Whether you are an experienced congress organiser or a first-timer, don’t hesitate to ask for OCB’s help. To get started, check out these valuable tips for arranging a meeting or congress.
Tips for arranging a congress

When you’re still thinking about a suitable location:
- Form an agile, right-sized organising committee with clear tasks and responsibilities.
- Plan your budget and financing well ahead of time. Follow up regularly!
- Find out possible financing sources. Note that there will be expenses before your event. Read more about The Federation of Finnish Learned Societies grants.
- Consider a familiarisation visit for decision makers to the potential location.

When you’ve decided on the location:
- Make use of free assistance offered by your region, municipality or city, such as the Oulu Convention Bureau in Oulu.
- Get to know the location. In Oulu, start with OCB’s bid book.
- Find out about the invitation procedure and pick a date. Remember to pay attention to possible traditional meeting times, other events in the same field, and holidays.
- Put effort into presenting the invitation. In addition to basic information, remember to market the location!
- Confirm and book the venues, facilities, services and transport well in advance.
- Prepare the programme with care and effort. Don’t forget the casual part!
- Networking events are a good attraction and leave good memories.
- Remember marketing! Efficient marketing will increase the number of participants.
Bonusvinkit vastuullisen kongressin järjestämiseen:
Welcome to your meeting in colourful Oulu! Congress city Oulu offers so much to see and experience! Photo: Visit Oulu
Why Oulu?
There are many reasons to choose Oulu, on the shore of the Bothnian bay, as your conference location. Oulu is the hub of Northern Finnish science, business and culture and the fastest-growing city area in arctic Europe. What’s more, it’s a city with a warm heart in the middle of magnificent northern nature.
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Rusko Bike Park
Oulu

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti
Oulu

ChocoTasting
Oulu

Go Arctic - Events Services
Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Performers and hosts to your events
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Fatbike trip in Koiteli or Liminka
Oulu

Local Taxi Services in Kempele
Oulu

Visit to the Home of Huskies
Oulu

Lapland Hotels Oulu Conference and venue facilities
Oulu

Hot Air Balloon Flight for group 4-12pax
Oulu

Frans&Camille Bistro
Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Theme parties
Oulu

Airport Taxi Service in Oulu
Oulu

De Gamlas Hem Meetings and Events
Oulu

Scandic Oulu Station
Oulu

Meeting Day at the Maikkula Mansion
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Guided tour in Oulu by bike
Oulu

Fatbike Tour in Oulu
Oulu

Bay of Bothnia by SUP (Stand Up Paddling) in Oulu
Oulu

Paintball
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - City canoeing day or night
Oulu

Rauhala ravintola-pâtisserie
Oulu

Go Arctic - Conference rooms - Seelari in Hietasaari
Oulu

Oulu quickly
Oulu

Arctic Wolf & Auroras
Oulu

Scandic Oulu City
Oulu

Air Guitar World Championships
Oulu

Guided transportation from Oulu airport to Oulu
Oulu

Arctic Edu-Tech - Workshops and experiences in Oulu area
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Archery Competition
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - White water rafting in Koiteli
Oulu

Meeting Room Restaurant Mallassauna
Oulu

GreenStar Hotel Oulu
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Team Path
Oulu

m/s Crescendo | Kelluva elämys
Oulu

SuperPark Oulu
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Northern Lights
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Arctic ice fishing experience
Oulu

Conference and Banquet Facilities by Original Sokos Hotel ArinaOulu
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Traditional games
Oulu

Charter buses and private transportation services in Oulu region
Oulu

Guided bike tour from Nallikari to Oulu city center
Oulu

Kuusisaari Recreation Park
Oulu

Ice fishing in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Decorations for your events
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Hassle in the city
Oulu

Kayaking safari to River Oulu delta
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Winter Olympics
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Heptathlon
Oulu

Breakfast & Private Restaurant Veranta
Oulu

Best Western Hotel Apollo, Oulu
Oulu

Guided walking tours in Oulu
Oulu

Saunas of the Maikkula Mansion
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - White water swimming in Koiteli
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Rubber raft polo game
Oulu

OTAXI VIP for Premium Taxi Wishes
Oulu

Original Sokos Hotel Arina, Oulu
Oulu

Oulu's Original Taxi - OTAXI
Oulu

Go Arctic - Guided walking tours in Oulu and in Oulu area
Oulu

Nordic Art Hotel Lasaretti's Venues
Oulu

Nallikari Aalto Apartments (open from February 2024)
Oulu

Minivan trip to Hailuoto
Oulu

Sightseeing of Oulu on Mountain Bikes
Oulu

Gone fishing
Oulu

Go Arctic - Conference services
Oulu

Minivan trip to Turkansaari Open Air Museum
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Stories from Oulu
Oulu

Maikkula's Manor the Charter Restaurant
Oulu

Husky sledding crash course
Oulu

Oula Kitchen & Bar
Oulu

Restaurant Mallassauna
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Snowshoe / gliding snowshoe trip
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Amazing Oulu - City adventure
Oulu

Go Arctic - Guided bus tours in Oulu and neighbouring municipalities
Oulu

Pohjolan Matka Charter Coaches Oulu
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Koiteli Team Path
Oulu

Bay of Bothnia by Kayak in Oulu
Oulu

Meriholsti Meeting Room & Private Saunas in Nallikari, Oulu
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Fishing at the Koiteli Rapids
Oulu

Lapland Hotels Oulu
Oulu

Koskikippari in Koiteli - Conference and event service
Oulu

Adventure Game: Rock The City Oulu
Oulu

Hailuoto road trip
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Kurvisen karsinnat
Oulu

De Gamlas Hem Hotel
Oulu

Oulunsalo Soi Chamber Music Festival
Oulu

PikePadel outdoor padelcourts
Oulu

Oulu Climbing Center
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Air guitar workshop or Air guitar show
Oulu

Tunnelmatupa in Koiteli - Conference services
Oulu

ChocoSomnia Workshop
Oulu

SuperPark Restaurant
Oulu

Go Arctic Events - Dinner with the ghosts of Oulu
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Inhouse Derby
Oulu

Voimala 1889
Oulu

Tuba Food & Lounge
Oulu

Elojazz
Oulu

Day hike in a nature reserve
Oulu

Go Arctic group activities - Traditional tar olympics
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Craft upcycle workshop
Oulu

Ice fishing with huskies
Oulu

Go Arctic activities - Canoeing trip at river Oulujoki or Kiiminkijoki
Oulu