Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s Sustainability Year 2025: Sustainability drives growth and internationalisation
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre continued its long-term sustainability work in 2025, making progress across all areas of responsibility. The newly published sustainability report highlights the centre’s sustainability achievements in 2025.
Sustainability is a central part of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s mission to drive growth through encounters. The aim is to increase economic growth and social wellbeing while minimising the environmental impact of operations.
“Sustainability is our way of working. It is reflected in our services, our partnerships, and the way we build events together with our customers. Sustainable solutions are a competitive advantage that supports our growth strategy and strengthens our international appeal,” says Veronica Lindholm, CEO of the Finnish Fair Corporation.
Environmental responsibility: Emission reductions and new commitments
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is an ISO 14001–certified venue committed to reducing its environmental impact through efficient waste management and recycling, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy.
In 2025, CO₂ emissions from waste management decreased significantly, amounting to –47 t CO₂ (2024: +6 t CO₂). The recycling rate, however, declined slightly from the previous year and stood at 21.6% (2024: 23.3%). In 2025, the centre renewed its energy efficiency agreement for the period 2026–2035, committing to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent from the 2024 baseline.
“Our staff regularly work shifts where they inform exhibitors about sorting points and recycling during the setup and dismantling of events. In addition, environmental advisors work at our events to assist customers and to check sorting points and other areas on a regular basis,” says Hanne Lindroos, Sustainability Manager at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
Target: Increasing economic and employment impact to €400 million
The operations of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre have a significant economic and employment impact on the entire Helsinki metropolitan area. According to the latest study by Taloustutkimus, events at the venue generated a revenue stream of €245 million for the region in 2024 (+31% / 2023: €187 million). The goal is to increase the economic and employment impact to over €400 million by 2030.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre is also a climate partner of the City of Helsinki and participates in the Sustainable Travel Finland programme. International congress organisers value Helsinki as a responsible travel destination, and Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre helps them identify local sustainability initiatives to incorporate into their congress programmes.
New social responsibility partners: HelsinkiMissio and the Finnish Red Cross
In 2025, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre launched new partnerships with HelsinkiMissio and the Finnish Red Cross. Representatives of both organisations participated in numerous events at the venue throughout the year.
At the same time, long-term cooperation with Live Vocational College continued, providing around 200 students with work experience in the events sector.
The centre also continued its support for Hursti’s Help in organising a Christmas celebration for people experiencing loneliness or social exclusion. In addition, it offered internship opportunities for students and free admission for selected school groups at certain events.
In 2025, the Finnish Fair Corporation organised over 400 events, ranging from expos and international congresses to annual general meetings and celebrations, attracting more than one million visitors.
The Sustainability Report 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre’s sustainability work.
Explore the sustainability report 2025 here >>
The annual report 2025 is available here >>
Images for media use can be downloaded here >>
More information:
Veronica Lindholm, CEO, The Finnish Fair Corporation, tel. +358 40 676 3443, veronica.lindholm@messukeskus.com
Hanne Lindroos, Sustainability Manager, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, tel. +358 40 861 5151, hanne.lindroos@messukeskus.com
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre (Messukeskus)is one of the largest event venues in the Nordic countries and an influential meeting platform. Finland’s largest event organiser produces high‑quality events and rents out its facilities and services as a venue for a wide range of events.
The Finnish Fair Group includes, in addition to Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, the trade fair organiser Expomark Oy and the AV technology company SVV Oy. In 2025, the Group’s revenue was 60.5 million euros. The economic impact of Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre on the surrounding area was 245 million euros, and its employment impact was 3,335 person-years (2024). I Messukeskus. The real social media. I messukeskus.com I @messukeskus
