This interview with our marketing manager Bibi Rydbacken was published in Tid för Konferens, a supplement in Dagens Industri, autumn 2023. Text: Ingela Engblom

Marholmen has been a place for meetings and recreation for over a hundred years. Today it is a modern conference facility that offers archipelago experiences all year round. This fall, "7° Bad & Bastu" opens. Gather the employees for an energizing moment with meetings, baths and team building activities.

Marholmen is an island in Roslagen near Norrtälje with a bridge connection to the mainland. The island is filled with exciting environments from different eras. One time you live and conference in a magnificent Jugendvilla from 1912, the next in the modern hotel or in the cozy cottages. During the warmer months of the year, there are glamping tents for the more adventurous guests.

"The purpose of the meeting determines what is most suitable. Regardless of how the guests stay, they are always close to the sea. Nature is a common thread in everything we do throughout the business," says Bibi Rydbacken, marketing and sales manager at Marholmen.

In recent years, an extensive development journey has begun. They are already well on their way.

"We are developing Marholmen into an archipelago destination where our guests create memories all year round, while carefully preserving the island's soul, nature and history," she says.

In the early 1900s, Marholmen was owned by wholesaler Nils Berg and his wife Hanna. The couple were committed to social issues and donated the island to the labor movement (LO) to build a rest home for factory-working women. In the 20s, a folk education center was also started on the island and that's how it is. - Today we are a meeting place that welcomes both conference and private guests for meetings, rest, swimming and relaxed socializing.

One of Marholmen's strengths is that groups of all sizes feel equally comfortable here. Smaller meetings can have their own villa at their disposal, of which Villa Berg is the largest with 14 rooms. The historic Strandpavilion can be hired for private dinners or Christmas parties for up to 90 people. The largest meeting room accommodates 180 people, while events and kick-offs with many participants can rent the entire island with accommodation for almost 400 people.

"The nature here on the island means that we have fantastic opportunities to customize different types of meetings. A great advantage is that we have our own professional activity team that creates unique arrangements based on each customer's purpose and needs", says Bibi Rydbacken.  

New this fall is the outdoor bath "7° Bad & Bastu" where groups of up to 50 people can enjoy hot outdoor baths in tubs, saunas, cold dips in the sea and comfortable lounges. The idea is for guests to spend most of their time outdoors.

"The average temperature during the year here at Marholmen is seven degrees - hence the name. We believe in lots of wonderful brewing and sauna hangouts, all year round and in all weather", Bibi concludes.

Facts Marholmen

• 34 hectares of archipelago nature
• One hour by car from Stockholm, Uppsala and Arlanda.
• Meeting rooms for up to 180 participants
• 50 modern hotel rooms with balcony or terrace
• 40 newly renovated cottages with living room, sauna & fireplace
• A total of 200 rooms and 368 beds
• Own activity team organizes e.g. Marholmen's Champions, boat orienteering or carpet curling tournament.
• The conference lunch can be served outdoors around an open fire.
• Mareld Spa with treatments, indoor and outdoor pool & sun therapy

Here our marketing manager Bibi Rydbacken tells journalist Oliver Hugemark about Marholmen during an interview for Scan Magazine in the summer of 2023.

1. tell us about your origins and history and memorable milestones on your journey.

People have been bathing, laughing, resting, developing, meeting and enjoying Marholmen for more than a hundred years and we have a beautiful heritage to manage.

In 1913, Nils & Hanna Berg donated part of the island to the labor movement (LO) to set up a rest home and a school for female factory workers. The first principal of the school was Natanael Beskow, who was married to the famous children's author Elsa. In the summers they lived on Marholmen and stood together on the bridge to welcome the new pupils to the island. Some of Elsa's fairy tales are inspired by Marholmen.

Today Marholmen is owned and developed by the Swedish Municipal Workers' Union and we are convinced that we at Marholmen have the opportunity to contribute to a better society.

2. tell us about your values, passion, inspirations, and what drives you and your employees?

