2026 Meet the Destinations & Market Place

AECONews & EventsEvents2026 Arctic Expedition Cruise Week2026 Meet the Destinations & Market Place

2026 Meet the Destinations & Market Place

October 20 | Oslo, Norway

Meet destinations, operators, and local stakeholders to discuss collaboration, exchange insights, and identify opportunities for responsible Arctic tourism development.

The day also features AECO’s Market Place, where members and stakeholders showcase products, services, and initiatives related to Arctic expedition cruising.

Join us to connect, exchange ideas, and explore new opportunities for collaboration across the industry.

Venue

Oslo Event Hub

Time

08:30-16:00

Registration

Required

Preliminary Program

Building stronger connections between operators, destinations, and local partners. Meet the Destinations and Market Place combines networking, knowledge sharing, and dialogue designed to strengthen collaboration across the Arctic expedition cruise industry. This is a platform for dialogue and value creation

Host of the Day: Steffan Danino, Polar Latitudes and AECO’s Community Engagement Committee

07:30 Marketplace Set-Up

08:30 Registration

08:45 Networking Breakfast and Market Place

09:30 Welcome and Introduction

09:45 Meet the Exhibitors

10:15 Market Place

Bridging Perspectives
Destinations and operators explore how stronger relationships can be built.

11:00 The Operator Perspective
Benjamin Bradley, Quark Expeditions and AECO’s Community Engagement Committee

11:30 The Destination Perspective
Salik Parbst Frederiksen, Local Greenland

12:00 LUNCH

13:00 Market Place

13:30 Panel Discussion

Karoline Handberg Abildskov, Vela Nordic
Benjamin Bradley, Quark Expeditions
Andra McKenzie, Seabourn and AECO Ambassador
Anita Elefsen, Port of Siglufjörður

Moderator: Anders La Cour Vahl, Director of Knowledge and Governance, AECO

14:00 Market Place

15:30 Closing Remarks
Nicoline Bødker, Community Engagement Specialist, AECO

17:00-18:30 Reception at Oslo City Hall
Hosted by the Mayor of Oslo. Registration is required. Doors open at 16:30.

18:30 Informal Get-Together at Fridtjof Bar