On 25 October 2023, the Slovenian Convention Bureau organised a gala event of the Slovenian Congress Ambassador Programme at Ljubljana’s Cukrarna venue, where it presented recipients of the honorary title of the Congress Ambassador of Slovenia for 2023. This year, the title has been awarded to 13 individuals who through their professional engagement and dedicated work made a significant contribution to Slovenia’s hosting of international scientific, expert, business, cultural, sporting and other events. The Slovenian Ambassador Programme has been running since 2019 with the support of the Slovenian Tourist Board, Tourism Ljubljana, and 14 partners from 6 destination clubs.
The ceremony of the honorary ambassador titles took place at Ljubljana’s multipurpose cultural venue Cukrarna(former Sugar Factory), where this year’s winners were presented with certificates of recognition, owing to their efforts in organising international events in Slovenia. The gala was attended by a number of esteemed guests, including past and this year’s recipients, supporters of the Slovenian Ambassador Programme, deans of faculties, and representatives of institutions, destination clubs, and project partners.
In his opening address, Fredi Fontanot, Director of the Slovenian Convention Bureau, welcomed the event host and thanked all the Congress Ambassadors for their efforts, stressing the vital importance of cooperation and networking: “Together, we are responsible for Slovenia’s growing reputation in the international environment. I am personally convinced that we are on the right path to success. This year has already proved to be a great one, and will continue to be so in the months ahead.”
The audience was also addressed by M. Sc. Petra Stušek, Director of Tourism Ljubljana, Matevž Frangež, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport, and on behalf of the Slovenian Tourist Board, Martina Gojkošek, Head of Corporate Communications.
Prof. Dr Jadran Lenarčič was awarded for his long-standing work and efforts in the field of international event organisation, becoming an Honorary Congress Ambassador. Prof. Dr Lenarčič is known to the professional community for the elite international symposium Advances in Robot Kinematics. He devised the symposium as a young researcher and organised it for the first time in 1988 in Ljubljana. He has been a member and head of the programme committees of more than 150 international conferences and other events, most of them abroad, but some in Slovenia as well.
At the end of September 2023, the seven-member Slovenian Congress Ambassador Programme Committee, composed of representatives of destination clubs and the Slovenian Convention Bureau, confirmed this year’s 13 winners of the honorary title.
This year’s Congress Ambassadors are listed below in alphabetical order of their surnames. Congratulations to all the honourable mentions!
Congress Ambassadors of Slovenia 2023
Honorary Congress Ambassador of Slovenia 2023:
Prof. Jadran Lenarčič, PhD, Jožef Stefan Institute
Congress Ambassadors of Slovenia in the field of scientific and professional events:
Prof. Dr Saba Battelino, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana
Prof. Dr Andrej Bauer, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana
Prof. Dr Robert Dominko, Institute of Chemistry Ljubljana
Prof. Dr Iztok Grabnar, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana
Prof. Dr Mojca Juriševič, Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana
Prof. Tanja Kersnik Levart, MD, UKC Ljubljana, Paediatric Clinic, Department of Nephrology
Prof. Janez Koželj, Municipality of Ljubljana
Dr Andrijana Tivadar, Slovenian Pharmaceutical Association
Dr Irena Vovk, Ljubljana Chemical Institute
Marko Vrtovec, Remigo d.o.o.
Associate Prof. Dr Alenka Zvonar Pobirk, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana
Congress Ambassador of Slovenia in the field of sport events:
Barbara Železnik, Timing Ljubljana Association
For the Slovenian Congress Ambassador Programme, the Steklarna Rogaška glassworks, renowned worldwide for its exceptional craftsmanship and top quality crystal glass, produced beautiful plaques for this year’s recipients, presented at the award ceremony. The exceptional works of art reflect the outstanding achievements of the ambassadors.
Slovenian Congress Ambassador Programme as a supporting pillar in the organisation of scientific, professional, business, cultural, sporting and other events
The Slovenian Congress Ambassador Programme promotes Slovenia as a destination for the organisation of international scientific, expert, business, cultural, sporting and other events, which create excellent opportunities for networking, the exchange of knowledge and experience, innovation, and the establishment of long-term international connections in various professional fields. The activities promote selected scientific and professional sectors, the economy, culture and sport, where Slovenia boasts a great number of internationally renowned and successful experts.
