Thanks to its vibrant cities with strong academic communities and a skilled meeting and tourism industry, Norway has become the rising star among congress destinations. You can be sure to find venues with modern and reliable high-tech facilities, including advanced solutions for hybrid events.
Expertise and business areas
A well-established academic and business culture makes Norway a relevant destination for a wide range of disciplines and sectors. Having said that, the fields where Norway is at the forefront of innovation may be particularly relevant for congresses. These fields include sustainable energy, maritime and ocean space management, seafood production, bioeconomy, technological development, theory of wealth, and healthcare.

Photo: Helge Hansen
Venues for every type of congress
There is a wide range of congress venues, from conference rooms in hotels to exhibition halls and world-class auditoria. Check out our venues and select according to what you need.
For congresses of more than 1,000 people, there are several conventions centres, hotels, and other venues in Norway's main cities that have plenty of experience with mass events.
Just outside of Oslo, there is the Norway Exhibition and Convention Centre. This massive complex is only 10 minutes away from Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport and is located near the train station of Lillestrøm, between the airport and the Oslo city centre. The venue consists of five big halls that can offer seats to a crowd up to 6,000 people.
In Fjord Norway, you can also find a few large convention centres. The Grieg Hall in Bergen have a total space of around 25,000 m² divided in 20 rooms and auditoriums that are equipped with the latest technological innovations. It’s the perfect conference venue for events ranging from 100 to 2,200 participants. A second big congress centre in Fjord Norway is the Stavanger Forum. Here as well, there are multiple meeting rooms and an exhibition space of 30,000m² to organise plenary sessions up to 4,000 people.
A final major convention centre to mention is the Oslofjord Convention Centre in Sandefjord. This venue is located close to the Oslo Torp Airport. It has space for up to 12,000 people indoors, and even up to 60,000 people outdoors! The convention centre also offers accommodation for 9,000 people in comfortable hotel rooms or apartments in immediate vicinity of the venue.
These are just a few examples of large venues in Norway, but there are a lot more congress venues throughout the country of different styles and sizes. For more information, check out our venue page.
Elisabeth Bugge
Manager Congress
Innovation Norway
Akersgata 13
P.O.Box 448 Sentrum
NO-0104 Oslo
Direct phone: +47 984 80 050
Email: elisabeth.alethe.bugge@innovationnorway.no
Norway is a big country with considerable distances between the major cities. Luckily, there are good bus and train destinations between all major cities and towns. In addition, there are many airports scattered all over the country. Oslo is the main air travel hub with daily connections to most destinations in the country. For more detailed information, check out our transport page.
Contrary to popular beliefs, hotels and other accommodation venues are not exceptionally expensive in Norway. On the contrary, prices are similar to the rest of western Europe. Read more about value for money.
Norwegians love to spend time in nature and take care of the environment as much as possible. Green travel, transportation, accommodation and gastronomy can be found all over the country and are a priority for many businesses in Norway. Read more about sustainability in Norway.
Photo: The conference coast
Photo: Bergen Tourist Board / Willy Haraldsen - visitBergen.com
Photo: Sindre Ellingsen
High-tech facilities and hybrid events
Practically all meeting venues in Norway have the professional knowhow and experience to set up the technical facilities you need for a smooth event. You can count on reliable lighting, sound systems and projection equipment as well as facilities for interpreting, video conferencing, and recording.
Norway is highly advanced when it comes to hybrid events, making it possible to invite thousands of people to attend your congress online. Several venues have invested considerably in the technology needed for hybrid events recently. An example is the Oslofjord Hybrid Event that offers a 360-degree digital studio, a 120 m² LED screen, multiple interactive solutions, a dedicated app, and recording studios.

Photo: OlePetterOpøien
Norway’s congress destinations
One of the unique perks of organising a congress in Norway is that even in the main cities, you are close to nature.
