (defining the theme, securing moderators and speakers, promotion via social media and email, recording with three HD cameras, editing, and live streaming). We record webinars in a studio that can accommodate up to four participants. It has a fiber broadband connection that ensures unobstructed streaming and all the audio and video equipment required for the highest quality material.
\nWhat is your biggest event?
\nThe Spring Cardiology Workshop is our largest and most important event, bringing together around 800 participants. Equally important are our Spring Diabetes Workshop, General Practice Workshops, Autumn Pulmonology Workshop, and a slew of smaller workshops that we organize throughout the year.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/foto-2-20.jpg\")
What is the connection between event planning and the development of different medical fields?
\nModern\u00ad-day education involves not only the traditional lectures from the pulpit but also maximum interaction with the audience. Only well organized education supported by state\u00ad-of\u00ad-the\u00ad-art technical and electronic equipment makes sense. Nowadays, it\u2019s very difficult to capture the attention of an audience of physicians, which necessitates perfect preparation of educators and continuous monitoring of the latest views and recommendations of European associations centered around specific areas of medicine.
\nWhat are your future plans?
\nWe intend to spread the ideas about interactive education with patient and clinical case presentations further across the region. Our webinars\u2019 viewership is growing one month after another, increasing even outside the country. Furthermore, our workshops are attended by more and more participants from the region \u2014 and our objective is to become a regional leader in physician education.
\n
In terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by?
\nThe AMEC\u2019s founding and development, growing the network, and drawing more and more users. Also, the ever-improving quality education of physicians of different specialties is the biggest business stride we\u2019ve made in recent years.
\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then?
\nFully centered on educating educators and practitioners. We used all of our experiences from European educational events over the years and applied them in training our physicians, which was welcomed with users\u2019 approval and satisfaction.
\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade?
\nWe\u2019ve demonstrated that completely different forms of education \u2013 based on practical presentations and interaction with the audience \u2013 are indeed possible. Physician compare and equate our events with similarly purposed European events. Direct exchange of experiences, views, and opinions, hands-on training, cardio hub patient presentations, and interactive sessions have become common ways of educating physicians in our workshops.
\nThe post AMEC – Different Forms of Education in Medical Sector appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Prof. Dr Miloje Tomasevic, Director of AMEC, believes that modern education involves more than merely the traditional form of lectures, as well as that maximum interaction with the participants is key.\nFor that reason, the association\u2019s activity plan includes monitoring and applying local and global innovations, writing and publishing papers, textbooks, and other publications, participating in national and foreign professional events and in national and international medical projects, as well as educating university students of medicine and related fields.\nMiloje Tomasevic\nCan you tell us about the reasons behind launching the AMEC? \nThe AMEC (Academic Medical Education Center) was founded in May 2013. Its founders and members are physicians, mostly clinicians, medical university professors, and junior associates, all who share the common goal off providing on going education and training for physicians and other medical staff in different medical fields.\nFollowing the global trends, you recently launched expert Webinars. Can you tell us more about it? \nThe AMEC offers the service of fully organizing webinars (defining the theme, securing moderators and speakers, promotion via social media and email, recording with three HD cameras, editing, and live streaming). We record webinars in a studio that can accommodate up to four participants. It has a fiber broadband connection that ensures unobstructed streaming and all the audio and video equipment required for the highest quality material.\nWhat is your biggest event? \nThe Spring Cardiology Workshop is our largest and most important event, bringing together around 800 participants. Equally important are our Spring Diabetes Workshop, General Practice Workshops, Autumn Pulmonology Workshop, and a slew of smaller workshops that we organize throughout the year.\n\nWhat is the connection between event planning and the development of different medical fields? \nModern\u00ad-day education involves not only the traditional lectures from the pulpit but also maximum interaction with the audience. Only well organized education supported by state\u00ad-of\u00ad-the\u00ad-art technical and electronic equipment makes sense. Nowadays, it\u2019s very difficult to capture the attention of an audience of physicians, which necessitates perfect preparation of educators and continuous monitoring of the latest views and recommendations of European associations centered around specific areas of medicine.\nWhat are your future plans? \nWe intend to spread the ideas about interactive education with patient and clinical case presentations further across the region. Our webinars\u2019 viewership is growing one month after another, increasing even outside the country. Furthermore, our workshops are attended by more and more participants from the region \u2014 and our objective is to become a regional leader in physician education.\n\nIn terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by? \nThe AMEC\u2019s founding and development, growing the network, and drawing more and more users. Also, the ever-improving quality education of physicians of different specialties is the biggest business stride we\u2019ve made in recent years.\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then? \nFully centered on educating educators and practitioners. We used all of our experiences from European educational events over the years and applied them in training our physicians, which was welcomed with users\u2019 approval and satisfaction.\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade? \nWe\u2019ve demonstrated that completely different forms of education \u2013 based on practical presentations and interaction with the audience \u2013 are indeed possible. Physician compare and equate our events with similarly purposed European events. Direct exchange of experiences, views, and opinions, hands-on training, cardio hub patient presentations, and interactive sessions have become common ways of educating physicians in our workshops.\nThe post AMEC – Different Forms of Education in Medical Sector appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-13T11:02:56+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-13T11:02:56+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-srp-6.jpg", "tags": [ "event organization", "medical education", "medicine", "EVENT ORGANIZATION", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "NEWS" ], "summary": "Prof. Dr Miloje Tomasevic, Director of AMEC, believes that modern education involves more than merely the traditional form of lectures, as well as that maximum interaction with the participants is key." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/top-of-the-hub-the-recipe-for-perfect-event/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/top-of-the-hub-the-recipe-for-perfect-event/", "title": "Top of the Hub \u2013 the Recipe for Perfect Event!", "content_html": "General Manager Petar Medjedovic, together with his team, is constantly working on improving and perfecting the offering. And here\u2019s how it all started almost a decade ago…
\nWhat made Top of the Hub a must for hosting events?
