The Espoo Ambassador program highlights the broad significance of congresses
We initiated the Espoo Ambassador program in collaboration with the City of Espoo in 2009. The common goal has always been to emphasise international scientific congresses' value and comprehensive impact and assist and support researchers and scientists in organising these important events.
Recognition of the Espoo Ambassador of the Year
As part of the program, we select and reward one influential scientist in Espoo annually as the Espoo Ambassador of the Year. Over the years, Espoo Ambassadors have actively participated in international scientific organisations and represented their university/research unit and Finland's scientific expertise.
An important selection criterion has also been that the chosen Ambassadors actively participate in international conferences in their field and have organized such events in Finland and Espoo.
We are all messengers of Espoo, Espoo Ambassadors!
Although we only award one distinguished congress organizer with the title of Espoo Ambassador of the Year, we want to convey that all those working and living in Espoo are Espoo Ambassadors and messengers worldwide.
We want to encourage and support the entire Espoo science and research community in active international activities. By organizing the annual Espoo Ambassador reception, we can spread this message to a wide audience in addition to awarding the Espoo Ambassador of the Year.
Selected Espoo Ambassadors since 2009
- Espoo Ambassador 2023 Peter Lund (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2022 Rebecca Piekkari (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2019 Seppo Ikäheimo (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2018 Ahti Salo (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2017 Pekka Heikkinen (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2016 Jaana Sorvari (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2015 Filip Tuomisto (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2014 Ari Sihvola (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2013 Tapio Lokki (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2012 Jukka Tuhkuri (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2011 Olli Simula (Aalto University)
- Espoo Ambassador 2010 Riitta Smeds (Aalto University)
- Espoo Honorary Ambassador 2009 Markku Peltoniemi (Helsinki University of Technology, currently Aalto University)
No Ambassadors were selected and awarded in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and prevailing gathering restrictions.
Introducing Espoo Ambassadors
Visit Espoo services for congress organisers
Visit Espoo supports all messengers of Espoo by offering free and impartial congress services for the bidding and planning phases of congresses. Take a closer look at our services and feel free to ask our selected Ambassadors for their experiences - both in organising congresses and utilising our Visit Espoo services!
Main image: Halla Tuotanto.