Introduction
Witamy w Krakowie!
We are delighted to invite you to the 54th Fleuroselect Annual Convention which will be held in Krakow, Poland from 1 - 3 July 2025. Our longstanding member Vitroflora and partner company Plantpol are inviting you to meet up with your industry colleagues from across the world while exploring Polish horticulture and enjoying local cultural and culinary highlights.
Please read on to find out what we have in store for you!
Our Convention programme kicks off with the traditional get-together drinks and dinner at the hotel. While enjoying local Polish beers and a delicious barbecue, delegates and partners can catch up with each other in a relaxed atmosphere.
Invitation
On Wednesday, the programme foresees a full day of horticultural visits. After breakfast, we will head for Plantpol where owner/director Jerzy Starzinski will tell us how the company was founded and evolved throughout the years within the framework of a changing Polish political/economical society. An update of the current Polish ornamental market is scheduled, followed by a short introduction to Kapias, our second destination of the day.
After lunch, our group will receive a guided tour through the Plantpol nursery including the brand new greenhouse, followed by a visit to the trial field where parts of the company's assortment will be on display and the Fleuroselect trial is grown especially for our visit.
Mid afternoon, we head for Kapias. This horticultural highlight combines a nursery, garden center and inspiration park where Polish locals love to spend the afternoon and buy some plants on their way home. Our group will have the opportunity to visit the nursery, garden center and park, experiencing first-hand the strong combination of consumer inspiration combined with local production and sales.
On our way back to Krakow, we will stop at Skansen Smakow, a typical Polish restaurant which serves modern Polish cuisine in a gorgeous, authentic setting with music and dance. A short bus ride will bring us back to the hotel, allowing everyone to unwind after a full day with many impressions.
Thursday morning is dedicated to exploring some highlights of captivating Krakow. First stop on the agenda is the Wawel Royal Castle and Gardens, symbol of Polish statehood and home to many monarchs throughout the centuries. Our group will receive a short guided tour along some of the highlights of this magnificent palace and medieval gardens, followed by individual time to explore.
Shortly before noon, we will take a short walk to the Vistula river where we will board the Nymfa boat for a short river cruise to enjoy lunch while taking in the beautiful scenery. Upon return, we will head back to the hotel for our Annual General Meeting where our Board of Directors provides an update on the current activities and candidate-members present themselves.
After our Annual General Meeting, the group will depart for the famous Wieliczka Salt Mines, a genuine landmark of Polish cultural and economical heritage which receives thousands of visitors on a daily basis and is still in operation. Upon arrival, our group will descend into the mine by elevator to celebrate the highlight of our yearly event at 110 meters deep in truly breathtaking surroundings. After drinks, we will enjoy a delicious dinner followed by the handing over of the Gold Medals. The evening is concluded with an afterparty with buses departing throughout the evening to return guests to the hotel, ensuring everyone gets back safely to conclude a memorable day.
Partner programme
Partners will have the opportunity to fully explore Krakow’s rich history and culture. While the delegates are visiting Plantpol and Kapias on Wednesday, partners will take a guided tour of Krakow and its surroundings, including lunch and free time in the city centre for individual shopping and exploring. In the evening, they will join the delegates at Skansen Smakow where the entire group will enjoy modern polish cuisine in an authentic setting.
On Thursday, partners will go with the delegates to visit the Wawel Royal Castle and its gardens followed by the scenic Vistula River cruise. While the delegates head back to the hotel for the Annual General Meeting, partners will receive a short guided tour through Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter, followed by some time off. In the evening, they will join the delegates again for a memorable evening at the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
OPTIONAL GOLF DAY | MONDAY 30TH JUNE
Continuing the tradition of the previous years, an optional Golf Day will be organised. At the request of some of our members, this year's Golf Day will take place BEFORE the official Convention programme on Monday 30th of June. Should you be interested to take part, please set up your travel plans accordingly. Further information will follow in due course.
