Gothenburg hosts Association World Congress 2019

Gothenburg emphasizes its ambition to be an important conference and meetings destination. In April 2019 Sweden’s second city welcomes the Associations World Congress to the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre (SECC) for the first time.

The agreement between the organizer, Association of Association Executives (AAE), and the three counterparts from Sweden was signed yesterday, Wednesday, in the Swedish monter at IBTM in Barcelona. It marks the end of a bidding process that has taken several years.

“This really is an exciting moment and a great achievement for us. Gothenburg has gained an excellent reputation as a meetings city over the years and our hope is that everyone will get a valuable experience about what the meeting city has to offer”, says Annika Hallman Director of Gothenburg & Co Convention Bureau.

The city’s success is, to a great extent, based on the ability to partner and collaborate with clients, hotels, restaurants, industry and the academic world. A fact that is greatly appreciated by visiting meeting associations.

“For three years we have put in a lot of effort to convince the organizers. Now we are extremely pleased that the Associations World Congress will be arranged in the very heart of Scandinavia”, says Per Ankaer, Director of Sales at MCI Nordics.

In recent years, Gothenburg has taken up the fight with the European capitals on the title of most attractive meeting place. In addition to the city’s ability to bring together the innovative business community, a knowledge-intensive academy, and a sustainability focus, it also has the perfect size and closeness to both fun activities, great food and nature within walking distance.

Recently the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, presented the third phase of its expansion plans. The planned expansion includes larger entrances, flexible meeting and event facilities and increased hotel capacity. The aim is to achieve a total hotel capacity of roughly 2,000 rooms by 2030.

“There’s a great demand from international associations and that’s why we’re expanding our venue. Our vision is to become Europe’s most attractive meeting place. Welcoming the Associations World Congress is a major step in our strategy to further establish ourselves and Gothenburg on the map.” says Malin Erlandsson, Director of Association Sales at SECC.

Contacts:

Annika Hallman, Gothenburg & Co Convention Bureau, annika.hallman@goteborg.com Tel: +46 313684052

Malin Erlandsson, Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, malin.erlandsson@svenskamassan.se Tel: +46 733818153

Per Ankaer, MCI Nordics, per.ankaer@mci-group.com

Tel: +45 6170240