We are pulling out all the stops. During the conference, every nook and cranny will be put to good use says Director Trond Baardsen. In three weeks time, almost 400 people will find their way to the site in and around the Culture Centre. By that time the outdoor stage, known as "Frysa", will be as warm as the foyer.
"The speakers will make their presentations in the "Ole Olsensalen". The "Frityr" and the foyer will house the exhibition, while "Frysa" will function as a combined café and exhibition area. "Meeting rooms on the 1st floor will also be put to good use" says ACS Event Co-ordinator Knut Munkvold.
Our debut
Both Baardsen and Munkvold have been working closely together in recent months to enable the ACS to offer its guests a superlative experience."It's fantastic for us both to be able to welcome prominent industry players and show them what a great facility the Culture Centre really is", says Baardsen. On this occasion the Barents Sea Conference will be footing the bill for the reconstruction of "Frysa".
"We are starting the building work early because this is our first time. In the future we will be able to rig it all up during the evening before an event", he explains. The concept will become the sole property of the ACS."We become the owners, and this provides us with yet another arena that we can use during the winter months", explains Munkvold.
Making a mark
It isn't just the conference organisers and the ACS who are backing this project. The city's business community also appreciates the value of the activity generated by the conference. "We have assembled a reference group around the professionals working with the event. "We call ourselves the BSC enthusiasts" smiles Guri Bjørkli. The reference group members represent various companies that want to participate in and make their mark on the conference. "We do this free of charge by virtue of the jobs we hold and the companies we represent", says Bjørkli.
Welcome
She has very clear ideas as to where they want to make their contribution. "Among other things, we will take our responsibility as hosts very seriously and as such will present ourselves as being capable of tackling all enquiries thrown at us. Every delegate will leave with a desire to return to Hammerfest", say Bjørkli.
Baardsen, who welcomes these enthusiasts onto the team, is more than satisfied with the input provided by the business community. "We will have a hospitality team ready to welcome our guests. They will even be met at the airport", he says.
"Yes indeed, we will do everything we can to sort out any situation that might arise", concludes Bjørkli.
The picture
In front from the left: Randi Næss, Guri Bjørkli and Trond Baardsen welcome all Barents Sea Conference delegates to the Arctic Culture Centre. Behind from the left: Paul Risvåg, Marit Hansen, Øystein Kvaløy, Fred Johansen, Knut Munkvold, Tor Ivar Heggelund and Knut Arne Iversen are all enthusiastic supporters more than willing to help out.