Nor-Shipping has confirmed that almost half of the available exhibition space at its Lillestrøm base has already been booked for its 2023 programme, taking place 6-9 June. The news, coming only a month after the 2022 show in April, puts next year’s ‘early bird’ sales ahead of Nor-Shipping 2019 (the most popular event in the exhibition’s history).
“This is further evidence, if it was needed, that Nor-Shipping and large-scale trade events are very much ‘back with a bang’ after the global pandemic,” comments Nor-Shipping Director Sidsel Norvik. “Nor-Shipping 2022 was a huge success, with an incredible atmosphere, but it was slightly smaller than previous outings due to ongoing travel constraints.”
Management level executives
She continues: “Those are obviously lifting now and this is a clear sign that no one wants to miss out on the next ‘Your Arena for Ocean Solutions’ and the special quality of people, and business, it attracts. 2019 was our largest exhibition so far, with close to 1000 exhibiting companies and 50,000 participants, and we see no reason at all why 2023 shouldn’t surpass that. The signs are certainly very promising so far.”
Bookings have been boosted by Nor-Shipping’s early bird discount, which ends on Tuesday 31 May. After that point, organisers will begin to draw up the floor plans, with those that have booked being first in line for prime positions. These are key to appeal to an audience that – according to in-depth surveys of the April 2022 event – is made up of over 80% management-level executives, drawn from 83 different nationalities.
Full speed ahead
The feedback we’re getting is that much of the industry was cautious about events early this year"
“It’s very much full speed ahead,” comments Tereza Kjos, Nor-Shipping Sales Manager. “The feedback we’re getting is that much of the industry was cautious about events early this year and therefore, after all the pandemic uncertainty, playing a bit of a waiting game in terms of longer-term strategy. Any doubts they’ve had have now been laid to rest and they’re extremely keen to get ‘back to business’ with quality stands, in good positions.”
“The early bird offer is an excellent way to ensure they do just that, at a very competitive price. There’s still time to take advantage of that for exhibitors prepared to move fast.”
Longer-term strategy.
In total, more than 10,000 sq. m of exhibition space has already been snapped up, from an overall show area of 22,000 sq. m. During the April 2022 programme, there were over 30,000 unique visits to the halls, in addition to approximately 17,000 guests at social venues in Oslo, and about 230 separate, and packed, associated and partner events.
Over 300 influential speakers delivered valuable takeaways at key Nor-Shipping activities, including the main Ocean Leadership Conference (which attracted of over 800 C-level executives).