Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre, is applying to organise a global congress for magicians, FISM 2018. A tripartite letter of intent has already been signed with the Finnish Magicians Association and Blue & White Conferences Oy.
Due to signing this letter of intent Messukeskus and Finland have now made it to the final round of the selection process. The other city in the competition is the South Korean Busan, which the international association for magicians, Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques FISM, has also qualified to the top two.
FISM is organised every third year and the next location is decided in Rimini, Italy, in July 2015. If Finland is not selected this time, it will apply again for the congress held in 2021. The city of Helsinki has given its full support to Messukeskus for getting this unique event to Finland.
– Having participated in numerous global congresses worldwide I am convinced that Helsinki and Messukeskus have the ability, know-how and facilities to ace this type of an event. Also the people involved in the project are in it to win it and have the expertise needed, states Kim Wist, the chairman of the Finnish Magicians Association.
The congress includes shows, lectures, galas and world championships. Plenty of congress facilities and hotel rooms are needed as the anticipated number of participants is 3,000. The participants come from tens of different countries and consist both of professional magicians and magic enthusiasts.
According to the letter of intent, Messukeskus carries the financial responsibility for the FISM 2018.
– Messukeskus has years of experience as an event organiser but this scope of responsibility would be a new challenge for us. Messukeskus would be the key figure in this major congress, not only supplying the venue, summarises Congress Manager Susanne Massingberd-Roinila from Messukeskus.
