Cheer on the Vikingarännet Skating Competition in Sigtuna

On Sunday, February 19th the world's largest skating competition on natural ice will take place between Uppsala and Stockholm. The town of Sigtuna (located part-way between) will host several activities supporting the races. Come to Sigtuna to participate in one of the races or enjoy the natural beauty and cheer on the other brave skaters. On the ice in Sigtuna there will be materials available for anyone who would like to to make their own placards or banners to cheer on the skaters. Sigtuna is also the place where the Short Race (Kortis) Skaters cross the finish line; where the Women's Only (Tjejrännet) Race starts, and where a special award will be given to the first from the 80km race to cross the Sigtuna line. Take the opportunity to go skating with Sigtuna Sports and Outdoor who will be out on the ice with hands-on activities. Also, be on the lookout for Vikings frying bread on the ice. Here, the atmosphere is at the top. There is also 'After Skate' at Hotel Kristina from 12-17. And last, but not least, delicious goulash and other goodies are served at the Cafe Våfflan in the Sigtuna Harbor.

Welcome to Sigtuna to feel the pulse of Vikingarännet!

Organizers: Vikingarännet, Sigtuna Kommun, Swedavia, Destination Sigtuna and Hotel Kristina.

Hours and info:
Vikingarännet 80 km, first start in Uppsala at 8:00 am
Vikingarännet “Kortis” (Short Race) 30 km, Uppsala-Sigtuna, first start at 9:00 am
Vikingarännet “Tjejrännet” (Women's Only Race) 40-50 km, Sigtuna- Stockholm, the first start at 10:00 am in Sigtuna
After Skate at Hotel Kristina, from 12:00pm-17:00. Price 175 SEK/ adult, children under 12 years 90 SEK/ child.

Café Våfflan in the port opens at 10 am

Find ice reports and additional information here:

http://www.vikingarannet.se/

Tällberg Winter Forum in Sigtuna

On 23-25 February, the 2012 Winter Tällberg Forum will take place in the beautiful and reflective environment of the Sigtuna Foundation “Sigtunastiftelsen”. This international gathering of up to 50 leading members of the business, media, political and civil rights  communities will be opened by Birgitta Ohlsson, Minister for Europe and include contributions from, among others, Tomas Brunegård, CEO of Stampen Group, Sweden, Han Dongfang, Labour Activist, China, Ola Larsmo, President of Swedish Pen, Bill Spence, Corporate Issues Manager at Shell, UK, Ingrid  Srinath, Director of Civicus, South Africa, and Jiwei Zhang, Deputy Editor of Caijing Magazine, China.

The objective of the Forum is to open up a conversation exploring the interfaces between business and the protection of free speech and seek clarity in this challenging area for business. Open and free information is the best tool for creativity, innovation and fair competition, but the tools for free speech are increasingly complex, absent in some markets, or are even businesses in themselves. How much responsibility for ensuring a business environment based on freedom of expression and freedom of association can reasonably rest with business itself? And has the responsibility of the journalist changed in the new media context?

http://www.tallbergforum.org/

Sweden’s first mobile hotel

Need to recharge? In Destination Sigtuna, home of Vikings and rune stones; and 20 hotels- and conference centers at Arlanda, in Märsta, Rosersberg or Sigtuna proper, you’ll find just the thing; a bed in a jumbo jet, a royal suit, a five star hotel or a comfortable inn. And from February 1, 2012, for the first time ever in Sweden, a hotel dedicated to your phone.

- Opening Sweden’s first mobile phone hotel feels great. Once again, Destination Sigtuna raises the bar for service. We’re offering phone owners both an excuse to be unavailable, and peace of mind for those who forgot their chargers. Check your phone in at our Tourist Information Center in Sigtuna, and we’ll recharge it for you, free of charge, while you enjoy sightseeing and shopping, says Camilla Zedendahl, MD of Destination Sigtuna Ltd.

Being and meeting in Sigtuna

Destination Sigtuna, a strong contender on the Swedish hospitality and conference market, has since 2009 worked together with Stockholm Arlanda Airport to create a model for sustainable, carbon-reduced development in the region. In 2011 their commitment and creativity won them the “Ecologistic Award.”

Counting more than 500 000 guest nights per year, Destination Sigtuna is Sweden’s fourth largest hospitality destination, offering 2 600 beds in 20 hotels within 15 minutes from Arlanda Airport. In November, another 414 rooms will be made available.

The hospitality industry has an annual turnover of almost two billion Swedish kronor, creating 1500 jobs, excluding Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Including the airport, the turnover is approximately 22 billion Swedish kronor.