What Messukeskus does

Messukeskus (Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre) is the operating brand of the Finnish Fair Corporation (Suomen Messut Oyj), a public corporation founded in 1919 and majority-owned (89%) by the non-profit Finnish Fair Foundation. The company operates a multi-purpose event campus in Pasila, Helsinki comprising 7 exhibition halls, 40 meeting rooms, a connected 245-room Holiday Inn hotel, 21 restaurants and cafés, 4,600 parking spaces, and the BÖLE Arena & Club. In 2025 the group organized 37 self-produced trade fairs hosting 6,637 exhibitors and 25 guest events, alongside 371 meetings, congresses, and celebrations including 10 international congresses. Total attendance across group events reached 1,019,624 visitors.

The platform is supported by digital infrastructure including the eMessukeskus exhibitor self-service portal, the Visualizer space-planning tool, and a September 2025 pilot of an AI-assisted Event Guide developed with Cadentia. The Messukeskus Areena movable 5,000-7,500-seat grandstand system, launched in 2025, transforms exhibition halls into arenas for concerts, galas, and sporting events. A EUR 20 million new venue, Messukeskus Solar, begins construction in spring 2026 and opens in autumn 2027. Subsidiary Suomen Videoviestintä SVV Oy (EUR 7.2M turnover) provides AV technology, while Expomark Oy (EUR 2.3M turnover) organizes industry and healthcare events across multiple Finnish cities and acquired Media Pro Finland Oy in January 2026.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid B2B/B2C model. B2B streams include exhibition space rental, booth services, sponsorships, venue rental for congresses and corporate events, AV equipment rental via SVV Oy, and professional event organization via Expomark Oy. B2C streams include public ticket sales through the online shop and box offices, parking (EUR 16/day standard rate), restaurant sales via NoHo Partners, and recurring-visitor programs such as the VIP Messukeskus Card and season tickets. Group turnover reached EUR 60.5 million in 2025, 3.6% above the prior 2019 record. The company is a member of UFI and ICCA, holds ISO 14001, ISO 9001:2015, SHORE GOLD safety, EcoCompass, and Sustainable Travel Finland certifications, and is a signatory to the UNWTO Glasgow Declaration.

Name

Messukeskus

Legal name

Suomen Messut Oyj

Website

https://messukeskus.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Messukeskus operates Helsinki's largest expo and convention centre, hosting 40 trade fairs, congresses and events annually for 6,637 exhibitors and over 1 million visitors, with full-service venue, AV, catering and hotel offerings under the Finnish Fair Corporation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convention & Exhibition Venue Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Convention Campus & District Operators (Integrated Venue Districts) (THAHAAAL), Integrated Convention & Expo Complex Hotels (THAGALAE)

Keywords

• Exhibition venue services
• Convention center operations
• Trade fair organization
• Event management services
• Congress hosting facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Space Rental and Trade Fair Organization: Self-produced trade fair events and hosted guest events. Revenue from exhibitor booth rentals, sponsorship, and exhibition services. In 2025, 37 trade fair events organized with 6,637 exhibitors.
2. Venue and Congress Services: Rental of event spaces for meetings, congresses, celebrations, entertainment productions. In 2025: 371 meetings/congresses/celebrations and 25 guest events hosted. 10 international congresses with 28,622 participants.
3. AV Technology Services (SVV Oy): Audiovisual event technology and equipment rental through subsidiary Suomen Videoviestintä SVV Oy for meetings, congresses, trade fairs, corporate events and concerts. Turnover EUR 7.2 million in 2025.
4. Parking Services: 4,600 parking spaces in parking garage and outdoor areas. Parking fees at EUR 16 per day, with discounted multi-day rates. Hotel parking at EUR 3 per started 60 minutes.
5. Restaurant and Catering Services: 21 restaurants and cafés on site. Partner: NoHo Partners. Services from breakfast to dinner during events.
6. Ticket Sales: Public ticket sales for trade fairs and consumer events through online shop and box offices. Season tickets, VIP cards, and group tickets available.
7. Event Organization (Expomark Oy): Professional events organization in industry and healthcare sectors through subsidiary Expomark Oy in Tampere, Oulu, Kalajoki, Helsinki, Riihimäki and Vaasa. Turnover EUR 2.3 million in 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Messukeskus operates the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre in Pasila, Finland, renting approximately 7 exhibition halls and 40 meeting rooms to trade fair exhibitors, congress organizers, and corporate event planners. It also self-produces around 40 trade fairs per year and offers ancillary on-site services including AV technology (via subsidiary SVV Oy), restaurant and catering (21 venues via NoHo Partners), parking for 4,600 vehicles, exhibition stand design, and connected 245-room hotel accommodation. The group organizes industry and healthcare events through subsidiary Expomark Oy and represents Messe Düsseldorf in Finland through Interfair.

Product overview

Messukeskus (Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre) operates as a full-service event venue and face-to-face media platform under The Finnish Fair Corporation (Suomen Messut Oyj). The core offering centers on the Messukeskus Helsinki venue — approximately 7 exhibition halls, 40 meeting rooms, and flexible spaces hosting ~40 trade fairs, ~400 meetings/congresses, and a wide range of public and professional events annually. This core platform is supported by digital tools including eMessukeskus (exhibitor self-service portal), the Visualizer (virtual space exploration tool), and an AI-Assisted Event Guide pilot. Add-on services include AV and event technology (via Suomen Videoviestintä SVV Oy), stand design and construction, restaurant services (21 venues via NoHo Partners), and the Holiday Inn Helsinki – Expo hotel. Ancillary offerings include Messuklubi membership, VIP Cards, and Season Tickets. The group also includes Expomark Oy (trade fair organizer) and Interfair (Finnish arm of Messe Düsseldorf), plus the future Messukeskus Solar venue opening in 2027 and the Messukeskus Areena movable grandstand system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BÖLE Arena & Club: 3,500-seat concert arena, club and restaurant world opened in 2023
• Messukeskus Areena
• Messukeskus Solar
• The real social media

