History
The unique experience is the heart of MCH’s history. In 1954 the first sod was cut and today the company has put more than 50 years’ experience together in one common group name – MCH. Great visions, big ambitions and a good portion of lifeblood are part of MCH’s history and form the basis of the company as we know it today.
The first sod was cut
"We must build a hall that is worthy of our city. Where all the companies in our country can get the opportunity to show, with exhibitions and fairs, what Danish enterprise can achieve. A hall where we can come together for art and sport and for all kinds of meetings."
That is what was said by Kristian Madsen, Manager of Herning Motor Kompagni and the chairman of SIKH, when he gave a speech at the statutory general meeting for Aktieselskabet Herning-Hallen on 30th December 1944. And that is what happened. On 20th May 1954, about 10 years after Kristian Madsen had stated the visions; the first hall of 1600 m² was opened. The hall became the starting point for MCH Herning Kongrescenter which is placed centrally in Herning today. Herning is known as a large textile city and, not surprisingly, the first hirer of the new hall was the Danish Textile Fair.
One hall expands to more
The interest in and the demand for the new hall was big and in 1963 it was decided to expand the exhibition area with a fair centre on the outskirts of the city. In 1964 five new halls of 10,000 m² were ready for the first Workman’s & Industry Fair in Herning. The fair, which is now better known as HI, is today the largest of its kind in Scandinavia.
Holidays, textile and automation
As the square meters were expanded in the centre and on Vardevej, the experience spectrum also widens. The managing director of Herninghallerne Kaj Zartow (1958-1971) is the visualiser behind many of the fairs that are still the foundation of MCH’s many experiences like Ferie for Alle and the HI-fair. During the 90s many new employees were hired, new departments were created and extensive work was put into establishing new fairs and exhibitions. This work culminates in 1997 where it is the debut for the trade fair FoodTech Scandinavia and the car show Biler for Alle.
From Broadway to MCH
Culture has always been of great importance, and in 1992 MCH Herning Kongrescenter, as the first culture house in Denmark ever, started putting on their own productions. Since then audiences from near and far have been able to experience more than 25 musicals on the stage. Through the years the Conference Centre has seen premieres of among others Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story and Grease, which were all performed with a mix of professional actors and volunteer talents.
Visions become reality
MCH strives to create big experiences – also in the future. Vision 2025 is living proof of that. The vision, which was presented to the public in 2000, is an ambitious and long-term plan for the future expansion of MCH’s physical settings. Among other things the vision comprises a multi-flexible hall, a stadium, a business park, a drive-in cinema, experience land and a cableway.
A business built on experiences
Since the first sod was cut things have moved fast, and today the group consists of MCH Messecenter Herning, MCH Herning Kongrescenter and MCH Arena Herning. The construction of Denmark’s first multi-arena is the next step in the continuation of a long tradition in creating experiences for everyone.