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Petar-Me\u0111edovi\u0107.jpg\")
We recognized the potential of the space on the top floor of the most modern office building in the region \u2013 Usce Tower \u2013 and knew that it had to become what it is today. The fact is that Top of the Hub is a venue trusted by the most promising and creative companies in the region when it comes to event organization. In addition to this, we think our big success is that these companies are our clients. At the very start, the vision was clear \u2013 creating a multi functional event center for hosting diffe\u00adrent types of corporate and other events. The venue\u2019s advantages are many, and the key is the location, view, and parking for all guests. In addition, our sales team manages to pack every supporting se\u00adgment and additi\u00adonal content into a single whole. It\u2019s no secret that se\u00adri\u00ado\u00adus work is the key to success. I would also add serio\u00adus products. I think that no space can repeat this result (exclu\u00adding the hotel offering).
\nWe are also grate\u00adful for our success to Usce Tower, abo\u00adve all for the trust it has given us.
![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/HYBR2107.jpg\")
Next year is especially important for Top of the Hub since you\u2019ll be celebrating a full decade of exist\u00adence. During this time, you have hosted numerous different events. Are there any that you particularly remember?
\nOver the past nine years, Top of the Hub has been trusted by more than 500 corporate clients. The list of those we single out is on the References page on our website (www.topofthehub.rs).\u00a0 I remember many events, from those attended by top government officials, ambassadors, and prominent businessmen to events hosted for companies that are only emerging and at the very start of their growth. If I have to single out one event, I would pick Nordeus\u2019 third birthday party, back in 2013. I want for each of our future clients to follow in Nordeus\u2019 footsteps, via Top of the Hub.
\nWhat do you find particularly challenging in event planning?
\nEvent management is a very responsible and complex work that requires absolute commitment to the client. Our greatest challenge is creating an adequate and original idea. Every day we find ourselves in the situation where the client looks around the venue and explains what the event is about, expecting us to help find the ideal solution for the event scenario. We design each segment in collaboration with the client and take part in the execution itself \u2013 from the event concept itself and the decoration to the full catering service. Although a large number of clients have passed through our venue, we strive to always form an original whole and provide our clients and guests with a unique and unforgettable experience.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Hello-Facebook-Belgrade-129.jpg\")
What is your business philosophy?
\nSince the beginning we have been constantly improving and perfecting our products and services, so we have a plan to completely renovate the venue as early as next year. I see progress in implementing global trends locally. Our business philosophy is to provide maximum quality and convenience to the client with the least stress possible. We always provide the highest qu a lity service because we believe that the best advertisement for us are the successful events entrusted to us. This is surely also the reason why there are many companies that come back to us year after year. During these almost ten years, we have achieved tremendous success in our field and we will strive to justify our clients\u2019 trust in the years to come.
\n\n
The post Top of the Hub \u2013 the Recipe for Perfect Event! appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "You must have had an opportunity to attend an \u201cevent at the top of Belgrade\u201d so me time. Yes, this has become synonymous with Top of the Hub \u2013 a venue over looking the entire city.\nGeneral Manager Petar Medjedovic, together with his team, is constantly working on improving and perfecting the offering. And here\u2019s how it all started almost a decade ago…\nWhat made Top of the Hub a must for hosting events?\nPetar Medjedovic\nWe recognized the potential of the space on the top floor of the most modern office building in the region \u2013 Usce Tower \u2013 and knew that it had to become what it is today. The fact is that Top of the Hub is a venue trusted by the most promising and creative companies in the region when it comes to event organization. In addition to this, we think our big success is that these companies are our clients. At the very start, the vision was clear \u2013 creating a multi functional event center for hosting diffe\u00adrent types of corporate and other events. The venue\u2019s advantages are many, and the key is the location, view, and parking for all guests. In addition, our sales team manages to pack every supporting se\u00adgment and additi\u00adonal content into a single whole. It\u2019s no secret that se\u00adri\u00ado\u00adus work is the key to success. I would also add serio\u00adus products. I think that no space can repeat this result (exclu\u00adding the hotel offering).\nWe are also grate\u00adful for our success to Usce Tower, abo\u00adve all for the trust it has given us.\n\nNext year is especially important for Top of the Hub since you\u2019ll be celebrating a full decade of exist\u00adence. During this time, you have hosted numerous different events. Are there any that you particularly remember?\nOver the past nine years, Top of the Hub has been trusted by more than 500 corporate clients. The list of those we single out is on the References page on our website (www.topofthehub.rs).\u00a0 I remember many events, from those attended by top government officials, ambassadors, and prominent businessmen to events hosted for companies that are only emerging and at the very start of their growth. If I have to single out one event, I would pick Nordeus\u2019 third birthday party, back in 2013. I want for each of our future clients to follow in Nordeus\u2019 footsteps, via Top of the Hub.\nWhat do you find particularly challenging in event planning? \nEvent management is a very responsible and complex work that requires absolute commitment to the client. Our greatest challenge is creating an adequate and original idea. Every day we find ourselves in the situation where the client looks around the venue and explains what the event is about, expecting us to help find the ideal solution for the event scenario. We design each segment in collaboration with the client and take part in the execution itself \u2013 from the event concept itself and the decoration to the full catering service. Although a large number of clients have passed through our venue, we strive to always form an original whole and provide our clients and guests with a unique and unforgettable experience.