---
title: Why would you run a tech conference anywhere other than Copenhagen?
date: 2017-11-07T18:58:31Z
modified: 2017-11-07T18:59:15Z
permalink: "https://redmonk.com/jgovernor/why-would-you-run-a-tech-conference-anywhere-other-than-copenhagen/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 4692
categories:
  - Uncategorized
timestamp: 2017-11-07T18:59:15Z
tags:
  - Uncategorized
---

[![](http://jgovernor-media.redmonk.com/jgovernor/files/2017/11/bell-center.jpg)

](http://jgovernor-media.redmonk.com/jgovernor/files/2017/11/bell-center.jpg)

Ever since I got back from Dockercon EU 17, which was in Copenhagen this year, I have been thinking about what a great vibe the city has, how clean it us, how bike friendly it is, how lovely the people are, how incredible the craft beer scene is, how ridiculous my FOMO is that I didn’t make it to [noma under the bridge](http://noma.dk/under-the-bridge/) while I was there. The Bella (conference) Center is less than 10 minutes by cab from the airport, but then trains go directly from the airport to the station there, too. It has natural night. I know – crazy, right? When you’re used to cavernous US conference centers, which seem to do everything they can to protect vampires by blocking out any hints of sunlight, it’s a delightful change. The Bella Center even manages to make fairly decent food, even at scale.

The AC Hotel Bella Sky attached to the conference center is modern and crisp with that Nordic style you just don’t get anywhere except, well, the Nordics.

The Dockercon party was in a massive old Rail Workshops, which if it was me, I would probably have used as the actual conference venue.

[![](http://jgovernor-media.redmonk.com/jgovernor/files/2017/11/rail-shed-1024x768.jpg)

](http://jgovernor-media.redmonk.com/jgovernor/files/2017/11/rail-shed.jpg)

All in all, the experience of getting to Copenhagen, the conference center, and then hanging out in the city at places like Hell Pigs and [Fermontoren](http://fermentoren.com/) – cosiest. beer. bar. ever. Made of purest hygge.

[![](http://jgovernor-media.redmonk.com/jgovernor/files/2017/11/fermontoren-1024x576.jpg)

](http://jgovernor-media.redmonk.com/jgovernor/files/2017/11/fermontoren.jpg)

Given how unpleasant the USA is making it for foreign travellers to enter the country, I suspect we’ll start to see more and more companies have their primary conferences in Europe. Hope so! I’d love to know what city is your favourite for tech conferences, and why?