The theme of the third annual National Meetings Industry Week to be held in Finland and organised by Finland Convention Bureau will be “Responsible Meetings”. The main aim of this year’s campaign, which runs from 7-11 April, is to focus attention on corporate social responsibility. CSR has been identified as an acute challenge for developing the meetings industry, as well as a significant competitive factor for the future.

Social responsibility has also been selected as a regular theme for future National Meetings Industry Weeks. This broad concept encompasses economic, social and ecological responsibility and will be approached initially from the perspective of environmental responsibility.

A survey has been carried out among FCB members to assess how environmental responsibility is currently being implemented within the meetings industry. The results of this pilot survey will be published in connection with the opening of the Kongressi 2008 fair, the main event of National Meetings Industry Week, to be held at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 9 April. A speech will be given at the opening by Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen.

Pro Congress banquet

The 12th annual Kongressi fair will feature over 130 exhibitors and attracts each year over 3,000 visitors. The programme includes a special Congress School for those interested in organising their own congresses, as well as a Corporate Event Seminar.

The National Meetings Industry Week programme also includes the presentation by FCB of this year’s Pro Congress award to a person or organisation for significant and long-time contribution to attracting international congresses to Finland. This year the award ceremony will be expanded into an evening banquet that will be attended by member societies of the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies and FCB members.

Keynote speakers include Ilkka Niiniluoto, Rector of the University of Helsinki, and Tom Palmberg, Chairman of the Finnish Association of Professional Board Members, who will give a talk on corporate social responsibility. The Pro Congress banquet will be held at the Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa hotel on 8 April.