Congresses and meetings in Helsinki
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.
Let Helsinki charm both you and your guests, at work and after hours.
Let’s get started:
- Do you need information about site visits? Read this.
- What makes Helsinki the best location for your next event? Read our top 5 reasons.
- Are you looking for the right venue in Helsinki? Jump here.
- From PCOs to DMCs, find the best contacts in Helsinki.
- If you are interested in virtual and hybrid experiences, take a look at this.
- Are you looking for images or videos? Jump into our material bank.
© 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
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.
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.
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.
Confedent International
Confedent International is a leading destination management company and a professional congress organiser operating locally in the Finnish meetings market. The company is based in Helsinki.
Elämys DMC
Elämys Group is a privately owned DMC, PCO and Event Management Company with 25 years of experience worldwide. They create solutions from exotic incentives to demanding conferences.
Kon-Tiki Tours
Oy Kon-Tiki Tours Ltd is a privately owned tour operator and travel agency in Finland. They do tailor made tours for groups on request.
Kuoni Tumlare
Founded in Copenhagen in 1972, Tumlare has established a worldwide reputation for providing exceptional service quality and outstanding travel experiences.
Lahti Region Ltd.
Lahti Region Ltd. is a regional marketing and sales organisation and full-service DMC operating in the Lahti region and in Finnish Lakeland.
LOVEtoTravel
LOVEtoTravel is a company of destination professionals in Finland and Scandinavia. LOVEtoTravel offers services for individuals, VIPs, leisure, and incentive.
MySuomi
My Suomi Ltd organises study tours and special interest visits for foreign professionals, students and researchers in Finland and other Nordic countries.
Next Travel
Next Travel is well known for providing unique tours and incentive programs in Helsinki and the surrounding areas, as well as planning and organising professional events, meetings and congresses. They can tailor your travel itinerary to suit your needs down to the smallest detail.
One Travels DMC
One Travel DMC’s flexible agency tailors quality programs around the country, in all seasons from one day to multiple days. One Travels DMC is well known for providing unique tours and incentive programs in Helsinki and the surrounding areas, as well as planning and organising professional events, meetings and congresses.
The Travel Experience
The Travel Experience is a privately-owned award-winning DMC based in Helsinki. They handle a variety of incentive, conference, meeting, event, and group travel arrangements.
Viada.com
Viada.com is an online incoming travel agency registered in Finland. Their online reservation system offers excursions all around Finland and Lapland.
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.
Confedent International
Confedent International is a leading destination management company and a professional congress organiser operating locally in the Finnish meetings market. The company is based in Helsinki.
Elämys DMC
Elämys Group is a privately owned DMC, PCO and Event Management Company with 25 years of experience worldwide. They create solutions from exotic incentives to demanding conferences.
Next Travel
Next Travel is well known for providing unique tours and incentive programs in Helsinki and the surrounding areas, as well as planning and organising professional events, meetings and congresses. They can tailor your travel itinerary to suit your needs down to the smallest detail.
One Travels DMC
One Travel DMC’s flexible agency tailors quality programs around the country, in all seasons from one day to multiple days. One Travels DMC is well known for providing unique tours and incentive programs in Helsinki and the surrounding areas, as well as planning and organising professional events, meetings and congresses.
The Travel Experience
The Travel Experience is a privately-owned award-winning DMC based in Helsinki. They handle a variety of incentive, conference, meeting, event, and group travel arrangements.
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.
Taxi and charter services, VIP transfers
Kovanen
Limousine Service
Taksikuljetus
Taksi Helsinki
Charter bus companies
Kovanen Companies Ltd.
Lehtimäen Liikenne Oy
Pohjolan Matka Group
Taksikuljetus
Tram transfers, private tram tours
Boat transfers & sightseeing by the sea
Aava Lines
IHA-Lines
JT-Line
Royal Line
Strömma
Bike tours
Happy Guide Helsinki, Bike Tours Helsinki
Natura Viva, Fatbike tours
Stops and parking places for tourist traffic in Helsinki
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.
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.
Heini Etsola
Senior Advisor, Congresses and Meetings
Johanna Grönberg
Senior Advisor, Congresses and Meetings
Antti Lumiainen
Senior Advisor, Congresses and Meetings
Leena Lassila
Director, Visitor Attraction
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.