Marholmen is not a Mediterranean resort. It is an island in Swedish nature. Here, every season is its own celebration and our guests get a stay that takes advantage of everything that belongs to an island in Roslagen. Our food, our history, our culture and our way of being.

The warm atmosphere and the casual and caring approach make everyone feel at home. We want our guests to leave with the feeling that they have had a wonderful experience that they want to return to and share with others.

3. Tell us about the relationship you and your business have with the Roslagen archipelago?

In classical mythology, islands are a place where the gods live. Everyone is welcome to Marholmen. The bridge over to Marholmen is like the gateway to another world, embraced by water and offering unique experiences, adventures and memories for life.

At Marholmen, you can get away from the noise and stress of the city and embrace the peace and beauty of the surrounding nature.

4. What is unique about living with you?

I often meet guests who spent their summer vacation at Marholmen as children and who continue the tradition of coming back again and again with their own children. Many guests who are here for a kickoff or conference, come back with family and friends - and vice versa! I think it is because of the relaxed atmosphere, the beautiful nature, the good food and that there is always something new to discover and do as we are a place in constant development.

5. What are the most popular activities and excursions at the hotel and on the island?

Swimming, canoeing, boat trips and glamping on rafts moored at Rackaren Island are just some of the activities available on the island. All year round you can enjoy the Mareld Spa with light therapy, or buy a Kolbulle cooked over an open fire at one of our barbecue areas. At Badholmen you can try a cold bath, sauna and enjoy our hot tubs. A new feature this fall is the outdoor pool 7° Bad & Bastu. For groups, there is also a wide range of activities to suit everyone, including challenging your colleagues on the Marholmens Mästare activity course - which is just as fun as it sounds!

6. What different options do your guests have to customize their stay with you?

As a guest at Marholmen, the accommodation options are many. Whether you choose to stay in a comfortable hotel room with its own terrace or balcony, a charming Marholmen cottage or a characterful villa, there is something for everyone. For those who want a unique experience, Marholmen also offers glamping tents on Rackaren Island during the summer months and pitches with electrical outlets for those who bring their own accommodation all year round.

7. Finally, what is the best thing about Marholmen in short?

That we take Nils and Hanna's legacy further by making it possible for many to experience, meet and rest at Marholmen, We hope and believe that they would be proud of today's Marholmen and rejoice that everyone is still welcome here, more than a hundred years later. 

Marholmen's unique history and magical surroundings make it easy to find both inspiration and well-being. Together with the ancient houses and food, Roslagsön with its bridge connection to the mainland is a perfect setting for a successful conference just an hour from central Stockholm.

At Marholmen we have about twenty meeting rooms that vary in size and design. How you want to use our premises can be tailored to your particular group. We have meeting rooms that are ideal for everything from small groups to up to 180 participants.

The island offers accommodation for up to 368 people in several different types of accommodation:

• 50 comfortable and modern hotel rooms
• 40 scenic and newly renovated cottages equipped with a large comfortable living room and kitchen, TV, bathroom, three bedrooms, fireplace and sauna.
• Seven villas of different sizes with room for up to 14 people in the largest one
• Five glamping tents for the summer season
• 15 pitches for your own motorhomes or caravans

Open your bedroom window and fall asleep to nature's own music!

Our most important goal here at Marholmen is for you to enjoy your stay with us. The food is an important part of the experience and our chef does everything to offer a memorable taste experience. The menu is based on the genuine Swedish flavors and is adapted based on the season.

Historical heritage, beautiful surroundings and all kinds of modern features, including hot tubs and a relaxation area. At Villa Berg, your conference will be something out of the ordinary.

The original style of the listed Villa Berg has largely been preserved, which means that we can offer our guests a unique conference facility of very high quality with a historical setting. If your activity or conference requires privacy and beautiful surroundings, Villa Berg is an obvious choice. Here you will find an inspiring meeting environment that is well equipped for the modern conference. You have the whole house to yourself and our project managers are always on hand.

