The NORDEUROPA event is not only a valuable opportunity for tour operators to establish new connections and build collaborations. It also provides suppliers such as hotels, restaurants, activity companies, and attractions with a platform to showcase their offerings to the right audience.
Sven Walczak, General Manager of Scandic Sortland, and David Lind, Representator of the Destination Swedish Lapland, share their experiences in this interview and explain why the online event has been a significant milestone for their businesses.
For Sven Walczak, NORDEUROPA 2022 marked a pivotal moment. At the time, his hotel, Scandic Sortland, had only recently opened. Amid the challenges of the pandemic, he was searching for a way to promote both his hotel and the Vesterålen region.
A personalized email invitation motivated him to sign up for the virtual trade fair.
As one of his first professional workshops, the digital platform offered him exactly what he needed: a tailored and personal connection with potential partners.
For David Lind from Swedish Lapland, the e-commerce event has been a top priority for several years. He values the broad market reach and the quality of the meetings: “It offers great value for money, and you can reach many relevant distribution contacts across nearly all our target markets – from DACH to Belgium, England, and the Netherlands. The flexibility and digital format are ideal for us to use the event as a kickoff for the year.”
The atmosphere at the NORDEUROPA event stands out distinctly from large-scale trade fairs, according to Sven.
“The meetings take place almost as if in the living room of the other person. You can fully focus on the conversation from the comfort of your own workspace – whether it’s your office or living room.”
Unlike the often hectic and superficial exchanges at major events, Sven found the meetings focused and engaging. The calm and structured setup helped him establish meaningful connections, and the follow-up process ran smoothly:
“I received responses from my counterparts in 85% of the cases.”
David Lind adds that the targeted focus of the digital marketplace is a significant advantage: “The mix of operators for group and FIT travel is excellent. What I particularly appreciate is that many participants already have a solid understanding of the Nordic countries, allowing us to quickly get to the core of the meetings.”
When Sven participated in the online sales event in 2022, he was literally starting from scratch. However, the tailored meetings, including those with smaller operators, showed him and his team how valuable these connections could be:
“My boss initially scoffed at meetings with smaller operators, but it turned out that bookings from four smaller operators can deliver results just as strong as those from one large operator.”
David Lind emphasizes how the event supports long-term strategies:
These experiences highlight how the event fosters not only major partnerships but also specialized ones that are equally successful in the long term.
Another key advantage, according to David Lind, is the organization:
“The registration and scheduling process is seamless, and communication with NordicMarketing is flexible and straightforward. You feel like you have an event partner who truly stands behind the quality of the meetings.”
Sven Walczak also emphasizes how well the platform is tailored to his needs:
“I was able to plan my appointments in a way that didn’t overwhelm my workload. It made my daily routine so much easier.”
When asked to describe the NORDEUROPA event in three words, Sven answers without hesitation: short, personal, and efficient. The short meetings provide the perfect framework for establishing meaningful connections, and the personal atmosphere fosters trust.
David Lind adds his perspective with relevant, efficient, and affordable. Both suppliers emphasize that the quality of the conversations is the main focus, benefiting both participants and organizers alike.
“Germans do love efficiency,” Sven adds with a wink. Another term that comes to his mind is “living room feel”, to describe the pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
For David Lind, it’s clear: “NORDEUROPA is a fantastic event for expanding your network of relevant travel sellers in our target markets.”
Sven Walczak has also already recommended the event and is looking forward to participating in the coming years. The virtual exchange is not just a platform for networking but a true business booster for suppliers aiming for targeted growth.