\n\nWhat is your business philosophy? \nSince the beginning we have been constantly improving and perfecting our products and services, so we have a plan to completely renovate the venue as early as next year. I see progress in implementing global trends locally. Our business philosophy is to provide maximum quality and convenience to the client with the least stress possible. We always provide the highest qu a lity service because we believe that the best advertisement for us are the successful events entrusted to us. This is surely also the reason why there are many companies that come back to us year after year. During these almost ten years, we have achieved tremendous success in our field and we will strive to justify our clients\u2019 trust in the years to come.\n \nThe post Top of the Hub \u2013 the Recipe for Perfect Event! appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-12T13:59:04+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-12T13:59:04+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/A8377676-59E3-48B7-8C12-018A638F9868.jpg", "tags": [ "INTERVIEW", "EVENT ORGANIZATION", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "NEWS" ], "summary": "You must have had an opportunity to attend an \u201cevent at the top of Belgrade\u201d so me time. Yes, this has become synonymous with Top of the Hub \u2013 a venue over looking the entire city." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/what-s-cooking-in-the-falkensteiner-kitchen/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/what-s-cooking-in-the-falkensteiner-kitchen/", "title": "What\u2019s Cooking in the Falkensteiner Kitchen?", "content_html": "He passed on the following recipe.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Aleksandar-Vasilijevi\u0107-Photo-by-Mirko-Taba\u0161evi\u0107.jpg\")
THE INGREDIENTS:
\nTHE RESULT:
\nA guest who becomes a friend of the house, one who doesn\u2019t think twice where to stay and comes straight to us when traveling to Belgrade. A guest who recognizes the hotel\u2019s soul and feels at home at it.
\nWhat do you find particularly important in the business approach in your line of work?
\nIn any business\u00a0\u2014\u00a0no matter the specific industry \u2014\u00a0I believe that integrity is central, in the sense of being honest with yourself. Being aware at all times where you are, what you\u2019re good at, and what you need to work on. In short, being honest both to yourself and those around you.
\nWhose tips and suggestions you valued while you were growing as a professional?
\nMy first real mentor was Mr. Richard Bamford, a man with more than 40 years of experience in the hotel business. His approach was one of a father and a mentor, and he helped me immensely. A lot of what I learned from him I still use in my work today. Then I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Agron Berisa, whose help and advice moved me further forward and got to where I am now. However, I do think I still have a lot to learn.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-121.jpg\")
Can you think of any business decision that was extremely difficult and caused skepticism but ultimately turned out to be more than right?
\nI can, but that decision was not mine, unfortunately. It was also the situation that\u2019s struck me the most in my career so far. It was the time when the Falkensteiner was leaving Stara planina. Stara planina was a project that both myself and the entire team invested a lot of effort in and \u2014\u00a0most of all \u2014\u00a0emotion. When we stopped working with this hotel, it upset us on an emotional level. However, as is usually the case in life, that also gave us new energy to try and find a new suitable building in the region. That is how we entered the Montenegrin market three years later.
\nIn this regard, do you have any advice for future generations in the hotel industry?
\nI wouldn\u2019t want to sound clich\u00e9, but I honestly believe that when at the hardest times you need to get back on your feet and become the best version of yourself. In addition, for today\u2019s generations, who seem to want to move even faster in these fast times, I would advise that they start from the very beginning\u00a0\u2014\u00a0slowly, patiently, and diligently. That they always keep evolving and learning. Success will be inevitable in that case.
\nWhat do you see as the state of play in today\u2019s hotel industry? Is the situation better or not compared with the past decade? What are the biggest shortage and the biggest advantage?
\nWhen it comes to Belgrade, things started to pick up the pace after 2007. Until then, the capital\u2019s hotels were few and far between, and we had only two truly big hotel brands. At that point, Serbia\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and above all Belgrade\u00a0\u2014\u00a0experienced a hotel boom that continues to this day. Now we have the Hilton, Marriot, Radisson, Accor… The competition is steep, and I would add also ruthless. Today\u2019s guests are not quick to forgive mistakes. Of course, the internet has done its thing, guests are informed, they travel more and have more choices. The development of technology is most certainly an advantage, as well as a double-edged sword. You have to keep track of every review and the speed at which trends change and be ready for change at all times.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Photo-by-Leon-Bijeli\u0107.jpg\")
What would you do if you weren\u2019t in the hotel business?
\nIt might sound strange, but I honestly believe that I would have been a military man had it not been for the wretched 90s. So it seems that I was destined for uniform.
\n
In terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by?
\nThe previous decade was certainly marked by the Falkensteiner Group, where the management gave me a fantastic opportunity, as well as a lot of trust, which I hopefully justified. I was fortunate enough to try on \u2013 first at the Zira \u2013 the role of General Manager of a local city hotel, and then move into a leadership position within the hotel group. This has truly been a milestone decade when it comes to my career
\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then?
