Messukeskus Helsinki is an expert in responsible congress organisation

IBTM 2021 Press Release

The years 2020 and 2021 have been unprecedentedly difficult for the event industry. Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre continued its ambitious and goal-oriented responsibility work even during the pandemic, building a bridge over the crisis in all three areas: taking responsibility for people, for the environment and for the economy.

Messukeskus has been thoroughly committed to responsibility for ten years – since Messukeskus was the first Finnish exhibition and congress centre to receive the ISO 14001 environmental certificate.

“Messukeskus combines efficient congress arrangements with well-thought-out responsibility to the last detail. Responsibility expertise also enables us to help our clients – from planning a carbon smart congress to its implementation, down to the smallest detail”, says Paula Blomster, Congress Manager at Messukeskus.

The environmental promise is ambitious: Messukeskus aims to be 110% carbon-neutral in 2029. Progress towards the goal has been faster than expected by reducing energy use, increasing the share of renewable energy, and utilising carbon-neutral alternatives. Messukeskus is also committed to promoting responsible tourism in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration 2.0 programme.

In recent years, Messukeskus has expanded its corporate responsibility work to include participatory and pluralistic interaction, for example, by employing young people in rehabilitation.

Solar power and 99% waste recovery

The everyday life of Messukeskus includes 99% recovery of waste and the utilisation of the latest building engineering, such as geothermal heating, district cooling, heat recovery and LED technology. Messukeskus has also reduced the use of disposable products, increased the services for electric cars and halved its water consumption in recent years. Messukeskus’ own solar power plant on the roofs of the halls produces more than 500 MWh of clean energy annually. The amount corresponds to the annual consumption of more than 260 two-room apartments. Messukeskus is paperless and state-of-the-art regarding indoor guiding systems: all halls, lobbies and meeting rooms are equipped with large and easily programmable displays.

In Helsinki, congress delegates enjoy local food and the cleanest tap water in the world. The carbon footprint of travelling is reduced by the central location of the venue – Messukeskus is located just a couple of kilometres from the heart of Helsinki. Public transport is a safe and fast way to get from the hotel to the congress arena.

Responsibility reporting according to UN Agenda 2030

In its Sustainability Report 2020, Finland’s largest event organiser has listed, item by item, all the work it has done so far within the UN Sustainable Development Goals Programme (Agenda 2030). Messukeskus is strongly committed to the UN’s goals and focuses on how to make the organisation of and participation in events sustainable.

“Our responsibility work continued, even though the pandemic disrupted normal business over a year ago and prevented many established forms of cooperation with stakeholders. We have responded to the challenge by building a hybrid business and continuing to work hard for event health safety. This work will take us forward in the post COVID-19 world”, says Ms. Blomster.

A pioneer in COVID-19 safety within the event industry

As the first trade fair organiser in Finland, Messukeskus published comprehensive instructions related to COVID-19 safety, and the entire staff was trained in advanced hygiene and protection practices. The halls were used as testing and vaccination premises during the fight against COVID-19.

Messukeskus was also the first Nordic event house to receive COVID-19 certification in recognition of exemplary work for COVID-19 safety. The certificate was awarded by SAFE Asset Group, an international certification and consulting company specializing in the safety of commercial premises.

Messukeskus’ Responsibility Report 2020

Messukeskus is a people-oriented media and event house recognised for its safety, which creates growth through genuine encounters. Finland’s largest event organiser produces high quality events and offers its facilities and services as an arena for live, hybrid and virtual events. Messukeskus’ facilities include 40 different meeting rooms, 7 convertible halls, 21 restaurants, a renovated event hotel and complete event services. www.messukeskus.com  @messukeskus

Image bank: https://mediabank.messukeskus.com/kuvat/Messukeskus/

Meet us at the Finland stand G95 at the IBTM World 2021 exhibition.

Further information: Congress Manager Paula Blomster, mobile: +358 40 456 6066, paula.blomster@messukeskus.com, www.messukeskus.com. #messukeskus, #messukeskus100