Att åka på konferensresa - för gemensamma upplevelser

Going on a conference trip, with colleagues or other partners, is a way to be creative together and share experiences. We thank digital technology for the ability to hold meetings in pandemic times, but now we long to meet for real!

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Fun memories from work and conference trips

We love travelling and sharing the experience of travelling with each other. There is also something special about travelling with others, as we have often done with blog or work colleagues.

For example, with my (Helena's) job, there have been conference trips to Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada. With other bloggers, we have also been to a conference in Finland. The experiences from these trips become something to talk about and remember together with the others who were on the same trip.

Konferensresa med kvällsaktiviteter — Mingle in the evening after all the conferencing during a blog conference, Helsinki 2016

Cancelled work trips - and meetings via Zoom

When the pandemic hit the world, almost all travel came to a halt. It wasn't just holidays that had to be cancelled, but also work trips, conference trips, trips to visit family and friends, and trips for a thousand other reasons.

One of the first trips we cancelled was a trip to Bielefeld in Germany, where I (Helena) was to give a lecture at the University. I have actually given that lecture now - and also a sequel - but via the video conferencing tool Zoom.

Did it go well? Yes, I think so. But I didn't see the participants' facial expressions, so I don't really know if they were watching with interest - or if they were yawning a bit and scrolling on their mobile phones. What I also missed is what would have happened afterwards: the conversations, mingling and dinners in the evenings. That's when contacts are made and that's when the best ideas are cracked.

Scandic takbar — During a mingle with blog colleagues in the good old days, i.e. pre-pandemic.

Digital meetings are great, but ...

The development of digital meetings is fantastic, and we will of course continue to have digital meetings even after the pandemic. In many cases, it is time-saving and practical to avoid travelling just to discuss a few issues and make a few decisions. But the real meeting between people cannot really be replaced. Sometimes we need to meet, brainstorm ideas together in a creative environment and share experiences!

Peter listens to a video presentation - in the campervan

Conference trips we would like to go on

Going on an intensive business or conference trip with colleagues or partners can be extremely exciting and stimulating. On such a trip, it is not only the destination that matters, but perhaps not least the programme and what you experience together. And now you can finally dare to look ahead and plan for a 2022 with creative and exciting trips and meetings!

In order to best organise conference travel abroad of course, it's good to get help from an experienced organiser, such as Travel2, which has been arranging business and conference trips for 20 years. Here are a few destinations that we think would be fantastic to experience together during a business trip:

Iceland is a magically beautiful country filled with volcanoes, glaciers and dramatic landscapes. In addition, you can experience nature on horseback or eat your way through Reykjavik's best restaurants.
Budapest is a city we really like. Here you can swim in the ancient bathhouses, enjoy really good food and then finish the evening in one of the cool "ruin bars".
Belgrade is a city we've never visited, so let's dream about travelling there! Here you will be able to experience boat tours, go on a guided walk through underground tunnels and enjoy the exciting restaurants.

Konferensresa till Island kanske? — In the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Where would you choose to go on a conference trip?

What is it like for you? Did you go on conference trips or other business trips before the pandemic? Where was the best conference trip and what made it so good? If you were to organise a conference trip with your closest colleagues or partners in any other context, where would it go?