Business day · Nord‑Varanger 2026
Growth is created by people
who make things happen.
- When
- Tuesday 10 November 2026
09:30–16:00 - Where
- Vadsø kultursal
Oscarsgate 27, 9800 Vadsø - Price
- NOK 990 for the day
+ NOK 200 with dinner
About the day
Nord-Varanger is full of people who see opportunities where others see limits. Businesses that find new markets. Enthusiasts who open doors no one thought could be opened. Partnerships that happen because someone dared to pick up the phone. Projects that become reality because someone decided to try.
That is what the 2026 business day is about. We want to look away from everything we cannot do, and instead look at what people actually achieve. Not because we lack challenges, but because development rarely starts with the problems. It starts with people who see opportunities, build relationships and take the initiative. The programme is in Norwegian.
- 111registered in 2025
- 9speakers and conversations
- 2awards
Three things we want from the day
Raise our sights
See what is possible here — not only what is difficult.
Show what people achieve
Real examples from people and businesses in East Finnmark who have made it happen.
Do it together
What can we do ourselves — together with others, competitors included?
Programme
How the day works: Before each break the audience gets a question to take with them. After the break we pick up the conversation together in the hall.
- 09:30
Coffee and networking
- 10:00
Welcome
Wenche Pedersen, Mayor of Vadsø
- 10:10
Out of the silos
Ulf Tore Isaksen, SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge
- 10:30
What actually happened in Vardø?
Hallgeir Sørnes, Chief Municipal Executive, Vardø Municipality
- 11:00
Questions and opinions from the hall
- 11:20
Break
- 11:35
Will you open the door for the next entrepreneur?
Hege Glad, Junior Achievement Norway (Ungt Entreprenørskap)
- 11:50
Time to put on some self-confidence, in East Finnmark too
Kristian Wengen, TINKR
- 12:10
Questions and opinions from the hall
- 12:20
Lunch
- 13:10
A sneak peek at Perleporten cultural centre in Honningsvåg
- 13:20
The back-room discussion when you turn everything upside down
Atle Malinen, Chair of Varangerfestivalen
- 13:50
High jump without a pole
Hege Johnsen, Zero Stores
- 14:10
Questions and opinions from the hall
- 14:25
Break
- 14:40
The competitor you call when there’s a fire
Vannebo Bygg, Birger Mietinen, Rørguttan, Malerguttan and Vadsø Transportservice
- 15:00
Fish farmer in Varanger — why not?
Aili Johansen
- 15:20
From 0 to 100 in one year, and a sideways look at Vadsø
Thomas Hildonen, Varangeravisa
- 15:40
Comments from the hall
- 16:00
Thank you for today
Hans Andreas Kristiansen, Chair of Vadsø Næringsforening
- 18:30
Dinner and awards at Barnengen Gård
The Business Award and the Service Award are presented.
Talks are in Norwegian.
Dinner and awards
18:30 at Barnengen Gård
The day ends with dinner at Barnengen Gård. The Business Award and the Service Award are presented during dinner. Dinner is NOK 200 extra — tick the box when you sign up.
The Business Award (Næringslivsprisen)
Awarded to a business or organisation that, through drive, creativity and good entrepreneurship, has contributed to growth, value creation and positive development in Nord-Varanger. The assessment emphasises sound finances, a long-term approach, innovation, product development, community engagement and the ability to create value for both the business and the local community. The business should also be a good team player that contributes to cooperation and development in the region.
2025 winner: Gamst Shilova AS
The Service Award (Serviceprisen)
Awarded to a business or organisation that stands out through good service, accessibility and customer experiences. The award highlights those who go the extra mile and help create well-being and good experiences for customers and visitors.
2025 winner: Røberg Fisk og Kjøtt in Tana
From the 2025 business day
111 registered participants filled Vadsø kultursal last August.
See more photos and read about the day in the annual report →
Partners
- Organiser
- Partners
Join us on 10 November
The day costs NOK 990. If you want to join the dinner in the evening, it is NOK 200 extra — you choose this when you sign up. The sign-up form is in Norwegian.
← About the Business AssociationSee how the 2025 business day went →