Products and services

• Messukeskus Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre
• BÖLE Arena & Club
• Holiday Inn Helsinki Expo (Hotel)
• Expomark Oy Trade Fair Organization
• SVV Oy AV Technology Services
• Interfair (Messe Düsseldorf Representation)
• Ravintolamaailma (Restaurant World)
• VIP Messukeskus Card
• Season Ticket
• Messukeskus Solar
• Messukeskus Areena (Movable Grandstand)
• Stand/Booth Design Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Visitor count exceeded 1 million for first time since pandemic
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of HelsinkicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner and hometown of Messukeskus. Messukeskus is one of Helsinki's most popular destinations and promotes the city's attractiveness and growth. Climate partner of the City of Helsinki.
• HelsinkiMissiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial responsibility partnership launched in 2025. Collaboration aims to promote social responsibility and reduce loneliness while increasing community cohesion.
• Finnish Red Cross (Suomen Punainen Risti)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial responsibility partnership launched in 2025. Supports the Red Cross's valuable work in crises and emergencies.
• Helsinki PartnerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHelsinki Partners focuses on international city marketing and attracting investment and talent. Cooperation covers communicating Helsinki's strengths, organizing media visits, and application processes for international congresses.
• Business FinlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDevelops Finland into an attractive investment and tourism destination. Messukeskus serves as effective meeting medium for startups and established companies.
• Finland Convention BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMarkets Finland as destination for congresses and business events. Close cooperation in promoting Finland's country brand and attracting international congresses to Helsinki.
• Congress Network Finland ryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork of meeting and congress industry professionals. Messukeskus actively promotes networking and professional development of members.
• ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational association providing strong international network, comprehensive data bank, and latest know-how for organizing congresses.
• UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal umbrella organization of trade fair industry. Provides strong international network, information and know-how in trade fair matters.
• Helen (energy company)coreTechnology or IntegrationSolar energy partnership. Aurora solar power plant opened in cooperation with Helen, increasing renewable energy share in energy use.
• EuroParkcoreTechnology or IntegrationAutoPay barrier-free parking system provider. Registration number recognition for entry and exit without barriers.
• InterfairminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents Messe Düsseldorf in Finland and serves Finnish companies in all questions related to Messe Düsseldorf events.
• NoHo PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant and catering services partner. EcoCompass environmental certificate awarded to restaurant services.
• Live Vocational College (Ammattiopisto Live)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing cooperation offering around 200 students work experience in event industry roles. Part of Live Foundation's Humane Workplaces network.
• Expomark OycoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary organizing professional events in industry and healthcare sectors in Tampere, Oulu, Kalajoki, Helsinki, Riihimäki and Vaasa.
• Suomen Videoviestintä SVV OycoreOthersWholly-owned subsidiary providing AV technology services and equipment rental for meetings, congresses, trade fairs, corporate events and concerts.
• Holiday Inn Helsinki ExpocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected hotel with 245 rooms, direct access to Messukeskus facilities. Part of IHG chain.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Messe Düsseldorf: One of the world's leading trade fair companies headquartered in Germany, hosting 50+ trade fairs across industries. Messukeskus's subsidiary Interfair represents Messe Düsseldorf in Finland, establishing direct portfolio and operating model overlap.
• Deutsche Messe (Hannover): Hannover-based global trade fair company hosting industrial B2B flagship events including HANNOVER MESSE. Comparable to Messukeskus in the trade fair venue and exhibition business, though at much larger scale and globally focused.
• Messe Frankfurt: Global venue operator and trade fair organiser with around 150 events worldwide, including major consumer and industry shows. Comparable to Messukeskus in venue-based event model but at materially larger scale and global presence.
• MCH Group (Messe Basel): Swiss-based live marketing and trade fair group operating Basel area venues and major international events (Art Basel, etc.). Comparable to Messukeskus in venue-anchored event business model but with significantly larger international footprint.

Direct peers

• Bella Center Copenhagen: Scandinavia's largest exhibition and conference centre in Copenhagen, hosting trade fairs, congresses, and corporate events. Highly comparable to Messukeskus in venue scale, Nordic market focus, and event portfolio, including an attached hotel (AC Hotel Bella Sky).
• Tampere-talo (Tampere Hall): Finland's largest congress and concert centre located in Tampere, hosting major congresses, conferences, and events. Comparable to Messukeskus as a Finnish full-service venue competing for the same domestic congress and event business.
• Stockholmsmässan: Stockholm International Fairs operates one of Northern Europe's largest exhibition and congress venues in the Nordic region. Directly comparable to Messukeskus as a Nordic peer hosting trade fairs, congresses, and consumer events with similar full-service venue offering.
• Tampereen Messut: Tampere-based trade fair organiser in Finland, hosting regional industry and consumer trade fairs. Directly comparable in organising model and overlapping Finnish trade fair market with Messukeskus's Expomark subsidiary.

Emerging players

• Slush: Helsinki-based founder-led tech conference organiser with global expansion and major brand presence in startup/tech events. Holds events at Messukeskus's venue but competes for the same international congress and event talent/share-of-mind in Helsinki.

Regional players

• Turun Messukeskus (Turku Fair Center): Turku-based Finnish trade fair and congress venue serving the southwestern Finland market. Comparable to Messukeskus in operating model and product offering but at a smaller regional scale within the same domestic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/messukeskus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/suomenmessut
• Facebookfacebook.com/Messukeskus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/messukeskushelsinki
• Instagraminstagram.com/messukeskus

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Messukeskus