The organizational challenge was how to provide a number of citizens to apply on the spot, and also provide partial booking in advance.

An additional challenge was time limit of three hours, due to limited attention and time provided by native language speakers. These were mostly not professional linguists or professors, but employees of respective Embassies. Therefore, the key decision was to select a very short form: “speak dating”, as the appropriate response to these challenges, and online advertising campaign ensured all available online slots for speak dating were booked in advance.

In order to enable as many visitors as possible to get a taste of multiple foreign languages within short period of time, we decided to use Speak dating concept. Based on Speed dating concept, instead of longer 45 minute lesson for multiple participants (a method we used in previous years), this time citizens applied for 10 minute one-on-one lesson with a native speaker. Additional creative benefit: in order to create a video invitation to the event, we asked 20 Embassy employees to translate “Speak dating” to their language. The results were surprisingly humorous and creative!

In order to motivate participants to try out “small” languages, we provided them with an opportunity to win prizes – language courses and books. If they wanted to participate in the draw, they needed to complete at least 3 language Speak dates, and get a receipt from respective professors.

Promo team was placed in front of the venue to attract the passers by. Venue was divided in two spaces: lobby and speak dating room. Lobby was used for registration, placement of language corners, distribution of promo materials of European Union, Embassies and partners and also for prize draw ceremony. Visitors could “warm-up” for their language lesson by conversation in language corners, and also lobby provided easily accessible space for speak dating lesson for disabled people.

Delighted participants were encouraged to take their social media photo with Speak Dating frame. Available languages were: Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, English, Finnish, French, Greek, Gaelic, Latvian, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Dutch, German, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish, Italian.

In total, there were 20 languages and 12 time slots, for a total of 240 speak dates. All the time slots were filled during the first 15 minutes! One third of time slots (4 x 20 languages) were available for online booking. All the other time slots (8 x 20 languages) were available only to people at the event, and were booked in record time, at the very beginning of event.

Efficient online ads campaign ensured all the available time slots were booked within days. We used Facebook and Google ads. We have recorded video invitation to the event in various languages – spoken by the actual native speakers who were hosting the speak dates. Most participants of the event were young people and they heard about the event online. It proved the initial hypothesis of online/mobile being the most important and approved our audience segmentation.

Popularization of language wealth of European Union is possible within modest resources. Outstanding results have encourage the organizer to use the same Speak dating model in 2018.

We had a lot of key challenges, but the main one was where to organize such a big gala event with 650 guests, 65 round tables, stage, dancing floor, catering… We checked several different venues but actually, there was only one real option – Hangar in Marina Portorož which has an area of more than 1200 square meters under one roof. But it was not enough. Beside the hangar, we were forced to build another additional tent in the size of 15×20 meters, which we used for catering and office for catering. Others key challenges were connected with logistics, program, catering…

After a briefing with our client who gave us very few directions about their wishes about the program we had a brainstorming in our office and decided to have a first underwater party in Slovenia. The idea was to impress guests and client with something new. Something they have never seen before. Our focus was on the scenography, technology, and program – show.

Scenography: The main part of the setup were projections on 2 sides of the Hangar in the total size of 60x6m on which we projected the underwater world. We had also specially designed, branded lamps.

Technology: we had specially designed and programmed ‘’underwater’’ blue light, which made you feel like you are underwater, 4 lasers that projected the water surface over the guests.

Program: was based on an element of surprise. First, the guests gathered in front of the hangar and after 20 minutes we opened the hangar door and the guests entered.

The program was divided into 3 parts. We started with the traditionally Fotona award ceremony which was moderated by Tin Vodopivec, continued with self-service dinner. Main part – After the dinner. We turned off the lights and turn on four 15.000 ASL projectors which create an underwater atmosphere –While the guests were watching spectacular projections, we had time to set up a basketball basket in front of the stage. After 5 minutes we started with Dunking Devils LED performance show under the water surface created by 4 blue lasers. After the show, there was loud applause.

