As part of the HOUSES to go project, the first thematic workshop entitled “Event organization and management skills in country houses” was successfully held on January 26, 2026, at Hiša gibanice in Renkovci, Slovenia. The event was attended by 34 Hungarian and Slovenian participants who came to expand their practical knowledge related to the operation and tourist use of country houses.

The aim of the workshop was to provide participants with comprehensive and applicable knowledge on the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of events held in country houses. The program served to strengthen the role of country houses in local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and support long-term sustainable operation.

The workshop began with a welcome speech and a presentation of the workshop’s objectives. Participants then learned about the basic logic of event organization, with a particular focus on the specific operating environment of country houses. A key element of the morning program was the development of event ideas and the definition of target groups, during which participants worked on the basis of the unique values and local characteristics of the country houses.

The subsequent professional blocks focused on the development of the program script and event structure, as well as practical issues of budget and resource planning. The lunch break provided an opportunity for informal discussions and strengthening cross-border professional relationships.

The afternoon program continued with communication and public relations exercises, demonstrating how to effectively reach different target groups. Participants then reviewed security considerations related to event planning and key issues of legal compliance. The workshop concluded with a presentation on evaluation, follow-up, and reflection methods, after which participants shared their own experiences and the challenges they face in event management.

The workshop was interactive, with active participation, joint discussions, and the processing of specific cases. The organizers provided Hungarian and Slovenian interpretation, which enabled equal participation and effective professional dialogue for all participants.

Based on feedback, participants rated the workshop as relevant in terms of content and useful for their everyday work. The event contributed to the development of participants’ professional competencies, strengthened cooperation between the actors involved, and helped achieve the goals set out in the HOUSES to go project within the framework of the Interreg Slovenia-Hungary Program.

Photos by Pannon Helyi Termék Nonprofit Kft. and SI.Energija