The Vilnius Convention Bureau has announced a new meetings and events industry expo for the Baltic Sea region. Called CONVENE, the inaugural show will be held 13-14 February at the LITEXPO conference center in Vilnius, Lithuania in co-operation with AIM Group Baltic, part of the Europe-wide AIM Group International (AIM).

Organisers say that the expo will attract more than 120 fully hosted buyers from all parts of Europe, as well as approximately 100 exhibitors, including convention bureaux, hotels, conference centres, special venues, DMCs, PCOs and specialist suppliers from seven Baltic and regional countries – Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden.

In addition, the event will include a professional education programme and a series of networking events. Several familiarisation trips to countries in the region will also be arranged.

Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, vice president of AIM Group, added: “Our company is very proud to be part of CONVENE. We will give all the support to our local team to make the event a successful platform for education, networking and business opportunities."

Jolanta Beniuliene, director of Vilnius Convention Bureau, said: “The global meetings industry business is changing. Regional co-operation has become increasingly important. We need to acknowledge that the Baltic Sea region is still undiscovered and has a lot to offer. Launching CONVENE, we give the opportunity for international buyers to learn about the impressive range of meeting facilities on offer in this culturally rich and diverse region.”