This Month we get to know MEET Südtirol:
What was your motivation to join ICCA?
Our main goal in joining ICCA was to become part of a renowned international network that gives visibility, structure and credibility to our sector worldwide. It is paramount to us to have the chance to speak to international "colleagues" and likeminded people, to exchange ideas and best practices and find a way together to face future challenges.
Tell us your story. How did your organisation get started?
MEET Südtirol, our Convention Bureau, was born a few years ago as a new branch of the bigger "IDM Südtirol", the destination marketing company of South Tyrol. After many years of working on the promotion of our region as a leisure destination, we started thinking of what more could be done to benefit the socio-economical environment of South Tyrol. Implementing a Convention Bureau was the natural consequence of this principle, because it brings added value to the destination and to its people.
What sets your organisation apart?
The main characteristic that sets MEET Südtirol apart is the strong focus on sustainability. Every action we take, be it big or small, goes in this direction. Sustainability is in our Company´s Vision and in our everyday life.
Secondly, our long experience in working for the promotion of the destination throughout different sectors (gastronomy, hospitality, construction etc.) gives us a 360 degrees perspective on how to best approach every client´s needs.
What is your favourite success story from your organisation?
One of our success stories is the creation "Südtirol Nachhaltigkeitslabel" (South Tyrol Sustainability Label), introduced in cooperation with the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) standards. This multi-level certification aims to recognize accommodations, service providers, and destinations that demonstrate a serious commitment to sustainability. It’s not just about environmental practices: The certification encourages the preservation of cultural heritage, fair working conditions, accessibility, and support for local communities.
Can you name a challenge your organisation is currently facing?
The main challenge for our Convention Bureau is to make the geographical position of South Tyrol internationally well-known. Given its name and its history, there is still a lot of confusion on whether we are austrian, german or italian. For those who don´t know us, we have been part of Italy for a little over a century now. So despite the german name, the austrian gastronomy and the not-so-typically italian architecture and landscapes, we are definitely italian but with a bit of "nordic flair" and we enjoy the best of both worlds :)
What can we expect to see from your organisation in the future?
In the next few years, MEET Südtirol will have a stronger focus on the associative and congress sector, supporting local players in the development of their offer and helping potential clients find the exact match for their needs.