On November 8–9, it’s time once again for the Nordic region’s largest logistics trade show and conference, Logistik&Transport in Gothenburg. SCE sat down with longtime ”trade show general” Janne Nilsson, who talks about the consequences and lessons learned from the shutdowns of recent years and the high ambitions for this year’s event.
How did your operations at Svenska Mässan change when the world was hit by COVID-19?
”Our entire group—which owns the hotel, the convention center, restaurants, and a spa—came to a complete standstill when the pandemic hit and we were forced to shut down. We lost an incredible number of colleagues and had to postpone and reschedule all our activities. If there was one positive aspect of the pandemic, it was that we learned to be more flexible and to host digital events. We set up several studios where we produced many broadcasts. But now it’s time for a fresh start, and we’re once again actively seeking talented employees.”
How have you been handling your planning and other tasks from March 2020 through early 2022?
”We followed the Public Health Agency of Sweden’s recommendations, so we simply had to cancel and postpone the conference in stages, even though we held quite a few digital activities and events. In 2022, we’ll be back in full swing, and it feels incredible!”
Prepared for new setbacks?
”We have a team within the Svenska Mässan Group that has been working continuously on risk management ever since the pandemic hit. We now have digital capabilities that we didn’t have before, but we’re at our very best with our live events, when people can actually meet in person and network.”
What's new at this year's Logistics & Transport—what's new, and what's familiar?
”This year, we’ll be in a new section of the trade show (Halls C, D, and E), which is really nice and has an entrance through the main entrance. That’s where we were several years ago, and it’s going to be great. We’ll have a dedicated room for our paid conference—instead of the three parallel sessions we’ve had in the past—where, in collaboration with Dagens Logistik, we’ll run a program based on four themes: global supply chains, Swedish logistics technology, the future of logistics real estate, and electric/circular logistics. We also have many new and returning exciting exhibitors, such as Amazon and some of the major carriers. We’ll be hosting the industry party at our new, trendy sports bar, Corner, where we’ll have plenty of entertainment, bars, and fun activities.”
What are your hopes for the trade show/conference?
”We’ve been waiting for this since 2019, and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in the industry again. I hope everyone takes this opportunity to come, schedule meetings, network, learn something new, and have fun together. It’s going to be incredibly fun to meet in person again, so a warm welcome to Logistik&Transport on November 8–9!
