All participants, accompanying persons and exhibitors, who have registered for the conference and have a conference badge, are warmly invited to take part in the social events and excursions. You should register for the events by completing the appropriate part of the on-line registration form and by paying the appropriate fee for the events, which are at extra cost. The organizers reserve the right to cancel the excursions or change the program and timetable, if there are not enough advance bookings.
Tuesday 28 July
Espoo City Reception
in Espoo Cultural Centre (address: Kulttuuriaukio 2, Espoo)
at 19.00-20.30
The City of Espoo cordially invites you for cocktails at the Cultural Centre, the main venue for performed arts and cultural life in Espoo. The walking distance from the conference venue is about 20 minutes. Departure (guided walk) from the conference venue, Otakaari 1, at 18.30.
Included in the registration fee, but you are requested to register in advance by using the online registration form.
Thursday 30 July
Conference Banquet
in Restaurant Koskenranta (address: Katariina Saksilaisen katu 9)
at 19.00-24.00. Bus transfer from the conference venue at 18.30
The banquet will take place in the evening of Thursday, in the beautiful riverside Restaurant Koskenranta some half-an-hours bus ride from the conference venue. Musical entertainment provided by “Retuperän WBK” Finnish Voluntary Fire Brigade Band – without a doubt the world’s best technology student orchestra from Aalto University that plays newer French horn music.
Transfer back to downtown Helsinki and Espoo will be provided at about midnight.
Partially included in the registration fee: you are required to register for the banquet and pay a nominal fee of 20 eur in advance by using the online registration form. We cannot guarantee on-site banquet registration.
Wednesday 29 July
Excursions
Please, note that the two excursions are taking place at the same time, please choose only one.
Option 1: Excursion to Finnish Nature: Guided tour to Nuuksio National Park including Finnish Nature Centre Haltia – FULLY BOOKED
Departure: at 13.30 by bus in front of the conference venue, Otakaari 1
Return: by 17.30-18.00
Cost: EUR 60
The cost covers bus transfers, an English speaking guide, entrance and guided tour in Haltia Exhibition, followed by a guided walking tour to the Nuuksio National Park with a light snack by open fire. The tour will be organised provided that a minimum of 30 participants register.
The Finnish Nature Centre Haltia is a new visitor centre, bringing all of Finland’s nature under one roof and closer to the visitor through both the building’s facilities and its stunning exhibitions. The Haltia building is the first public building in Finland made entirely of massive cross-laminated timber. Haltia’s main exhibition will fascinate the visitor with its’ enthralling visualization of the Finnish nature from the beautiful Baltic archipelagoes to the windswept fells of Arctic Lapland. The guided tour will deepen the experience through opening the seven geographical and seasonal elements of the Finnish nature.
After the visit to the nature center, a specialized National Park Guide will take you for an easy walk (1,5 hrs) in the forest with beautiful views, including that over Lake Pitkäjärvi, and tell you about the region as well as about the animals and plants in Nuuksio National Park. You will grill sausages over a camp fire, and coffee brewed over the open fire will be served. This is an experience not to be missed if you enjoy outdoor nature.
Please, wear good shoes and outdoor clothing.
Option 2: Fortress Island Suomenlinna – FULLY BOOKED
Departure: at 13.40 by bus in front of the conference venue, Otakaari 1
Return: by ferry to Kauppatori (Market Square) in the city center of Helsinki, no bus transfer to Espoo
Cost: EUR 25
The cost covers one way bus transfer from Espoo to Helsinki, return boat ride and a 90-minute guided walking tour on the island. The tour will be organised provided that a minimum of 30 participants register. Please, note that there is no return bus transportation to Espoo. The idea is that you can discover Helsinki on your own after the tour. You will get instructions how to reach your hotel on your own.
The ferry leaves from/returns to Kauppatori Pier (travel time by ferry 15 min).
The return ferry will leave Suomenlinna at 16.20 hrs from the same pier it arrives on. There are several ferries every hour if you decide to stay longer on the island.
Situated on a group of islands off Helsinki, Suomenlinna was built during the Swedish era as a maritime fortress and a base for the Archipelago Fleet. Work on the fortress was begun in the mid-18th century. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Finland’s most popular tourist attractions. Suomenlinna is also a district of the city of Helsinki, with a permanent population of more than 800.
You should wear good, comfortable shoes because the streets in the fortress are cobblestoned and distances between the sights may seem long if you are wearing high heels or thin-soled sandals.
If you wish, you can stay on the island after the guided tour. There is a lot to see and do. You can swim, watch the beautiful landscape, shop unique presents made by Suomenlinna craft designers and enjoy the restaurants or cafés, many of them have sunny terraces. Return on your own: Ferry departs from the main quay on Iso Mustasaari Island. The ferry is part of the Helsinki city transport system, so you can use the ticket provided to you by the conference.