mössan

Mässan, or mässa in Swedish, is a term that most commonly denotes a trade fair or exhibition where companies and organizations present products and services to attendees. The definite form mässan can also appear in phrases meaning the Mass, the religious service, and the context usually clarifies which meaning is intended.

Purpose: Mässor provide a marketplace for buyers and sellers, opportunities for product demonstrations, and venues for networking, knowledge exchange, and market research. They are typically organized by professional fair organizers, trade associations, or venue operators. A fair usually includes exhibition booths, a program of seminars or keynote talks, and services such as registration, marketing, and catering.

Types: There are consumer fairs open to the public, trade fairs that target industry professionals, book fairs, and agricultural or technology fairs. Many fairs are regionally important, while others have international reach.

History and context: The concept derives from historical markets and trade routes; modern exhibitions emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries with industrial growth, and many contemporary events incorporate digital or hybrid elements, such as virtual booths or online conferences.

Notable venues: Stockholmsmässan (Älvsjö) and Svenska Mässan (Gothenburg) are major centers for Swedish mässor.