The Copenhagen Report

Episode # 76 - MyDenmarkTV.com from MyDenmarkTV on Vimeo.

In this episode we hang out at the Cirkus Bygning in central Copenhagen, spending the weekend at TBEX, the travel bloggers conference held in Copenhagen - actually the first TBEX held in Europe. It was a great time, and I especially enjoyed the opportunity to meet organisers Kim Mance, Maren Hogen and Courtney McGann and to join the video blogging panel as one of the speakers (alongside two fantastic co-presenters - Kim Mance of Galavanting TV - and TBEX organiser - and Robert Reid of Lonely Planet who is also the creator of "The 76 second Travel Show"). If you've ever wondered what it takes to be a successful travel blogger, TBEX is a great place to start.

This week's Danish web resource we review is Brandos.dk (equivalent to Zappos in the U.S.), where you can buy shoes online (yes, SHOES!!) - they offer a money-back guarantee and free shipping, so they are worth checking out.

One of the main job portals in Denmark is JobIndex, so we thought it would be worthwhile to meet Kaare Danielsen, CEO of Job Index. Having worked abroad, Kaare knows how it is find a job in a foreign country, and has some good tips if you want to work in Denmark. 


Websites and resources from the Episode:

www.travelblogexchange.dk (Travel Blog Exchange)
www.galavanting.tv (Kim Mance and Maren Hogan's fantastic travel show)
www.heatheronhertravels.com (A travel blogger we met at TBEX)
www.noma.dk (Noma - the world's best restaurant at the time of publication)
www.brandos.dk (An online shoe reseller - originally from Sweden, but established a branch in Denmark in 2008)
www.jobindex.dk (JobIndex - the largest job portals of Denmark)
www.jobindex.dk/cgi/cv/jobcoachee.cgi?rm=new (JobIndex coaching service. You need to be logged in to see it.)
www.CopenhagenClicks.com (An ever-growing collection of web resources to make your stay more fun and enjoyable)

The latest episode of MyDenmarkTV.com (Episoe #74) is rather relaxed and less "chaotic" than the previous couple.

Episode #74 - MyDenmarkTV.com from MyDenmarkTV on Vimeo.

However, in spite of the quickly shortening days and the onslaught of cold and rainy weather, the end of October is bringing with it plenty of 'warm and wonderful' events. Among them are CPH: DOX (Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival), Womex World Music Festival and TBEX Europe (International Travel Blogging Conference in Copenhagen).

One of the cool aspects of CPH: DOX, aside from over 200 fantastic documentary films from around the world, is the opportunity to visit some of Copenhagen's more traditional theaters - of which there are quite a number around the city. A few of them include: Grand Theater (www.grandteatret.dk), Dagmar Theater (www.dagmar.dk), Gloria Theater (www.gloria.dk) and my personal favourite, Posthus Theater (www.posthusteatret.dk).

Besides current events, we present a simple resource comparing 3 online digital photo services (www.digifotopriser.dk). Finally, we help you find those ever-stylish (in Denmark) rainboots - a peculiar fashion item (yes, they really are a fashion item in Denmark) that has been in style for years and years... and likely will continue to be for years and years to come. If you're looking for 'rainboots with style', Isle Jacobsen is arguably the leader in Denmark.

Enjoy!

Websites and resources from the episode:

 www.cphdox.dk (Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival)
www.womex.com (The World Music Expo)
www.travelblogexchange.com (Use Discount Code HANS2010 for TBEX Europe - Nov 4-6, 2010)
www.digifotopriser.dk (Compares 3 digital photo services)
www.grandteatret.dk (Grand Theater)
www.dagmar.dk (Dagmar Theater)
www.gloria.dk (Gloria Theater)
www.posthusteatret.dk (Posthus Theater)
www.ilsejacobsen.dk (Ilse Jakobsen - rainboots with style)
www.hunter-boot.com (Hunter - a Scottish boot brand)
www.skoringen.dk (Skoringen)

Other Useful Resources:
CopenhagenClicks.com (An ever-growing collection of web resources to make your stay more fun and enjoyable)
Consult with MyDenmarkTV team (Via telephone, to help you make your stay in Denmark more enjoyable)

We made it to Kulturnatten in Copenhagen for this episode (#73) of MyDenmarkTV.com - and I have to say this is one of my favourite episodes - lots of action. Sabine put together a gruelling programme for the team - and they managed it with style (and a smile - check out the episode to see exactly how Sabine's smile can open locked doors). Culture Night (Kulturnatten) is the annual October evening in Copenhagen dedicated to Danish culture, as the streets are flooded with people as the shops and more importantly museums and cultural and political institutions across the city throw open their doors to the public.

