Portorož ranked first among meeting destinations at the Conventa trade show, confirming its international competitiveness, high-quality offer, and prominence in the European meetings industry market.
The Tourist Board Portorož is currently participating in the Conventa trade show in Ljubljana, which is celebrating its 18th anniversary this year. Conventa is an established hub for the European meetings industry, featuring exhibitors from 18 countries. This highlights its extensive international reach and its role in connecting event providers and organizers from the Baltic states, Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, Turkey, and the South Caucasus.
As part of the event, the prestigious Meetings Star awards ceremony took place on February 11, 2026, at Cankarjev Dom. These awards are based on strictly defined quality criteria and evaluation standards. Recognition is granted at three levels: best meeting destinations, best meeting hotels and centers, and best special venues (architectural and natural), the latter being a new category this year.
This year’s selection included 149 destinations, with awards presented in four size categories (XL, L, M, and S) and a special regional category, New Europe. The evaluation methodology goes beyond simple event statistics, considering destination carrying capacities, crisis resilience, and the actual needs of event organizers.
Portorož took first place in the medium-sized (M) destination category with a score of 4.39, a significant recognition of the destination’s quality and competitiveness in the international congress market. Portorož was followed by Dubrovnik (4.35) and Opatija (4.26).
The winners were presented to more than 400 Conventa participants, including leading event organizers and industry representatives. The award was accepted on behalf of the destination by the Director of the Tourist Board Portorož, Mag. Patricija Gržinič, who stated:
“Portorož’s first-place ranking confirms its prominence, the quality of its infrastructure, and the expertise of our providers in the field of congress and business tourism. It serves as a vital reference for further strengthening the destination’s position in the international arena.”
