International business takes the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre to new heights

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre breaks visit and sales records for the third consecutive year. In 2016, the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre Group, of which hotel Gothia Towers is a part, increased its total number of visits by 3.5% to almost 1.8 million visits. The Group achieved peak sales of EUR 133 million.

“Never has international demand been higher than now,” says Carin Kindbom, President and CEO, Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre. “We have seen a significant increase, and in 2016 we organised several more major global corporate events. This is the result of a conscious drive to strengthen our position in the global market.”

“Our ‘everything under one roof’ offering makes us very attractive and competitive internationally,” adds Carin. Gothia Towers is one of Europe’s ten largest hotels, with a total of 1,200 rooms as well as exhibition halls, meeting rooms, restaurants, spa and other facilities. All this in combination makes the complex unique of its kind.”

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre Group had net sales of EUR 133 million in 2016, an increase of 6 per cent from 2015. The total organic growth for the last two years, 2015-2016, is 35 per cent. The profit after financial items was EUR 14 million in 2016.

“Our positive growth clearly shows that our investments in the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre is very well received by the market, and that it creates new business and profitable growth”, says Carin Kindbom.

In 2016 several of exhibitions attracted more visitors and exhibitors than ever before, an average increase by 8,5% per fair.

“ Our vision is to become Europe’s most attractive venue by offering the best overall experience. But it is not only a vision, it is also a committment,” explains Carin Kindbom.We will soon roll out an ambitious plan for expansion which includes, in the first phase, the construction of a new storey with flexible hall areas for fairs, conferences, concerts and other events.”

ABOUT THE SWEDISH EXHIBITION & CONGRESS CENTRE

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre Group, of which Gothia Towers is a part, is owned by the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre Foundation and has the mission of promoting industry. The Foundation is financially independent so has no owners or investors. All investments are made on the Foundation’s merits and all surplus is reinvested in the business. The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre’s vision is to become Europe’s most attractive forum by offering the best overall experience.