Finland’s largest event organiser, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, generated €245 million in revenue and 3,335 person-years of employment for the Helsinki metropolitan area in 2024. In comparison, the 2023 figures were €187 million and 2,535 person-years. These results are from a study conducted by Taloustutkimus.
The strong growth is driven by the excellent financial performance in 2024 of the Finnish Fair Corporation Group. Revenue increased by an impressive 13.9%, reaching €58.4 million – approaching the record levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
”The operations of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre have a significant economic and employment impact across the entire Helsinki metropolitan area. In line with our growth strategy, we are creating sustainable growth through encounters, supporting our customers’ business, and strengthening the economy in a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable way. Our goal is to increase the economic and employment impact of our events to €400 million by 2026,” says Anni Vepsäläinen, CEO of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
Trade fairs, congresses, and other events are a vital part of a society’s economic vitality. In 2024, the Finnish Fair Corporation organised over 500 events ranging from trade fairs and international congresses to annual meetings and celebrations, attracting nearly 900,000 visitors in total.
The economic impact of international congresses and events on Helsinki and the metropolitan area is particularly significant. According to the Helsinki Convention Bureau, one congress visitor spends an average of €2,000 in the area.
In 2024, eight international congresses were held at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, drawing over 34,000 participants. The economic and employment impact of these congresses on the metropolitan area exceeded €68 million.
The economic and employment impact of trade fairs 2024 study was conducted by Taloustutkimus Oy on behalf of the Association of Trade Fair and Event Organisers in Finland.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre invests in future growth
A new 5,000-seat movable arena grandstand, set to be introduced in summer 2025, will enable the organisation of new types of events in the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s largest halls.
Among the projects aimed at future growth is the new Solar event space, construction of which will begin in spring 2026. Solar, one of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s largest investments in recent decades, is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2027.
