Nordic Business Forum x Messukeskus Areena
The €6 million grandstand investment at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, known as Messukeskus Arena, expands seating capacity and strengthens the venue’s appeal as an international event destination. The first to benefit from the new grandstand setup was Europe’s largest business event, Nordic Business Forum 2025, where it served as the main audience area.
Messukeskus Arena enables events with up to 7,500 attendees, seamlessly integrating exhibition and seating spaces.
In September 2025, Nordic Business Forum brought over 7,500 participants from more than 50 countries to Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. At the same time, the newly completed Messukeskus Arena was officially launched.
The movable and flexible grandstand system increases seating capacity and enhances the venue’s attractiveness as a unique international event location. Nordic Business Forum has been a long-standing partner of Messukeskus, and the new seating solution delivered tangible benefits for the event.
“We used to transport grandstand structures by truck from Central Europe. Now our carbon footprint is significantly reduced, and we save both time and costs. Setup time is shorter, leaving more room for rehearsals,” says Hans-Peter Siefen, CEO of Nordic Business Forum.
Flexible seating tailored to client needs
Messukeskus Arena consists of twelve movable grandstand elements, adding up to 5,000 extra seats. Combined with other seating options, the hall can accommodate up to 7,500 attendees—all within the same space.
The grandstands move into place via a conveyor system and unfold row by row at the push of a button. What used to take days now takes just hours. This flexibility allows for last-minute changes close to the event start.
A premium event arena elevating the experience
Messukeskus Arena transforms easily from sports events to seminars, concerts to gala dinners. The hall can be divided into smaller arenas, and seating can be customized to match the format and scale of each event.
The new arena also reinforces Helsinki’s position as a hub for international events. Its excellent location, smooth transport connections, and comprehensive services—from meeting rooms to restaurants and hotels—create a holistic event experience.
Following Nordic Business Forum, Messukeskus Arena will serve as the main stage for the Helsinki Book Fair in October 2025 and host Finland’s largest annual indoor arena event, the Helsinki International Horse Show, in February–March 2026.
”We used to transport grandstand structures by truck from Central Europe. Now our carbon footprint is significantly reduced, and we save both time and costs. Setup time is shorter, leaving more room for rehearsals. ”
Hans-Peter Siefen, CEO, Nordic Business Forum
