Kongsberg Agenda has been a great success. With major supporters such as Kongsberg Gruppen, Lenovo, TechnipFMC, GKN Aerospace, Teknisk Ukeblad and many more behind it, the festival is on its way to becoming an arena of national importance.
In the anniversary year of 2024, the number of visitors to the city will double, so that as many as possible can experience what the city, industry and business community have to offer.
Growing out of beds
Now Kongsberg Agenda has encountered a challenge. - The city has too few beds. In 2023, we more than doubled the number of visitors to the city, and in the anniversary year we will have even more. Then we need available beds, says Wivi-Ann Bamrud, general manager of Kongsberg Næringsforum (KNF), which is the project owner of Kongsberg Agenda.
Her solution is clear, the city's rental market must open up!
- In 2023, we took use of all hotel beds, the Hostel and several of the apartments in Funkelia. It is still not enough. Now we want the locals to look at all possibilities for private rental during these days in week 25, 19-22 June. Here is the opportunity to join the volunteer work, says Bamrud.
Short-term rental to visitors
Kongsberg Agenda believes that there is great potential for short-term rental to both companies, organizations and individuals.
̶ If we stand together, do not price ourselves out, then this is a market we can build together. Who has an extra bed? Who can go together and stay with each other, while renting out beds? Who has a cabin they can go to, or that can be rented out? Who can rent out an entire house? There are many possibilities here, says Bamrud.
She emphasizes that it will not happen overnight, but believes that there are good opportunities to get repeat, serious guests for years to come.
Get started
Kongsberg Agenda is receiving more and more questions from companies and other stakeholders about whether the city can accommodate all visitors, and the hotels are approaching full occupancy. Therefore, Kongsberg Agenda's project group wants private individuals to come forward with advertising for rentals.
- We know that renting out your own home is a big step and there is a lot of logistics that needs to be put in place. And we want both landlords and tenants to have a good experience, says Bamrud.
The individual landlord is responsible for the rental agreement and the dialogue with potential tenants. But with the festival just around the corner, it is still possible to talk to Kongsberg Næringsforum and Kongsberg Agenda's project group if you have any questions.
