Stockholm International Fairs' latest expansion was completed at the turn of the year. The new 10,000 m2 area means the company can make existing exhibitions larger, conduct other events in parallel and attract new customers. The new hall has been eagerly awaited.

Sweden is bitterly cold, and experts disagree on whether the recession has reached its bottom or not. But at Stockholm International Fairs, spring is in the air. CEO Patric Sjoberg has just opened the doors to a brand new exhibition hall that in one stroke increases the venue's capacity by almost 20%.

"Of course we're affected by the recession, but most of the larger events are booked several years in advance. An individual event may be slightly smaller one year, but by and large, the general trend, for congresses in particular, is growth both in number and size. Meetings between people are very important, and we see this reflected in the demand from both our Swedish and international customers.
  
“We have several exhibitions of our own that used to require the entire venue. Now it will be easier for us to accommodate customers we previously had to turn down. We will also be able to run several fairs with similar themes at the same time, and we know that this will be appreciated by our visitors. As they are already here, for example, boating enthusiasts will take the chance to call in at the Wilderness Fair and vice versa," explains Patric Sjoberg.

Furthermore, it will now be easier for Stockholm International Fairs to lease its facilities to external exhibition organisers. Larger areas and new restaurant passages in combination with adaptable and flexible solutions will generate more possibilities and thereby more customers. Even before this expansion, Stockholm International Fairs was the Nordic region's largest congress venue, and it is now among the elite in northern Europe.

"Our increased ability to 'package' the premises not only opens up opportunities for new congress concepts, but also for entirely new events such as other functions and large banquets. We have the capacity, we have the efficiency and we have first-class skills in managing everything we do, from food, accommodation and transportation to actual participation in an exhibition. We are well-equipped to face the future," concludes Patric Sjoberg.

Facts: the extension
- Architect: Alessandro Ripellino, Rosenbergs arkitekter
- Construction company: Varmdo Bygg
- Exhibition area: 10,000 m2
- Floor 1: 11,500 m2
- Floor 0: (garage, technical areas etc.) 12,800 m2
- Number of panels in the metal mesh facade: 1,556
- Number of light fittings in the facade: 331
- Number of fountains in the pond: 71
- Amount of water in the pond: 89,600 litres
- Total curtain length: 1 km.