For us, sustainability is about actions!
Sustainability at tampere-talo group
Our event company’s business is built on events and encounters – moments that create and enhance the wellbeing of people and the environment in our society.
We are committed to the UN’s Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, and we work every day with a balanced focus on the environment, people, and the economy, striving to achieve sustainable development.
A pioneer of sustainability
In the operations of the Tampere-talo Group, sustainability is one of our core values and a cornerstone of our strategy. We are committed to acting responsibly at all levels, as we believe that sustainability is key to successful and sustainable business. It guides our decisions and actions, enabling us to create value for both our stakeholders and the surrounding society. Sustainability is a tangible part of our daily work and business strategy.
We are committed to the UN’s Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, and our approach to sustainability is divided into three main areas:
Economic responsibility, which means that we care about the community.
Environmental responsibility, which means that we care about nature.
Social responsibility, which means that we care about people.
Tampere-talo Group Sustainability Report 2024
The report is an invitation for you, the reader, to take a look at how we are building the future through sustainability. In this report, we review our achievements of 2024 and outline our future plans in the realm of sustainability. Our sustainability journey is ongoing, but every step moves us forward.
For the Tampere-talo Group, SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) reporting is a crucial part of our sustainability communication and strategy. Reporting based on the UN’s SDGs provides an international framework that helps us structure and track our sustainability efforts, while also highlighting concrete actions and achievements. The SDG report is carried out for both of our companies.
Tampere Hall Sustainability Report 2023
In Tampere Hall’s sustainability report, we demonstrate our commitment to sustainable development in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have structured the report so that under each SDG theme, there are concrete examples and actions we have implemented to promote sustainability. In doing so, we aim to build a more sustainable and just future for all.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR SUSTAINABILITY!
We participate in charity
We believe that charity and solidarity are ways to make the world a better place. We are committed to supporting both local and international communities. The charitable projects we support are visible in many ways. Every year, we offer tickets to culture and events through various organizations, so as many people as possible can become part of the vibrant cultural life. For example, in 2023, we donated 500 tickets to the Tampere Book Festival for local 7th graders to support the joy of reading for young people.
Twice a year, we donate our facilities for charitable use, allowing different organizations and communities to host their own events and raise funds for important causes without the cost of space. Charity concerts in support of Ukraine have been significant moments of community unity and support during difficult times. The Commus 1000tekoa event in spring 2024, which provided food aid and community support for low-income individuals, is another example of how we can come together to create hope and assistance.
Tampere Hall is also illuminated to give visibility to pre-selected theme days and charitable causes. This visibility helps bring important issues to the forefront and invites the community to support good causes.
Each year, the money typically allocated for staff Christmas cards is instead directed to charity. This initiative allows us to save costs by not sending physical cards and, instead, donating the amount to a good cause. In 2024, the funds will be donated to MIELI ry to support mental well-being, and previously, donations have been made to the Nujertumattomat Project and victims of the Ukrainian crisis in need of help to survive.
Ukraine and Ukrainians are particularly important to us. Tampere Hall is a place where different cultures meet, and Ukrainians are part of this diverse community, both as artists and visitors. Kyiv has been Tampere’s twin city since 1954, and this long-standing connection reminds us of the importance of showing our support in times of global turmoil. Right now, we want to stand with the people of Ukraine even more strongly.
We want to do our part because we know that even small acts can create significant change. The whole community can make a difference, offering hope, support, and the opportunity for a better life to others.
Achievements and Recognitions
Our sustainability work has received wide recognition over the years. We are proud of the awards and acknowledgements that reflect our commitment to sustainable development, community engagement, and environmental well-being.
2024
Tampere-talo Group received the Hyvän Tekijä (“Good Doer”) recognition for its sustainability work from Commu, Finland’s largest helping platform. The recognition is awarded to companies that support their local communities through concrete actions.
As an example, Tampere-talo Group provided the venue, staff resources, and equipment for Commu’s #1000tekoa event. In addition, staff are encouraged to engage in volunteer work during working hours.
This recognition highlights Tampere-talo Groups strong commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility.
Tampere Hall’s restaurants were awarded first place in the Organic Championships Finland 2024 in the category of private food services. The recognition highlights the venue’s commitment to sustainable development and the use of organic ingredients.
Tampere Hall has reached Level 5 in the Steps to Organic programme, using 51 permanent organic ingredients in 2023. In addition, the restaurants hold the Nordic Swan Ecolabel and make use of produce from the rooftop garden as well as locally sourced food.
This victory is a significant testament to the responsibility and environmental friendliness of Tampere Hall’s restaurant operations.
