After several years of PCB’s efforts, the incentive support for large international conventions held in Prague was finally approved by the Prague City Council on 1st October 2013. Grants (incentive support) are intended for non-profit organization congresses with 1,500 and more delegates, at least 50% of them being from abroad. Other criteria are to spend minimum of 2 nights in Prague and recommendation from Prague Convention Bureau. Organizations can acquire 250 CZK (approx. 10 EUR per participant) up to 1 million CZK (approx. 40 000 EUR) per event. This subvention can be used towards the venue rent or welcome reception.(More at www.praha.eu in the section of Subsidies and Grants / Urban Grants / Tourism).
“Incentives for organizers of large international conferences and congresses are highly appreciated in today‘s highly competitive environment. Without them, it would be much harder for Prague to attract significant and lucrative events,” says Lenka Žlebková, Managing Director of Prague Convention Bureau, adding: “We are really pleased that the City representatives supported the development of Prague´s congress industry by this strategic step. Personally, I would like to thank Mr. Václav Novotný, Deputy Mayor of Prague, who helped push this incentive support through”.
This significant subvention plan came two years after Prague City Council approved incentive for congress organizers in the form of free public transport for congresses with more than 500 participants.
Another important step in development of Prague as a congress destination is the approval of takeover of the Prague Congress Centre´s debt by the State in return for 70% share. This will help the congress centre in its further development and modernization, which is necessary for keeping its international competitiveness and attractiveness for large congresses. Prague Convention Bureau considers the overall reconstruction and modernization of the Prague Congress Centre as crucial. Without it, it would not be possible to achieve the ambitious goals set by Prague Convention Bureau, specifically to get Prague to the top ten of the world’s congress destinations by 2015 and top five by 2020.
“I am convinced that a modern convention centre will make the destination more attractive and help bring more significant events to Prague,” says Lenka Žlebková, Managing Director of Prague Convention Bureau, adding: “Meeting industry is very important for Prague as it contributes not only to its sustainable economic growth but also to overall competitiveness of whole country.”
