Dipoli was commissioned by the Helsinki University of Technology Student Union to replace the union's old building as the University transferred from Helsinki to Espoo's Otaniemi district.

Still owned by the student union, the building is today one of Finland's most prominent congress centres and the home of the Lifelong Learning Institute Dipoli. Dipoli's main 40th anniversary celebrations will take place in autumn to commemorate the building's original October inauguration. According to the Congress Centre Manager Lea Liesiö, the anniversary year is practically fully booked.

"2006 is set to be very busy conference year troughout Finland, and Dipoli has succeeded in attracting some very large events. For example, we're providing the venue for the 3rd European eLearning Conference in July," she says.

Dipoli is at its best as a venue for large functions. More than 1,300 guests can be seated for dining in the large halls and, depending on the event, a total of 3,000 guests can be hosted when all facilities are taken into use. Dipoli's remarkable kitchen is run by Chef Juha Jaakonsaari, a recent recipient of the Pro Gaala award.

For congresses that include catering, the ideal size arranged at Dipoli is 200 to 600 delegates. Dipoli's assets in Finland are its proximity both to the capital and the Helsinki-Vantaa airport and a uniquely peaceful atmosphere at the heart of Finland's key concentration of technology-related research and business.

EU politics and prize for innovation

In addition to conferences, the Finnish congress year will be highlighted by Finland's EU presidency. During the six month period starting from July, Dipoli will host four presidency-related ministerial meetings.

"Two of the meetings are arranged by the Ministry of the Environment. One particular factor in the ministry's choice of venue was our Ecomass sustainable development project which gained a lot of visibility during last summer's Athletics World Championships," Liesiö says.

The presentation of the second Millennium Prize will be an international media event in a league of its own. The winner of the world's biggest technology prize of one million euros will be announced in Dipoli on June 15. The winner will receive the prize at another ceremony arranged in Helsinki in September, which will be followed by a Millennium Prize seminar back at Dipoli. The Millennium Prize celebrates innovations that have had a favourable impact on the quality of life and well-being.

Dipoli Congress Centre
Otakaari 24, Otaniemi
P.O. Box 8000
FI-02015 TKK
Tel. +358 (0)9 451 4075

www.dipoli.tkk.fi