Oulu – NORTHERN EXPERIENCE Meet in Oulu, Finland
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FLIGHT TIMES
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CONTENT 6
Inviting Oulu
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The Capital of Northern Scandinavia
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Smart Oulu
13 Facilities for Conventions of All Sizes 22 Accommodations to Suit All Tastes and Needs 24 At the Heart of Science 27 Northern Experience 32 This is Finland 34 Successful Conventions
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INVITING OULU
THE CAPITAL OF NORTHERN SCANDINAVIA
Choose Oulu, Finland •
combination of northern hospitality, nature, and modern technology
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exotic arctic setting
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safe & welcoming
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compact & walkable
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excellent traffic connections
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professional assistance in organizing meetings and events
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plenty of accommodation options
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numerous meeting facilities
Oulu is the fastest growing city in Arctic Europe – a cool city with hot business, just an hour’s flight from Helsinki. Being the most important commercial, logistic and cultural hub of northern Finland, Oulu is also called the Capital of Northern Scandinavia, where some 25,000 students attend the city’s two universities.
Did you know… that Oulu is number 1 in quality of life. (European commission Quality of Life in European Cities 2015)
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International Meetings Located near the Arctic Circle, Oulu is one of Finland’s most enjoyable cities to visit. Here green environment and northern hospitality are combined with modern technology and the city attracts tens of international meetings yearly. Oulu offers a relaxed atmosphere to network and do international business.
Northern Experience After a busy day it is time to unwind and enjoy the spirit of the North. Oulu has the attractions and plenty of year-round activities to enjoy. Whether it is berry picking, sauna, white nights, ice fishing or hiking in tranquil forests, you decide. Leave the city behind and join the tour to see the unique northern lights visible around Oulu for about six months starting from September. The thrill of witnessing the phenomenon of lights dancing in the sky is a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Did you know… In 2013, the first international winter cycling congress was held in Oulu.
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SMART OULU
250,000
INHABITANTS
DEVELOPED IN OULU
Oulu is a word-class high-tech city, which has the leading edge on research in key ICT-based industries, such as health technology, printed intelligence, and cleantech. Oulu is also the home of 5G and the Internet of Things: the local Nokia factory builds base stations for the future, and a revolutionary 5G hospital is being designed and built in Oulu. As far as creative industries go, also the game scene is booming in Oulu. DRIVEN BY INNOVATION The city is not only the fastest growing region in the Nordics, but also has one of the youngest populations in Europe. Oulu strives to take a leading role as a connecting point and developer of the northern region of Europe. Hence, the city caters for events of all sizes throughout the entire year.
IN THE WORLD
IN OULU 8
Did you know‌ Oulu was the most intelligent city in Europe in 2012 & 2013. the most intelligent city in Europe in 2012 & 2013 (Intelligent Community Forum ICF)
NEW STARTUPS 2014–16 9
Areena Oulu Hall
Oulu Music Centre
Energia Arena
Pedestrian street Rotuaari
BW Hotel Apollo Forenom Aparthotel Oulu Hotel Cumulus Oulu
Scandic Oulu
Original Sokos Hotel Arina Lapland Hotel Oulu Oulu City Hall The Market Square Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu Oulu Theatre
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ko sH
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Hotel Lasaretti
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The city centre is spread across several islands, connected by pedestrian bridges and cycle paths. 11
VARIETY OF ATMOSPHERES AND SETTINGS TO CHOOSE FROM IN AN INDUSTRIAL SETTING
Areena
A SYMPHONY EXPERIENCE
Oulu Music Centre Pohjankartano School
NEAR SHOPPING EXPERIENCES
Original Sokos Hotel Arina
FACILITIES FOR CONVENTIONS OF ALL SIZES Oulu offers facilities for conventions of all sizes throughout the entire year and including all seasons. Arranging events in Oulu is easy and uncomplicated, regardless of size or style.
Convention facilities BY THE SEA
AT THE MOVIES
AT THE SPORT CENTRE
Oulu Theatre E.g. conferences, shows, exhibitions and concerts.
Oulu Theatre Oulu City Library Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu
Scandic Oulu Finnkino Plaza
Oulu Hall Energia Arena Baseball Stadium
Restaurant Nallikari Break Sokos Hotel Eden
AT THE HEART OF SCIENCE
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Oulu Music Centre E.g. conferences, shows, exhibitions and concerts. Oulu Hall E.g. exhibitions, party congresses or meetings for thousands of participants. Energia Arena E.g. conferences, shows, exhibitions, big sports events and music concerts.
