The Oslo Blog Gathering in Norway in August was presented as a Social Media adventure at the VisitOSLO Conference this year. That gave me the chance to talk about the idea of the gathering for a wide range of representatives from the tourism industry in Norway. Even more; I got the chance for a little chat with the Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang, who has invited all OsloBG participants for a reception in the Town Hall. The Mayor said it was kind of an unconventional reason to invite for a reception, but because of it’s uniqueness he is sure looking forward to greeting bloggers from all over the world:
The idea of the conference was for VisitOSLO (the city’s tourist marketing and service institution) to present some highlights from Oslo’s happenings this year and how they will contribute for the best of the city’s travel trade and commerce. Let me give you some ideas:
The Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo 2010:
This has become the worlds biggest live TV Show and responsible for the broadcast is NRK, Norway’s major broadcasting institution and largest media house. Their General Manager, Hans-Tore Bjerkaas, was there to present their way of making this a magic moment for the viewers under the theme; “Share the Moment”:
Bjerkaas emphasized that they want to share the Eurovision Song Contest, rather than just broadcast it. One particular thing that makes this such a unique event is the fact that it’s the only time of the year in Europe that some 125 million people are doing exactly the same thing, at exactly the same time – whether in Iceland or in Armenia, in Portugal or in Finland – or here in Oslo.
VisitOSLO’s contribution:
Their dedicated project manager, Frode Vollan, presented how they would take care of the almost 4000 accredited delegates and singers from about 30 countries and provide them with information about Oslo and Norway:
The Oslo Pass to the accredited delicates:
The delegates which would be in Oslo for about two weeks during the contest will be given the Oslo Pass as a gift from VisitOslo: The easiest and most inexpensive way to experience Oslo as it provides free travel on all public transportation as well as free admission to museums and sights. As a symbolic gesture, a super-size version was presented to the Mayor of Oslo as the host of the Eurovision Song Contest (click pics to bigify and enjoy!):
Mind you folks: The Program fee for the Oslo Blog Gathering includes this Oslo Pass!
The Oslo Blog Gathering:
In the end of the conference, I had the privilege of presenting the gathering for which I am the host:
RennyBA presenting OsloBG2010 at VisitOslo Conference.
I was invited to tell how Social Media has become a new an important marketing channel for tourism and of course it gave me a great chance to inform a wide range of representatives in the tourism industry that lots of crazy bloggers will be here this summer. It was also a great opportunity for me to show my thanks to VisitOSLO and all their staff how much I appreciate their support to make this gathering a once in a life time experience for the participants from all over the world. You should visit their website to get the best out of a stay in Oslo and I advice you to become a fan of their Facebook group. Another good idea is to follow the Manager of their Tourist Information Centres, Katrine Mosfjeld at Twitter.
Presenting the Oslo Blog Gathering for this group was a lot of fun, and created a lot of interest. Some of the representatives have really caught on to the idea of social media, while others are shockingly behind the times. It was exciting to show them how blogging is connecting people, and social media is a whole new way of getting information before people travel. It is important for the travel industry to understand the power of blogging and social media, and of course to give us a good experience worth writing about. Personal experience can’t be bought, but good friendly service and a positive environment will be remembered by most of us for many years to come. The slides from my presentation is to be seen here.
Time is running out to join the blog gathering, so for those who have not booked yet; go and read the Official Program site and get the program fee!
This post is part of Reiseblogg2010 – A Norwegian Travel Blog Competition.
I hope you all have a grand time. I’m sure that you will.
Have a terrific day. Big hug to you and Diane. :)
Very cool!
Renny,
I am so glad the presentation went well and was well recieved.
Well done Captain!
Best regards
wow, you’re really active over there!
I wish Finnish tourist people would do the same…
Greetings from Cairo and soon from Casablanca!
Wow… you are really going places with your idea!
I should organizse a Visit Singapore for bloggers all over the world too. I wonder if our Tourism Board would give their strong support.
I so want to go to this blog gathering, Renny. It would be so fun and I’m looking forward to meeting bloggers from all over the world but my ankle injury needs time to recover. I’m praying it will heal fast.
It’s really exciting to see how to present the August meeting.
I hope to enjoy this wonderful idea and your wonderful city, along with so many interesting people as you all.
Receive a big hug
Maria
Awesome! Both the gathering, the Oslo Pass, the speech and everything! I’m sure the bloggers we’ll meet will be awesome too :-)))
big congratulations to you renny! you have done a great job in connecting people via blog :)
My dear friend, I’ll post the Photo of you and Fabian on my WW very soon under the same question as in the past weeks: Where is this.
And of course a link, you know;))
Published – and now I’ll start commenting WW-entries
Er #307 her
http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/?p=1003&cpage=7#comment-72764
When you do things, you do them in the grand style! :-)
Just think, Renny–you’ll be able to write a book about all of this after it’s done! :)
Hey Renny,
I can see you already have t-shirts and all! :D
Do not worry, people still have time to organise themselves to attend the gathering: it will be awesome.
I read your comment, over at my blog, and do not worry: just do your thing :D!
I still have to reply one of your emails, anyway…
Cheers
such a great opportunity and you are the star..sorry for not visiting so often…but now i am here!
OMG!! I hope this little disagreement between me and my sister in Germany goes away soon,or I may not get to do Oslo….that would be the friggin iceing on the cake.
Sheesh! I hope I’ll still be able to go anyways.
Would I “HAVE” to really sing though?lol
I can dance Renny!Even Waltz!lolol…But u don’t wanna hear me sing!
;-}
I still can’t figure out how to get that doggone picture of me at the top left changed.I hate that sucker..lol
Fabulous!!! You really did a great job! What a such organisation! I put your link on my FB! I am very impresse!
WOW!! Wish I could have been there!! Anyways, Congrats! You did an awesome job!
Visiting from best posts of the week =)
Well done Renny, you are a social media evangelist!
Great idea to use social media for tourism… Shame your blog conference is just before schools start up again here in Sweden…
Wow, Renny, the slideshow you presented at the conference is really impressive. You definitely showed how your blog promotes interest in Norway and connects people who share that interest. Very well done.
Hi all is looking very great any meeting all is looking very famous man or any country leader all is rarely very brilliant man.
cool sir :)
We are very happy to let you know that ~500 young researchers have benefited from the IPY Oslo Stipend Programme and the reduced registration fee. A VERY BIG THANK YOU to the Research Council of Norway for being so proactive in supporting those of us that will carry forward the legacy.
we were there too, it was a very nice experience