Helsinki

Helsinki is the vibrant capital city of Finland, situated on the shores of the Baltic Sea. It is a dynamic metropolis known for its stunning architecture, thriving arts scene, and beautiful landscapes. Helsinki is a unique city with history unlike any other. Boasting many attractions for tourists of all ages, it is easy for one to get lost in the immersive history of this picturesque city. At the heart of the city lies Helsinki Cathedral – a magnificent symbol of the Finnish identity overlooking the city. Just off the coast of Helsinki you can find the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring historic fortifications, museums, and scenic walking trails. For those with a passion for design and innovation, Helsinki’s Design District is a must-visit destination, with its eclectic mix of shops, galleries, and studios which showcase the best of Finland’s design and craftsmanship. These examples are just to name a few with many more such as the Sibelius Monument or the Temppeliaukio Church.

Conference venue: LocalTapiola’s Offices

Finnish member LocalTapiola is hosting the conference sessions in their offices. ICMIF has organised a bus service to escort delegates there each day from the Scandic hotel.

The Welcome Reception and Mini Monte Carlo will be held in the Scandic Grand Central Hotel, situated next to the Kamppi Shopping Centre in the middle of Helsinki.

Scandic Grand Central Hotel

With more than 60 years of experience, we couldn’t be happier to announce that the conference hotel will be the Scandic Grand Central Hotel, located in the heart of Helsinki. A beautiful 4-star hotel which features a combination of timelessly elegant architecture and a calm, relaxing atmosphere, ensuring a pleasant experience for all.

How to book your accommodation:

Please note that delegates are required to make their own reservation with the Scandic Grand Central Helsinki.

Scandic Grand Central Helsinki
Vilhonkatu 13, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

In order to receive ICMIF’s specially negotiated room rates, delegates are kindly requested to book their own accommodation using this link.  

Prices and type of bedrooms are as below: 

• Standard king : EUR 169 (inclusive of all taxes) - and EUR 189 for double occupancy
• Superior king: EUR 189 (inclusive of all taxes) - and EUR 209 double occupancy

Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included in the price above.

At present the cancellation policy is as follows: people can cancel their room until 18:00 on the day of arrival.

Airport and transportation to the hotel

Helsinki Airport is a 25-30 minute drive from the Scandic Grand Central Hotel (18.6km). The most efficient way to reach the hotel is via taxi, however train services are available, running every 10 minutes with an estimated journey of 40 minutes. Trains run between the airport and Helsinki City Centre every 10 minutes Monday-Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sundays. The Airport Train Station is located directly under the airport terminal, accessible by lift or escalator from the arrival and departure halls. The airport is located in zone C and the Helsinki Central Railway Station is in zone A, therefore you will need an ABC ticket to travel between the two zones.

Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception will be held in the Scandic Grand Central Hotel on Tuesday 3 June from 7.00 pm. This standing dinner allows our delegates to meet each other, whilst exchanging ideas, and enjoying a relaxing evening upon their arrival in Helsinki.

Local climate / time zone

Helsinki operates under the Eastern European Summer Time zone (EEST or UTC+3). In June, the climate is usually pleasantly warm with a gentle summer breeze, typically with highs of 20 degrees Celsius and lows of around 11 degrees Celsius. It should be noted that whilst the MORO Conference will take place during Finnish summertime, rainfall is possible and visitors should bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Safety and security

Helsinki is one of the safest city in Europe and it is ranked 6th out of 113 in the ranking of the safest cities.

However, as in all major cities throughout the world, please exercise caution when walking around on your own. It is advised to avoid carrying large sums of cash, having cameras loose or to leave your belongings and luggage unattended.

Tipping and local taxes

Tipping is not expected in Finland and a service charge is added in hotels and restaurants. Finnish people do tip (maximum 10%) only if they wish to appreciate good service or delicious food. It is not obligatory to give a tip to the taxi drivers.

Dress code

The dress code for all our conference sessions is smart business attire. For the Welcome Reception and Farewell Dinner we recommend attendees dress in smart-casual clothing.

Electricity

The electricity in Finland runs on a 230V supply at 50 Hz frequency, which is the standard rate within the whole of Europe and Northern Africa. In regard to power sockets and plugs, Finland mainly uses Type C or Type F. Plug Type C is the plug which has two round pins and Type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side.

Transportation

The city is connected via a public transport network of trains and trams which arrive regularly at short intervals. Helsinki is also home to an array of beautiful wide cobblestone streets, paving the way for some lovely summer strolls. Taxi services are also available throughout the city.

Passport and visa

It is recommended that travelers’ passports have at least six months of validity remaining after the intended date of departure from Helsinki. International delegates attending the conference may need to apply for a Schengen visa if they are citizens of countries outside the Schengen Area. Finland, including Helsinki, is part of the Schengen Area, which is a group of European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. To apply for a Schengen Visa to Finland, you must submit your application at a Mission of Finland or a Visa Centre no later than 15 days before travel but may be submitted no more than six months before the start of the intended visit. For those travelling from outside of Europe, we strongly advise reading your local Foreign Travel Advice, as well as the GOV.UK and UM.FI websites to avoid any issues when traveling.