Helsinki: MICE gets a makeover at Finlandia Hall

After three years of work, the Finlandia Hall celebrated its reopening on 4 January in downtown Helsinki. The building, designed by architect Alvar Aalto and inaugurated in the early 1970s, has been given a complete makeover. The aim of the renovation plan is to double the number of visitorsIn the past, this figure has hovered around 200,000 guests per year. To achieve this, Finlandia Hall is still counting on congress delegates - the 50th anniversary of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) will be one of the highlights of 2025 - but not only.

" A completely new era is opening up in our history "warns Johanna Tolonen, CEO of Finlandia Hall Ltd. Our history has been undeniably magnificent and successful, but modern times demand new ways of thinking and new operating models. Over the years of renovation, we have made a bold and determined effort to innovate and develop concepts for our offerings to serve our customers and Helsinki city centre even better. The Finlandia Hall, which opens its doors on Saturday, is an entirely new kind of event centre, where everyone can enjoy a new experience and where the doors are open to all. "continues Johanna Tolonen.

Site management assures us: " Versatile services for events and conferences remain at the heart of Finlandia Hall's activities. The renovated meeting centre in the main building has almost twenty different spaces that combine modern comfort and design. Finlandia Hall, the Piazza and other beautiful and familiar event spaces and furnishings have been restored to their former glory, and have been joined by a specially designed exhibition hall for launch events or temporary exhibitions. ".

For the first time in its history, the renovated Finlandia Hall will open its doors not only to conference delegates and event visitors, but also to all the city's residents and travellers.

For all that, Finlandia Hall is playing the versatility card more than ever. The management notes that " For the first time in its history, the renovated Finlandia Hall will open its doors not only to conference delegates and event visitors, but also to all the city's residents and travellers, as a shared, everyday leisure destination and place to experience. The site's managers go on to explain: " The renovated Finlandia Hall is much more than just an occasion or an event: a guest who comes for a concert, a shareholder meeting or an afternoon coffee can also enjoy, if they wish, an à la carte restaurant, a vast collection of works of art from the Helsinki City Art Museum, a captivating exhibition or even the possibility of spending the night in this Alvar Aalto masterpiece. ". As a symbol of the building's openness to new audiences, the two flats designed by the Finnish architect - originally intended for the site's staff - can now be reserved.

The reopening of Finlandia Hall will be celebrated throughout January, with an open day on 25 January to showcase the renovated convention centre and the new services on offer.