\nAt the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, I started my hotel career as a night receptionist. Then through Sveti Stefan, the President in Kovilovo, and the Zira in Belgrade, in 2012 I came to the Falkensteiner Hotel Belgrade to step in as the General Manager. Namely, the then
\nRegional Director of Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences and now the company\u2019s COO Mr. Agron Berisa was staying at the hotel and closely watched how I was working, after which he offered me a job. Today I am in charge of the entire region of Serbia and Montenegro, at this time I\u2019m at the helm of two hotels, while plans for further expansion in this region are largely underway.
What are you particularly proud of from the last decade?
\nProfessionaly, surely the results that our hotel in Belgrade is delivering one year after another. Entering and positioning in the new market. All the successfully overcome challenges. However, I believe that every professional achievement must be backed by the personal, without which none of the above would be possible. In my case, that mainstay and wind at my back are my wife Danijela and our three children.
\nMiona Milic
\nThe post What\u2019s Cooking in the Falkensteiner Kitchen? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "We talked with Aleksandar Vasilijevic, Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences Cluster Manager for Serbia and Montenegro, about the reasons that have been keeping the Falkensteiner Hotel Belgrade high on the list of Belgrade\u2019s hotels for almost seven years as a trusted brand among business travelers.\nHe passed on the following recipe.\nAleksandar Vasilijevic, Photo by Mirko Tabasevic\nTHE INGREDIENTS: \n\n170 rooms \n111 motivated employees\nFantastic location\nPremium service\nIntimate setting \nQuality menus \nBest breakfast in town \nFlexibility \nUnwavering quality \nPersonal approach to guests and ensuring creating experiences\n\nTHE RESULT: \nA guest who becomes a friend of the house, one who doesn\u2019t think twice where to stay and comes straight to us when traveling to Belgrade. A guest who recognizes the hotel\u2019s soul and feels at home at it.\nWhat do you find particularly important in the business approach in your line of work?\nIn any business\u00a0\u2014\u00a0no matter the specific industry \u2014\u00a0I believe that integrity is central, in the sense of being honest with yourself. Being aware at all times where you are, what you\u2019re good at, and what you need to work on. In short, being honest both to yourself and those around you.\nWhose tips and suggestions you valued while you were growing as a professional?\nMy first real mentor was Mr. Richard Bamford, a man with more than 40 years of experience in the hotel business. His approach was one of a father and a mentor, and he helped me immensely. A lot of what I learned from him I still use in my work today. Then I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Agron Berisa, whose help and advice moved me further forward and got to where I am now. However, I do think I still have a lot to learn.\n\nCan you think of any business decision that was extremely difficult and caused skepticism but ultimately turned out to be more than right?\nI can, but that decision was not mine, unfortunately. It was also the situation that\u2019s struck me the most in my career so far. It was the time when the Falkensteiner was leaving Stara planina. Stara planina was a project that both myself and the entire team invested a lot of effort in and \u2014\u00a0most of all \u2014\u00a0emotion. When we stopped working with this hotel, it upset us on an emotional level. However, as is usually the case in life, that also gave us new energy to try and find a new suitable building in the region. That is how we entered the Montenegrin market three years later.\nIn this regard, do you have any advice for future generations in the hotel industry?\nI wouldn\u2019t want to sound clich\u00e9, but I honestly believe that when at the hardest times you need to get back on your feet and become the best version of yourself. In addition, for today\u2019s generations, who seem to want to move even faster in these fast times, I would advise that they start from the very beginning\u00a0\u2014\u00a0slowly, patiently, and diligently. That they always keep evolving and learning. Success will be inevitable in that case.\nWhat do you see as the state of play in today\u2019s hotel industry? Is the situation better or not compared with the past decade? What are the biggest shortage and the biggest advantage?\nWhen it comes to Belgrade, things started to pick up the pace after 2007. Until then, the capital\u2019s hotels were few and far between, and we had only two truly big hotel brands. At that point, Serbia\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and above all Belgrade\u00a0\u2014\u00a0experienced a hotel boom that continues to this day. Now we have the Hilton, Marriot, Radisson, Accor… The competition is steep, and I would add also ruthless. Today\u2019s guests are not quick to forgive mistakes. Of course, the internet has done its thing, guests are informed, they travel more and have more choices. The development of technology is most certainly an advantage, as well as a double-edged sword. You have to keep track of every review and the speed at which trends change and be ready for change at all times.\nPhoto by Leon Bijelic\nWhat would you do if you weren\u2019t in the hotel business?\nIt might sound strange, but I honestly believe that I would have been a military man had it not been for the wretched 90s. So it seems that I was destined for uniform.\n\nIn terms of business, what do you remember the past 10 years by? \nThe previous decade was certainly marked by the Falkensteiner Group, where the management gave me a fantastic opportunity, as well as a lot of trust, which I hopefully justified. I was fortunate enough to try on \u2013 first at the Zira \u2013 the role of General Manager of a local city hotel, and then move into a leadership position within the hotel group. This has truly been a milestone decade when it comes to my career\nWhat has your business journey looked like since then? \nAt the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, I started my hotel career as a night receptionist. Then through Sveti Stefan, the President in Kovilovo, and the Zira in Belgrade, in 2012 I came to the Falkensteiner Hotel Belgrade to step in as the General Manager. Namely, the then \nRegional Director of Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences and now the company\u2019s COO Mr. Agron Berisa was staying at the hotel and closely watched how I was working, after which he offered me a job. Today I am in charge of the entire region of Serbia and Montenegro, at this time I\u2019m at the helm of two hotels, while plans for further expansion in this region are largely underway.