Holmenkollen. The hotel where 80-or-so bankers, oil executives and consultants gather for the Oslo Energy Forum to discuss — the future of oil and gas industry.
The first image hotel guests witness is a wall-sized video screen of female swimmers in bathing suits.
The next image is a hotel room.
The third image — a workshop brochure and participant details.
An image of yourself is next, as you are nearing toward entering into a room of participants and at the front or your consciousness appears the exorbitant cost of attendance, access by personal-only invitation, illustrious speakers about whom you gaze at with wonder on the internet prior to arrival, the secrets and closed curtain discussions, Chatham House rule — “what is said in the room, stays in the room”, etc. and so on — the emotional impact of an event that many in the industry place high on a pedestal, the descriptive importance of the Forum, gazes into the future, predictions of energy demands, cocktail introductions, the handling and exchanges of business cards, slight of hand gestures, Moet Chandon flutes.
All of this takes place as you straighten your tie or, as in this case, check to see the camera works.
You take your seat among the guests and listen to what will be in store.
You exchange Business Cards.
The next day, you find your seat — listen and engage:
You return to your room where cross-country ski boots await you, so that you can bond with executives on the fields above Oslo.
You unfold your napkin for dinner.
After several days of these activities, you leave for home.
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