Oslo Blog Gathering Planning Kickoff

January 22, 2010
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Plans for the Oslo Blog Gathering in August are really taking shape now. First Hotel Millennium – the HUB of the gathering – invited us to hold our plan meeting last night at their hotel. We wanted to get the assistants together and brainstorm on how to make this gathering the adventure of a lifetime. To set the mood, our charming hosts at First Hotel Millennium, the Sales manager and her staff, set up a warm and welcoming tapas dinner. The atmosphere was relaxing and personal, and of course the food was delicious.

Oslo Blog Gathering Planning Kickoff #1
To the left; The Sales Manager – at the end of the table: First Hotel chain’s city manager – and the rest planning gang.


We began with a little information of what is planned so far, followed by a guided tour of the hotel and all agreed; The First Hotel Millennium is a perfect resort, HUB and meeting place for the gathering; the service is outstanding, the rooms are excellent and there will even be a gathering information stand in the reception. Even more, it’s situated in the heart of Oslo, close to the main street Karl Johan and all sources of public transportation.

Let me then share some highlights from our plan meeting and brainstorming last night:

visitOslo’s massive contribution:

visitOSLOvisitOslothe city’s tourist marketing and service institution, is a key contributor to this gathering. Their Convention Director joined us and shared her knowledge and experience. She emphasized how much information the participants could find on their website beforehand to prepare and make sure each and everyone gets what they want from their stay. A good example is their Oslo’s top 10 attractions. To give all the gathering assistants a head start, she even distributed the Oslo Pass to everyone so that we all could try it out and prepare as local hosts.

The Oslo Pass:

Oslo PassOslo is a compact city and most attractions, museums, woods, mountains and the fjord are available by foot or public transportation within 30 minutes of the city center. The Oslo Pass – included in the gathering’s program fee! – gives you free entry to more than 30 museums and attractions, free travel on all public transport, free entry to outdoor swimming pools, free guided walking tours, and special offers in restaurants, shops, and entertainment.

The Local Hosts:

OsloBG local hostsThe response has been overwhelming: Blog friends from all over the world say they will meet up, plus: Expats and other Norwegian bloggers want to enrich the gathering by volunteering as local hosts. So instead of making a fixed program and guided tours that everyone has to follow, participants can chose their favourite spots and the local hosts will invite you to join them in different routes.
Here is the link to these wonderful OsloBG assistants and local hosts – go visit them and read about how it is to live in Norway from an Expat’s perspectives:
Nothern Natterings – A Canadian in Norway – An Alien in Copenhagen (One year in Norway) – Return to Norway – American in Norway – Wandering the World – Irish Nomad in Norway – My Grand Adventure Part II + TorAa from Norway.

Booking is open:

OsloBG BookingDon’t hesitate, meet up with bloggers from around the world in Oslo. The booking is open and the first 50 participants will even be invited to meet the Mayor of Oslo at the City Hall. The program fee is mandatory (including the Oslo Pass, the guided tour; Highlights of Oslo, joining the local hosts choice of the day as well as the casual gatherings in the long summer nights evenings). Accommodation is optional and of course we recommend First Hotel Millennium for a favourable price! Click to book now!

OsloBG