The capital Oslo has the widest choice of venues, facilities and city entertainment. At the same time, you have easy access to vast recreational areas literally just outside the city centre. The same goes for Bergen, a lively student town on the west coast surrounded by seven mountains and with the fjords within easy reach. Another popular congress destination in Fjord Norway is the university town Stavanger, which is also known as the energy city.
Trondheim is known as the home of the Nordic flavours, but also as Norway’s technology capital, partly because of the presence of the biggest university in the country. If you’re more into a serene landscape of big and small islands in a mild climate, it’s good to check out Kristiansand in Southern Norway.
Up north there are also two major convention destinations. About 350 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, the Arctic city of Tromsø is the northernmost university city the world. Many people are surprised to find such a vibrant restaurant and bar scene at such a northern latitude. The city’s biggest venue can entertain up to 1,000 conference delegates. Another popular city in Northern Norway is Bodø, which is known as the gateway to Northern Norway. There you can find some spectacular nature phenomena such as the world’s strongest maelstrom Saltstraumen.
Explore these cities further on our destination page.
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Case study: European Academy of Neurology Congress 2019
In the summer of 2019, the 5th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology took place at the Norway Convention and Exhibition Centre, just outside of Oslo. The event gathered over 6,900 neurologists from all over the world for four days of presentations, networking, and fun activities.
Elisabeth Bugge
Manager Congress
Innovation Norway
Akersgata 13
P.O.Box 448 Sentrum
NO-0104 Oslo
Direct phone: +47 984 80 050
Email: elisabeth.alethe.bugge@innovationnorway.no
Norway is a big country with considerable distances between the major cities. Luckily, there are good bus and train destinations between all major cities and towns. In addition, there are many airports scattered all over the country. Oslo is the main air travel hub with daily connections to most destinations in the country. For more detailed information, check out our transport page.
Contrary to popular beliefs, hotels and other accommodation venues are not exceptionally expensive in Norway. On the contrary, prices are similar to the rest of western Europe. Read more about value for money.
Norwegians love to spend time in nature and take care of the environment as much as possible. Green travel, transportation, accommodation and gastronomy can be found all over the country and are a priority for many businesses in Norway. Read more about sustainability in Norway.
Reasons to choose Norway
Getting to and around Norway is easy
The flight time to the capital Oslo is only a couple of hours from most European cities. There are also many greener transport options available. Thanks to a strong focus on electric transport, it is also easy to move around sustainably within Norway.
Norway puts sustainability first
Norway has made it a top priority to preserve the country’s wild, unspoiled nature. We are working hard towards a more sustainable society, and this includes the MICE sector. You will find a strong focus on green incentives and hotels, eco-friendly local food, and electric transport.
Norway offers great value for money
How expensive is Norway? Well, we actually have great news for event organisers – venues and accommodation offer excellent facilities at competitive prices. Many Norwegian convention venues and hotels offer perfectly affordable options, even among the lowest in Europe.
Norway is a safe country
Norway has put many precautions in place to safeguard against COVID-19. Together with low crime- and corruption rates, it is one of the safest countries in the world. Just be sure to check out any safety recommendations and precautions in place for outdoors adventures.
Nature just outside the meeting room
Glittering fjords, flowing waterfalls, and majestic mountains do wonders to boost teamwork and spark creativity and idea generation. In Norway, it is easy to find the perfect backdrop for your meeting or conference. And the northern lights or the midnight sun are included at no extra cost!
Destinations
Thinking about organising a business meeting, corporate event or congress in Norway, but not sure where in the country to go? Get to know the main conference destinations here.
Venues
In Norway, you can count on top-quality conference facilities for smooth events of up to 12,000 people. Use our advanced search function to find the perfect meeting room, conference centre, banqueting hall, exhibition space or outdoor venue.
Contact us
Norway has a wide selection of high-quality hotels and excellent event facilities in beautiful nature. Let us help you find the right venue for your meeting or other event – it’s the perfect destination to get inspired together!