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An Oulu innovation bringing companies together through a business networking service

Julkaistu 20.08.2012

ACT 22: NATIONAL BUSINESS FAIR PLUS NETWORKING SERVICE

The Federation of Finnish Enterprises is to hold its National Business Fair 2012 in Oulu on 19-21 October. The Federation’s annual gathering attracts about 2,000 entrepreneurs from all over Finland. Being in Oulu this year, the event will feature not only the more traditional programme but also something new and innovative: a business networking service named Y-treffit! This service is designed to attract a greater number of young, growth-orientated companies to the event.

The Federation of Finnish Enterprises’ National Business Fair is being organised in conjunction with its regional organisation for Northern Ostrobothnia. The theme – ‘achieving more together’ – ties in very well with Oulu’s reputation for joint action in getting things done. This theme is relevant not only in terms of the cooperation between the Federation and its stakeholders but also locally, in view of the forthcoming creation of a new enlarged Oulu from the merger of five municipalities.

Business networking service offers over 2,000 business meeting options

The Y-treffit business networking service is available in conjunction with the National Business Fair for the first time. The service uses an innovative new tool, InterestID, from Encompass Solutions, an Oulu-based startup. This tool has already been used in a number of situations in Finland and abroad, but for the National Business Fair it will include a lot of brand new features.

The Y-treffit service offers the chance to meet up with National Business Fair participants beforehand, arrange meetings and find partners, customers and colleagues. You can sign up for the service when registering for the Fair, and networking through the service can continue long after the Fair is over. This new kind of service offers more in the way of concrete business benefits from attending the event. The target group is young entrepreneurs in particular, who could locate in the Oulu region via their own business or through cooperation or partnerships.

Children also welcome at Oulu event, registration by 22 September

The Business Fair’s 3-day programme, covering the weekend, will include the annual assembly of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises and also a broad spectrum of motivating talks and presentations, plus evening entertainment. The gala evening on the Saturday will include an address by the President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö.

Something else new for the Oulu-hosted Business Fair is the inclusion of a children’s programme for the first time, allowing the whole family to attend! On the Friday and Saturday there will be special children’s activities under the control and supervision of professionals. There will be separate groups for children of school age and below school age, and these programmes can be booked when registering for the Fair.

Registration for the National Business Fair should be done by 22 September online, at www.yrittajapaivat.fi.

Setting up and running the National Business Fair will involve a wide range of Oulu-based companies, including Siberia, PST, MPS event, Simisami Oy, Tanssikoulu Sulava, Livepaletti, Teatria and Pihlaja-Catering.

For more information on the National Business Fair in Oulu:
Marjo Kolehmainen, marjo.kolehmainen@yrittajat.fi, 050 5277 288

For more information on the Y-treffit business networking service:
Tom Laine, tom@interestid.com , 0400 296 196