We used modern technology to create a real underwater atmosphere. The main role was played by 2 projections 30x6m and four lasers that created the wavy surface of the sea above the guests.

The whole event for Fotona, all 5 days, took us 5 months of preparation, organization, execution and after event activities. Especially for the execution of this event, we spent 3 days. 2 days of assembly + event and 1 day of disassembling. There was more than 70 staff from organizers, electricians, engineers for sound and light, catering and show performers. Everything was coordinated by the Agency Promo.

At the end of the entire IFW we made a survey in which we asked about the quality of the events and the average score for the event in Marina Portorož was 8.9 / 10

The final responses to the Fotona Underwater party event were very positive. At this event, Fotona presented itself as a big company that takes care of its partners and gives them the best possible atmosphere for even better growth, development and cooperation.

The event in Marina Portorož is the reflection of Fotona’s slogan One family together. The idea from Fotona at this event was: to socialize, to have fun, to laugh, to dance and to feel like they are part of the Fotona family. In Fotona knows that this is all the investment in the future and the growth of the company.

Key challenges of the Slovenian Incoming Workshop are:

• How to attract the right TO/TA from the right markets, including those that do not know Slovenia and do not have it in their programs yet;

• How to present Slovenia as a boutique destination for 5* experiences;

• How to expose the host of the event (the location and the hotel company), in 2018, these were Kranjska Gora and HIT Alpinea Kranjska Gora;

• How to organize fam trips in order to fulfill/exceed participants’ expectations and needs.

• Creating a fruitful business environment for successful meetings.

1. The most important thing, which at the same time required also most creativity was arranging a platform that would enable scheduling meetings in an efficient way. This was successfully done with our online platform “One to one Meetings: SIW 2018”

2. Another important challenge was to plan all the study tours as careful and detailed as possible, including presentation of local tradition, tasting of local culinary, meeting with local tourist guides besides having a full-time tour guide at their disposal. Post SIW survey showed that study tours met or even exceeded SIW attendees’ expectations. 90% of study tours attendees were satisfied or extremely satisfied with study tours.

3. Branding:
• Before the event (personalised web page and registration form of the event; application for On-to-one meetings; we always use both logos corporate I feel Slovenia, together with the event logo).
• During the event: Brochures (participants catalogue, badges, save the date for 2019 notes).
• On the location (typical branding through whole event, also for better orientation of participants through Kranjska Gora from hotels to workshop Venue – Sport hall Vitranc)
• During evening events (use of big led walls for extra branding and adding information).

4. Hospitality through the whole event: welcome desk at the airport and coordinator of private transfers, registration in every hotel and in the Workshop venue: Sports hall Vitranc; single rooms in 4 or 5* hotels during the whole stay.

1. Support of the event on social media channels. The application Wakelet (before known as Storify) allowed us to collect all the multimedia content created at SIW, such as photos, videos, post, links, etc. and to create a chronological diary of the event. http://wke.lt/w/s/alMtK

2. Innovative stands for one-to-one meetings, which are easily assembled and disassembled. We also arranged Slovenian providers according to the regions they are coming from, in order to facilitate the search to the hosted buyers. In that way we also followed the STRATEGY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OF SLOVENIAN TOURISM FOR 2017 – 2021.

3. Event app: This year, also the mobile version of the app was created, which is even more user-friendly, and provides more useful information about the event.

4. Evening events included the presentation of Slovenian culture and tradition.

• The first welcome evening was meant to represent the town of Kranjska Gora as a destination for all-yearround holidays.

• At the final evening, the so-called Slovenian evening took place in the valley beneath Ponce (Planica Nordic Centre). Slovenia was presented Slovenia as Green, Active, and Healthy country. An opera singer opened the event and the photos of elements of water displayed on led wall. This was followed by the acrobatic show from Duking Devils with video shots on different locations in Slovenia. We ended the evening with the show of Lipizzaner horses and green photos and videos of Slovenia on the screen.

