| 1918: |
An exhibition committee is appointed at the initiative of Norway’s business sector, and brings together representatives from the major Norwegian industry associations. Its job is to develop plans for a Norwegian trade fair organisation. At this time, in the wake of the First World War, Norway faces the threat of being flooded with foreign goods.
Our first logo.
At Akershus Castle.
|
| 1920: |
1920: The first Norwegian national trade fair is staged at Akershus Castle in the heart of Oslo on 5-12 September 1920. HM King Haakon performed the official opening. With 280 exhibitors, 8 000 registered buyers and 53 000 visitors, this event proves a successful combination of product presentation, business and popular festival. The national trade fair thereafter takes place annually, circulating between in Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen or Stavanger.
Visitors at the first trade fair on 5 September 1920.
The exhibition venue at Akershus Castle in 1923.
|
| 1925: |
We become an association, with members from the most important Norwegian industry associations.
|
| 1962: |
We move from Akershus Castle to a purpose-built exhibition centre at Sjølyst in western Oslo. The 14th national trade fair in 1958 was the last at the Castle, and Rolf Stranger – mayor of Oslo and our chair – laid the foundation stone for the new building at Sjølyst in August 1959. HM King Olav opens the 15th national trade fair on 3 May 1962 as the first event at the dedicated exhibition centre. The number of shows expands hugely after the move, from three in 1962 to no less than 24 in 1970.
The exhibition centre in the spring of 1962.
|
| 1963: |
The national policy is discontinued, and we also begin to organise exhibitions which include foreign exhibitors.
|
| 1964: |
This year’s motor show becomes our best-attended event of all time, with 172 000 visitors.
The original entrance on the eastern side of the building during the popular motor show in 1964.
|
| 1970: |
Activities expanded in the early 1970s. The organisation is built up, and the number of events increases. During these years, the basis is laid and developed for a number of the shows which now rank among our leading exhibitions.
HRH Crown Princess Sonja visits the Agricultural Fair at Sjølyst in 1977.
Female staff at Nor-Shipping in 1971, when exhibition hostesses were all the rage.
The Fashion Show in the spring of 1970, presenting some of the hottest garments of the day.
The Fashion Show in the spring of 1976, displaying the suit for young men influenced by European styles.
The Norwegian Boat Show (Sjøen for Alle) has become a real harbinger of spring. Pleasure boats were smaller and cheaper once, as at the 1971 show.
|
| 1973: |
The Ra reed boat in which Thor Heyerdahl attempted to cross the Atlantic is in very poor condition when it arrives in Norway, and the city has nowhere to put it. We accordingly make our D Hall available. The boat is restored by Indians from Lake Titicaca in Peru, who live and eat in the building during the work.
Model of the Ra II reed boat.
|
| 1981: |
We become a foundation, after being an association since 1925.
HM King Olav arrives at Nor-Shipping in 1981.
|
| 1984: |
Our Sjølyst exhibition centre is hit by a big fire. But the Norwegian Boat Show goes ahead as planned just 10 days afterwards. Restoration work, including a new entrance, is completed the following year, and makes it possible to stage several events simultaneously. Space expands by 3 000 square metres, the restaurant is positioned over the new entrance and the Rica chain takes over the catering service.
The Sjølyst centre is damaged by fire in 1984.
Our administration team in 1984.
|
| 1989: |
A new exhibition building and multi-storey car park is completed. The Sjølyst centre becomes by far the largest exhibition facility in Norway and serves as a landmark at the western entrance to Oslo – both day and night.
The Sjølyst exhibition centre.
|
| 1991: |
We have our record year, with 5 300 exhibitors and 575 000 visitors.
Tove Veierød, minister of health and social affairs, visits the dental association’s stand during the health exhibition in 1991.
|
| 1992: |
We acquire a new conference centre. Our whole facility now covers 65 000 square metres, including garages, with the exhibition halls accounting for 24 000 square metres.
|
| 1999: |
The highest number of events in a single year – 42.
|
| 2002: |
After 40 years at Sjølyst, we move in August to new premises in Lillestrøm just outside Oslo and establish Norway’s most important meeting place. Our ultra-modern exhibition and congress centre covers no less than 32 000 square metres, including 32 000 square metres of exhibition space. The facility has associated hotel accommodation run by the Thon group, and meets all present-day international exhibition needs.
Our new exhibition centre in Lillestrøm.
HM King Harald undertakes the official opening on 4 September 2002.
We are currently a foundation with a board and council comprising representatives from the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, the Enterprise Federation of Norway, Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, the Ministry of Trade and Shipping, and the Federation of Norwegian Agricultural Cooperatives.
We staged some 1 050 exhibitions while at Sjølyst, attracting a total of 15 million visitors.
|
| 2006 |
We acquire Oslo Spektrum in the centre of the capital to strengthen our business. Both this arena and the Lillestrøm centre host exhibitions, concerts, conferences, congresses and other events.
|
| 2008 |
The biggest exhibitions and organisers want more space for their events. So we expand with the construction of Hall E, completed on 1 December. Our administration could move from leased premises in the adjacent Thon Arena Hotel to the first floor of the new Hall.
|
| 2011 |
Siv Lunde Kolrud is appointed as our new managing director in succession to Stig Nitter Foss, who devoted 25 years to ensuring good years for our business. |