Global Aqua is taking the next step in redefining what an aquaculture exhibition can be – extending the experience beyond the halls and into the city and fjord.
Last week, it was announced that AKVA Group has chosen Global Aqua as its main arena for meeting customers, partners, and authorities in 2027. At the same time, the organisers reported a stronger-than-expected start, with close to 200 exhibitors confirmed within just a few weeks.
Extending the experience beyond the exhibition
Now, Global Aqua is exploring how to expand the exhibition footprint to include Aker Brygge – creating opportunities for activity both along the waterfront and directly on the water.
The ambition is clear: to go beyond a traditional exhibition format and turn both the city and the fjord into an integrated part of the meeting place for the international aquaculture industry.
“We’re looking at how we can use the surroundings to create a more complete experience for both exhibitors and visitors,” says Lars Vegard Furset, advisor at Global Aqua.
Bringing technology closer to the water
In dialogue with stakeholders at Aker Brygge, Oslo Havn, and other partners, work is now underway to develop solutions that enable exhibitors to present their technologies and systems in real-life conditions.
This includes:
- New formats for presenting complex aquaculture technology in a more tangible way
- Showcasing solutions directly in the water
- Exhibition stands and brand visibility along the waterfront
New formats for interaction and demonstration
The expanded concept opens up a broader range of formats that reflect how the aquaculture industry actually operates.
Potential elements include:
- Vessel showcases
- Floating installations
- Meeting spaces by the water
- A wider programme of events organised by both Global Aqua and exhibitors
Together, this creates a more dynamic and experience-driven arena – where technology, operations, and dialogue come together in a relevant setting.
Aker Brygge as a social and industry hub
Aker Brygge is expected to play a key role as a social meeting point during the event.
With access to restaurants, event venues, and informal meeting spaces, the area offers strong conditions for:
- Relationship-building
- Informal conversations
- New partnerships across the value chain
It also creates activity beyond the exhibition halls, contributing to a more open and accessible industry gathering.
Bringing the full value chain together
The initiative is part of a broader ambition: to bring the entire aquaculture value chain together in one arena.
Global Aqua is designed to connect:
- Technology and production
- Capital and investment
- Policy and regulation
- Research and innovation
With its proximity to Oslo, the event also benefits from direct access to decision-makers, international environments, and key industry players – strengthening its role as a global meeting place.
