Great Ideas, Fantastic Speakers

In early 2008, Jonas Bonnier approached Stefan Mehr of Bonnier Media University with an idea to create a completely different kind of media conference that had nothing explicit to do with Bonnier business. "We wanted to create something very unconventional, revolving around storytelling by outstanding speakers, since storytelling is the essence of what Bonnier is all about," says Mehr, who was charged with turning the idea into reality.

And so GRID was born. Launched in 2008, networking is at the heart of GRID, bringing together 250 exciting and passionate people from Bonnier companies around the globe for a two-day summit of idea-sharing, held Sept. 6-7 this year what was originally Alfred Nobel's gunpowder factory in Stockholm. Jonas Bonnier, also the moderator of the event, personally invites participants from all different areas of business within Bonnier to Stockholm. "Half the participants are new to GRID every year," says Mehr. "But it is also important for the continuity that some return from the previous year's conference." Which means an invitation to the conference could be on its way now to anyone within Bonnier.

Mehr and his team at Bonnier Media University are now faced with the challenge of raising the bar after two successful GRID events that have received a lot of positive feedback. "I wish we could take it easy, but we have to give this year's GRIDsters the best!" says Mehr. "This means lining up the most interesting and jaw-dropping speakers from all over - people who are doing incredible things in media, science, art and business. This year's theme is "It's All About Passion," so enthusiasm and commitment will be the common factor among an otherwise eclectic group of extraordinary speakers."

Mehr's goal is that GRIDsters be not only inspired by the Bonnier colleagues they meet but transformed by the experience. "I hope each person leaves the conference with at least one important idea they can't wait to try," Mehr says.

Stay tuned in August to find out who will be speaking at the conference and in September when select videos of speakers will be available at the GRID website here.