Messukeskus Helsinki, Expo and Convention Centre, moved to new premises in Pasila exactly 40 years ago. The premises were inaugurated 6 February 1975.
The first event held at the new premises in Pasila was Vene 75 Båt. Messukeskus Helsinki celebrates the anniversary in the same circumstances as 40 years ago, by opening the Helsinki International Boat Show, Vene 15 Båt.
Before moving to Pasila, the Finnish Fair Corporation organised events downtown in premises that now host mostly sporting events. As the business grew, it became clear that bigger premises were needed and a suitable location was found in Pasila which was then on the outskirts of the city. Messukeskus Helsinki was built in the middle of fields with a racetrack, railways and warehouses on its neighbouring lots. The apartment buildings now surrounding Messukeskus Helsinki were built 1974-1978.
Since then Messukeskus Helsinki has been built into a conference and exhibition venue meeting international standards. The company form is still cooperative which enables using the returns for developing the operations further and thus benefitting both the members of the cooperation and the end users.
Today Messukeskus consists of 7 exhibition halls, 40 meeting rooms of different sizes, and 21 cafés and restaurants. The premises went through a substantial refurbishing in 2013 and meet the requirements of basically any fair, conference, meeting or other event. Messukeskus Helsinki is a service provider and event venue to look up to.
Messukeskus Helsinki and the Finnish Fair Corporation’s 95 years:
· Founded in 1919
· Exhibition hall to Töölö 1935
· New Messukeskus Helsinki to Pasila 1975
· Conference premises 1983
· Two additional exhibition halls 1986
· Renovation of the main entrance 1995
· Winter Garden 1996
· Holiday Inn Helsinki hotel 1997
· Hall 1 renovated 1998
· Two additional exhibition halls 2001
· Parking facilities 2003
· New offices 2004
· New meeting rooms 2005
· Raising the roof of parking facilities 2010
· New multipurpose hall 2011
· Refurbishing the Galleries, restaurants and meeting rooms 2013
Messukeskus Helsinki promotes Finnish welfare by enabling profitable face to face encounters at meetings, congresses, fairs and other events. Fairs are the sixth largest medium and create unique face to face encounters with the most social impact. Fairs are a medium that creates genuine experiences. In 2014 Messukeskus Helsinki attracted 1,1 million visitors and 10,000 exhibiting companies to its events.
