For the first time, I had the opportunity to attend the Möten & Event trade fair in Stockholm. The two-day programme was very intensive. Throughout the day, presentations and expert talks took place simultaneously on three stages, complemented by an awards gala. According to the organisers, this was one of the best editions in the history of the event, bringing together more than 150 exhibitors and over 3,000 visitors.
Kistamässan and the Kista district – Sweden’s technology hub and trade fair location
The fair was held at the Kistamässan Exhibition and Convention Centre, located outside central Stockholm. Getting there, however, is very quick and convenient – the journey from Stockholm Central Station took around 15 minutes by train. The journey itself was already an interesting experience, especially when stepping off the train at Helenelund station, surrounded by a winter landscape covered in snow.
From a distance, the distinctive Scandic Victoria Tower catches the eye – one of the tallest hotels in Scandinavia, rising 34 storeys above the district. The Kistamässan exhibition hall is located right next to it.
The Kista district itself is noteworthy from an economic perspective. For many years, it has been referred to as the “Swedish Silicon Valley”, as numerous technology companies, particularly Ericsson, have established their headquarters and research and development centres there.
Convention Bureau at Möten & Event – networking with the Swedish meetings market
As it was my first time attending this event, I was not entirely sure what to expect. Interestingly, the fair does not operate on the classic pre-scheduled appointment system known from many other industry trade shows. This meant that attracting visitors required a proactive and open approach. For me, this aspect proved particularly interesting and inspiring. Conversations developed spontaneously and networking had a noticeably more informal character.
At the trade fair, the Poland Convention Bureau exhibited jointly with the Polish Tourism Organisation Foreign Office in Stockholm. Poland was one of only two international destinations represented at the event, which allowed us to stand out and engage in numerous conversations with Swedish participants. Interestingly, during the fair I also spoke with representatives of five other national convention bureaux who were curious about our impressions of the event and were considering participating in the next edition.
A significant number of visitors to the Polish stand emphasised that they had already travelled to Poland before – most often to Sopot and Gdańsk, Kraków and Warsaw. Almost everyone described their experiences in our country in very positive terms. Such strong recognition and favourable opinions about Poland on the Swedish market provided an excellent starting point for discussions about organising meetings and events in our destination.
A distinctive Swedish approach to trade fair exhibiting and relationship-building
One aspect that particularly caught my attention was the distinctive Swedish style of exhibiting at trade fairs. It was relatively open and often based on simple games or light sporting activities that served as icebreakers. This created a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on the exhibition floor. Conversations felt authentic and were primarily focused on building relationships and trust.
Promoting GDS-Forum & Impact Day 2026 in Szczecin
During the fair, together with the Szczecin Convention Bureau, Poland invited participants to attend the GDS-Forum & Impact Day 2026, which will take place in Szczecin on 16–18 June 2026. It will be the first edition of this event held in Poland, and securing it for Szczecin can be compared to hosting major international meetings for the Polish industry, such as MPI EMEC in 2015 or the ICCA Congress in 2022, both organised at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre.
Unique event venues in Stockholm: the Vasa Museum
Speaking about congress and event venues in Stockholm, it is also worth sharing impressions from visits to two remarkable locations. The first was the Vasa Museum (Vasa Museet), home to the famous 17th-century warship Vasa. This is truly a place that has to be experienced in person.
During our evening visit, right next to the historic shipwreck, tables were being prepared for a prestigious dinner for around one hundred guests. The museum can host events for up to 700 participants, offering a truly unique setting.
Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre – one of Scandinavia’s leading congress venues
The second venue was the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre. Visiting this location prompted reflections about some cities that still do not have a congress centre of comparable scale and standard. Why is that?
First, the location is exceptional. The venue is directly connected to Stockholm Central Station as well as to the T-Centralen metro station. From Stockholm Arlanda Airport, located about 40 kilometres from the city centre, it can be reached by the Arlanda Express train in approximately 20 minutes. Although the ticket is not among the cheapest, the journey is fast, comfortable and extremely well organised. From here, it is also just a short walk to the commercial district of Norrmalm and the historic old town of Gamla Stan.
The entire complex features an auditorium for around 3,000 participants as well as numerous conference rooms and event spaces. In total, there are 24 meeting rooms spread across five levels, allowing the venue to host both large international congresses and smaller meetings. During the site visit, one of the most impressive spaces was a hall accommodating around 2,000 participants, offering a panoramic view of one of Stockholm’s most recognisable landmarks – the City Hall – as well as the waters of Riddarfjärden.
The architecture of the complex is distinctive and eye-catching, particularly from the waterfront at Klara Mälarstrand, where the modern structure stands prominently. An integral part of the congress complex is the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, offering more than 400 rooms and providing natural on-site accommodation for delegates.
Numerous additional hotels are located nearby, including the Scandic Continental and the Sheraton Stockholm Hotel.
Bye bye Stockholm
My visit to Stockholm and active participation in the trade fair proved to be a very valuable experience and an opportunity to better understand the specific characteristics of the Swedish meetings market. Although the event is smaller in scale than the largest European trade shows, it offers an excellent insight into the nature of business relationships and networking culture in Scandinavia.
Visit my Instagram @jaroslaw_marciuk to find more photos and stories from Stockholm.
