Congresses and meetings in Helsinki

Viewed from behind an office window which shows slight reflections, two women are sitting at a table discussing something that is on a laptop in front of them. The office wall behind them is covered in stylised, illustrated portraits.
Viewed from behind an office window which shows slight reflections, two women are sitting at a table discussing something that is on a laptop in front of them. The office wall behind them is covered in stylised, illustrated portraits.

Congresses and meetings in Helsinki

Find out why the capital of Finland is the best place for your next event. Something new, different and unexpected – yet sustainable and reliable. We at Helsinki Convention Bureau are happy to help you with anything you might need.

Jussi Hellsten
Arttu Kokkonen

Let Helsinki charm both you and your guests, at work and after hours.

Let’s get started:

© Jussi Hellsten

Helsinki Convention Bureau can support congress organisers and business event professionals in the bidding process, in selecting the best facilities, partners and service providers, as well as in promoting their events. In addition to our own services, the City of Helsinki also demonstrates its hospitality towards congresses in a variety of other ways.

Why Helsinki? 

Friendly, Scandinavian, functional, compact, easy to reach – Helsinki is all these and much more. Below are our top reasons to choose Helsinki for your event. If you’re curious for more reasons why Helsinki is the right place for you, find them here.

1. Helsinki ecosystem up for grabs

Helsinki offers a unique ecosystem and expertise, especially in the fields of health, ICT and Smart & Clean technologies. We can introduce you to the best players in the country, and find the relevant local contacts and support for your event.

© Veeti Hautanen

2. Sustainable and unique venues welcome you

All major venues are situated within the city centre, making it easy for congress visitors to enjoy the social programme along with everything the city has to offer. These venues also have a strong commitment to a sustainable society. The greatest thing is that you can reach most of them by foot from the city centre hotels, and take the opportunity to breathe in the nature along your way.

© Tuomas Uusheimo

3. You can get here easily from anywhere

Helsinki is easy to reach from everywhere in the world. All major European destinations are covered with direct flights, most within 2-3 hours. Helsinki also serves as a hub to Asia, hosting the most direct routes from Europe to several destinations. Once landed, you can take the train to the city centre and start exploring everything at your convenience by foot, tram, ferry, bus and metro.

© Julia Kivelä

4. Feel good and fair play hotels await you

The Helsinki area boasts around 18,500 rooms, ranging from first-class hotels to hostels for those on tighter budgets. The industry in Helsinki has already been paying attention to key environmental aspects for years, such as energy and water consumption, as well as reducing food waste. At the same time, social responsibility and fair employment have gone from strength to strength.

© Karoliina Bärlund

5. We have an excellent track record

Is it references you are looking for? The list of international associations who have chosen Helsinki to host their conferences is long and impressive. We are the leading Nordic city for organising congresses and rank in the top 20 for the most popular congress cities in the world. But we’re not just looking back, we’re also looking forward: our aim is to create solutions for the global events industry of the future.

© Aleksi Poutanen

Our services for international meetings and events organisers

Jussi Hellsten

Bid books

We assist congress organisers in preparing and compiling bid books and promotional materials. Bid books are drawn up individually according to the requirements of each congress. We can also make preliminary bookings at the congress venue and hotels if required already during the bidding process.

Familiarisation (FAM) tours and site visits to Helsinki 

Do you want to experience Helsinki and learn more about what our city has to offer for meetings and events? You’re most warmly welcome, and we’re happy to provide you with a detailed programme, information about venues and services suitable for your congress/event as well as useful contacts. We want you to experience Helsinki in the same way your participants will.

Convention support package

Our convention support package gives you information on Helsinki and the city’s meetings industry. The package also includes a comprehensive list of CSR & Legacy Initiatives in Helsinki.

Marketing materials for your congress

The Helsinki Material Bank offers high quality images, raw video material, press releases, statistics and brochures about Helsinki. No log-in is required, so you can download and share content in articles and on social media, immediately and with ease. Congresses with over 200 participants can also request custom-printed brochures and/or postcards for promoting the event and delegate boosting. We also provide Helsinki brochures and maps to congress visitors free of charge. 

Tourist information at the congress venue

Large congresses with over 1000 accredited participants may request a Tourist Information booth at the congress venue. The booth will be manned by a Tourist Information Officer or Helsinki Help Tourist Guide at the prearranged times. 

Carmen Nguyen

Find the best partners and service providers 

In addition to our own services, we’re more than happy to connect you with the best industry professionals in Helsinki. Here are a few examples of our contact networks. 

Jussi Hellsten

Destination management companies (DMC) 

We have listed featured destination management companies for you. They have the knowledge, expertise and resources to work in the design and implementation of your events, activities, tours, transportation and program logistics.

Professional congress organisers (PCO)

Do you need a professional congress organiser to organise and/or manage your congresses, conferences, seminars and similar events? We have created a list that will help you in Helsinki. 

Transfer companies in Helsinki

You can experience Helsinki on foot or by bus, even onboard a fifties tram. Or why not discover Helsinki from the sea? Whatever your choice, there’s a bunch of companies that can help you when you want to book transfers for your groups. 

Corporate and social responsibility (CSR)

Are you looking for co-operation with a local charity organisation or NGO but don’t know where to start? Let us help you. We collaborate with many organisations in Helsinki and can help you find the most appropriate ways to include a strong legacy component in your conference programme.

Incentives in Helsinki

Helsinki is an ideal setting for incentives: a rich mix, where nature meets urban city life. A memorable experience can consist of for example a private tram sightseeing tour, a bike tour in the city centre or a cruise in the archipelago by a traditional wooden sailing ship. Or of course, a sauna.   

Karoliina Barlund

Create the new world of meetings with our help

In Helsinki we believe in open innovation and collaboration. That’s why we are sharing some of our best innovations with you, for free. It’s open and inclusive, just like Helsinki.

Sustainable Meeting Guidelines  

Helsinki works continuously to be a model city of smart and sustainable development. The city is committed to promoting green values in all its operations and hopes that they are taken into consideration in all events and activities organised within the city. Our Sustainable Meeting guidelines help you to make more sustainable choices when organising conferences and meetings.

Hybrid and fully virtual events in Virtual Helsinki

Helsinki has started a new chapter in business events and congresses. They can now be powered by Virtual Helsinki – an online event platform consisting of a set of virtual Helsinki environments. All outdoor environments are available to event organisers free of charge.   

The Helsinki Method for Meetings and Events

Our concept serves meeting planners and designers in creating interactive and engaging virtual and hybrid meetings. It’s designed together with industry professionals to keep the participant as the primary focus.

City of Helsinki hospitality

In addition to Helsinki Convention Bureau’s services, the City of Helsinki also demonstrates its hospitality towards international congresses in different ways.   

© Aleksi Poutanen

Did you know?

You can explore some of the most popular congress venues in Helsinki online.

© Zoan

Contact info

If you are interested in organising an international congress in Helsinki, making the most of Helsinki’s event facilities and various ecosystems to boost your event – please contact us via the form below. We’ll make sure to get back to you within a few working days.

Contact Helsinki Partners

If you are interested in learning more about Helsinki and its possibilities – please contact us via the form here. We’ll make sure to get back to you within a few working days.

Juhana Hurtig