Conference destination managers know location is everything when it comes to attracting guests to conferences.
Iceland has become a hot spot for conferences, product launches and promotional videos in the last years offering exciting experiences to guests including the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, hot springs and amazing waterfalls, snowmobiling, super-jeep tours, horse riding, river rafting, para-gliding and a variety of adrenalin thrills and luxurious relaxation. And now you can add helicopter tours to an active volcano eruption to the list.
The world famous artist Olafur Eliasson, whom readers of TH might remember as being the artist behind the New York waterfalls and the hydrogen driven BMW that was built of ice, has teamed up with Henning Larsen architects to create an architectural masterpiece by Reykjavik harbour. HARPA, Reykjavik Conference and Concert Center will be a unique construction inspired by Icelandic natural wonders and is well on its way. It will open its doors to guests in May 2011 and bookings are already taking place.
Conference-Catering Countries
Iceland is Becoming the Hottest Conference Destination
Trend Themes
1. Experience-based Conferencing - Conference destinations are catering to guests with unique and memorable experiences, like Iceland's Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and helicopter tours to volcanic eruptions.
2. Architectural Inspiration - Conference centers, like Iceland's HARPA, are becoming architectural masterpieces inspired by the natural wonders of their host countries.
3. Promotional Video Destinations - Countries like Iceland are becoming popular destinations for filming promotional videos for conferences and product launches due to their stunning natural landscapes and unique experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism and Hospitality - The tourism and hospitality industries can capitalize on the trend of offering unique and memorable experiences to conference guests.
2. Architecture and Construction - The architecture and construction industries have the opportunity to design and build conference centers that are inspired by the natural wonders of their host countries and stand out as architectural masterpieces.
3. Film and Video Production - The film and video production industry can take advantage of the trend of using stunning natural landscapes like Iceland's in promotional videos for conferences and product launches.