In September, Turku hosted the 23rd international European Conference of Computational Biology (ECCB). This is Europe’s flagship event in the field of computational biology and bioinformatics this year, and for the first time, this prestigious annual scientific conference was held in a Nordic country.

The event was chaired by Laura Elo (pictured on the right), Professor and Research Director at the Turku Bioscience Centre, together with Tommi Nyrönen from CSC – IT Center for Science. The program showcased the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis methods, fostering a unique environment for knowledge exchange and networking on a global scale. ECCB attracted nearly 800 participants, with 82% being international visitors. 

Laura Elo and Research Coordinator Anu Kukkonen-Macchi (left in the picture above) are all smiles after the successful event. They view the congress as an invaluable opportunity to highlight Finnish computational biology and bioinformatics expertise and to promote Turku internationally.

"We received incredibly positive feedback from the conference, and the atmosphere couldn't have been better. Many participants said it was the best conference they had ever attended, and some even came up to us during the event to give us hugs while thanking us for the great atmosphere."

The key to this success was not only the high-quality speakers and flawless logistics but also the thoughtful structuring of the event.

"One of the key insights was that we allowed enough time for conversations and networking, and the sessions themselves were kept relatively short," Elo says.

The main venue for the congress, the versatile Logomo, was praised for its functionality and modern infrastructure.

"Logomo’s facilities were perfect for the event and hosting the dinner in Turku Castle allowed international guests to experience Finnish history in an unforgettable setting, blending culture with academic exchange," says Kukkonen-Macchi.

The feedback from participants reinforced Turku's appeal as a congress destination.

"Turku is an excellent city for conferences due to the short distances between places, its safety, and the fact that many consider it exotic. Many of our international guests had perhaps visited Helsinki before, but Turku was a new experience for them."

The city’s proximity to nature and cultural landmarks was also appreciated, with some attendees extending their stay to explore the archipelago or enjoy activities like cycling and sauna.

The ECCB conference is held biannually in various European cities, with previous editions taking place in Barcelona and Athens before arriving in Turku. The bidding process for the conference was lengthy, beginning as far back as 2018. As a highly prestigious and large event, many cities compete to host it.

“We submitted a strong proposal and personally presented our idea”, Elo explains.

Organizing the ECCB required strong collaboration between Turku Bioscience Centre, CSC – IT Center for Science, and other Nordic universities, with Aboa Events managing the logistics and event planning. Visit Turku Archipelago also played an essential role in supporting the team.

"We are scientists, not city marketing experts, so the help we received from Visit Turku Archipelago was invaluable. They assisted us with everything from finding the right venues to providing comprehensive materials," says Elo.

She also expresses her gratitude for Aboa Events' contribution, emphasizing the importance of their role in the event’s success.

“The University of Turku collaborates closely with Aboa Events on large conferences, as we did in this case as well. The partnership is natural, and they have a lot of expertise in organizing conferences. An important tip we’d like to share with others is to start early and plan everything well in advance - it makes the execution much smoother.”

Turku is an ideal setting for hosting conferences, congresses, and meetings, blending rich history with modern facilities. Along the picturesque Aura River, you'll find a variety of spaces, from contemporary conference venues to historical options.

Turku Convention Bureau promotes Turku as a destination for international congresses and meetings. They also help with planning, ideas and advice related to venues, accommodation, transportation, social programme and activities in the Turku region. 

The original article can be viewed on the Visit Turku Archipelago website.
Text: Heli Nieminen 
Photos: Niko Kotiranta