The six international congresses hosted by Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre brought more than 25,000 congress guests to Helsinki during the first half of the year. The income and employment impact of the congresses for Finland and Helsinki amounts to more than 50 million euros. 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 Helsinki by 2030.
Finland’s reputation as a popular Nordic country for hosting international congresses, and Helsinki’s recognition as a valued destination city among congress participants, is also reflected in the busy congress year at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. During the first half of the year, six international congresses brought more than 25,000 participants to Helsinki, generating an income and employment impact of over 50 million euros.
”International congresses and corporate events offer enormous growth potential for boosting the tourism industry and economic growth in Helsinki and throughout Finland. According to the Helsinki Convention Bureau, one congress participant spends an average of 2,000 euros 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 Finland and Europe.
The income and employment impacts of congresses extend well into the long term. Research by Helsinki Convention Bureau shows that most congress participants 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,” Tarkka says.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre invests in growth from international congresses and corporate events
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is growing along with Helsinki and will make significant investments in the coming years to support the growth brought by international congresses and corporate events.
”As Finland’s leading event organiser, we are aiming for strong growth and want to set an example for Finnish businesses through our investments. The new Messukeskus Arena is a six-million-euro investment that will be inaugurated at the Nordic Business Forum at the end of September. The future event space Solar is a 20-million-euro construction project scheduled for completion in autumn 2027,” says Anni Vepsäläinen, CEO of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s congress year continues in September, when the European Paediatric Rheumatology Congress PRES will bring around 1,000 international visitors to Helsinki, generating approximately two million euros in economic and employment impact.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s international congresses in 2025
- EENA Conference and Exhibition 7–11 April 2025, 730 participants
- ESPGHAN Meeting of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition 14–17 May 2025, 5,800 participants
- ESOC European Stroke Organisation Conference 21–23 May 2025, 4,200 participants
- EAPC 19th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care 29–31 May 2025, 2,000 participants
- ICN International Council of Nurses 9–13 June 2025, 7,000 participants
- EAN 11th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology 21–24 June 2025, 8,000 participants
- COMING UP: PRES 32nd European Paediatric Rheumatology Congress 17–20 September 2025, 1,000 participants
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is Finland’s largest event organiser, which produces high-quality events and rents out its facilities and services as venues for various events.
The Finnish Fair Group includes, in addition to Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, the trade fair organiser Expomark Oy and the AV technology company SVV Oy. In 2024, the Group’s revenue was 58.4 million euros. The economic impact of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on the surrounding area was 245 million euros, and its employment impact was 3,335 person-years.