Tampere Hall was recognised as one of the year’s top sustainable development commitments in Finland’s national Commitment2050 programme. The recognition highlights the organisation’s concrete actions in promoting equality, developing a carbon-neutral event concept, and supporting environmental sustainability.
As the first Nordic conference and congress centre property to be awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, Tampere Hall continues its active sustainability work and remains committed to driving innovation in sustainable development into the future.
2023
Tampere Hall received an honorable mention from the Tampere City Disability Council for the implementation of conscious and accessible public restroom facilities. The award highlights the venue’s commitment to accessibility and responsibility, recognizing solutions that consider the diversity of users. Tampere Hall’s restrooms include accessible, unisex, and gendered options, all designed with the customer in mind. This recognition strengthens the venue’s role as a pioneer in accessibility.
2019
Tampere Hall won two top awards at the Eventex Awards, an international event industry gala held for the ninth time. The venue was awarded as the Best Large Venue and Best Sustainable Venue.
The gala featured numerous categories, with over 300 nominations. Categories included businesses, events, advertising agencies, brands, and campaigns. The event was streamed live online on the evening of Tuesday, March 26th.
The awards were judged by a panel of 50 event professionals from around the world. The jury emphasized creativity, innovation, efficiency, and results in their assessments.
The jury justified Tampere Hall’s top rankings with the following comments:
“Tampere Hall has grown and developed significantly over the past five years.”
“The strong growth over the past five years shows that the venue has succeeded. It managed to create community-driven events with its audiences and clients.”
“The work done towards sustainability was clearly visible.”
The Pirkanmaa ELY Centre awarded Tampere-talo Oy an honorable mention for its active and long-term work in developing the venue’s environmental responsibility.
– Tampere-talo Oy has worked actively to promote ecological thinking and green actions within its operations. The goals included mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable consumption. Concrete examples of Tampere-talo’s environmental actions include the Swan Label certification granted to the venue in 2014, along with the operational practices introduced, locally grown food harvested from the venue’s rooftop garden, the use of solar panels for energy production, and the careful sorting and recycling of waste, said Elina Viitanen, Development Manager and Chair of the Award Jury at Pirkanmaa ELY Centre.
Tampere-talo’s Facility Manager, Marko Koivisto, was pleased with the recognition the venue received.
– Environmental responsibility has been one of the core values guiding our operations. We have had our own environmental program since the early 1990s, and we strive to be a leader in green actions in our industry, he commented.
2015
Tampere-talo won the Sustainable Public Purchaser competition, awarded by Motiva Oy. The award recognized the venue’s long-term and impactful procurement practices, which take into account the sustainability of the entire supply chain. Tampere-talo’s sustainable procurement was particularly evident in its restaurant operations, where local and organic food as well as Fair Trade products were prioritized. The award committee praised the venue for its exemplary approach in influencing environmental considerations through its partnerships with suppliers.
2014
The City of Tampere’s Disability Council selected Tampere Hall as the recipient of the 2014 Accessibility Award. The hall was praised for its consideration of various audiences, customer-oriented approach, and excellent service. The venue hosted events annually where accessibility was a key factor. The award was presented to Tampere Hall on International Day of Disabled Persons, Wednesday, December 3, in Tampere.
The Disability Council annually awarded the Accessibility Award to a project or entity that expanded opportunities for people with mobility or functional impairments to participate as widely as possible.
According to the council’s rationale, the right attitude was crucial in promoting accessibility. The positive attitude of Tampere Hall’s staff and their customer-focused approach toward different audiences, combined with accessible facilities, created a functional whole, making it a pleasure for visitors to attend the hall’s events. The staff was committed to developing their skills in engaging with diverse audiences. Tampere Hall was not only the largest congress center in the Nordic countries but could also have easily competed for the title of the most accessible congress center in the region.
“We continuously worked closely with our clients to improve accessibility. Our staff was trained to assist clients with sensory or mobility impairments in a discreet manner. All meeting and public spaces at Tampere Hall were accessible,” said Customer Service Manager Pekka Mäkisalo.
Over the years, Tampere Hall had hosted various domestic and international events for disability organizations, such as the National Culture Days of the Deaf in May 2014, the Europe in Action conference for people with intellectual disabilities in June 2009, and the Helen Keller World Congress for the Deaf-Blind in June 2005. In March of the following year, the hall was set to host the large event “Accessible Arts and Culture,” ACCAC, which was expected to attract a thousand visitors.
In 2013, Tampere Hall hosted nearly 700 concerts, meetings, and other events, attracting approximately 273,000 visitors.