Norway’s biggest trade fair and events arena achieves record result

In 2023, NOVA Spektrum Foundation, which operates some of Norway’s most prominent venues for trade fairs, events, and concerts, achieved a record turnover, marking a recovery after the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. This success has fuelled plans to transform its Oslo Spektrum into a forward-thinking meeting space in the Nordic region, dedicated to business, cultural, and organisational activities. NOVA Spektrum Foundation oversees two of Norway’s largest arenas: NOVA Spektrum and Oslo Spektrum Arena. The former, with a sprawling area of 40,000sqm, is Norway’s largest hub for business exhibitions and events. The latter, situated in central Oslo, is renowned as the country’s top venue for cultural and entertainment events. In the past year, these arenas hosted 123 significant events, attracting around 640,000 visitors. Financially, the foundation reported a turnover of Nkr578m (£52.5m) and an EBITDA of Nkr103m (£8.9m), an increase from the previous year and the second-best result in its history. Gunn Helen Hagen, the CEO of NOVA Spektrum Foundation, said: “During the corona pandemic, it was predicted that digital and hybrid meeting places would take over. We now see that these predictions were incorrect. Physical events like concerts, shows, and exhibitions are proving stronger than ever,” she stated. Hagen also highlighted the advantages of physical venues in fostering dialogue, trust, and creativity, essential for individual and business success.