Roger Kellerman, Kellerman, in charge of the seminar programme during Meetings@TUR and the Political forum.
Successful first for Political forum
Many of the world's leading personalities within the global meetings
industry took the stage during the first "Political forum for the
Swedish meetings industry". The audience included a majority of the
target group - the politicians.
The Political forum which was held on Friday will turn Sweden into a world-leading meeting destination when it comes to conferences and events. This is a development vital to society, argues says Roger Kellerman, editor of trade magazine Meetings International and in charge of the seminar programme during Meetings@TUR and the Political forum.
"We have to build from below and initiate a dialogue with the politicians at an early stage. For instance, it is important that we mention that a newly-built facility suited for ice hockey doesn't automatically make a great conference hall."
In general Sweden is good at organising conferences and events. According to Kellerman there is still much room for improvement.
"Sweden has a good reputation when it comes to public organisation, we should be utilising that even more. Our child care is a system that Germany, for one, is keen to come here and study in greater detail There's one conference for us to organise."
Roger Kellerman took the opportunity to commend Gothenburg as a meetings destination and was pleased to see Swedish politicians invited turn up at the forum, among them Hans Rothenberg (M), Member of Parliament and Anneli Hulthén (S), Chairman of the City Executive Board.
"TUR is an exciting event and the Political forum is very interesting, largely because of all the international perspectives. It's very rewarding to take part of other countries thoughts when it comes to the meetings industry. Most of all I received confirmation that we in Gothenburg have the right approach to meetings, conferences and events. This feels great for our continued efforts," says Anneli Hulthén.