In the basement of the house there is a wine cellar and a relaxation area with a sauna. Directly adjacent to the relaxation area is a hot tub that can be used all year round. If you want to swim, there is a private jetty just below.

Food and drink is a very important part of the stay at Villa Berg and meals are taken either in the villa or at the main island building a short walk away.

Villa Berg has 14 bright bedrooms with modern standards. All rooms are tastefully decorated and modernly equipped with comfortable beds, wifi and private bathrooms. The fully tiled bathrooms have a shower and WC. A scenic view of the archipelago landscape with the bay outside is the icing on the cake.

Villa Berg is unlike anything else. The feeling is of stepping into a bygone era. You want to stay here.

Welcome!

North of Stockholm in the middle of Roslagen is the Marholmen hotel complex. It is its own island and destination for relaxation and rest but also for food and nature experiences.

The sunis beaming in through the car window, outside the tree buds are bursting and the meadows along the road are coming back to life. It's early summer, which is by far the best time of year. We have everything ahead of us. All the warm days, all the swimming, all the summer evenings, everything. We also have a weekend on Marholmen ahead of us. The car whizzes over the bridge onto Marholmen. We have a tight schedule to get everything done during this 24 hours that we will spend here together with a number of good friends.

First on the agenda is a decathlon in the forest. We walk over small bridges and footbridges and finally arrive at a small island where the decathlon will take place. We are divided into teams and compete against each other in elaborate and well-constructed events. This is not a decathlon with a dartboard and tennis balls thrown at cans. Here we get to throw an axe, shoot a bow and arrow, saw off trees and play ghost ball against each other. A lot of fun.

Immediately after the decathlon, we stop at the cold bath on the way back to the hotel. Here, overlooking the bay, we will relax for a couple of hours with a cold bath, sauna and hot tub. I immediately hear how it starts to crackle around me. I quickly think "something is breaking here". But then I turn around and in a chorus, the whole party has cracked open a beer each and everyone is now on their way down to the spa.

After the cold bath, we go to our hotel rooms. We step into a hotel room with a fantastic sea view. We change for the evening's dinner at the hotel, but before we go down, we sit on the balcony. In silence we sit there and look at the water which is completely still. We are interrupted by the phone ringing. We have completely lost track of time and the others are now waiting for us in the restaurant.

We start dinner with an incredible cauliflower soup flavored with oysters, smoked cod, broad beans and radish. We continue the dinner with herb roasted lamb with herb parmesan, wild garlic butter, haricots verts, red wine sauce and potato puree. Finally,
we enjoy a dessert consisting of puff pastry with rhubarb, almonds, pistachios and vanilla cream. The evening ends with a conversation about life.

We wake up, draw the curtains and open the balcony door. We retire to bed. The morning sun shines in, while we can once again look out over the water.

The breakfast buffet is a real treat, with a wide range of everything. I go "all in" on salmon, yogurt with berries and granola. We take our breakfast out into the morning sun.

Before heading home, we play a round of golf on the adventure miniature golf course. One of the company is a golfer and even though it is miniature golf, it looks like he is on the PGA Tour. The course will be inspected and there will be a test putt next to the ball. Okay, he might win, but the margin to the rest of us is not in proportion to the commitment to the whole miniature golf round. We pack the car and leave Marholmen with great memories.

The article is written by Filip Jarl and was published by Affärsresenären and Kickoff magazine in June 2023. https://issuu.com/tidningenkickoff/docs/ar2304

Among all the groups that meet at Marholmen, few choose what we in the industry call a "Kaluka meeting", i.e. coffee, lunch, coffee in a conference room with four walls. No, here almost everyone takes the opportunity to discover the island, our spa or spend time in nature! And as you know, there is no bad weather, so you can come all year round.

You will be welcomed to Marholmen by one of our professional project managers, who will keep track of all the details and the day's schedule. After a morning meeting, which usually includes an invigorating coffee break and sometimes a walking meeting around the island, it is time to enjoy lunch around one of our Ofirs, where the chef grills the day's lunch with the sea as an extra spice.

