EUROPE – Belgium’s Artexis is extending its Nordic presence with the acquisition of an exhibition centre and organiser in the Nordic region’s reputed ‘Silicon Valley’.
Artexis Nordic, a division of EasyFairs-owner Artexis, has acquired the Kistamässan Exhibition Centre in Stockholm, together with the venue’s exhibitions in a move to further consolidate its profile in the region.
The deal continues the company’s north European venue acquisition trail, a campaign that includes the acquisition of a new venue in Gothenburg.
Last year the Artexis Group built a new exhibition centre in Malmö titled Malmömässan, which opens in February, and the company already has a large trade show presence in the region through its trade show subsidiary, EasyFairs Nordic. Artexis also runs four venues in Belgium along with an international portfolio of more than 100 exhibitions.
The total revenue of Artexis Group companies in the Nordic region for 2012-13 is projected to be €27m (US$34.4).
Kistamässan opened in September 2008 and generates revenues of around €9m a year through 40 shows. These include the EasyFairs trade shows Butiksleverantör, Fastighetsmässa, Fastfood & Café, Möten & Events and other exhibitions such as Apoteksmässan, Sign Scandinavia, Gamex, Room & Garden, the Bakery Fair and the Sport and Leisure Fair.
“Kista is the Silicon Valley in the Nordic region, with more than 300 ICT companies within walking distance, including Ericsson’s world headquarters,” said Artexis Nordic CEO Peter Wanderyz. “It is also one of the fastest-growing areas in the Nordic region and is ideally located between the city centre and Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport.
“Now that there is an independent company managing two of the largest and best venues in Sweden, in Stockholm and Malmö, exhibitors have a real choice for the first time.”
Commenting on Artexis’ plans for the Nordic region and the eventual construction and management of a new venue in Gothenburg, Artexis Nordic chairman Håkan Gershagen told EW architects are currently creating designs, and predicted a completion date in spring 2014.
“The new venue would be docked into the Åby Trotting venue, ideally located in the outskirts of Gothenburg,” he said. “The new hall would be about 10,000sqm. Our target is to open during 2014.”
In March MCI Scandinavia MD Bosse Magnusson joins Artexis Nordic as business unit director of events. Magnusson previously served as business development manager at Stockholm International Fairs.
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