An array of choices
In 2008 Stavanger was European Capital of Culture and proved its international standing with daring, innovative and exciting cultural projects. The success was followed up this summer when the town hosted the Beach Volley World Championship. However, it is not just in recent years that the city has built up its reputation as an excellent host for large international events and conventions. The reputation goes back 30 years and the region’s dynamic university, university hospital and various international research centres have added to it, as have the great facilities and capacities which have been developed. Today the region can offer a choice of 37 hotels, 271 meeting rooms, 30 conference centres, five auditoriums seating more than 500 people and one conference hall which accommodates up to 1,700 people.

A cultural destination
When talking business there is probably no better place to find inspiration than in Stavanger. As capital of the Norwegian energy industry for more than 30 years, Stavanger is known for great ideas, innovation and growth.
It does not all have to be about business, though. Throughout the year, the region offers an array of events, including several festivals and events such as the Pulpit Rock festival, MaiJazz, and the Great Norwegian Humour Festival. Even on an ordinary night you will find that Stavanger is a vibrant cultural destination where you can enjoy concerts with the town’s own symphony orchestra, see a play or go to the theatre. You can, of course, also just kick back with a bit of shopping in some of the charming city’s unique boutiques or visit Norway’s largest mall outside the city.
Besides Stavanger is one of the cleanest and safest destinations in the world so you never need to worry when out.

It never stops
It is not just the city which can host unique experiences; the great countryside of the region is an adventure in itself. On one side you will find the vast North Sea, on the other narrow fjords, protected bays and quaint islands providing extreme contrasts with pretty fields, rolling hills and extreme mountains.
Maybe you want to invite your colleagues or employees on a helicopter tour, a surfing class, deep sea fishing, canoeing or deep sea rafting. Or maybe the more peaceful prospect of golfing, joining a lighthouse safari or a Fjord cruise is more tempting. Wild but sweet, picturesque yet urban Stavanger has is it all and it does not close at 4pm and neither need your event.

For more information visit: www.regionstavanger.com

Read More

Paint the town Blu with Radisson hotels

Hotel Byrkjedalstunet –nature, culinary treats and history

Hummeren Hotell: Maritime meetings with “tradition, sea and atmosphere”

Scan One: A one-stop shop for Stavanger events

Sola Strand Hotel – Meet me at the beach

Picture yourself after a long day of conferences and meetings: You are walking among the sand dunes on a long beach, while resting your eyes on the deep-blue North Sea and the nearby mountains, knowing that you will experience this and much more every day for the rest of your stay.  Well, it need not stop at daydreaming, as this is very much a reality at the historic and picturesque Sola Strand Hotel, located close to Stavanger.

A member of the Norwegian hospitality association, De Historiske Hotel & Spisesteder (Historic Hotels & Restaurants), Sola Strand Hotel has a long and colourful history, spanning two world wars and several changes in ownership. The hotel was originally established in 1914 by restaurateur R. Christoffersen and is now known by its guests as a “cultural gem”. Managing Director Gisle Steffensen is extremely proud of what the hotel stands for: “We have a great staff and a great atmosphere. This is a hotel with a lot of personality and history to it, which makes it very popular with our guests.” The history can be felt from the first minute you enter the reception area, as you are greeted not only by the friendly staff, but also by the original fireplace from 1914.

An inspiring conference experience
While Sola Strand Hotel undeniably has the idyllic setting for a family holiday or a romantic getaway by the beach, it also offers great facilities for conferences and meetings. The hotel’s current conference space consists of two modern well-equipped centres with a maximum capacity of 350 people. The meeting rooms in the North Sea Centre boast great views of the North Sea. In addition, Steffensen confirms that a new conference facility will be available by March of next year, and a bigger project with additional space for 300 people will be finished in 2012.

To make your conference experience unique and unforgettable, Sola Strand Hotel can also provide you with a tailor-made package. This is full of excellent food made from local produce and a great range of exciting activities, including wine tasting, cooking, hiking, windsurfing, sea fishing and many more. The hotel grounds also include a tennis court and a small golf pitching green. You do not have to travel far for a proper 18-hole golf course either, as there is one only 500 yards away. However, let us not forget about the main attraction: the 2,300 m long sandy beach right outside the hotel’s front step.

Norway’s best beach
In 1994, The Sunday Times picked Sola Strand Hotel as one of the best beach holiday destinations in the world. In their list they wrote the following: “Believe it or not, southern Norway has some of the most beautiful beaches imaginable, plus lots of long, light days to enjoy them. Stay at the historic Sola Strand Hotel near Stavanger, bang on the sands, and explore the nearby fjords when you’re bored of bronzing.” With this badge of honor on its lapel, the Solastranden beach by the hotel can definitely be described as one of the best beaches, if not the best beach, in Norway.

Location, location, location
Many national companies and some of the oil companies situated in Stavanger have already made Sola Strand Hotel their conference destination of choice. But with hotel room and conference space expansions being worked on as we speak, there is room for a many more business customers. The hotel’s location is in itself a strong selling point, as it is easily accessible from Stavanger, Sandnes and Stavanger Airport, with bus services to all essential destinations stopping nearby. Steffensen says: “One of the advantages here is that everything is so close by. It’s right by the sea and mountains, and about an hour away from the fjords. We are also close to Stavanger but away from the hustle and bustle of city life.”

www.sola-strandhotel.no

Since 1997, when Sigrid-Helene Risa founded her events company Scan One, she has devoted her professional life to creating excellent experiences for clients who choose to have their conferences and corporate events in the Stavanger area. “We organise around 100 conferences, meetings and events every year for a range of different companies,” Risa says. With seven event organisers on board, Scan One takes care of every aspect of the event so that their clients can relax and concentrate on their guests or employees and the purpose of the event.

More than events
Scan One has always wanted to offer more to their clients than events management. “Since we started up in 1997 we have helped companies and organisations with creative input, quality assurance and the expert facilitation of events such as conferences; themed, specialist and reward excursions; team-building; client and kick-off events,” Risa explains. Their offer includes many additional services. Risa describes Scan One as “a professional planner, developer and facilitator of social and skill building events.” Scan One have teamed up with company CTS-Setting to “offer specialist expertise in corporate development and performance training.” This adds extra spice to events, as Scan One’s clients have the choice to work with professionals to perfect, for example, their presentation techniques or to learn about performance goal achievement or trends, amongst other things, during the events.

A city of contrasts
“Stavanger is a city of contrasts: City-nature, industry-farming, old-new,” Risa says. “It is a very intimate city with high focus on quality, and there are exciting activities both outdoors and indoors within easy reach.” Risa and her team draw on the city’s strengths to create innovative and memorable events. “Nature, energy, food and culture are always special elements in every event,” she concludes.

Website: www.scanone.no