Gothenburg, Sweden’s second city, was founded in 1621 by the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus II. As the largest port of the Nordic countries, it was dominated by shipping and trade for centuries, and for its 300th year the city celebrated by opening its first ever exhibition hall, covering a staggering 40,000sq m.
Today the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, created after the success of Sweden’s first exhibition in 1918, manages a total floor area of 145,000sq m, and has expanded its experience and expertise to match.
The centre is a distinctive presence on the city’s skyline. As well as encompassing Scandinavia’s largest hotel – the 704 room Gothia Towers – the facilities include 41,000sq m of exhibition and conference space, comprising nine exhibition halls and 50 meeting rooms. Each year over one million people visit the centre to take part in around 30 exhibitions and hundreds of conferences and congresses, large and small.
Mix business with pleasure
The complex’s unique location in Gothenberg’s entertainment centre makes it especially attractive for cultivating business relationships during exhibitions, congresses and large events. The nearby Scandinavium arena hosts a variety of events including ice hockey, athletics and horse shows, as well as live music, comedy and other entertainment acts. The Universeum science discovery centre, the Museum of World Culture and the Gothenburg Concert Hall and Theatre also feature in the nearby thoroughfare of attractions.
And right on the doorstep of the Exhibition and Congress Centre is the Liseberg amusement park, home of the award-winning wooden rollercoaster Balder, a perfectly unusual and memorable venue.
Established expertise
The Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre foundation was established to promote trade and industry in western Sweden, and despite the recession they have continued to do so, contributing significantly to the city’s success. For Lennart Mankert, President and CEO, this is due to “our strong brand name, the commitment of our people, and our successful customer-oriented teamwork.”
All of the foundation’s enterprises are operated by their own in-house teams, allowing staff to learn from each other’s successes and develop the expertise and service expected in a first-class venue. The restaurant operation, Mr Mankert says, is a case in point. The seven restaurants, bars and party venues in the complex – the largest catering for up to 5,000 people – have been operated completely in-house since 2008, and have enjoyed large increases in turnover and results.
The foundation intends to continue its programme of investment, expanding the centre to match the growth expectations of its clients. “In 2008 we made net investments in our complex of more than SEK 100m (£9m),” Mr Mankert says. “We are continuing to pursue the detailed planning for a multi-purpose hall, which will increase our exhibition and congress space by 8,000sq m, equivalent to 20 percent of the total exhibition area.”
With a sterling pedigree, a vast amount of flexible space and the expertise of committed professionalism, the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre really offers the conference and event organiser a unique and engaging opportunity.
SE-412 94 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Tel: +46 31 708 8000; fax: +46 31 16 0330; infomaster@svenskamassan.se; www.svenskamassan.se
