Record year for congresses

Congress sales at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre are approaching a record year.
The number of agreed congresses so far this year is more than double compared with the same period last year.
“What we are seeing is the result of strategic work and the investment in our three towers,” says Malin Erlandsson, Director of Association Sales.

During the first six months of the year, a total of 15 congress deals were concluded, of which four were major international scientific conferences involving between 2,500 and 4,000 participants.
These deals are agreed several years in advance and relate to events that will take place between 2018 and 2021.
“The pressure is enormous right now,” says Malin Erlandsson, who feels that the positive trend is a result of strategic and goal-oriented work together with Göteborg & Co.

Most of the agreed congresses are within medicine and science.
“Naturally, our close cooperation with Sahlgrenska Academy and industry, including companies such as Astra Zeneca, SCA Hygien and Mölnlycke Healthcare, is also hugely important.

Another, more long-term explanation for this success is the SEK 1.2 billion investment in the conference facility between 2011 and 2014. A third tower was constructed with 450 new rooms, and a new hotel concept was launched along with new restaurants, lounge areas and art.
“The fact that we have been able to increase our capacity, giving us what is now Europe’s largest fully-integrated hotel and conference facility means an awful lot,” says Malin.

“Internationally, we are seeing how interest in organising conferences and events here just keeps growing. Our facility is increasingly included in the final discussions for the really large, prestigious congresses.”