The SIW was organized by a team of 4, each covering its own part of the project:

• foreign participants: contacts, invitations, registration confirmation, planning of their stay in Slovenia (bookings, transfers, flights),

• study tours: program of study tours (4 different post-study tours and 3 different pre-study tours),

• workshop venue and Slovenian participants (invitations, registration confirmations, new stands, branding, allocation of stands),

• application for One to one meetings, event`s website, evening event, coordination with the hosts Kranjska Gora and HIT Alpinea.

On the execution days, we were altogether 20, covering 4 registration points, 1 welcome desk on the arrival terminal at the Airport of Ljubljana, 24/7 support on study tours, workshop venue. However, the mentioned number does not include all the staff from Kranjska Gora, that covered catering, performers on welcome evening, additional staff that coordinated Slovenian evening and the transfers (that would be more then 100 people) As SIW is taking place on annual basis, preparations to the event are complex and ongoing the whole year on different levels. Slovenian Tourist Board is promoting SIW on every events, building the awareness of the business public about it. The intensive preparations started in beginning of March, when we launched the on-line registration. We closed it dow

This year’s 21st edition of the Slovenian Incoming Workshop in Kranjska Gora hosted 200 foreign participants from 164 different companies and 40 countries, and 231 Slovenian participants from 149 different businesses. Altogether they had more than 3500 meetings in only one day. In 2018, we registered 63 % growth of foreign companies that attended SIW for the first time and in total 18 more foreign companies in comparison to 2017.

The majority of the foreign partners were from Germany (15), Russia (12), Austria (11), France (10) and the USA (9). In addition, 30 representatives came from overseas markets, including South Korea, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Canada, Brazil, UAE and Saudi Arabia and the first time attendees from Moldova. The survey showed that 94 % of foreign participants and 88 % of Slovenian partners were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the event.

1. Acknowledgment of Slovenia and Slovenian tourist offer.

2. Strengthening of the existing business contacts and establishing of new contacts between future business partners.

3. Vital part of the event was communicating I feel Slovenia brand on several levels and make participants aware of the fact that Slovenia is worth visiting whole year around and that its diversity and short distances enable visitors to experience more.

1. Exhibiting stands are made from 100 % Slovenian wood and they are intended to be re-used, meaning that their application is multifold and they can be used for more than one event.

2. Promotion of the application for one-to-one meetings, in order to avoid printing of the scheduled meetings.

3. Recyclable materials were used for printing event documents (badges, brochures, etc.).

4. Organization of Green & Active Study Tour that focused on the Slovenian sustainable tourism.

5. Optimization of transfers during the event and combining transfers in order to reduce CO2 pollution.

6. Local gadgets and gifts for participants, e.g. Pehta’s tea (a selection of local herbs, local liquors …).

7. Catering inventory made from ecological and recyclable material.

8. Local ingredients used for dishes served at the event.

9. The choice of venue:
• Kranjska Gora is a proud award winner of the Silver Slovenia Green Destination label.
• Ramada Resort Kranjska Gora, one of the hotels that hosted SIW, is a proud award winner of the Slovenia Green Accommodation label, while HIT Alpinea has been awarded with the international Travelife certificate.

1) To deepen cooperation among participants which don’t know each other well enough; some of them met for the first time at the meeting. We had to find a way to explain our mission to new Coordinators and at the same intrigue the permanent ones.

2) To find a way to adapt a model of cooperation that would suit 36 institutions in 12 countries.

3) To assure time and space for each Coordinator to speak on behalf of her/his institution to present its vision in the area of capacity development.

4) To design a meaningful program with own resources without guest speakers.

5) To create a flexible and creative meeting space in a rigid and conservative environment (National Bank of the Republic Macedonia).

6) To organize accommodation, travel arrangements and accompanying social program in a foreign country where our communication included PR messages in Slovene, Macedonian and English language.

7) Coordination ofhigh-levell guests (governor, vice-governor, and secretary generals) in a foreign country

To identify ways to strengthen strategic cooperation and coordination and establish new alliances in promoting capacity development, we used solution-based approach for solving challenges.

