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From 22–24 January, Gothenburg is at the centre of the international congress community as AC Forum (Associations & Conferences Forum) gathers at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre and Gothia Towers for its Annual Meeting. AC Forum is a non-profit association for international associations that regularly organise large rotating congresses across Europe and globally. Gothenburg’s selection as host city confirms its role as a global meetings destination and creates new business opportunities.
AC Forum’s Annual Meeting is hosted in a different European destination each year. In Gothenburg, representatives from AC Forum’s member associations will take part to exchange knowledge within their network. Participants will also experience Gothenburg firsthand, and gain insight into the destination’s strengths as a meetings city.
“Hosting AC Forum’s Annual Meeting is an important opportunity to strengthen Gothenburg’s joint efforts to attract major international congresses. When leaders from the global meetings industry are here in person, we can demonstrate the power of local collaboration”, says Annika Hallman, Head of the Gothenburg Convention Bureau at Göteborg & Co.
“Together with the Gothenburg Convention Bureau and the city’s wider network of destination partners, we have built a strong track record of attracting and delivering major international congresses over time. The hosting is a clear recognition of Gothenburg as an international meetings destination, strengthens our international relationships and creates conditions for future meetings that generate long-term value for the entire city“, says Malin Erlandsson, Director Congress & Events, Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre and Gothia Towers.
A strategic meeting strengthening Gothenburg’s international position
AC Forum brings together around 50 international associations in fields such as medicine, education and technology, Gothenburg’s key target groups for attracting congresses that contribute to knowledge exchange, innovation, talent development and international visibility.
Most of these associations deliver congresses with thousands of participants, and each event generates substantial economic impact for congress venues, hotels, restaurants, transport providers and other parts of the visitor industry. The combined potential amounts to several billion SEK.
The meeting in Gothenburg creates valuable connections that can influence future decisions. As host city, Gothenburg demonstrates its capacity in practice, from logistics and hosting to collaboration between industry, academia and society. This strengthens both the destination and local stakeholders in their long-term work to attract future international congresses and create lasting value for the visitor industry.
Hosting, experiences and knowledge-sharing for local partners
AC Forum’s Annual Meeting is hosted by Göteborg & Co and the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre and Gothia Towers, supported by the Gothenburg Association of Large Hotels and several local partners. This strong city-wide commitment enables participants to experience more of the destination and connect with a broad range of local stakeholders.
“Gothenburg offers a strong combination of professional congress infrastructure, a compact and walkable city centre and a clear commitment to collaboration and sustainability. Hosting our Annual Meeting here gives our members the opportunity to experience the destination first-hand, which is highly valuable when making future decisions about where international congresses are held”, says Finola Quinn, Association Manager, AC Forum.
About AC Forum
Associations & Conferences Forum (AC Forum) is an international association with just over 50 members, non-profit industry and scientific associations that regularly host major congresses. Among previous host cities are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin and Copenhagen.