" The most modern event venue in the Nordic countries "This is the promise embodied by Solaraccording to Anni Vepsäläinen, CEO of Helsinki Convention and Exhibition Centre. It has to be said that the budget made available by the Finnish MICE - 20 million euros - is one of the largest investments made by the Helsinki Convention and Exhibition Centre in several decades.
This new centre MICEthe design of which was entrusted to the local architectural firm Davidsson Tarkelashould extend over 1500 m² approx.. The building will be around ten metres high. Construction of Solar is due to start in spring 2026 and be completed inAutumn 2027. It will be able to accommodate up to 1,200 people for a dinner party, for example. But those in charge of the project intend to play the versatility card: " Solar will be adapted and transformed to suit the various events organised by the Helsinki Convention and Exhibition Centre, including trade shows, conferences, seminars, product launches, parties or annual meetings ". Solar may also be reserved in whole or in part.
As for the facilities at the new MICE centre, they include solar panels on the roof - a must with such an identity - and, more generally, an emphasis on eco-responsible design. Logical for a capital that not so long ago dominated the GDS Index of the most responsible destinations. The CEO of the Helsinki Convention and Exhibition Centre: " Solar perfectly complements our site and will also host international congresses and corporate events, which have a major economic impact on the metropolitan region and contribute to the growth of tourism in Helsinki. We know that a congress attendee generally spends around 2,000 euros, so the impact of 5,000 guests is around 10 million euros. "says Anni Vepsäläinen.
Alongside the construction of this new MICE centre, the existing infrastructure of the Helsinki Convention and Exhibition Centre will benefit from a modernisation plan. The facade and main entrance will be renovated by the end of the year.Autumn 2026However, the Convention Centre will remain open throughout the construction period.
Helsinki should therefore continue to gain ground in the MICE segment. All the more so since on 4 January, the Finlandia Hall celebrated its reopening after three years of work. The building, designed by the architect Alvar Aalto, is set to double the number of visitors it receives, bringing it closer to the 400,000 convention-goers it welcomes every year.