We structured the event into 5 phases:
Phase 1: Get inspiration and empathize In this phase participants got to know each other better and learn about each other needs and differences. This is why we decided to start the event with a networking dinner where we applied different networking strategies. For example, at the entrance, each participant chose a fortune cookie with 3 tasks such as: find a person who visited 5 continents. While presenting the results, they also introduced themselves and their colleagues in a relaxed way.

Phase 2: Define Here we tried to answer who we are, what is our role and how can we collaborate. We put our collaboration literally to the test–the agenda was made from puzzles that participants had to put together.

Phase 3: Ideate In this phase we gathered different ideas and points of views on the main meeting objectives. For example, each participant had to explain what (s)he understands under expression knowledge hub. Their answers were displayed on the walls.

Phase 4: Prototype Participants were divided into groups and asked to craft their idea of what the future cooperation model might look like.

Phase 5: Test This phase started after the meeting and will last until the next meeting. We are now in the process of testing the model selected at the meeting.

1) New strategies and methods for network building, such as: • Appreciation wall (in front of the conference room, participants were asked to leave a comment/wish for each colleague. After the meeting, each participant took their appreciation card home). • Voting box for BEST smile, shoes, tie, etc. • “Ask the Director” box for questions for the CEF director. • Photos of commitments (each Coordinator wrote her/his commitments for our future cooperation. At the end, we took a photo of each participant holding with commitments. In a few months after the meeting, we will send them their pictures on a postcard from Skopje as a reminder).

2) Prototype: participants were crafting their vision and solution of our future cooperation They used crafting material such play-dough, wires, PlayMais, marking dots, glue, cotton balls and wooden sticks.

3) Use of space: setting was changing throughout the meeting as part of the meeting design with active help of participants; walls were used for displays, agendas and results of group work, while tables and chairs helped supporting the modality of method used for a particular session.

4) We used no PPTs and no APPs. All stationary and materials were handmade (see picture Puzzle Agenda) by the organizers.

This meeting is of strategic importance for the CEF. Preparations started 7 months prior to the event (hotel bookings, air tickets, finding suitable service providers in Skopje, visa arrangements, etc.). The core preparation group consisted of 3 members, however other colleagues joined in the execution part of the event. In March we organized and facilitated breakfast for the CEF staff where we gathered their inputs for design of the program. Our team was in Skopje 2 days prior to the event. In order to make Coordinators’ stay evet more pleasant, we left energy bar and welcome message in their hotel rooms after they checked in.

The meeting started with an official opening speech from the governor of NBRM, continued with a seminar on talent management and networking dinner. The official part of the meeting lasted for two days. After the first day, we organized optional social activities, such as Skopje city photo tour and street food tasting

• 50 delegates from 12 different SEE countries
• 36 different institutions
• 3 key financial institutions of each SEE country
• Overall satisfaction: 4.8 out of 5
• 82 likes on digital story

A few messages from participants after the event in the evaluation form:

“Thank you very much for the warm hospitality in Skopje. It was a very fruitful meeting, rewarding and fun also.”

“All Bulgarian participants find that the level of organization of the CEF events is very high and the CEF colleagues are real professionals, very initiative, responsive and helpful. Modern and innovative techniques are used during the events and they run very smoothly.”

“What can I say? I had a great time, not great but excellent and I really mean it. With great interest, I listened to the experience of others and learned that we also have a lot to offer but at the same time a lot to change. We will face this challenge in the near future. I would really like to emphasize one thing – I was really pleasantly surprised by the whole CEF team. I observed your team and enjoyed your dedication, easygoing and professionalism.”

“I would like to express my appreciation and satisfaction with the meetings and exchanges we had with you and with all colleagues from the region. For me, exploring the latest training practice in the capacity building and to get experience in budget reform and the finance management of the public sector in our regions has been very stimulating and useful.”