\nWhat are you particularly proud of from the last decade? \nProfessionaly, surely the results that our hotel in Belgrade is delivering one year after another. Entering and positioning in the new market. All the successfully overcome challenges. However, I believe that every professional achievement must be backed by the personal, without which none of the above would be possible. In my case, that mainstay and wind at my back are my wife Danijela and our three children.\nMiona Milic\nThe post What\u2019s Cooking in the Falkensteiner Kitchen? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-10T14:45:50+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-17T09:25:46+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Photo-by-Mirko-Taba\u0161evi\u0107.jpg", "tags": [ "fALKENSTEINER HOTEL BELGRADE", "Falkensteiner Hotels and Residences", "Interviews", "MUST READ", "NEWS" ], "summary": "We talked with Aleksandar Vasilijevic, Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences Cluster Manager for Serbia and Montenegro, about the reasons that have been keeping the Falkensteiner Hotel Belgrade high on the list of Belgrade\u2019s hotels for almost seven years as a trusted brand among business travelers." }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/whatever-you-do-it-s-important-to-do-your-best/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/whatever-you-do-it-s-important-to-do-your-best/", "title": "Whatever You Do, It\u2019s Important to Do Your Best", "content_html": "He started his career in the hospitality industry in America. He brought the know-\u00adhow he acquired there back to Serbia and for 10 years has been successfully implementing it in the work he does. He points out how proud he is of overcoming many obstacles and choices he made. Today, he is trying to give a chance to young people and he therefore carefully observes his team members and identifies where their strengths lie.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/VIP-Lounge.jpg\")
In addition to the enviable level of education you got, what do you feel helped you 10 years ago in Serbia when you first started your career and also helped you establish yourself as one of hospitality industry leaders in the region?
\nThere are many things that contributed to my success. First of all, there\u2019s work and education, then, I was lucky and what comes in third is the good timing of my return to Belgrade. Back then, the hospitality industry, with new foreign brands, was still in early stages and accordingly there weren\u2019t many people who had an innovative approach to this branch of industry. There weren\u2019t enough educational institutions, schools and universities, which would allow students to acquire necessary skills as is the case today, when besides studying they can also get practical training, which is enormously important for any real expert. I\u2019d say that it was the education that helped me the most on my professional journey, then practice but also social intelligence which is good \u02bapointer\u02ba for decision\u00ad making. I was 30 when I became Manager of the Continental, the biggest hotel in the region at the time. Since the hotel\u2019s occupancy was far from satisfactory, I organized a meeting with the employees and had a talk with them. I asked them if they thought it was better for them to have two occupied rooms at a higher rate or eight occupied rooms at a lower rate. I can tell you that the conclusion we reached then helped me understand why Genex, which once was a large and serious company, collapsed. People wanted to work less, not more. I had come from a regulated system in America, where I advanced step by step and so I gave myself a period of one year to see how I would do on this market. At the time, the Delta company acquired the Continental and basically that\u2019s when my professional development in Serbia started. Back to your question, I will tell you an anecdote which is an excellent illustration of the combination of components I mentioned. I\u2019d known Mr Miskovic by reputation only, as the CEO of the company. Other managers from the company told me that if I did my job properly, my work would for sure be recognized. But despite this, I knew that there was a door I needed to open myself because there was no one else to do it instead of me. He regularly went to hairdresser\u2019s at the Sava Centre\u2019s gangway and I saw that he went there every three weeks. I decided that I would wait for him every time he went there because I knew I had just those 45 seconds when he went up the stairs leading to the parlor and another 45 second when he was on his way down. This was when I spoke to him. And he did indeed recognize in me the desire to develop, learn and make a difference.
\nThe average rates in Ljubljana and Zagreb are significantly higher compared with Belgrade. A part of the problem is that there are too many hotels in our capital and it is only natural that occupancy is not very high, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The other part of the problem is that we do not appreciate ourselves as much as we should.
\nA decade ago, you were one of the first people in the hospitality business to introduce the \u02baValue for Money\u02ba business philosophy. You impacted market changes, you made other people in the industry fight harder for their guests. Are rates in Belgrade today lower compared with the region?
\nThe average rates in Ljubljana and Zagreb are significantly higher compared with Belgrade. A part of the problem is that there are too many hotels in our capital and it is only natural that occupancy is not very high, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The other part of the problem is that we do not appreciate ourselves as much as we should. If all of us join forces and start holding our market in higher regard, we\u2019ll create higher rates. If we do things in this way, and I repeat, we jointly and in a synchronized manner increase rates, within three to four years our rates can be as high as they are in the capitals of Slovenia and Croatia.
\nHow important are role models? Do you think that in your case they provided guidance on your professional journey?
