Criteria for event partnerships

We are always looking for event partners with whom we can enrich and develop the range of events in Helsinki. We will help make your event a success by providing tailored support, such as resources, advice or assistance with communications and marketing. In return, we expect fresh ideas, new audiences and a commitment to making Helsinki an even better city for events.

On this page

What do we require?

  • Strategic level and brand: Your event contributes to Helsinki’s City Strategy and the Development Programme for Helsinki Tourism and Events and promotes their key themes, such as impact, the vitality of the city centre or year-round events. The event will strengthen Helsinki’s reputation and image as an attractive city for events, both in Finland and internationally.
  • Wellbeing, experiences and the regional economy: Your event enhances the quality of life, inclusion and local pride of Helsinki residents, supports the vitality of local businesses and fosters cooperation between stakeholders.
  • Sustainability: Your event takes into account different target groups, as well as environmental, economic, social and cultural responsibility. It strengthens residents’ participation opportunities and serves as an active pioneer in promoting sustainability.
  • Professionalism and resources: Your event is organised by a professional organiser with a proven track record of successful events.
  • Finances: Your event has a realistic and sustainable budget that also includes some self-funding.
  • Desire to develop: As the organiser, you are genuinely motivated to make your event even more impactful in collaboration with the City.

What do we offer?

Recognising that every event is unique, we always tailor our support to each individual case. Our partnership may include:

Resources

  • Human and financial resources: a contact person to facilitate cooperation between the City’s various divisions and units.
  • Models and support for knowledge-based management, including visitor surveys and collaborative development.
  • Opportunity to use City-owned areas free of charge when the City is acting as an organising partner.
  • Service networks, including event network support, meetings with public authorities and the Helsingin tekijät (Makers of Helsinki) network. Cooperation with the City’s specialists.

Expert assistance

  • Advice on dealing with the authorities and permit procedures.
  • Collaboration with the City’s specialists and event networks creates the conditions for your event to develop and grow.

Visibility: joint marketing and communications

  • Joint marketing and communications support in the City’s channels.

Functional and sustainable urban environment

  • A functional, accessible and pleasant urban environment as the setting for events.

Smooth visitor experience

  • Helsinki provides event visitors with access to excellent public transport connections and a wide range of ancillary services and experiences, such as the provision of additional transport services by HSL.

Examine the criteria

We want to ensure that every partnership is mutually beneficial. That is why the City’s events specialists review each application carefully. We examine all events from the following perspectives:

Strategic-level synergy

  • alignment with the Helsinki City Strategy
  • urban culture
  • creative industries
  • maritime dimension
  • food
  • sport, exercise and wellbeing.

Connection to planned or ongoing measures under the Development Programme for Helsinki Tourism and Events 2026–2029

  • contributes to vitality all year round
  • enhances the wellbeing, quality of life and local pride of Helsinki residents
  • boosts the vitality of Helsinki’s districts or city centre.

Impacts on vitality and cooperation

  • estimated number of participants (featured artists, athletes, etc.)
  • estimated level of internationalisation
  • estimated number of visitors to the event (spectators, audience members, etc.)
    a. estimated number of visitors from outside Finland 
    b. number of event tourists and their length of stay in Helsinki
  • estimated number of overnight stays in Helsinki during the event
  • assessment of economic impacts in the Helsinki region
  • event partners
  • event income and expenditure budget/funding
  • the City’s contribution/responsibilities in the event
  • City of Helsinki’s human resources.

Alignment with the Helsinki brand and its expansion

  • significance of the event from the Helsinki brand’s perspective, strengthens and expands Helsinki’s
    reputation
  • the event’s overall marketing communications plan
  • media coverage of the event at the national and international level
  • strengthens Helsinki’s reputation as a world-class city for events
  • conditions for continued cooperation

Professionalism and the ability to develop together with Helsinki

  • substantive expertise in event organisation
  • the event is professionally organised and/or headed by a competent event organiser; its funding is secure and the budget is on a sound footing
  • new, up-and-coming event with growth potential
  • potential to develop and expand the event to make it even more impactful in collaboration with the City.

Responsibility and sustainability