With the initiative of Vilnius Tourist Information Centre & Convention Bureau a meeting of the representatives of three Baltic States was organized in Vilnius last week. Estonia was represented by the director of Estonian Convention Bureau Kadri Karu and Latvia – by the Marketing Manager Aigars Smiltans acting on behalf of “Meet Riga” which is conducting a function of the convention bureau.

“The meeting was encouraged by the world-changing markets and new trends of conference planning. All the changes call for a fresh look at the country’s or city’s possibilities to introduce itself as a potential destination. Success requires the cooperation at the regional level”, - says Jolanta Beniuliene, the director of Vilnius Tourist Information Centre & Convention Bureau.

According to Mrs Beniuliene, “the participation in international meetings industry’s trades and workshops has showed that Lithuania and other Baltic countries are a subject of interest as one common region. More and more meeting organizers from long-haul destinations, such as Brazil, USA, Canada, and China are eager to discover the possibilities of conference organization not in one but in all the three Baltic States”.

During the meeting it has been agreed about the closer cooperation of convention bureaus and more active sharing of information and experience. The possibility of implementing a common e-marketing package in 2012 has been discussed. The stress was made on e-visibility especially before the main meetings industry’s trades IMEX and EIBTM.

The cooperation of three Baltic States has been also discussed at the national level. During the meeting in the Lithuanian State Department of Tourism the possibility of organizing a common familiarization tour “Meet Baltics” in 2012  has also been discussed.

It is expected that the meeting will provide a new stimulus for the meetings industry’s development in the Baltic States.