A popular annual event linking and exploring business opportunities in Aberdeen and Norway has been hailed as a resounding success.
The Aberdeen-Norway Gateway was hosted by Granite PR and managed by Business Plus Scotland with the aim of capitalising on knowledge sharing and networking opportunities for businesses seeking to establish or grow their presence in their counterpart location.
The event – which attracted more than 150 delegates representing a broad range of industry sectors – was hosted by Granite PR and managed by Business Plus Scotland. It was a joint initiative with the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) which marks its milestone 110th anniversary this year.
Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel was the venue for a lunchtime event on Tuesday, June 14th which featured an impressive line-up of speakers with experience in doing business on both sides of the North Sea. In addition, were welcomes from Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam and Aberdeenshire Provost Hamish Vernal.
The third annual event grew from its original one-day Aberdeen-Stavanger Gateway format to embrace even more of the opportunities presented throughout Norway. In its new, expanded two-day form the Aberdeen-Norway Gateway continued on Wednesday, June 15th with a business showcase exhibition to coincide with the NBCC’s annual barbecue at Kippie Lodge Sports & Country Club, Milltimber.
Commenting on the success of the new-look event, Granite PR Founder and Managing Director and Aberdeen-Norway Gateway Creator Brett Jackson said: “The importance of exploring new marketplaces cannot be underestimated in the current business climate and we hope that this event has educated and inspired in equal measure, as well as providing a fitting stepping stone to ONS in Norway later this year.
“I am delighted that the third annual Aberdeen-Norway Gateway attracted such a large audience and we were particularly pleased to welcome representatives of ONS and Widerøe's Flyveselskap A.S who travelled from Norway to take part in the event.”
NBCC President Sidsel Ostad Halvorsen added: “Companies now meet their information needs more quickly and easily than ever through the internet, social media and other professional channels. However, important personal contact is more difficult to maintain than in the days when most people involved in a business were located in the same area and knew each other – but nothing can replace personal contact.
“With so many guests attending the Aberdeen-Norway Gateway I think it shows how important it is to meet and learn from other people.”
Aberdeen-Norway Gateway 2016 chairman Francis Kiernan said: “The new market reality requires secure investment opportunities and safer, faster outcomes. This is our time to de-construct in order to re-invent our business models. Waiting for better days will simply just not cut it.”
The Aberdeen-Norway Gateway 2016 was supported by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen International Associates, Aberdeenshire Council, ABIS (Holdings) Energy Services Ltd, ACE Winches, a-line Audio Visual, Anderson Anderson Brown, Business Plus Scotland, Energy Voice, Greater Stavanger, Kippie Lodge Sports & Country Club, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce, ONS, Petrasco Energy Logistics, Press & Journal Energy, SDI, Skene Business Centres, Skene House HotelSuites, ThinJack, Thorpe Molloy Recruitment, Widerøe's Flyveselskap A.S, Wood Group PSN.