\nBut of course! Throughout my career I have had role models and so, yes, I do think they are very important. I am proud to say that over time the number of these people is getting higher. At first, my role models were my father, who used to tell me that I should always do my best, whatever I did, and my uncle, who made it possible for me to get my education. Later, I met Mr Michael Hickey, General Manager of the Hyatt in Boston, where I worked at the time. I remember that when he promoted me to the Operations Manager, I came to the meeting wearing a black shirt and orange tie. He congratulated me and took me to his office, gave me some money and told me to buy new, white shirts. He taught me that a white shirt will always give you a professional look and I still use that simple trick today. When I came back to Belgrade, I had the privilege of meeting Mr Miskovic and working with the man who introduced really major changes in Serbia. I have learnt a lot from him, not only about business but also how to build personality by acquiring new knowledge. Because what you learn while getting regular education is never enough. Every day is a possibility to learn something new because, as he says, the man\u2019s value is measured by how much he/she knows and basically that\u2019s something no one can take away from you. One of the important things my role models told me was that it is very important to always be determined when taking decisions. If there is a problem, I do whatever I can to solve it as soon as possible. Of course, sometimes there are situations you need to think through, discuss, ask for advice, wait for a while but that too needs to be efficient. Perhaps this is why \u02basleep on it\u02ba has a somewhat different meaning for me. This certainly does not mean that I make decision hastily but let\u2019s just say that I have developed various mechanisms to make them more promptly. As for female role models, they\u2019re my mother and my wife. To cut the story short, what matters is that your role models push you to want more and reach higher.
\nThe Indigo will be ready for soft opening between May and June next year. The hotel will be telling a \u201cneighborhood story\u201d, rooms will be decorated with details resembling that part of Dorcol, every room will be furnished differently and the entire concept of this hotel will be far from the corporate concept. For example, all items in the minibar will be free of charge.
\nIs there something that you believe is specific for Serbian hospitality industry today?
\nWhat I have noticed in certain sectors in Serbia, especially in Sales in Marketing, which in my opinion are among the most important in this industry, is that we always see the same people around. I don\u2019t think this is good and I strive to change this. And now I\u2019ll explain how. In our Sales Department, in a team of 15 people there is a manager who used to be a waitress in our New Bar, manager who was a receptionist, manager who worked in the restaurant, manager who wanted to be an actor\u2026 We have literally developed these staff members and all of them are excellent at their jobs. We were not afraid to embrace differences, if I may say so. Managers in Serbia reluctantly give chances to people who\u2019ve never done a certain job. For example, this is something I haven\u2019t noticed anywhere else but here.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Fine-Dining-Restaurant-Prime.jpg\")
Another thing that is Serbia\u00ad specific is a result of us not being part of the EU. Belgrade, as opposed to other capitals in the region, has by far the highest number of hotels and foreign hotel chains. This is why people who work here in the hospitality industry find it very hard to leave Serbia and find work in the region because work permit is hard to obtain abroad so they are actually forced to work here for employers who offer higher salaries. This brings us back to what I already noted, that we always see the same people around. They do get higher salaries, they are sought after, but young people have to be given opportunities again and we need to put our trust in them. This is what I call injustice. I believe that the job of a good team leader, or any person holding a higher position within a sector, is to observe and recognize people\u2019s talent and likes and in this manner open new windows of opportunity for young people with potential. I deeply believe in in\u00ad-house promotion.
\nThe opening of the Indigo in Belgrade is long\u00ad-awaited. When do you expect that you\u2019ll be able to welcome the hotel\u2019s first guests?
\nThe Indigo will be a truly special hotel, its location is Knez Mihailova Street. Construction works are going as planned. I think it\u2019ll be ready for soft opening between May and June next year. The hotel will be telling a \u02baneighbourhood story\u02ba, rooms will be decorated with details resembling that part of Dorcol, every room will be furnished differently and the entire concept of this hotel will be far from the corporate concept. For example, all items in the minibar will be free of charge. What do I mean by this? First of all, atmosphere will be laid back, waiting staff\u2019s uniforms will be jeans, shirts and sports shoes, they\u2019ll be allowed to wear beards/piercings/tattoos. The rooftop restaurant will overlook the entire city and we will serve there something we named \u02baSerbian tapas\u02ba, and there will also be a gin bar. Target group for the Indigo are hedonists who work in the city center and who want to spend time in laid-back atmosphere.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Hotel-Indigo.jpg\" "\\"Hotel")
With the opening of the Intercontinental in Ljubljana, Delta Holding demonstrated how serious it was in terms of expanding into the regional market. What are the next steps in that sense?
\nWe\u2019re building Holiday Inn in Ljubljana in March next year, and that is an investment of EUR 25 million. We\u2019re looking for suitable location in Zagreb because we want to be present in Ljubljana, Zagreb and Belgrade. We\u2019re close to reaching agreement about the construction of a hotel in Skoplje, which has become an interesting market for us. As for Montenegro\u2019s coastline, we are not interested in this destination because of seasonality and there\u2019s already a sufficient number of hotels in Podgorica.
\nWe\u2019re building Holiday Inn in Ljubljana in March next year, and that is an investment of EUR 25 million.
\nThe Sava Congress Center in Belgrade is a \u02bathorn in the side\u02ba as regards major international congresses and for years, if not decades, and the disproportion between the quality offered by hotels and the Center has been far too obvious. On the other hand, Delta has been releasing information about prospective private-\u00adpublic partnership with the City regarding the Sava Center renovations. Can you see this problem being solved within the next two years?
