M&i Europe Oslo
Having never seen much of Scandinavia, when Stacey asked me if I would like to attend the M&I Europe conference that was being held in Oslo, I jumped at the chance. Other than my knowledge of all day sunshine in summer and all day darkness in winter, the Northern lights and the plethora of Fjords, I knew little about Norway.
As soon as I was through customs there stood an M&i rep with a board pointing me in the right direction to the trains. Once down on the platform the immaculate English speaking attendant pointed me in the direction of the train to Oslo. In 20 short minutes on the comfy air conditioned train through the picturesque landscape, we came into Oslo where another M&i rep once again, board in hand, pointed me in the direction out of the station a short walk over to the hotel, Clarion at the Hub.
The opulent fresh and floral smelling reception gave 20s lounge bar vibes and was very relaxed and welcoming. Straight through to bag drop, lanyard collection and into lunch. The incredible buffet that welcomed us was a sight to behold. Both cold and hot cuisine for all kinds of dietary needs, I would defy anybody not to be able to find something they liked. It really did set the standard for what was to become a culinary delight for the entire trip.
After lunch we were straight into a short welcome brief, then headfirst straight into the meetings. Day one there were 11, 13-minute meetings back to back with two minute change overs between each and a coffee break after the first six meetings. The back to back meetings are a very full on experience and intense, but also very engaging and there is a distinctly positive and upbeat atmosphere that permeates through the huge events room. It was very evident from the first afternoon that M&i really know what they are doing when it comes to these networking events. The whole process was really slick and together and everything you needed to know was updated constantly on the event app.
Night one, the opening night at Taket, the rooftop bar at Steen & Strøm Department Store. Again, expertly navigated by M&i team members, we were all pointed in the right direction, the short five minute walk through Oslo town to Taket. At 7.30pm, the time the party started, it was still super warm and it seemed as though the sun would never go down. A DJ played whilst delicious and fresh bowl food circulated, to include salmon poke bowls, sliders, fresh tuna subs and lots of free flowing prosecco. We were then treated to a saxophonist, guitarist and singer. The night was one of getting to know new acquaintances and lots of dancing and laughter. Of course, when I asked the DJ for Cameo’s Candy and he said he didn’t know it, that wasn’t going to satisfy the itch. After a persistent conversation and a song later, a good number of participants of lots of different nationalities were united in the Candy dance. It was a moment!
Day two and meetings were the order of the day. There were 16 meetings between 9am-2.30pm with a coffee and refreshment break in between. The catering on offer from the Clarion was honestly some of the most delicious food I have ever tasted. Even during the coffee breaks there were the tastiest fresh fish canapes, fruit platters, granolas, flapjacks and strudels and they were there in abundance.
Then after a delicious lunch that once again offered an insane amount of choices of cold meats and salads, delicious chicken wings, vegan chilli, hot vegetables and a dessert table that deserved an award, we went on a walking tour of Oslo. The town is a clean and easy going place of beautiful Scandinavian architecture. There are lots of trams and tram lines in the roads but due to the low population it never feels crowded or chaotic. Traffic is at a minimum and the huge Fjord acts like a harbor/beach side where kids swim off of pontones. The water is so clean and pure that they are able to.
Night two, we were taken a short 15 minute coach journey to SNØ Oslo which is an indoor snow dome. This venue was really amazing. It includes saunas, a gym and retail offering all kinds of ski clothing and equipment options. There is a nursery slope for beginners along with two other main slopes and chair lift and a cross country ski facility. As a place very focused on sustainability, the energy they use to power SNO is then recycled and powers the houses in the surrounding area. After an impressive ski and boarding show we were treated to a delicious hot buffet, cocktails and a DJ, trombonist, guitarist and singer.
Day three was the final day of meetings that followed the same format as the previous two days. With very little voice left at this point, I attended an impressive 41 meetings over three days. After lunch we were treated to a boat cruise of Oslo Fjord. This impressive expansive waterway is a stunningly beautiful sight. The weather was on our side and it made for a really lovely afternoon of networking aboard a beautiful catamaran.
The final evening took us to the Oslo Opera House. The Opera House is the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the national opera theatre in Norway. The building is situated in the Bjørvika neighbourhood of central Oslo, at the head of the Oslofjord. The architecture of the building allows you to scale either side of it and look down into the beautiful atrium of the building. We heard two amazing opera singers and a band performing a traditional twist on a classic Beyonce number.
After the Opera House we were taken a short coach ride to Brød & Sirkus, an open roofed bar where we danced the night away to a DJ while enjoying cocktails which concluded the three day stay in Oslo.
I was massively impressed with the slick organisation of the whole event. M&i really do know how to host an event with every minute detail considered. Oslo is an amazing place and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Through my 41 meetings I feel armed with a wealth of knowledge of the most beautiful venues throughout all of Europe from Scandinavia to the Balerics, there really so much potential in seemingly holiday resorts for corporate or work related events. These hotels have purposely upped their game in their purposing to cater to a demanding market and they are catering to it very well.
Contact me directly if you would like to hear more about Oslo of if you have an offsite, AGM, Leadership Retreat, whole company retreat, conference or anything in between, I really am armed with all of the knowledge you could possibly need to execute your event, my almost entire lack of a voice upon my return can attest to that!