Re-energized, you gather again for another couple of hours of meetings, before it's time for our project manager to make another entrance. Because now it's time for a team-building activity! Among our most popular activities is Marholmen's Champions. And anyone who has seen the program understands what it is all about - a competition where you use both bud and bud. Just one suggestion among many activities that can be done here at Marholmen! See all the possibilities here>>

During the evening dinner, the lucky winners will be announced. But before that, there's time to relax in the Mareld Spa, swim in the hot tub at Badholmen, hang out in the bar or just relax in your hotel room or in our cozy cottages or villas here on the island. The next day it's time to return to everyday life again. Now as an even more tightly knit group, strengthened by the fresh air on Marholmen and new shared memories.

A kickoff is one of your best tools to set the tone for the corporate culture you want your business to have. The better relationships your employees have, the more easily they understand, communicate and read each other, which in turn allows for more creativity and faster problem solving. Few things build teams as effectively as a fun and inclusive team building activity. Here are our top tips for team building activities during your kickoff.

We are now seeing more and more reports that reinforce the picture of how important pieces of the puzzle for successful businesses - such as creativity, collaboration and corporate culture - are suffering because we have not been able to meet physically during the corona pandemic. The purpose of a kickoff is not only to anchor the goals of the business or project with all employees or project members, it is also a chance for all participants to build and deepen relationships. Because when we build relationships, we also build the all-important team spirit and trust in our colleagues. This is the glue that makes us a 'we'. The better the relationships, the easier it is to understand and read each other, which in turn creates room for creativity and problem solving. In short, the kickoff is a tool to set the tone for the corporate culture you want to characterize your business.

So far, so good. But choosing an activity that the whole group can appreciate, participate in and that achieves the purpose of your kickoff can be tricky. What to choose? How to think about it?

Our advice is to spend some time choosing the right activity that reflects the purpose and objectives of your meeting. If the group doesn't already know each other well, the purpose is probably to get to know each other. Consider making the activity a collaborative exercise with plenty of time to talk and interact with each other, such as cooking together. Does the group already know each other well? Then perhaps a more experiential activity, such as a high-altitude course, would bring the team together and increase trust?

Consider not organizing a half-day of mountain climbing if there are people in the group who have physical limitations or disabilities. Also, don't choose a quiz on Swedish pop songs during dinner if any of the employees did not grow up in Sweden. And a karaoke night can be quite stiff if it's a new group that doesn't already know each other well...

Here are a number of activities that you can do here on Marholmen to inspire you:

• Masters of Marholmen

Challenge yourself together with your colleagues! In Marholmens Mästare, you practice the ability to cooperate and weld the team together, while becoming a snack for a long time to come. The activity takes place outdoors on Strömsholmen when the weather permits. In the cold and rain, we have just as much fun in our activity cellar.

• Boat orientation

Get to know the islet around Marholmen and embark on a breathtaking adventure at sea! As a team, collect clues from buoys and solve the puzzle under time pressure. May the best team win!

• Yoga Walk About with forest bathing

Take the whole group out for a lovely, leader-led yoga walk with Forest Bathing on the island to replenish energy levels, boost creativity - and spirits.

• Half past seven at Marholmen

Our Dinner Box is a cooking activity consisting of a three-course dinner prepared by our chefs, which you prepare together and eat in your cottage or villa. Suitable for groups up to 6 people. If you book Villa Berg, you can do the activity for up to 14 people.

• Escape Box

Does your team work well together under pressure? With this activity, you will strengthen and build team cohesion while solving an advanced spy game as secret agents. A lot of fun!

• Play adventure golf

Adventure golf is a sport for everyone - from colleagues who already play at a professional level to those who have never held a golf club. On our course, everyone is challenged! The tournament ends with an award ceremony.

• Conference lunch over an open fire

Even the conference lunch can be an experience here! Gathering around an open fire to cook and eat together is in our DNA, paving the way for creative conversations.

