Credits: Olli Vainio
As the biggest commercial, logistics and cultural hub in the region, Oulu is often called the Capital of Northern Scandinavia. It’s a vibrant city that holds over 700 events annually, including one-of-a-kind experiences such as the World Air Guitar Championships, Polar Bear Pitching, The Irish Festival of Oulu and Qstock music festival.
Oulu
Population: 210 000
Flight connections: Easily accessible with frequent one-hour flights to and from Helsinki
Distance from Helsinki:
– Plane 1 hour
– Train 6–7 hours
– Car 600 kilometers, 7 hours
Oulu Convention Bureau
Hallituskatu 36 A, 2nd floor
90100 Oulu
conventionoulu@oulu.com
Oulu seasons are distinct, ranging from the midnight sun of summer to polar nights accented by the Northern Lights in winter. The city’s seaside setting and four rivers lend Oulu a calm, aquatic vibe, and the nearby countryside and wilderness beyond provide a variety of possibilities for pre- and post-conference tours.
Oulu was named one of the top 13 growing global ”brain belts”, which attract some of the smartest people to work on cutting-edge technology. Oulu has been designated the world’s smartest city twice and conducts leading research in key ICT-based industries like health technology, printed intelligence, and cleantech. Oulu is also the home of 5G and the Internet of Things – there’s even a revolutionary 5G hospital scheduled for build in the city. Oulu’s success depends on its strong emphasis on enterprise and education – some 25,000 students attend the city’s two universities, and over one-third of Oulu’s inhabitants hold a university degree.
Oulu seamlessly combines green initiatives with northern hospitality and modern technology. Located at the junction of major traffic routes, Oulu is easily accessible by plane and train. Public transportation runs smoothly, and the city centre is compact and walkable. With a variety of innovative meeting venues and plenty of accommodation options, Oulu offers a relaxed atmosphere for networking and doing business.