Petersen's significantly contributed to the Nordic Exhibition of 1888 where he first held an administrative position as "Industriforeningen" manager, but later as its resident architect until 1927. In this capacity he represented Denmark on the exhibition committees for a number of large exhibitions, including the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900. He was also active in the design of the Danish contributions and brought home several medals.