IN A MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL SETTING
Linnanmaa Campus area at University of Oulu
Kontinkangas Life Sciences Campus area
Technopolis Oulu
Kastelli Community Centre
IN A HISTORICAL SETTING
Hotel Lasaretti Lapland Hotel Oulu Hotel Cumulus Oulu Science Centre Tietomaa
Convention hotels •
Hotel Lasaretti, www.lasaretti.fi
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Lapland Hotel Oulu, www.laplandhotels.com
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Scandic Oulu, www.scandichotels.fi
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Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu, www.radissonblu.com
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Original Sokos Hotel Arina, www.sokoshotels.fi
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Hotel Cumulus Oulu, www.cumulus.fi
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Break Sokos Hotel Eden, www.sokoshotels.fi
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The centrally located theatre offers facilities suitable for fairs, meetings and conferences. The main theatre restaurant has places for hundreds of guests, and more dining space can be made in the general concourse as required. It commands magnificent views over Pikisaari, towards the city and out to the sea.
OULU THEATRE
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t echnically well-equipped auditorium seating up to 1,100 people
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smaller meeting spaces with 100–200 seats
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beautiful location on the island of Vänmanninsaari, close to the commercial centre of the city
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e.g. conferences, shows, exhibitions
BY THE SEA
Memorable meetings “Oulu City Theatre as a conference space was functional with a very special atmosphere. It was located in the most beautiful surrounding, at close distance to hotels and other venues. The town was bright, clean and vibrant. Situated close to nature and water, surrounded by parks and forest. It surely affected in so many ways the foreigners’ image of Finland. Additionally, hot summer weather came as a positive surprise to all the guests.” -Dr. Jari P.T. Valkonen, Professor of Plant Pathology, Vice Director Department of Agricultural Sciences, Helsinki, Finland
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Oulu Music Centre is a lively cultural centre in Oulu which makes it a perfect choice for different kinds of events including conferences and business meetings. It includes one big Madetoja Hall auditorium seating for up to 816 guests, a smaller Tulinberg Hall auditorium for 220 people and a small hall with 60 seats. There are also several committee rooms for 10 guests. The Preludi restaurant offers seats for 460 people. However, it can also host a cocktail evening for up to 1,200 guests.
OULU MUSIC CENTRE
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auditorium with up to 816 seats
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several smaller meeting spaces
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only a kilometre away from the city centre
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e.g. conferences, shows, exhibitions and concerts
SYMPHONY EXPERIENCE
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Oulu Hall is the biggest venue available in Northern Finland, which seats thousands of participants. This multifunctional place hosts numerous events from concerts to conferences and trade fairs. It features a large conference room for 100 people, and a smaller one suitable for 20 participants. As a part of the Raksila Sports Centre, it boasts fixed seating for 800 people in the main stand, 700 seats in the secondary stand, and 3,500 chairs. The Hall also has a café that can accommodate up to 200 people.
OULU HALL
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multifunctional venue for thousands of participants
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eeting spaces and conference rooms of m different sizes
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about 1.5 km away from the city centre
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e.g. exhibitions, party congresses or meetings
AT THE SPORT CENTRE
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Energia Arena is a versatile events centre that can also be used for larger functions such as trade fairs and concerts. It is located right near the centre of Oulu, at the Raksila Sports Centre and can accommodate an audience of over 6,600 people including seats for 4,800 delegates. The Arena offers more than 8,000 square metres of space for meetings and events.
ENERGIA ARENA
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multifunctional events centre for thousands of participants
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accommodates up to 6,600 guests
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about 1.5 km away from the city centre
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e.g. conferences, shows, exhibitions, big sports events and music concerts
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home to Oulun Kärpät, a professional top tier ice hockey team
AT THE SPORT CENTRE
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ACCOMMODATIONS TO SUIT ALL TASTES AND NEEDS With around 11 hotels, 1,500 hotel rooms and 3,300 beds, Oulu offers a variety of accommodation options for meetings and conventions of any size. Whether you are coming for a meeting or a conference, you will have your pick of many international -standard hotels. They boast fully equipped rooms and high quality services. However, the hotels in the heart of Oulu attract visitors not only with their high standards but also - and above all - with their vicinity to cultural attractions. Wherever you stay, you will always be only a few minutes walk from the city centre or the congress venue. There are many great options to choose from, but whatever your choice, it is sure to be a good one! •
11 Hotels, 1,500 rooms and 3,300 beds
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Accommodation options also entail cottages and villas located at the sea side of Nallikari
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Both Finnish and international hotel chains
Did you know… Finland is in TOP 3 measured in staff hospitality both in hotels (3.) and restaurants (1.) European Survey on International Guests’ Expectations
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AT THE HEART OF SCIENCE The region of Oulu boasts a thriving life science sector with about 200 hi-tech companies from bio, health, and wellbeing fields. It provides an exceptionally wide and versatile selection of shared R&D environments and living labs to further develop solutions, as well as to test their functionality in real environments. The city has a rich educational supply. The University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences offer numerous faculties, departments and specialised research units which create the foundation for multiscientific research, innovation and training of experts. Regular co-operation with local enterprises proves high-quality education and constant development. OULU INNOVATION ALLIANCE is a strategic agreement between City of Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Technopolis Plc, Oulu University Hospital, and Natural Resources Institute Finland. It integrates top knowhow from health, industry, commercialisation, city development, and ICT & Digitalisation. Its key objective is to create an innovation ecosystem that boosts top know-how based companies in establishing, developing and internationalising their businesses to increases Oulu’s attractiveness.