• Spa provision

Reward your team with a relaxing moment in the Mareld Spa after a long day of productive meetings. Features include a whirlpool, a dry sauna overlooking the bay and a steam room with a starry ceiling.

• Challenge each other in boules

It only takes a few minutes to learn how to play boules but it is said to take years to master all the tactical and technical subtleties. Boule is an increasingly popular sport.

• Mat curling

Challenge your colleagues to carpet curling in Grosshandlargården's historic building. This is an activity suitable for those who have little time but want to do something fun together.

• Go on a kayak tour

Rent kayaks and enjoy a nature experience on the lake. Instructors will accompany you if you wish and life jackets are of course included. 

• Fishing with guide and equipment

Book a half day, full day or an afterwork on the lake! You will be taken on an exciting fishing trip on fully equipped sport fishing boats with a professional fishing guide and all the necessary equipment.

• Ping pong tournament in Båthuset

In Marholmen's boathouse, located below the hotel, icy winds blow in through the walls. With the heat from the roof, your hat on and a table tennis racket in your hand, you can play a game of unusual table tennis.

• Badholmen with its own hot tub

Badholmen has two hot tubs, a private sandy beach and a sauna that you can rent for the whole group for two hours. Snacks and drinks can be ordered for a magical moment on the private headland.

• Music quiz

A music quiz with a troubadour is a team-building, laughter-inducing activity suitable for groups of all types and sizes. A perfect end to the day or mood enhancing party starter.

• Cold bath with sauna

Challenge yourself to a refreshing cold bath followed by a sauna that is good for both body and soul. You rent the entire Badholmen for private use. Complete the experience with drinks and snacks.

Remember! Choose activities during the kick-off that reflect your purpose and goals. If the aim is to get to know each other, consider some kind of cooperation exercise, such as cooking together. And don't organize a half-day of mountain climbing if there are people in the group who have physical limitations or disabilities. Also, don't choose a quiz on Swedish pop songs during dinner if any of the employees did not grow up in Sweden.

It's mid-July at the time of writing, but soon enough we'll be in the middle of the Christmas party season, which is already starting to be booked. For most people, the festive gathering at work on the eve of the holiday season is just fun. But for some, anxiety about knowing who to talk to or what kind of behavior to accept can create stress before the party. 

Here are seven tips to make this year's Christmas party safer and more fun for you and your colleagues.

1. Talk aboutsomething other than work
Break the pattern and talk about something other than what you do during the day. After all, the Christmas party is a social occasion where the focus should be on just that. Not sure what to say? Ask questions! Most people love to talk about themselves.

2. Dare to broaden your horizon
Don't just talk to colleagues you already know. Talk to everyone. Both because it's nice to get to know new people, but also because it doesn't hurt to have good relationships with colleagues in departments you don't usually work with.

3. Skip the negative talk
Avoid talking shit, complaining about your boss or whining about a difficult customer. If someone is still talking shit - ask them to take it up with the person concerned and say "this sounds important, but it doesn't feel like it concerns me. I should have taken it up with xx instead."

4. Dealing with inappropriate jokes and comments
If you are the target of inappropriate comments or jokes, or see someone else being targeted, it is important to speak up, even though it may be difficult. One way to speak up without being rude to the person is to lower the behavior, but raise the person. For example: "When you say that, you sound sexist and it feels strange, because you are not sexist. You would benefit from not making such jokes in the future."

5. Take a break fromyour phone
Pay attention to the people there instead of your smartphone. Be present and get to know the other people at the Christmas party, rather than just documenting it. And if you are going to post something on social media, wait until afterwards and ask for approval from those in the picture.

6. If you are a manager - act as a role model!
If you are a manager, remember that employees look to you to see how they should behave. Both in terms of how you behave yourself, but also what behavior you accept from others. If there is someone who you know is at risk of behaving badly, have a little chat with the person before the party.

And finally, don't forget to have fun!

At Marholmen you can book a Christmas party in your own historic venue for 30-80 people. Contact us for our Christmas party packages.

