Krzysztof joined the meetings industry as a tour leader for a number of DMC’s in 2000 following a short career as an events coordinator in the SPA centre. As a journalist over a period of six years he published more than 100 articles about the meetings and events industry. Krzysztof has a Bachelors and Masters Degree from the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw and Doctorate Studies from the Warsaw University.
Besides his active role in MPI Poland Club (President 2009–2011) and Site, he is a vice-dean and lecturer in events management at the VISTULA University based in Warsaw and pro-rector at the College of Tourism and Recreation in Warsaw. In 2007 and 2008 he was nominated as one of The Meeting Professional Magazine’s “30 people under 30 currently making an impact on the global meetings community”. He is an MPI Global Training accredited trainer; he has the designation Certificate of Incentive and Travel Executive (CITE) and Certificate Meetings Management (CMM) and won the MPI RISE AWARD for Young Professional Achievement 2010.
This story is generally crazy, but believe me, it is true. Just after I got my diploma as a folklore dance instructor, I wanted to establish a folklore and dance ensemble. Fortunately, at the same time I was earning money as a tour guide and finishing my bachelor’s degree in incentive travel at the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw. During a tour, one of my clients told me that if I was interested in business tourism I should join MPI. It took a few weeks, but I finally understood what was going on and what MPI was about. When I did, I borrowed a credit card from my mom and became a member!
Later, when I found out about the MPI Foundation, I said to myself, ‘Let’s try.’ And I applied for a grant. Thanks to the MPI Foundation, I got a grant and graduated from PhD studies at the best college in Poland – Warsaw University.
I decided that university life is for me, so I started working for one of the best private tourism and hospitality universities in Poland. This year, I become vice-rector of this university and I am now responsible for more than 1000 students. It was not only a challenge but also a fascinating adventure. Working with young people is the most exciting thing I am currently doing except creating new projects.
Talking about this I have the pleasure to be manager of the Poland Convention Bureau, which is a part of Polish Tourist Organisation. Working with a great team I am lucky to run different projects and together we are responsible for meetings and events industry and its promotion. Preparing new projects, creating campaigns and building an image of conference and incentive travel destination is our goal. We want to “Move Your Imagination” and show that Poland is an interesting place to host meetings.
Thanks to this job I had the chance to be a part of really interesting projects like: Poland Meetings and Events Industry Report – which is an official report about this fast growing industry. In 2011 we will publish the second edition of the report and definitely we will prepare more. “IMEX Challenge Poland 2010” and “Back to the Garden” are two projects strictly connected with corporate social responsibility. Helping local families and meeting industry friends not in the office but outside, for example in a foster home, was something brand new to me but definitely worth doing.
Finally road shows, fam trips, presentations or meetings with international clients are everyday activities. Thanks to the motivation that I got from MPI friends, I earned my CMM and became an accredited trainer of MPI Global Training programs. Personally I am interested in incentive travel so this was an excellent kick to earn CITE – Certificate of Incentive Travel Executives by Site and prepare and write a book about motivational events, which will be launched at IMEX America this year.
Combination of university theory and practical activities is exactly what I am trying to reach during Warsaw Future Leaders Forum – conference organized by students for students. This annual one day meeting with international experts is something which gives me the power to build and to invest in future professionals.
From the beginning, MPI, SITE, ICCA members gave me the power to believe that this is a magic industry and it is worth working hard to succeed in it. Now I see the results, and I know that anything is possible!