The Congress Bureau of the Tourist Organisation of Serbia celebrated its anniversary and introduced eight new congress ambassadors
Conference Bureau Tourist Organisation of Serbia marked 18 years of operation with the ceremonial presentation of the „Congress Ambassador of Serbia“ awards, which are traditionally given to prominent representatives of the academic, scientific, and professional communities. At the jubilee tenth gathering at the Hyatt Hotel, eight new laureates received this prestigious title, increasing the ambassador community to a total of 97 members.
The Director of the Tourism Organisation of Serbia (TOS), Marija Labović, pointed out that Serbia, and especially Belgrade, is increasingly important on the world congress map today. She added that hosting the specialised exhibition EXPO 2027 will further strengthen the country's international visibility. „It is a great pleasure to mark ten years of awards and to thank all the laureates who, through their work and international engagement, strengthen Serbia's congress tourism. Our 97 ambassadors are the best proof that the community is growing and progressing year after year,“ she stated.
The progress made is also confirmed by the results: during 2024, 49 congresses were held in Serbia, of which as many as 38 were in Belgrade, representing an increase compared to the previous year. Serbia remains stable in the ICCA rankings – it is 49th in the world and 26th in Europe. Belgrade is ranked 64th globally and 37th in Europe, which confirms the growing international recognition of the destination.
At the ceremony, it was emphasised that the joint work of institutions, academia, and industry, as well as investments in infrastructure and modern capacities, are a strong driver of congress tourism development in Serbia. Words of gratitude were also expressed by the director of the Hyatt hotel, Zafiris Lampadaridis, highlighting the long-standing successful cooperation with TOS.
New „Serbian Congress Ambassadors“for 2025 are:
- Nikola Jevtic, Master of Physiotherapy, International Schroth Instructor and President of the Scoliosis Rehabilitation Association (PSSE).
- Prof. Dušan Keckarević, Professor at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, and head of the Centre for Forensic and Applied Molecular Genetics.
- Dr Mirjana Rajilić-Stojanović, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy and one of the leading researchers in the field of microbiota.
- Public Health Association of Serbia, the credit for bringing the European Public Health Conference 2027 to Belgrade (award received by Asst. Prof. Dr. Stefan Mandić-Rajčević).
- Dr Ljiljana Marina, a lecturer at the Medical Faculty and a recipient of numerous European awards in the field of endocrinology.
- Marija Vitas, ethnomusicologist, music journalist and a prominent promoter of Serbian cultural heritage, responsible for organising the IAMIC conference in Belgrade in 2025.
- Arh. Nemanja Šipetić, a long-standing member of ACUUS and a leading expert in the urban planning of underground spaces.
- Dr Antoan Stefan Šojat, specialist in internal medicine and a recipient of prestigious European awards in the field of endocrinology.
The gala evening demonstrated the strength of the community of experts promoting Serbia on the world congress scene. With a growing number of ambassadors, increasingly better international results, and the upcoming EXPO 2027, Serbia is entering a new era of ambitious congress tourism development.