We thank the rhetoric agency Snacka Snyggt for tips 2-7, which were first published in an article in Svenska Mötens magazine in the fall of 2019.

Are you looking for the perfect location for your next conference or kickoff? Are you looking for a destination that combines natural beauty, comfort and opportunities for productive meetings? Then look no further than Marholmen - a gem in the Roslagen archipelago, just an hour away from Stockholm and Arlanda Airport.

An inspiring and secluded environment

One of the main advantages of choosing Marholmen for your next corporate event is its inspiring and secluded environment. At Marholmen, you will have the opportunity to get away from the noise and stress of the city and instead embrace the tranquility and beauty of the surrounding nature. The 34-hectare island offers a perfect combination of greenery and water, providing a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere perfect for stimulating creativity and focused meetings.

Varied meeting environments

Marholmen offers a variety of conference rooms that can be adapted to your specific needs and wishes. Whether you are planning a smaller meeting in one of the historic villas or a larger conference in the spacious Skeppet, there are options to suit your group. You can also choose to rent the entire island to create an exclusive and customized experience for your company.

Accommodation for all needs

At Marholmen there are accommodation options to suit all participants' preferences and requirements. Whether it is a comfortable hotel room with its own terrace or balcony, a charming archipelago cottage or a characterful villa, there is something for everyone. For those who want a unique experience, Marholmen also offers glamping tents on the island of Rackaren during the summer months, as well as pitches with electrical outlets for those who bring their own accommodation all year round.

Tailor-made activities and teambuilding activities

Marholmen has an experienced activities team that can help create customized activities and team building exercises to strengthen cooperation and team spirit within your company. Whether it's outdoor activities that challenge participants or more relaxed activities that promote team building, there are opportunities to create memorable experiences that strengthen the bonds between colleagues and increase engagement.

Proximity to Stockholm and Arlanda Airport

Another advantage of choosing Marholmen is its proximity to Stockholm and Arlanda Airport. With only an hour away from the capital and the airport, it is easy for participants to get to and from the venue. This saves time and minimizes travel, allowing the conference or kickoff to begin smoothly and efficiently.

Summary

Marholmen is not only a beautiful and secluded place in the Roslagen archipelago, but also an ideal destination for conferences and kickoffs. With its inspiring setting, varied meeting environments, comfortable accommodation, customized activities and proximity to Stockholm and Arlanda Airport, Marholmen offers a complete experience for companies looking for a place where productivity and relaxation can be combined in the best possible way.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. How do I book a conference or kickoff at Marholmen? To book a conference or kickoff at Marholmen and get help to plan and customize the event based on your needs, please contact the booking department by phone +46 (0) 771 16 17 00 or e-mail bokning@marholmen.se.
2. Is it possible to rent the entire island for a corporate event? Yes, it is possible to rent the entire island for a corporate event. This gives you exclusive access to all areas, premises and accommodation on Marholmen.
3. What types of activities can be arranged for team building? Marholmen offers a range of activities for team building, including outdoor activities such as boat orienteering, canoeing, team challenges such as Marholmen's Champions, spa, bath and sauna experiences and much more. Their activity team can work with you to create a tailor-made experience to suit your needs and goals.

Marholmen changes its logo and launches a new website. At the same time, all of the island's signs will be replaced with a new, uniform design and feel.

- " From the very first time I came here to Marholmen, I saw the potential in developing the brand to do justice to this beautiful island and its great history. Now it is so much fun to see how everything grows into a whole that reflects the feeling here on Marholmen," says Bibi Rydbacken, Marketing Manager at Marholmen.

The new brand is part of a larger effort to develop the island and put Marholmen on the map as a year-round destination. The project includes a number of other initiatives on the island to update Marholmen's concept and attract new target groups. Partners in the development of the concept and brand are the architectural firm Krook & Tjäder and Tinktur.

Marholmen's website will be launched on April 12 and before the end of April the entire rebranding will be completed.