Published on 2025-04-09
Stockholmsmässan is strengthening its crisis preparedness by organizing an extensive collaborative exercise together with blue light operations on 9 April. The exercise, called Otto, focuses on dealing with scenarios such as terrorist attacks or ongoing deadly violence in the exhibition halls.
The background is a changed security situation in Sweden and Europe, where the general terrorist threat level combined with an increase in serious organized crime, places new demands on security in public environments.
– “Our goal is to be at the forefront of security work for public events. By training together with blue light actors, we strengthen our joint ability to act quickly and effectively if the worst should happen,” says Tomas Von Tourtchaninoff, Security Manager at Stockholmsmässan.
Venues such as Stockholmsmässan are expected to be prepared and have a high level of preparedness. The efforts of individual employees can be decisive in deterring, detecting, hindering and managing attacks. The exercise is led by, among others, Tomas Von Tourtchaninoff and Inspector Tomas Koppelman Hellgren from the Swedish Police, who emphasize the importance of preparation in realistic environments.
– “This type of exercise makes a big difference. When different actors train together, the understanding of each other’s roles increases and we can save lives through effective collaboration,” he says.
Certified according to international security standard
Stockholmsmässan is already certified according to the international security standard SHORE – an independent third-party audit that confirms that the venue meets high international security standards. Providing training and conducting exercises is an important part of improving the organization’s capabilities.
– “It is a strategic priority for us that Stockholmsmässan is, and is perceived to be, a safe and secure meeting place. To meet customers’ and visitors’ expectations of a safe meeting place, everyone must contribute. Our SHORE certification is an important seal of quality that strengthens Stockholm’s attractiveness as an event city – both nationally and internationally,” says Anette Ternström Andersson, COO at Stockholmsmässan.
Stockholmsmässan’s investment in The Safe Meeting Place demonstrates its long-term commitment to offering a safe environment for exhibitors, visitors and employees.
More information about how Stockholmsmässan works with security
More information about Stockholmsmässan’s sustainability work
