Scan Magazine

By Päivi Ylänen

Choosing the right location for a convention can be essential to the outcome for both host and participants. Of course, one wants the experience to be out of the ordinary, but it is also necessary to ensure that the quality of facilities and equipment allows for top efficient arrangements. One place that can provide both long lasting impressions and highly professional arrangements is Finland. Scan Magazine has looked into some of the country’s many different possibilities.

Safe, efficient, punctual and very high quality. These are just some of the flattering adjectives used by conference and incentive travellers who have been to Finland. Unique, unspoilt, friendly and tranquil are other descriptions.

Helsinki is still a favoured destination for international conference and incentive travellers. Almost half of the 150,000 attendees each year at corporate events in Finland stay in Helsinki or nearby. But there is more to Finland than this jewel of the Baltic cities, and a third of visitors these days head for Finnish Lapland.

Leaving the ordinary behind

Helena Syvänen, MD of Polar Meetings Ltd, says there is a clear trend in travellers seeking more exotic destinations and new experiences but without compromises in standards, safety or efficiency.

It seems that Finnish Lapland fits the bill.

“Large hotel chains in big cities tend to offer much of the same everywhere and you would hardly know where you were most of the time. Lapland is not far away and it is easy to get to. It is the only true wilderness left in Europe with unspoilt nature. Our destinations in Levi are only 10 minutes from Kittilä airport, so you can be in your hotel room within 30 minutes of landing.”

Polar Meetings Ltd works with Finland’s leading congress organiser Blue & White Conferences. The companies have a long experience in organising every kind of meeting from high profile EU summits to intimate gatherings of a few like-minded folk in a Lapp tepee.

A new addition to an already good selection of venues in Levi is the state-of-the-art conference centre, Levi Summit, perched high on a fell with awesome panoramic views. The centre can accommodate up to several hundred visitors and, as always in Finland, it has the latest conference equipment and high speed communication access to ensure that meetings run smoothly.

“We organise all kinds of tailor-made programmes under the breathtaking skies of Lapland, including exciting outdoor activities in the fells of Levi and Kätkä,” Syvänen explains.

Levi is a popular destination for incentive trips, and Syvänen says that these are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a way to motivate as well as thank staff.

“These trips are often a considerable investment for a company, and we are here to make sure that they will get a good return on their investment.  We know the area well. Our reputation has been built on providing a friendly and reliable service.”

Hole in one

London-based Guild Travel is an expert on Finland and things Finnish too. The company works closely with event and conference venues throughout Finland and neighbouring countries. Marjo Sanderson, MD of Guild Travel, says that the choice of venues and extracurricular activities is mind-boggling.

“But any group with golfing enthusiasts in it should head to Vanajanlinna (Vanaja Castle), a great historic manor house by a beautiful lake and frequented by Finnish presidents – as well as golfers.”

Linna Golf is one of Europe’s best golf courses and is only 100km north of Helsinki. The course, laid out over 122 hectares by Tim Lobb, is favoured by top players.  Mikko Ikonen, top Finnish professional golfer and the first Finn to win a European Tour Event, is seen there regularly. Even the Swedes are impressed. Golf Digest Sweden has rated Linna Golf as the best golf resort in northern Europe stating:

“This is the most luxurious golf resort in northern Europe. In fact there seems to be very few places like it in the whole of Europe.”

SK Golf Challenge 2009, a European Challenge Tour event, was held in Vanajanlinna in August.

“The event was hugely successful with wonderful weather, top players and some 20,000 spectators over four days,” says Mika Walkamo, who is the Lord of the Castle and its Marketing Director.

But he says that meetings and conferences are their bread and butter.

“Vanajanlinna is a historic, high quality destination, and we cater for all companies of any size.”

Walkamo does not name names but Vanajanlinna is also popular for high society weddings. Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen had his wedding reception there a few years ago.

The estate is certainly suitable for those who are used only to the best. The exquisite former hunting lodge was built in the early 1920s by a wealthy industrialist to entertain Finland’s leading politicians and social figures. There are luxurious rooms in the lodge, sumptuous suites in the golf club building  as well as comfortable cottages, all surrounded by beautiful Finnish countryside.

High speed meetings

If you want to hold a meeting while travelling, Finland with its modern, comfortable high-speed train connections also has the perfect settings for this. A Pendolino working compartment accommodates seven people comfortably and you can work while the train shoots through the Finnish countryside at speeds of up to 220km/h.

Larger groups can reserve a whole coach for the journey, and on intercity trains you can choose among day cars, sleeping cars and special purpose cars for business and pleasure. A conference car, for example, has room for 24 people with modern office equipment and a saloon compartment for working and recreation. A train attendant takes care of the catering arrangements and looks after office equipment.

If you want to travel in style, there is the former presidential car for conference and PR use, now refurbished and with all the latest office equipment you may need. But for total freedom you should book a private train with a combination of different meeting or exhibition facilities, quality catering services and even your own pub, with a time table and routes to suit you.

Finnish intercity trains are modern, comfortable and punctual, thanks to VR, the state-owned rail company. The rail network in Finland is comprehensive. And you need not even remain within Finnish borders. Trains from Helsinki leave regularly for St Petersburg and Moscow. The most popular train for business travellers is called the Sibelius, which departs Helsinki in the morning and arrives in St Petersburg six hours later.

For more information visit: Polar Meetings www.polarmeetings.com , and Guild Travel www.guildtravel.com