Wojciech Lubawski – the Ambassador of the Trade Fair Centre

A trade fair centre is the source of different benefits for the city it is located in. The authorities of many cities of western Europe have recognised the fact. Despite the fact that the return on investment is gained after a prolonged period of time the local government sees the city’s benefits in a longer perspective as the city’s prosperity springs from trade fair business activity. Trade fairs also translate into the business tourism; in the case of our city it is a significant element of the urban development. The local government has identified the trends, however this is the City Mayor Wojciech Lubawski who has provided his wholehearted support for our trade fair and exhibition centre. But for his decision we would not have been able to open up the investment process of the centre expansion and modernisation. The accumulated project value amounts to 170 million PLN.

Owing to the fact that the Mayor has crated favourable conditions for the Targi Kielce development, the City of Kielce is the host to over 200 thousand trade fair guests who come here every year; these are the exhibitors and visitors who represent almost 60 courtiers of the world. Targi Kielce is 20 years old this year. It has been long enough to establish a strong brand. We would not have attained it without the considerable backing from the city authorities they have demonstrated in the recent years. Now we are ranked third among all Central and Eastern Europe trade fair centres, only Poznań and Brno – the business sector giants are ahead of us. It serves as a proof that the mayor and the self-government have made a good investment.

Bearing in mind the position of the trade fair centre the city authorities have implemented numerous investments around Targi Kielce and in the city centre. The revitalised monuments and buildings of the city centre as well as the Rynek (Central Square of the city) with its unique atmosphere are a nice welcome for the visitors. New hotels and restaurants are also opened here. Good air for investments in the Swietokrzyskie Mountains capital city can also be credited to the Kielce’s authorities; in less than two years’ time it will also be possible to arrive at Targi Kielce via the collision free, fast and direct junctions straight from the Łodź and Warsaw – Krakow ring roads.

The Kielce Mayor’s support serves as the example for other cities in Poland and their municipal authorities; if they were to follow our example of the city – exhibition centre cooperation they would have a stronger impact upon their cities’ dynamic development and the promotion of the region and exhibition sector of industry. Kielce Mayor has also initiated the establishment of the World’s first trade fair cluster – Grono Targowe Kielce.

Wojciech Lubawski has been the second person in Poland to receive the accolades of PIPT. Last year the first “Trade Fair Ambassador” title was awarded to Waldemar Pawlak, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy.