The other day I received an email from WOM World / Nokia inviting me to a 3-day workshop in Helsinki. The email sounded almost too good to be true, but it’s turned out to be real, and come September I’ll be off to Helsinki. Here’s part of the email:

As a quick intro, I’m from the WOM World / Nokia. We’re a Nokia-sponsored blog covering what’s being said in the social media about Nokia devices and services.

We sometimes help Nokia run events involving participants from social media, like bloggers and forum members. The latest being a new annual workshop that hopes to involve an eclectic mix of the online community in a discussion of what the future holds for everything from mobile technology to media creation. It’s a three day event in Helsinki and we’d like to invite you, flights and accommodation paid for.

It’s taking place in September between the 11th and 14th, and will be the first of its kind hosted by Nokia. We’re contacting everyone from creative’s, designers, video producers to open source software bloggers and mobile tech pioneers. There will be a number of workshops that’ll see discussion with participants, and with Nokia guys, about the future of different online arenas and mobile technology. Workshops that we hope you’d like to join in with and make yourself heard.

Like we mentioned, Nokia will cover expenses, including return flights, accommodation, food etc, we are flexible on return dates, if you’d like to come back on the 13th that’s fine. You’ll also be provided with a ‘trial pack’ that will include a Nokia device and other things for trial prior to and during the event.

From a follow-up email: “Topics will revolve around subjects including; Navigation, people and places, neighbourhood, collaboration, music and games through to working life, email and how to improve upon what we already have.”

I’ve no idea what the criteria were for invitation, but it’s definitely an amazing opportunity and I’m super-excited to be going.