Sustainability Report 2024

Sustainable business at the core of our strategy

Work on sustainability themes continued

Sustainability is a key focus area in Messukeskus’ strategy, which outlines that it is primarily about taking action.

Messukeskus’ mission is to create growth through encounters. We promote our clients’ businesses, offer inspiration to our visitors, and strengthen the economy. Helsinki Messukeskus is Finland’s largest event organizer, producing high-quality events and renting out its facilities and services as venues for various events.

Messukeskus’ strategy defines sustainability as actions – both small and large. We aim to increase economic growth and social well-being while striving to minimize the environmental impacts of our operations.

During the reporting year, we continued our work on three key sustainability themes:

The Habitare Choice theme area highlights the responsible actions of companies.

Sustainability theme 1

Attractive and safe events that enable encounters

Messukeskus brings significant revenue and employment to the Helsinki metropolitan area.

According to a survey by Taloustutkimus (2024), Messukeskus generated €245 million in revenue for the Helsinki metropolitan area (compared to €187 million in 2023). Our goal is to increase the revenue and employment impact of events to over €400 million by 2026.

Fairs serve as a platform for societal discussion, and we participate in public discourse by highlighting current topics in collaboration with various industries. During the reporting year, 5,100 media representatives and influencers attended events organized by Messukeskus.

Best in the industry according to business leaders

In Taloustutkimus’ 2024 Business Leaders survey, Helsinki Messukeskus received the highest overall rating among trade fair and event organizers and was the clear leader in the functionality of exhibition spaces, diverse service offerings, reliability, and delivery assurance. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) measuring recommendation willingness was the second highest among fourteen evaluated companies in the industry.

Our management system is certified according to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Operations are continuously developed through audits in collaboration with DNV GL. The internationally respected GOLD Excellent level SHORE safety certificate verifies first-class safety practices and risk management both at Messukeskus and its owned Holiday Inn Helsinki – Expo hotel. The certificate is awarded by the international, independent risk assessment expert SAFE Asset Group.

Close cooperation with authorities helps assess risks and maintain safety. Companies and associations from various industries participate in development groups, bringing valuable expertise to event development.

Important networks in which we actively participate include the Helsinki Tourism Advisory Board, Helsinki Makers, Urban Climate Leaders, the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa, the Event Industry Association, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events UFI, Congress Network Finland, and the meetings and congress industry organization ICCA.

Messukeskus’ mission is to create growth through encounters, and the economic impact of events held at Messukeskus on their surroundings is significant each year. An international congress in the field of neurology was held in the summer of 2024.

Sustainability theme 2

Commitment to sustainable practices

Our goal is to achieve minimal and decreasing environmental impacts at our events. During the reporting year, we implemented event-specific carbon footprint calculations in our Events & Congresses business (scope 1 and 2).

Messukeskus is an ISO 14001 environmental certified company. We strive to reduce our environmental impacts through efficient waste management and recycling, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy.

We produce solar energy from the solar power plant built on the roofs of our halls and utilize geothermal energy, district cooling, heat recovery, LED technology, and motion sensors in lighting.

Messukeskus is strongly networked in climate work. We are a climate partner of the City of Helsinki, involved in the Sustainable Travel Finland program, and committed to the global Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism.

Sustainability topics highlighted at events

Sustainability was visible in various forms at our events in 2024. Examples include the Habitare Choice theme area highlighting sustainability, the sustainability competition at the Travel Fair, and the Lukuboost campaign launched at the Helsinki Book Fair. In international congresses, we help congress organizers find meaningful local sustainability projects and partners to include in the congress program.

We encourage our customers to take responsible actions. Environmentally friendly products are marked with an environmental label in our product catalog. All facilities have recycling options, and during construction and dismantling, our customers are assisted by a roaming environmental supervisor. During the reporting year, exhibitors had the opportunity to work as sorting guides to support customers.

We pay attention to recyclable implementations in exhibition construction, where the maximum proportion of used materials can be reused in other events.

Messukeskus’ restaurant services were awarded the EcoCompass environmental certificate during the reporting year. Messukeskus’ partner in restaurant and catering services is NoHo Partners.

Messukeskus’ restaurant services were awarded the EcoCompass certificate in 2024.

Sustainability theme 3

Prosperous employees and partners, safe working environment

Work in the field of social responsibility encompasses not only our staff but also a wide range of stakeholders. Messukeskus is committed to promoting equality and safety in its facilities and events.

Our long-term collaboration with UNICEF Finland and Vocational College Live continued. In partnership with Live, we provided approximately 200 students with the opportunity to gain work experience in various event industry roles. During the reporting year, Messukeskus received the Finnish Humane Workplaces Challenge from the Live Foundation, which promotes diversity and the employment of people with specific work abilities.

Messukeskus continued its support for Hurstin Apu to organize a Christmas celebration for the lonely and marginalized. The celebration was held for the eighth time at Messukeskus.

Messukeskus offered internships to students, work experience placements to schoolchildren, and free admission to selected events for school groups.

A significant contribution to social sustainability is made by Messukeskus’ largest shareholder, the Finnish Fair Foundation. The foundation supports Finnish expertise annually with approximately €500,000 in scholarships, grants, and recognition awards.

During the reporting year, the entire staff was trained in Messukeskus’ key sustainability goals and actions in the spring. Additionally, we explored new partnerships in the area of social responsibility.

Employee satisfaction continued to grow

Messukeskus provides its employees with a work environment that maintains well-being and high-quality occupational health care. As an employee benefit, ePassi opens doors to sports and cultural activities. Staff are regularly trained in safety and well-being matters. Attention is paid to ergonomics in office spaces.

We support our employees’ studies alongside work and offer the possibility of study leave. Additionally, we develop our employees’ professional skills through our own training programs. Our employees can also familiarize themselves with events and participate in relevant training as part of their work.

Employee satisfaction is monitored through regular surveys. In 2024, the employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) was 40 (37).

Messukeskus staff kicked off the autumn season of 2024 with a joint kickoff event.