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Did you know‌
2.6 billion people around the world use ICT technology developed in Oulu.
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NORTHERN EXPERIENCE
TIPS FOR YOUR NORTHERN EXPERIENCE: Things to do: ice swimming, ice fishing, sauna, skating, cross country skiing, walking in the forest, picking wild berries and mushrooms, white water rafting in Koiteli, sea cruises around Oulu, husky safaris, snowmobile rides, reindeer sleigh rides. Things to see and experience: the midnight sun, the northern lights, arctic scenery with plenty of snow, peaceful Finnish nature.
Memorable meetings ”I feel so blessed to have participated in this year’s rendition of the Global Forum in Oulu. What an exotic setting for such an event and I assure you, the sauna party with the skinny dip into a freezing stream near the arctic circle will be the ”stuff of legends,” that no other conference anywhere will ever be able to top! Thank you for being such a graceful and accommodating hostess. I shall treasure the memories of the experience and appreciate the contacts I was able to establish during the sessions.” 26
-Mark Whaley, Councillor, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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al k v i c t o s Qst sic Fe Mu 28
Oulu August Festivals, including the Air Guitar World Championships, Rotuaari Piknik, the world’s most northern Irish Festival and Qstock Music Festival add colour to the Oulu region’s events calendar. 29
Memorable meetings
ear B r a l o P g Pitchin
”A great thank you for the tremendous job you did this year to prepare the Global Forum and the business visits. Everything was just perfectly organized. And very much interesting and promising. You’ve been able to offer us a glimpse of the Finnish traditional culture and to show us how dynamic the R&D and the business are in the Oulu ecosystem.” -Bénédicte Suzan, Senior Prospective Analyst –TCOIS, Airbus Defence and Space, France
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542 km
THIS IS FINLAND
INNOVATIVE COUNTRY GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT
Source: World Economic Forum
Source: Lonely Planet
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ND MOST
RD AIR
QUALITY IN THE WORLD
Source: WHO Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database (update 2016).
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ST
WORLD’S MOST LITERATE NATIONS
Source: Central Connecticut State University
ST GREENEST
COUNTRY IN THE WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDEX
Source: Yale University
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ST
Source: Eurostat
QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE EU
1157 km
TRAVEL DESTINATION IN 2017
Finland Emojis by Finland Promotion Board
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RD UNMISSABLE
Population 5,5 million
Oulu
Languages Finnish 88,7% Swedish 5,3% Currency Euro € Independence Day 6th of December since 1917 Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic Member of the EU Since 1995
Helsinki Capital
Infographics by Finland Promotion Board
Read more about Finland at finland.fi
Land of a thousand lakes… 187 888 to be exact
ALMOST
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of the land area is covered by forests 32
Number of nights the
NORTHERN LIGHTS
are visible in Finnish Lapland in a typical year 33
SUCCESSFUL CONVENTIONS Oulu Convention Bureau – the city’s convention and marketing unit provides help seeking for meetings as well as offers variety of marketing materials. We offer consulting on planning and carrying out events by means of local networks of service providers. Our approach is always tailor-made to make sure that our help meets the organiser’s individual expectations. Our free services include: •
impartial information and advice concerning meeting facilities, accommodation, transportation, and social activities
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a resourceful network of local suppliers
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comprehensive planning toolkit
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preparing tailor-made bid documents
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site visits
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access to promotional materials including videos, maps, guides and brochures about Oulu
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assistance with event promotion, (e.g. by publishing it in our online congress calendar)
Welcome to the best of Oulu. In this vital city it will be more than a conference or a meeting. It will be your own unique Northern Experience. Contact us today & let’s meet in Oulu.
Meet our team: Riina Aikio Project Manager, Meetings and Congresses P +358 (0)40 419 6605 riina.aikio@businessoulu.com
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Helena Pikkarainen Senior Advisor, Meetings and Congresses P +358 (0)44 703 1323 helena.pikkarainen@businessoulu.com
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ocb.fi | OCBOulu