This year’s European Football Championship has come to an end. Not only the Spanish should be proud, but also the organizers of Euro 2008. Without hesitation, it may be said that Austria and Switzerland did “a first class job”. Now, Poland and Ukraine are to meet the challenge. Is Euro 2012 a motivation for airports' development in these countries? This subject will be raise on 17 and 18 September in Warsaw at the fourth edition of Airports 2008 Conference.
Numerous accusations against Poland and Ukraine that they will fail to make it on time with preparations to Euro 2012 has been raised. Even though football fans still go back with their thoughts to football fields, for many Euro 2008 is a history. The time of hard and intensive work of organizers has come. „Now the eyes of Europe are turned to Poland and Ukraine” - said the Minister of Sport and Tourism Mirosław Drzewiecki. Switzerland will willingly share its experience concerning the last stages of preparations with us. Friedrich Stickler, the president of Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) emphasizes that a partner like cooperation is the key to success at the implementation of such mass sport events.
One thing is for sure: there is a lot of work and little time. Airports are still waiting for official documents, which will allow them to conclude contracts and commence extension. This, most probably, will occur next year. At the end of the year we would like to conclude preliminary contract with contractors, then the possible lack of regulations will become o problem - says Tomasz Kloskowski, deputy president of the port of Gdańsk*.
Entrepreneurs, governmental organizations, investors also look into the future thinking about the opportunities the organization of such a great event gives and challenges that have to be met. First day of the Airports 2008 Conference will be devoted, in particular to the organization of preparations to Euro 2012. The following persons have confirmed their attendance, among others: Zbigniew Mączka, deputy president of the Civil Aviation Office, who will tell us about the conditions necessary for the development of air connections between Poland and Ukraine. A lecture by Dariusz Nowak, the President of the Management Board of PLL LOT will also be given, concerning the development strategy of Polish Airlines seen from the angle of preparations to Euro 2012.
The issue of limited air communication between Poland and Ukraine will also be one of the topics.
This topic will be raised on the second day of the conference, entirely devoted to the air traffic management during international sport events.
Another significant issue are Temporary Passenger Terminals, which must be equipped with check-in desks, metal detecting gates and CCTV cameras enduring safety during increased passenger traffic. Independent supply sources and first aid points and efficient handling service management will also be necessary. How to effectively prepare airports to service such a great number of passengers? Representative of countries which already have organised European Championship will share their experiences.
Air traffic in Poland and Ukraine has been dynamically increasing. Subsidies from European Union support the extension of airports. Six Polish airports will spend almost EUR 2 billion for preparations to Euro 2012**. Negotiations with contractors of design are still in progress, and constant cooperation between Poland and Ukraine indicates substantial progress in preparations. More and more experts think that organizers of Championship will make it on time.
Two days of conference will be the time to present airports’ development plans and designs. It is also a great opportunity to exchange experiences between the countries which already have organised similar mass events. Polish Ministry of Infrastructure will be the honorary patron of Airports 2008. This year, the organizers expect high attendance of representatives from Ukrainian market. Both Poland and Ukraine are aware of the importance of cooperation at the organization of Euro 2012. The countries are sure, that such meetings will contribute to the establishment of strong business relations and will prove fruitful in future. 
Airport 2008 Conference will be expanded with fair, during which participants will have the opportunity to familiarise with offers of international companies from the aviation sector.
A pleasant atmosphere will also be present, such atmosphere favours discussions and constitutes chief and very often emphasized by participants assets of events organized by Actia Conferences (a branch of Actia Forum Ltd. dealing with organization of thematic sector conferences).

For details concerning Airports 2008, please see www.actiaconferences.com or call +48 (058) 627 23 23.