This event was by invitation only. Info letter was sent before the event, thank you letter with link to photo library and meeting outcomes after the event. Before the event, we made follow ups with Coordinators on their involvement on particular sessions, meeting outcomes, calls/email.

Communication channels:

Exposure (digital story): https://centerofexcellenceinfinance.exposure.co/2018-meeting-of-the-cef-coordinator.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerofexcellenceinfinance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-of-excellence-in-finance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CEF_Ljubljana Line ministries Portal – https://www.lineministries.org/dashboard has been used after the event as a virtual space for the community of coordinators.

National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia facebook: http://www.nbrm.mk/ns-newsarticle-soopstenie-952018- godina-en.nspx

There were no printed handouts, materials were recycled, local food was promoted. Useful presents were given and transfers were optimized. CEF serves as a platform for connecting key decision makers to help create positive change. CEF is one of the official channels for implementing Slovenia’s international development cooperation and are stepping our efforts in supporting SEE countries in domestic resource mobilization as a key means of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the light of the implementation of SDGs, our learning events contribute to realization of SDG No. 17: revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

The key challenge is the budget. We work with very limited budget (low budget or no budget). However, we have a large group of friends (so-called water enthusiasts) who help us with the organization of the event. They contribute their time and energy to the project that is close to their hearts. Despite financial challenges we are very proud to be able to organize such event with our volunteering friends.

The main theme of the Bled Water Festival is water, and its main channel is film. The water topics, issues and awareness are channeled through film.

This year we managed to connect water with art on another level: a special art exhibition of artistic work (paintings) was held through the entire event where artists used their creative mind to create works that remind them of water. The exhibition was very well received.

The Bled Water Festival is an innovation in itself; it is a leading water platform with international support by politicians, experts in water resource Management, economist, and educationalist. Each year, we organize an International Competition: Responsible towards Water in different categories (corporate – all sizes, national, individual and school), with support by the ministries for environment and Water Resource Management from the participating countries and experts. It is a process that connects national stories with economy, schools and crossborder cooperation. In 2016, the project was implemented at the national level in Slovenia, whereas in 2017, it was expanded to other European countries.

The 2018 event, held on 7 and 8 June, was a great international success, with guests from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, and even India.

Our most important achievement is a think-thank for new and revolutionary projects and products in the field of water that regard water cycle and have the characteristics of circular economy. According to the mentioned, we search for the best projects. With our projects, we have impacted general public as well as water and environmental experts, politicians, business people and film makers. Together we enable a cycle that will bring positive changes.

• several hundred people came to the event
• good media coverage
• guests from several countries (see above)
• great school attention
• support by ministries, politicians, business people, water experts, film makers, artists
• cross-border cooperation
• support by neighboring countries and other countries (India)

According to our guests from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, and India, the event attracted great deal of attention in these countries. The most media attention/coverage was in Slovenia, but also Croatia. There were announcements in all main media houses. Slovenia’s most popular program POP TV held a report about the event in their prime time on Sunday.

Key challenge was identifying trigger that can affect behavioural change of target audience, in terms of switching from non efficient and huge energy consumption, that affects huge emission of CO2, resulting in unhealthy environment, to smart/rational energy use. The challenge was to identify key motivational factor/pain point of the target audience, as well as to offer innovation and wow effect, that results in attracting attention and consideration of the key desired behaviour. The challenge was also in the need to address individual responsibility of the general population, on the future environment they live in, while still being positive and affirmative in its core tone.

The creative idea was based upon bringing an imaginary airline company “Air Future” to life, with flight tickets, brochures, flight attendants, a website, promotional videos and an office, welcoming visitors of the most frequented shopping centre in the country (Sarajevo City Centre).

The event was online/offline based, allowing reach to the target audience throughout both channel sets. It provided means to educate target audience, by offering unexpected experience and engaging them into direct event participation. Energy efficiency has been a topic that mostly focuses on promoting ways in which people can behave energy efficient, that doesn’t produce desired behavioural change. The innovation in terms of communication was emphasising the individual responsibility of each one of us, to the greater goal – the environment we live in. So, the final message, education about the actual smart energy use, has been sent through visually appealing, interactive and unexpected event.