\nBy the end of the year, the City of Belgrade should invite a tender for the sale of the Save Congress Centre. If this happens, the Delta company will bid because we\u2019re very interested in investing more than EUR 70 million in this project and we want to turn it into state-of\u00ad-the\u00ad-art and premium\u00ad quality congress centre. This much money and plenty of knowledge can be invested only by a large and successful company such as Delta. We want to refurbish it and make it the best congress centre in the Balkans.
\nThe post Whatever You Do, It\u2019s Important to Do Your Best appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Today, Mr Zivorad Vasic is IHG Regional General Manager and manages Crowne Plaza Belgrade, InterContinental Bucharest, Hotel Indigo Belgrade (opening soon), InterContinental Ljubljana, Regent Porto Montenegro and InterContinental Sofia.\nHe started his career in the hospitality industry in America. He brought the know-\u00adhow he acquired there back to Serbia and for 10 years has been successfully implementing it in the work he does. He points out how proud he is of overcoming many obstacles and choices he made. Today, he is trying to give a chance to young people and he therefore carefully observes his team members and identifies where their strengths lie.\n\nIn addition to the enviable level of education you got, what do you feel helped you 10 years ago in Serbia when you first started your career and also helped you establish yourself as one of hospitality industry leaders in the region? \n\nThere are many things that contributed to my success. First of all, there\u2019s work and education, then, I was lucky and what comes in third is the good timing of my return to Belgrade. Back then, the hospitality industry, with new foreign brands, was still in early stages and accordingly there weren\u2019t many people who had an innovative approach to this branch of industry. There weren\u2019t enough educational institutions, schools and universities, which would allow students to acquire necessary skills as is the case today, when besides studying they can also get practical training, which is enormously important for any real expert. I\u2019d say that it was the education that helped me the most on my professional journey, then practice but also social intelligence which is good \u02bapointer\u02ba for decision\u00ad making. I was 30 when I became Manager of the Continental, the biggest hotel in the region at the time. Since the hotel\u2019s occupancy was far from satisfactory, I organized a meeting with the employees and had a talk with them. I asked them if they thought it was better for them to have two occupied rooms at a higher rate or eight occupied rooms at a lower rate. I can tell you that the conclusion we reached then helped me understand why Genex, which once was a large and serious company, collapsed. People wanted to work less, not more. I had come from a regulated system in America, where I advanced step by step and so I gave myself a period of one year to see how I would do on this market. At the time, the Delta company acquired the Continental and basically that\u2019s when my professional development in Serbia started. Back to your question, I will tell you an anecdote which is an excellent illustration of the combination of components I mentioned. I\u2019d known Mr Miskovic by reputation only, as the CEO of the company. Other managers from the company told me that if I did my job properly, my work would for sure be recognized. But despite this, I knew that there was a door I needed to open myself because there was no one else to do it instead of me. He regularly went to hairdresser\u2019s at the Sava Centre\u2019s gangway and I saw that he went there every three weeks. I decided that I would wait for him every time he went there because I knew I had just those 45 seconds when he went up the stairs leading to the parlor and another 45 second when he was on his way down. This was when I spoke to him. And he did indeed recognize in me the desire to develop, learn and make a difference.\n\nThe average rates in Ljubljana and Zagreb are significantly higher compared with Belgrade. A part of the problem is that there are too many hotels in our capital and it is only natural that occupancy is not very high, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The other part of the problem is that we do not appreciate ourselves as much as we should.\nA decade ago, you were one of the first people in the hospitality business to introduce the \u02baValue for Money\u02ba business philosophy. You impacted market changes, you made other people in the industry fight harder for their guests. Are rates in Belgrade today lower compared with the region? \nThe average rates in Ljubljana and Zagreb are significantly higher compared with Belgrade. A part of the problem is that there are too many hotels in our capital and it is only natural that occupancy is not very high, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The other part of the problem is that we do not appreciate ourselves as much as we should. If all of us join forces and start holding our market in higher regard, we\u2019ll create higher rates. If we do things in this way, and I repeat, we jointly and in a synchronized manner increase rates, within three to four years our rates can be as high as they are in the capitals of Slovenia and Croatia.\nHow important are role models? Do you think that in your case they provided guidance on your professional journey?\n\nBut of course! Throughout my career I have had role models and so, yes, I do think they are very important. I am proud to say that over time the number of these people is getting higher. At first, my role models were my father, who used to tell me that I should always do my best, whatever I did, and my uncle, who made it possible for me to get my education. Later, I met Mr Michael Hickey, General Manager of the Hyatt in Boston, where I worked at the time. I remember that when he promoted me to the Operations Manager, I came to the meeting wearing a black shirt and orange tie. He congratulated me and took me to his office, gave me some money and told me to buy new, white shirts. He taught me that a white shirt will always give you a professional look and I still use that simple trick today. When I came back to Belgrade, I had the privilege of meeting Mr Miskovic and working with the man who introduced really major changes in Serbia. I have learnt a lot from him, not only about business but also how to build personality by acquiring new knowledge. Because what you learn while getting regular education is never enough. Every day is a possibility to learn something new because, as he says, the man\u2019s value is measured by how much he/she knows and basically that\u2019s something no one can take away from you. One of the important things my role models told me was that it is very important to always be determined when taking decisions. If there is a problem, I do whatever I can to solve it as soon as possible. Of course, sometimes there are situations you need to think through, discuss, ask for advice, wait for a while but that too needs to be efficient. Perhaps this is why \u02basleep on it\u02ba has a somewhat different meaning for me. This certainly does not mean that I make decision hastily but let\u2019s just say that I have developed various mechanisms to make them more promptly. As for female role models, they\u2019re my mother and my wife. To cut the story short, what matters is that your role models push you to want more and reach higher.