Thursday, April 18, 2024
On April 16th, at the Residence of the Mayor of Prague, the 13th annual Ambassador Awards Evening celebrated six congress ambassadors. Organized by the Prague Convention Bureau, alongside representatives from the City of Prague and the Ministry of Regional Development, the event honored notable Czech scientists, professors, doctors, and experts for their impactful contributions to the meetings industry in the Czech capital.
Under the patronage of Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, who personally graced the ceremony, the Ambassador Awards Evening saw winners in various categories chosen by a distinguished 16-member committee. This independent panel comprised professionals from the tourism and meetings sectors, academia, as well as representatives from both public and private domains.
“Last year brought very positive news for the meetings industry. As a part of the announcement of the results of the 2022 International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) global ranking of the most popular meeting destinations, the capital city of Prague occupied 5th place. This historically best position was also a long-term goal, which we managed to achieve after years of effort. It should be noted that this goal was achieved mainly thanks to many successful candidacies for international congresses, which took place mainly between 2017 and 2019. This period also includes the successful candidacy for this year’s twice-awarded World Road Congress,” says Roman Muška, Director of the Prague Convention Bureau.
In 2023, the following ambassadors and events earned recognition across six categories:
Congress of the Year 2023 & Inspiration of the Year 2023:
Ing. Petr Mondschein, Ph.D. and Ing. Václav Neuvirt, CSc. for the 27th World Road Congress
This congress gathered over 6,000 delegates from 121 nations in Prague to discuss transportation infrastructure and road management. Remarkably, the Czech Republic hosted the congress for the second time, only the fourth country to do so. Notably, the event partnered with the United Nations, integrating science, research, and innovation. It set a precedent by emphasizing recycling and paperless operations. Moreover, it fostered educational engagement, involving over 1,200 secondary schools and 10 universities, offering free registration to over 2,000 students.
Outstanding Congress of 2023 with a Capacity of up to 500 Participants
Ing. Markéta Pekarová Adamová representing the Second Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform
This summit in Prague attracted over 40 national delegations, highlighting key discussions on anti-Russian sanctions and the de-occupation of Ukraine. It affirmed the Czech Republic’s pivotal support for Ukraine’s quest for national freedom.
Candidacy of the Year 2023:
Prof. RNDr. Jiří Vohlídal, CSc. for the 52nd edition of the World Chemical Congress hosted by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
Prague secured the bid for this prestigious event by uniting the Czech and Slovak chemical societies, a historic collaboration. This victory positioned Prague to host 4,000 industry experts in 2029, overcoming competition from cities like Chengdu, Taipei, and Düsseldorf. Notably, the congress will commemorate the 70th anniversary of Prof. Jaroslav Heyrovský’s Nobel Prize with a special symposium on electrochemistry.
Corporate Events of 2023:
Mrs. Martina Slavíková representing the E.ON Energy Show
This event at the O2 universum was a standout corporate gathering, boasting a comprehensive program on energy and e-mobility technologies, alongside team-building activities. Drawing 2,500 delegates, it showcased cutting-edge audiovisual technologies and programming.
Long-Term Contribution to Meetings Industry:
Professor Petra Tesařová, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Oncology at the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and the General University Hospital
Prof. Tesařová’s enduring dedication to the meetings industry spans four decades. She champions Prague as an international conference destination and advocates for oncological research. Beyond her professional pursuits, she leads Project 35, supporting young women with breast cancer, and founded Dialog Jessenius to raise awareness about serious illnesses. Prof. Tesařová epitomizes tireless commitment to oncology and public health.
“All my professional life, I have been trying to move Czech oncology to the world level, and this includes organizing international conferences. Anyone who has organized a large professional congress knows how big a job it is. The advantage is that a considerable part of it is carried out by Prague itself, where European and overseas colleagues come willingly and gladly. The purpose of my efforts is to establish professional relationships, to raise the profile of Czech oncology and to show how we fight cancer bravely and successfully in our country. Although I had never expected any expressions of gratitude, I was very delighted with this award,” says professor Tesařová, adding: “Winning this award is not the ending point. I definitely have more congress plans for Prague.”
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