Event Execution has been implemented under supervision of Project Manager, Event Manager and supporting staff. The event concept was based on high level creativity and minimising production costs, which has been marked as success.

• More than 30.000 event visitors
• Over 100.000 EUR of PR value
• Over 180.000 views on social media
• Reached over 750.000 people in total

From the communication point of view, the event resulted in key positive learnings, that affected later BEEP’s communication strategy update. The creative concept, that was based on the promotion of negative effects of energy inefficient behaviour by general public, addressing their responsibility in a subtile, but affirmative way, resulted in an updated communication strategy, that added this motivational factor, to the most usual – financial savings. Another key result is a long-term relationship with a media, that welcomed their role in promotion of energy efficiency, by becoming aware of their professional responsibility. The work on the media role is still in progress, but the event was considered as a quality starting point.

To recreate a unique and memorable scenery that no man has ever seen and experienced – the surface of Planet Mars, combined with the superior characteristics of the new BMW X3 model – the model ready to overcome every road and obstacle. The futuristic expedition to Mars, with more than 600 members took place at Belgrade’s biggest convention center, BelExpo. Many VIP guests, business and media representatives, as well as many true space and BMW fans, became a part of a breath-taking event.

„Expedition to Mars“represented an idea of offering the humanity, in this case – the guests, the technology and the possibility to experience and explore the Planet Mars, and to feel something that is beyond the everyday reach. Combined with the superior BMW technology and design, the „space travellers” had the chance to go through the cosmic voyage, from Planet Earth to the south hemisphere of the Red Planet. The idea was to identify the new BMW X3 as a vehicle ready to overpower every road obstacle, regardless of whether it is a surface of Planet Earth or Planet Mars. Before the event, the most unusual invitations – special glass tubes with a sand sample from the Red Planed, were sent to all guests, insinuating what is to be expected on the following expedition. Aft the end of the event, after all guests successfully finished the expedition, all “space travellers” got memorable giveaway presents – “Space Rocks from your Mission to Mars”, made of the most refine chocolate. The idea was to remind all guests that there are “the things we do, and the things we do with passion”.

Accompanied by “space stewardess” in specially designed space suits, the guests went on a space journey, through the unique tunnel, inspired by the true space ship interior. The journey was conjured up by remarkable LED screen video animations, sound and special effects, in order to boost the sensation of a cosmic voyage. The ambience and set design were inspired by the surface of the Red Planet and science fiction motives. The panorama of Mars was conjured up by 8K projection, launched on the largest screen ever installed at the event in Serbia (dimension: 37x5m). The key segment of the event started with a video message from the BMW research centre on planet Earth, which announced the arrival of the „Explorer One“ space shuttle, coming with brand new BMW X3 models. An animation describing the landing of the space shuttle at the BMW space station on Mars was accompanied by special effects and communication between the mission commander and mission control. The event culminated with the opening of the space shuttle door and a spectacular landing of BMW X3 cars on stage. In order to amplify the impression of the Red Planet, three futuristic domes were set, representing base camp research stations: The Test Drive Station (VR activation – BMW X3 Exploring Mars – a virtual BMW X3 ride on Mars , Memories from Mars (chroma key photos from Mars) and Microgravity Bar.

The entire process of making a BelExpo center interior resembling the Red Planet gathered more than 100 professionals from various creative and production fields – agencies, media, artists, freelancers, programmers, directors, associates, and many others. The most admirable key resource invested in the implementation of this extremely demanding project was over 20 thousands working hours in creating a memorable brand experience.

• More than 600 guests shared their experience via social networks, reporting about the event of the season
• Over 30 media representatives joined the “Expedition to Mars” event
• The total PR value in TV, print and web media reached the sum of around 150.000EUR
• The interest in BMW test drives increased several times, combined to regular months

Everything started with a M2Communications agency idea of positioning the BMW on a most premium position by creating something completely different and fresh, something that has never been done in this region. The event was ranked as unconventional and spectacular by everyone who had the chance to be a part of it. It was a kind of imaginary conquest of Mars and excellent example of the rejection of stereotypes in the communication approach in the automotive industry.

