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The purpose of the Finnish Fair Foundation (Suomen Messusäätiö) is to promote Finnish industry, trade, and other sectors of business life, as well as to increase awareness of Finnish expertise. The foundation has also been a long-term and active supporter of the development of the event industry through various industry associations. 

The event industry in Finland has an economic value comparable to that of the pharmaceutical or mining industries and is larger than the textile industry. The sector employs around 20,000 people on a permanent basis and up to 175,000 temporarily. However, Finnish universities and higher education institutions have not previously had a professorship dedicated to the event industry. 

The new professorship strengthens societal impact 

The new Professorship in Experience and Event business, funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation, is valued at EUR 3.1 million and will be established for a period of 20 years. 

’This donation supports one of our key goals – to increase the societal impact of our contributions. The event industry is a growing field, where countries and cities compete for events and conferences. The Finnish event industry needs to develop in a broad-based and long-term way, and Finland has significant potential for growth in this area,’ says Hannu Syrjänen, Chair of the Board of the Finnish Fair Foundation. 

’We are deeply grateful to the Finnish Fair Foundation for this significant donation. Aalto University’s multidisciplinary campus provides an excellent environment for collaboration between the new Professor of Experience and Event Business and existing faculty at the Department of Marketing – as well as with other schools, for instance in the areas of industrial design and technological innovation,’ says Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University. 

The Professor of Experience and Event Business will produce high-quality, research-based knowledge. In addition to teaching, the professor will share their expertise with industry professionals, authorities, decision-makers, and the media. 

’We are looking for an internationally distinguished scholar with a strong ability and motivation to contribute to societal impact. The academic influence of professors at the School of Business typically extends well beyond their own research through the supervision of theses and doctoral dissertations. This also helps bring highly educated professionals into the field,’ says Timo Korkeamäki, Dean of the School of Business. 

From left to right in the photo: Camilla Wardi, Head of Donor Engagement at Aalto University; Marianna Bom, Chief Financial Officer at Aalto University; Jonna Söderholm, Head of External Relations at Aalto University School of Business; Hannu Syrjänen, Chairman of the Board of the Finnish Fair Foundation; Timo Korkeamäki, Dean of Aalto University School of Business; Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University; Paul Taimitarha, Representative of the Finnish Fair Foundation; and Pauliina Tenhunen, Vice Chair of the Board of the Finnish Fair Foundation.