The six international congresses hosted by Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre brought over 25,000 delegates to Finland’s capital during the first half of the year. The income and employment impact of the congresses amounts to more than €50 million. The goal of the Helsinki Tourism Advisory Board is to double the tourism revenue generated by foreign visitors and significantly increase employment in the sector in the city by 2030.

Finland’s reputation as a valued Nordic country for hosting international congresses, and Helsinki’s recognition as a sought-after destination city among congress participants, is also reflected in the busy congress year at the convention centre. During the first half of the year, six international congresses drew over 25,000 participants to the destination, resulting in an economic impact of more than €50 million.

“International congresses and corporate events offer enormous growth potential for boosting the tourism industry and economic growth in our city and throughout Finland. According to the Helsinki Convention Bureau, a congress participant spends an average of €2,000 in the host country. Congresses generate income and jobs for the hotel and restaurant sector, passenger transport, retail, and other service companies,” says Laura Tarkka, Chair of the Helsinki Tourism Advisory Board and COO of Scandic Hotel Finland and Europe.

The income and employment impacts of congresses extend well into the long term. Research by the convention bureau shows that most congress delegates are first-time visitors to Finland, and a significant proportion consider returning for leisure travel.

“Our goal is to double the tourism revenue generated by visitors in Helsinki by 2030. At the same time, the number of employed people is estimated to increase by nearly 50 per cent,” Laura Tarkka says.

The Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is growing in tandem with the capital and will make significant investments in the coming years to support the growth driven by international congresses and corporate events.

“We are aiming for strong growth and want to set an example for Finnish businesses through our investments. The new Messukeskus Arena is a €6 million investment that will be inaugurated at the Nordic Business Forum at the end of September. The future event space Solar is a €20 million construction project scheduled for completion in autumn 2027,” says Anni Vepsäläinen, CEO of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.

The expo and convention centre’s congress year continues during the autumn, when the European Paediatric Rheumatology Congress PRES will bring around 1,000 international visitors, generating approximately two million euros in economic and employment impact.

Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s international congresses in 2025
  • EENA Conference & Exhibition 7–11 April, 730 participants
  • ESPGHAN Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition 14–17 May, 5,800 participants
  • European Stroke Organisation Conference – ESOC 21–23 May, 4,200 participants
  • EAPC World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care 29–31 May, 2,000 participants
  • International Council of Nurses – ICN Congress 9–13 June, 7,000 participants
  • EAN Congress of the European Academy of Neurology 21–24 June, 8,000 delegates
  • PReS European Paediatric Rheumatology Congress 17–20 September, 1,000 participants

In addition to the expo and convention centre, The Finnish Fair Corporation Group includes the trade fair organiser Expomark Oy and the AV technology company SVV Oy. In 2024, the group’s revenue was 58.4 million euro. The economic impact of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on the surrounding area was 245 million euro, and its employment impact was 3,335 person-years.