\n\nThe Indigo will be ready for soft opening between May and June next year. The hotel will be telling a \u201cneighborhood story\u201d, rooms will be decorated with details resembling that part of Dorcol, every room will be furnished differently and the entire concept of this hotel will be far from the corporate concept. For example, all items in the minibar will be free of charge.\nIs there something that you believe is specific for Serbian hospitality industry today? \nWhat I have noticed in certain sectors in Serbia, especially in Sales in Marketing, which in my opinion are among the most important in this industry, is that we always see the same people around. I don\u2019t think this is good and I strive to change this. And now I\u2019ll explain how. In our Sales Department, in a team of 15 people there is a manager who used to be a waitress in our New Bar, manager who was a receptionist, manager who worked in the restaurant, manager who wanted to be an actor\u2026 We have literally developed these staff members and all of them are excellent at their jobs. We were not afraid to embrace differences, if I may say so. Managers in Serbia reluctantly give chances to people who\u2019ve never done a certain job. For example, this is something I haven\u2019t noticed anywhere else but here.\nFine Dining Restaurant Prime\nAnother thing that is Serbia\u00ad specific is a result of us not being part of the EU. Belgrade, as opposed to other capitals in the region, has by far the highest number of hotels and foreign hotel chains. This is why people who work here in the hospitality industry find it very hard to leave Serbia and find work in the region because work permit is hard to obtain abroad so they are actually forced to work here for employers who offer higher salaries. This brings us back to what I already noted, that we always see the same people around. They do get higher salaries, they are sought after, but young people have to be given opportunities again and we need to put our trust in them. This is what I call injustice. I believe that the job of a good team leader, or any person holding a higher position within a sector, is to observe and recognize people\u2019s talent and likes and in this manner open new windows of opportunity for young people with potential. I deeply believe in in\u00ad-house promotion.\nThe opening of the Indigo in Belgrade is long\u00ad-awaited. When do you expect that you\u2019ll be able to welcome the hotel\u2019s first guests? \nThe Indigo will be a truly special hotel, its location is Knez Mihailova Street. Construction works are going as planned. I think it\u2019ll be ready for soft opening between May and June next year. The hotel will be telling a \u02baneighbourhood story\u02ba, rooms will be decorated with details resembling that part of Dorcol, every room will be furnished differently and the entire concept of this hotel will be far from the corporate concept. For example, all items in the minibar will be free of charge. What do I mean by this? First of all, atmosphere will be laid back, waiting staff\u2019s uniforms will be jeans, shirts and sports shoes, they\u2019ll be allowed to wear beards/piercings/tattoos. The rooftop restaurant will overlook the entire city and we will serve there something we named \u02baSerbian tapas\u02ba, and there will also be a gin bar. Target group for the Indigo are hedonists who work in the city center and who want to spend time in laid-back atmosphere.\nHotel Indigo\nWith the opening of the Intercontinental in Ljubljana, Delta Holding demonstrated how serious it was in terms of expanding into the regional market. What are the next steps in that sense? \nWe\u2019re building Holiday Inn in Ljubljana in March next year, and that is an investment of EUR 25 million. We\u2019re looking for suitable location in Zagreb because we want to be present in Ljubljana, Zagreb and Belgrade. We\u2019re close to reaching agreement about the construction of a hotel in Skoplje, which has become an interesting market for us. As for Montenegro\u2019s coastline, we are not interested in this destination because of seasonality and there\u2019s already a sufficient number of hotels in Podgorica.\nWe\u2019re building Holiday Inn in Ljubljana in March next year, and that is an investment of EUR 25 million.\nThe Sava Congress Center in Belgrade is a \u02bathorn in the side\u02ba as regards major international congresses and for years, if not decades, and the disproportion between the quality offered by hotels and the Center has been far too obvious. On the other hand, Delta has been releasing information about prospective private-\u00adpublic partnership with the City regarding the Sava Center renovations. Can you see this problem being solved within the next two years? \nBy the end of the year, the City of Belgrade should invite a tender for the sale of the Save Congress Centre. If this happens, the Delta company will bid because we\u2019re very interested in investing more than EUR 70 million in this project and we want to turn it into state-of\u00ad-the\u00ad-art and premium\u00ad quality congress centre. This much money and plenty of knowledge can be invested only by a large and successful company such as Delta. We want to refurbish it and make it the best congress centre in the Balkans.\nThe post Whatever You Do, It\u2019s Important to Do Your Best appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2019-12-04T14:18:12+01:00", "date_modified": "2019-12-04T14:18:12+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/naslovna-119.jpg", "tags": [ "crowne plaza belgrade", "hotel", "INTERVIEW", "Hot topics", "Interviews", "MUST READ" ], "summary": "Today, Mr Zivorad Vasic is IHG Regional General Manager and manages Crowne Plaza Belgrade, InterContinental Bucharest, Hotel Indigo Belgrade (opening soon), InterContinental Ljubljana, Regent Porto Montenegro and InterContinental Sofia." } ] }