For their part, conference visitors appreciate Finland’s safe, clean environment. Nature can be found near the cities, and distances within urban areas are short and easy, thanks to a well-functioning public transport network.
Visitors also value Finnish urban architecture, and the locals are described as friendly and able to speak other languages well.
In 2013, Helsinki was rated the world’s 20th most popular conference city. In the survey, covering over 1,400 cities, Espoo and Tampere were also among Finland’s most liked congress cities.
Finnish conference centres are praised for their friendly, professional staff and for smooth and reliable services.
Top choices for conferences
Helsinki Congress Paasitorni is a culturally valuable conference centre, built early in the 20th century. The airport bus stops near the Paasitorni centre, which is within easy walking distance of the city centre. The project to expand the centre's hotel and meeting areas, completed in 2012, received an international architecture award for buildings incorporating brickwork.
In an idyllic spot on a charming island in Espoo, the Hanasaari conference centre is an excellent example of simple, uncomplicated ’70s architecture. The interiors remain in their original style but provide modern conference facilities. Hanasaari is also renowned for its cuisine based on local ingredients.
Environmentally aware conference organisers will opt for Tampere Hall, which adopted a sustainability policy back in 1992. In May 2014, it became the first Nordic conference centre to receive the Nordic ‘Swan’ eco-label, in recognition of exemplary environment-oriented operations.
Of course, conference-goers needn't go far at all to find a great conference venue: Helsinki Airport Congress opened its doors after renovations in August 2014.
Helsinki Airport VIP and meeting centre
Flights to Finland
Text: Minna Kalajoki, Mediafocus Oy
Photo: City of Tampere
Sources:
Survey of delegates ‘Delegaattitutkimus 2013’, FCB and Taloustutkimus
Survey of congress centres ‘Kongressitalotutkimus 2013’, TNS Gallup