Somersby party was organized in The Living Room, which is main f&b outlet of the CentreVille Hotel & Experiences. The point was to promote new taste of the drink, with its summerish taste, color, texture and feel. Together with the decoration which included huge ice sculptures, improvised DJ stations, lots of video screens, we brought famous Serbian DJ Aleksandra Duende. Lots of media showed up on the event, which produced lots of coverage. After the event, Somersby decided to brand one street in Podgorica by their name every Friday, as they realized that this concept fits Montenegrin mentality, and that this is the best way to promote new products.

The key challenge was to adopt The Living Room so it looks different than usual. However, it has been done successfully. Besides mentioned, the key challenge was to keep the balance between rooms & F&B outlet, as the atmosphere was similar to clubbing one. This being said, we needed to provide more of sound isolation and structure, in order not to disturb hotel guests.

After publishing photo album from the party on social media, we came to the conclusion that people were impressed by the decoration, music choice, the scent and feel of the Event. One of the most suitable comments was that we brought the European clubbing scene into the hotels lounge bar. Which was our intention – to do something unexpected yet interesting.

Drink itself is innovative, as it was new, and it was its launch. However, in terms of innovation, as explained before – we brought new level of fun into the conference hotel.

The Execution was smooth, as all the professionals were involved in the process.

The main measurable result after the event was the selling of the drink in hotels f&b outlet, which got higher.

Lots of media were involved, as everybody wanted to be in the spot of happening. Not just because of the drink launch, but because of the famous DJ too. Lots of media coverage showed up. Social media channels were all about the event.

All of the paper decorations was made out of the recycled materials, about to be recycled once again

The biggest challenge was educating key stakeholders on the benefit of gaming and esports as a medium for business development, and getting 32 companies signed up for the event. In the end, we had 66 companies directly endorsing us either as a competitive team or as a sponsor. Other than that we need to find a venue which would support 1500 visitors throughout 2 days, while simultaneously being able to support a huge technical strain in terms of electricity, network and equipment.

The concept of B2B esports as a medium for business development, networking, team building and employer branding is globally unique for Good Game, and we’re taking it globally. We’ve identified a way for everyone to feel included in a competitive action, regardless of age, sex or physical prowess. Esports as a business platform has been wholeheartedly accepted and endorsed by over 60 companies, at this one event alone. Each year we’re modularly adding new content to the existing mechanic. Last year we’ve implemented the EXPO area, so our partner companies have a way to showcase their products and services. This year we’ve implemented lectures which will now become a staple of our events – as a new added value. One of the main types of feedback we’ve received from our partner companies is that finally, they have a way to shine and separate themselves from the crowd while attracting the young generation of technically savvy professionals who are not interested in old-school types of conferences.

Each event we’ve organized so far has been cashflow positive with noted profit. With each passing year the event grows exponentially and so do the profits and revenue. Even with HRK 100.000 which we’ve pledged towards charity, we will be in the upper 10s of thousands of euro of profits. Our profit margin has been 21% with an upwards trend in the coming months.

Execution was handled in a matrix form where the project was set as a master file accessible only by 3 people, each of which handled a core set of responsibilities. Partnerships were handled by one person, financials by the second and event preparation by the third. MPG was a partner on the event preparation and execution side, with Promologistika and Vipnet for infrastructure. Further in the matrix grid we’ve had a set of approx. 50 people working on the project on the PR side, media, boots-on-ground, account management and various other tasks. Planning took approx 3 weeks and another 9 weeks of execution.

The event was visited by 1500 people in 2 days, 66 companies were involved as either partners or competitors, we’ve donated 100.000kn to charity, had own media reach of 500k people and approx 74 PR publications for the event whose reach is not quantifiable.