STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL FAIRS SET FOR STRONG CONGRESS YEAR

2009 is set to be a very strong congress year for Stockholm International Fairs. The congress year at Stockholm International Fairs kicked off on 17th March with the international meeting for urologists, the Annual EAU Congress, attracting 11,500 delegates. In total, over 32,000 international congress delegates are expected to visit Stockholm International Fairs during the year.

"At least 18 international congresses will be held at Stockholm International Fairs this year. The European Association of Urology, EAU, is holding its annual congress here on 17th-21st March. It's attended by the world's leading urologists," explains Karin Mäntymäki, Congress Manager at Stockholm International Fairs. EAU is holding its annual congress at Stockholm International Fairs for the second time. The first time they were here was 10 years ago, in 1999.

It is estimated that the 11,500 EAU urology congress delegates will spend a total of SEK 315 million on hotels, restaurants, transport and shopping during their visit to Stockholm.

"Congresses of this size are of vital importance to Stockholm and its image as a meeting destination. Stockholm is one of the most popular congress cities in the world, and the numerous congresses to be held here this year will generate more billions for Stockholm's tourism industry," says Clary Rapp, acting Director Conventions and Meetings at Stockholm Visitors Board.

"This is just the start of a truly fantastic congress year. We are delighted that Stockholm International Fairs is considered to be such an attractive exhibition and congress venue that many of the larger congresses wish to return here. Next year, for example, the ESC cardiology congress, Europe's largest medical congress with 25,000 delegates, will be returning for the fifth time to Stockholm International Fairs," concludes Karin Mäntymäki.

For more information, please contact:
Björn Delin, Communications Manager, Stockholmsmässan
Mobile: +46 70 789 44 03
E-mail: bjorn.delin@stofair.se

Ann-Charlotte Jönsson, Press Manager, Stockholm Visitors Board
Mobile: +46 76 825 49 92
E-mail: ann-charlotte.jonsson@svb.stockholm.se

Stockholm International Fairs is the leading organiser in the Baltic Sea Region and organises some 60 industry-leading exhibitions as well as around 100 national and international congresses, conferences and events annually. Every year we welcome 10,000 exhibitors, 1.5 million visitors and more than 8,000 journalists from all over the world.