Pia de Place is Project Manager at Business Esbjerg in charge of Meet & More – meetings and conferences by the Wadden Sea National Park. Here is her take on the inspiring meeting destination by the Danish west coast – and why she loves the city of Esbjerg, the area and its pe
Being able to give our guests a magnificent and memorable experience that they had not expected. They can, for instance, conclude a long day of meetings with a visit to the unique wetlands of the Wadden Sea. Here they can slip into waders and collect their own wild oysters from the oyster banks and then enjoy eating them with a glass of bubbles.
And I also love working with my great colleagues and partners at Meet & More – we’re able to design almost any programme and experience.
Photo:© Red Star - Nationalpark Vadehavet
Esbjerg has evolved from being a fishing town to a hub for oil and gas exploration, wind-energy production and the IT industry – it’s Denmark’s energy metropolis.
We offer an amazing diversity in the area. Within just 30 minutes from dynamic Esbjerg – which is a young city by Danish standards – you find its opposite, the charming and historic Ribe, which is actually Scandinavia’s oldest town.
Or if you need a change of pace, then you must visit Fanø, an island rich in culture and nature, where you, among other things, can go on seal safari, amber safari and blocart driving.
We are also experiencing a greater focus on sustainability, since we are located by the Wadden Sea National Park, which enjoys UNESCO World Natural Heritage patronage. We’re becoming even better at preserving the amazing nature that surrounds us.
Photo:Meet & More, VisitEsbjerg
Having created a fantastic Meet & More network in such a short time. Partnership agreements in general often don’t meet their ambitious intentions – but here our agreements work perfectly, and all partners gain something from their involvement.
The really great thing is also that I’m not alone in promoting this partnership, the partners are doing so, too – and when they’re doing it, you know for sure that they are 100% behind it!
It’s very clearly sustainability. People around Esbjerg know how important the Wadden Sea is for the food chain, so we take very good care of the area. And fortunately, we can also see sustainability gaining ground in the business culture. We want to see more and more people focusing on sustainability and the UN’s 17 Global Goals.
At the same time, tranquillity and mindfulness are increasingly important in this busy digital age. Being able to go offline and connect with real people is becoming ever-more important for creativity and collaboration, and our area offers it all!
Photo:Lars Krucov Detlef
My favourite place is definitely the area around the Wadden Sea – to watch the magical sky dance of migrating starlings (called murmuration). Wandering across the flatlands and marshes after a busy day lets you empty your mind and find inspiration in the wonders of nature.
