The venue was originally established in 1920 under the name Norges Varemesse before rebranding to NOVA Spektrum in 2021.
It is situated on the site of a former airfield, and the surrounding area still reflects its historical connection to regional aviation history.
The complex houses its own hotel facility, the Thon Hotel Arena, providing direct integrated access for conference attendees.
The main exhibition hall spans thousands of square meters without load-bearing columns, allowing for diverse stage and booth configurations.
The venue frequently hosts public consumer events such as design fairs and outdoor recreation expos alongside closed professional trade shows.
NOVA Spektrum is one of Norway's largest venues for trade fairs, exhibitions, and congresses, located in Lillestrøm. Formerly known as Norges Varemesse, it provides over 40,000 square meters of flexible exhibition space. The facility hosts major annual events including the Norwegian International Boat Show (Båter i sjøen) and various industry-specific trade gatherings. Its architecture features high-ceilinged halls designed to accommodate large-scale machinery and temporary installations. The venue is integrated into the regional business ecosystem, serving as a primary hub for professional networking and B2B commerce in the Oslo region. It includes multiple conference rooms and high-capacity plenary halls for corporate events. The site is physically connected to major transport nodes, facilitating ease of access for international exhibitors and visitors. The venue maintains a year-round operational schedule centered on rotating trade shows.
The modern glass facade and the expansive atrium near the main entrance provide the best architectural scale shots.
Check the official event calendar online before your visit, as the venue is only open to the public during specific scheduled exhibitions.
Wear comfortable footwear, as the sprawling layout of the exhibition halls often requires significant walking to navigate between different zones.
Utilize the cloakroom services near the main entrance to store heavy outerwear, as exhibition halls are climate-controlled and can become warm.
Do not attempt to access the venue on days without public events, as the halls and common areas are restricted to authorized personnel and exhibitors.
Operates strictly according to a rotating event calendar; generally closed to the public between major exhibitions.
Business casual is expected for trade shows, while public consumer exhibitions generally have no specific dress code; avoid blocking exhibition aisles.
