Events

 

Northern Ostrobothnia's most important tourism seminar will be held again in October – enter the date in your calendar and sign up!

The event brings together tourism companies, developers and decision-makers to hear and discuss current topics and future opportunities in the field. This year's themes are the permanent impact of the title year on the region, the importance of events for tourism, and the role of artificial intelligence and responsibility in the sustainable and competitive development of tourism.

The event will be held at Hotel Lasaret in Oulu, but you can also participate remotely via stream.

Sign up here and book your seat!

Programme

8.00 Morning coffee and registration

9.00 Opening words of the event

9.05 From attention to the long-term growth of tourism – the potential of Oulu and Finland
Kristiina Hietasaari, Senior Director, Visit Finland

9.30 Keynote - legacy of the European Capital of Culture year
Suvi Innilä, Turku 800 Project Director, City of Turku
Innilä has worked as a project manager and programme manager for the European Capital of Culture 2011 and as a programme manager for the centenary of Finland's independence.

9.50 Commentary: Päivi Kaarlela, Cooperative store Arina

10.00 Panel discussion: ‘After the Capital of Culture year: How do Oulu and the North stay in people's minds?’
Moderator: Harriet Urponen, Communications Director, City of Oulu
Panellists:
Suvi Innilä, City of Turku
Ulla Pirkola, Oulu Cultural Foundation
Kristiina Hietasaari, Visit Finland

10.30 Break

10.50 Development of events in Ruka-Kuusamo
Niina Kukka, Event Manager, Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism Regional Assembly

11.05 Panel discussion: Building a successful event and the importance of international tourism
Moderator: Karri Oikarinen, Project Director, City of Oulu
Panellists:
Heikki Myllylahti, Oulu Urban Culture
Sanna Hirvonen, NUTS Feed & Pyhä
Tiia Priuska, Visit Kalajoki and Adventure Park Pakka
Niina Flower, Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism
Tommi Virkkunen, Oulu flies

11.45 Lunch, self-financed

13.00 Investments accelerated by the Year of Culture and the development of accessibility
Oulu Chamber of Commerce and BusinessOulu

13.30 Artificial intelligence is transforming tourism: What is worth doing now?
Ville Niemijärvi, Artificial Intelligence Specialist, Senior Consultant, Flowhouse

14.00 Commentary: YT Anderson, Visit Northern Finland

14.10 State of play of tourism funding and prospects for the future EU programming period
Saija Tikkanen, Specialist in International Affairs, Regional Assembly of Oulu Region
Pasi Loukasmäki, Head of Finance Unit, Northern Finland Vitality Centre

14.30 Oulu2026 Capital of Culture year's final peaks
Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, Oulu Cultural Foundation

14.45 Visit Northern Finland topical and closing words of the event
Y.T. Anderson, CEO, Visit Northern Finland Oy

15.00 End of the event

The event will be held at Hotel Lasaret in Oulu, but you can also participate remotely via stream.

For the participants of the event, an accommodation quota is reserved from the hotel for a special price156 €/night/2hh. Reservations for rooms from the quota for 13-15 October must be made by 14 September at the latest using the reservation code "42402 Business Oulu 13.-15.10.2026". Reservations directly to the hotel by phone or e-mail: tel. +358 20 757 4701, lasaretti@lasaretti.com.

Welcome to network, inspire and develop tourism together!

The event is organized by BusinessOulu, Oulu Chamber of Commerce, Visit Northern Finland Oy and the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region together in cooperation in cooperation with Oulu Cultural Foundation. There is also the Artificial Intelligence Productivity (TETTU) project.

Additional information:

Anna-Maija Toivonen
Tel. +358 40 685 4022
anna-maija.toivonen@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi

 

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