Katowice International Congress Centre

The International Congress Centre (MCK) in Katowice, opened in 2015, is the largest congress center in Poland, designed by the architectural firm JEMS Architekci. Its modern architecture, characterized by a rectangular structure covered with black aluminum mesh and a green roof with a pedestrian walkway, references the region's mining heritage. The MCK offers 18 conference halls, including a multifunctional one that can accommodate up to 8,000 people, and employs diverse audiovisual technologies. Since its opening, it has hosted numerous events such as Intel Extreme Masters, COP24, and the European Economic Congress, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants in total. The history of the MCK's construction dates back to 2006, following a building collapse in Katowice, which led to the decision to build a new congress center for business tourism. Construction began in 2011 but faced numerous complications and was finally completed in early 2015. The venue not only boosts local business and culture but also serves as a hub for political meetings and scientific festivals. In 2022, it hosted the World Urban Forum, which brought together representatives from 174 countries. An interesting fact is that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCK was converted into a temporary hospital, which operated until 2021. The MCK has won numerous awards, including the Grand Prix in nationwide architectural competitions, cementing its status as a key feature of Katowice's landscape and an important venue on the international events map.