Once again proving our street culture credibility, we caught up with a flash mob at Hovedbanegaard (Copenhagen Central Station) - as if Street Dining in Episode 72 wasn't enough), then headed over to Black Diamond to watch some cannon shots, and finally ended up at the Copenhagen prison.

We uncover a truly money saving resource called www.sweetdeal.dk - which is well worth signing up for in order to get unique offers to your inbox regularly - each worth 50% off (as a minimum).

To top it all off, we interview the main organizer behind the Gay and Lesbian Film festival. And as a bonus we throw in a couple of apartment rental tips, and equally importantly tell you about an organisation called Lejernes LO (www.llo.dk) that can help you deal with a misbehaving landlord (I can speak from personal experience using this organisation, regarding this issue.

Enjoy!


Episode # 73 - MyDenmarkTV.com from MyDenmarkTV on Vimeo.


Links in this Episode:

www.kulturnatten.dk (Kulturnatten or Culturenight 2010)
www.cglff.dk (Copenhagen Gay & Lesbian Film Festival)
www.travelblogexchange.com (Use Discount Code HANS2010 for TBEX Europe - Nov 4-6, 2010)
www.sweetdeal.dk (Good bargains in Copenhagen and Aarhus)
www.llo.dk (Lejernes LO - for consultations if any problems with a lanlord)

TBEX Europe 2010 - Travel Blog Exchange  - is taking place in Copenhagen from Nov. 4-6, 2010. It's the first time ever TBEX will be arriving in Europe. If this is a conference that catches your attention, it's probably worth a second look. It only costs $50 to attend, and the organisers are going to great pains to make this a standout conference in a unique and inspiring setting.

I've had the opportunity to briefly speak to event organiser Kim Mance when she was here in Copenhagen scouting locations. I have to admit I couldn't have predicted the location she settled on, which is the Wallman's Cirkusbygningen, or more simply 'Cirkus' - a building that actually dates back to 1885. It really isn't your average conference venue - it's colourful, there's even a 'trampoline' screen and a lunch-time show.  No, it's not by any means most amazing building ever - but it is a refreshing change as a conference setting.

Best of all, it is pretty much in the heart of Copenhagen - very close to Rådhuspladsen.

I'm going to be speaking about Travel Blogging, using my experience working with MyDenmarkTV.com, which is going to be a lot of fun, and something I'm really looking forward to.

Here's the schedule:

Thursday Nov. 4th
16:30 Speakers’ Cocktail Reception at Georg Jensen
18:00 Speakers’ Dinner at The Dining Room, Radisson Blu Scandinavia 20:00 TBEX Europe Opening Cocktail Reception - Location TBA
Presented by Wonderful Copenhagen & Cherry Heering

Friday Nov. 5th

09:00 Doors Open: Badge Pick-up & Registration / Coffee & Croissants
10:00 Welcome & Opening Remarks - Kim Mance
10:30 Plenary Session: Karen Bryan
11:00 Workshops (registered attendees will receive an email to choose workshops)

12:15 Networking Lunch & Live Performance by Cirkus Artists
Main auditorium
13:30 Plenary Session Panel: "Bloggers & PR Working Together"
Tomi Maaniemi, Anéh Christina Hajdu, Angelika Hermann-Meier, John E. DiScala
14:30 Workshops   
        -- SEO 101 - Maren Hogan
        -- Advanced SEO - John E. DiScala

15:30 Afternoon Snack & Chat - In foyer & Buddha Lounge
16:30 Doors closed

Saturday Nov. 6th
09:00 Doors Open - Coffee & Croissants
10:00 Open and Welcome - Kim Mance
10:15 Plenary Session: “Is Your Blog a Business?”
Martin Lumbye, Momondo.com

11:00 Workshops

12:30 Networking Lunch
Main auditorium

13:30 Plenary Session: “Being Digitally Published: How to Pitch Editors”
Lola Akinmade

14:30 Workshops
            -- Storytelling 101 - Andrew Evans
            -- Marketing Yourself - Karen Bryan
 
15:15 Closing Remarks - Kim Mance
15:45 Afternoon Snack & Networking - In foyer areas
16:30 Doors closed