OPTIONAL TOUR | 1st July
On Tuesday 1st of July in the afternoon, an optional guided tour through Krakow's historical center is offered free of charge. Further information will follow in due course.
ADDITIONAL SIGHTSEEING
The surroundings of Krakow are home to some historical destinations linked to the second World War such as the Auschwitz concentration camp and Schindler's Factory. Please note that these are NOT included in the Convention programme. Should you wish to visits some of these sites, we would recommend you to extend your stay.
Hotel
MERCURE KRAKOW FABRYCZNA CITY HOTELThe Mercure Krakow Fabryczna City Hotel is located in the historic buildings of the former Polmos State Vodka Factory. The recently renovated hotel offers beautiful air-conditioned rooms, state of the art meeting rooms, an extensive breakfast buffet and a private car park. Guests have access to a 24-hour front desk, airport transfer services, room service, and free Wi-Fi.
With almost 100 years of history, this hotel is part of the impressive Fabryczna City complex, conveniently located near one of the main access roads to Krakow and therefore easily reachible from all directions. The hotel is well connected to the city via tram and bus, it only takes 10 min to reach the historical city centre.
How to get there?
By Car:
The Mercure Kraków Fabryczna City is easily accessible by car. From the city center, take the A4 motorway south and exit at the "Kraków Zachód" interchange. Follow the signs towards the city, and the hotel is located nearby. On-site parking is available for guests.
By Plane:
The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice. Taxis and airport shuttle services are readily available, providing a quick route to the hotel. To reach the Mercure Kraków Fabryczna City from the airport, take bus number 208 from the airport bus stop and travel to the "Dworzec Towarowy" stop. From there, switch to tram number 10, 4, or 52 and get off at the "Fabryczna" stop, which is just a short walk from the hotel.
By Public Transport:
To reach the Mercure Kraków Fabryczna City by public transport, take bus number 113 or 173 from the city center, which will take you to the "Fabryczna" stop, located a short walk from the hotel. Alternatively, tram lines 4, 10, or 52 also stop nearby, providing easy access to the hotel.
HOTEL DETAILS
Mercure Hotel Fabryczna City
Fabryczna 13
Grzegórzki
31553 Krakow
Poland
Programme
Monday 30th June
Optional Golf Day
Tuesday 1st July
13:00 Board Meeting (Board Members only)
14:00 Welcome desk opens
15:00 Optional sightseeing tour with guide | historical city centre Krakow
17:00 End Board Meeting (Board Members only)
18:00 Get-together drinks at Bar 13 in hotel
19:00 Get-together grill night at Nowa Wytwórnia restaurant in hotel
21:00 Dinner ends
Wednesday 2nd July
08:30 Departure by bus to Plantpol
10:00 Arrival & Coffee
10:30 Company Presentation: Plantpol
11:00 Presentation Polish ornamental market (TBC)
11:30 Company presentation Kapias
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Visit nursery & trial field, including Fleuroselect trial
14:30 Departure by bus to Kapias
15:30 Arrival Kapias | Visit inspiration garden, nursery, garden center
17:30 Departure by bus to restaurant Skansen Smakow
18:30 Arrival & drinks
19:30 Dinner with traditional music & dancing
21:30 Departure by bus to hotel
22:30 Arrival at hotel
Thursday 3rd July
08:30 Departure by bus to Wawel Royal Castle
09:00 Guided visit Castle
10:00 Coffee break at Kawiarnia Firmowa
10:30 Guided visit Gardens
11:30 Walk to Vistula river | Embark Boat
12:00 Vistula River Cruise including Lunch
13:30 Return to hotel by bus
14:00 Arrival at hotel
14:30 Start Annual General Meeting
17:00 End Annual General Meeting
17:45 Departure by bus to Wieliczka salt mines
18:30 Arrival, descending into the mines
19:00 Drinks & Nibbles
19:45 Introduction to the saltmines
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Award Ceremony
22:00 Dessert
22:30 After party | first group leaves for hotel
00:00 End after party | second group leaves for hotel
00:45 Arrival hotel