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National Finnish Clusters Event
– The power of clusters: Making history together
in Kokkola, Finland, Sept. 3–4, 2024
This National Finnish Clusters Event is organised to introduce possibilities for Finnish clusters to get organised, learn to know each other, work together and learn from each other.
We find that now is the moment to highlight the unique and well working Finnish clusters and let them know about each other. We can see the largest investments in history of Finland, especially in Northern and Western Finland, but also elsewhere in Finland. We can see that the green transition is strongly underway.
Cooperation, trust and a genuine spirit of doing things are more important than ever.
Developing the national economy and competitiveness requires strong Nordic cooperation, since together we have the possibility to take on and thrive on global markets. A lot of innovation activities in the Nordics occur in regional and national clusters, which means that they need to become connected to enhance fruitful cooperation. At the same time, the Finnish cluster field is scattered and a holistic understanding of it is lacking.
Organiser
Viexpo has a strong identity as a national and regional actor and an essential part of the Team Finland network, working in close cooperation with the actors in the network and utilising its partner network nationally and globally.
Viexpos special strength is Nordic cooperation, strong expertise and experience, which it wants to turn into national capital.
NordicHub, coordinated by Viexpo, is a national platform for Finnish clusters and a bridgebuilder connecting Finnish clusters with Nordic clusters. Our goal is to highlight and connect Finnish clusters. We want to increase information exchange, awareness and knowledge about clusters and cluster activity. Our goal is also, in tight collaboration with our Nordic partners, to promote cooperation between Finnish clusters and Nordic clusters.
Venue
Kokkola, an international hub on the West Coast of Finland, offers excellent logistics and an inspiring atmosphere. With a long business tradition, we invest strongly in the future: chemistry, cleantech, bioeconomy, boat industry, service networks, and RDI, without forgetting the people, strengthening our community and fostering innovation – together a broader horizon!
For more information, please contact
Nora Birkman Neunstedt
Relationship Manager
Business and City Development
City of Kokkola
+358 44 7809 091
Nora.Birkman.Neunstedt@kokkola.fi
Accommodation
We have reserved a quota of rooms for quests who need accommodation at the hotel nearby
Original Sokos Hotel Kaarle, Kauppatori 4, 67100 Kokkola
For room reservations, please call the hotel directly +35820 780 8900 or email kaarle.kokkola@sokoshotels.fi and mention our quota “Cluster 2024” at the booking stage. Rooms can also be booked via www.sokoshotels.fi pages with quota ID BCLUSTER2024
The rooms will be available for booking to August 19th, and you need to confirm your booking August 26th at the latest, after which the rooms can be booked according to availability at the daily rate.
The last free cancellation date for individual rooms booked from the quota is 7 days before the arrival date.
The event is for
- Finnish clusters and cluster organisations, and for the actors behind these
- Finnish companies within the clusters, who are interested in cluster cooperation in the EU and the Nordics
- anyone who want to be present and experience the visible investments in Kokkola
Program
The programme will consist of invited experts speaking about themes like
- What cluster work has already been done at European and Nordic level?
–Cases Sweden and the EU - What would the Finnish clusters want NordicHub to do, and which direction to take?
- What is possible within the Finnish context at the moment?
- Which significance have clusters in financial terms
- News from clusters
The event will offer invited expert speakers, workshops, matchmaking, visit to selected companies and clusters. We also welcome ideas for content and tips on experts.
We will invite visitors from EU commission, European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), European Clusters Alliance (ECA) and from Nordic clusters to participate and share their experiences.
Click the picture to open the programme as a PDF-document in a new window.
Guest Speakers
Stina Mattila, Mayor, City of Kokkola
Stina Mattila is the Mayor of City of Kokkola. As Mayor, she is responsible for the strategic management of the city group. She manages, supervises and develops the city’s administration and economy under the City Board. Stina Mattila has led the City of Kokkola since 2016 and she has 20 years of experience from managing municipal administration.
Antonio Novo, President of the European Cluster Alliance (ECA)
Antonio Novo leads as President of the European Cluster Alliance (ECA), uniting 900 clusters to champion collaborative innovation and industrial growth across Europe. His expertise in technology and psychology drives his role at ECA, significantly influencing European industrial policies. As Managing Director of Cluster IDiA, he spearheads digital innovation among 81 Aragonese companies and institutions, promoting sectoral development through collective intelligence.
Antonio’s strategic insights contribute to shaping the future of European industry, serving as curator for the EU Industrial Forum’s Task Force 2 and participating in expert groups on Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), Interregional Innovation Investments (I3), Industry 5.0, and the High-Level Working Group on European Digital Innovation Hubs (eDIHs). His leadership and advisory roles underscore his commitment to advancing digital transformation and innovation across the continent.
Ola Svedin, Chairman of the Board, Clusters of Sweden
Ola Svedin is the CEO of Mobile Heights, the tech cluster organisation in Southern Sweden, and serves as the Chair of Clusters of Sweden, the national Swedish cluster association. With a deep commitment to advancing society’s digital transformation, Ola has been instrumental in doubling the size of Mobile Heights under his leadership. He also oversees DigIT Hub Sweden, one of four European Digital Innovation Hubs in the country. Bringing over 25 years of experience in telecom, IT security, smart cards, biometrics, and the space industry, Ola has led significant development programs in mobile phones and chipsets. As an inventor and former R&D Director at a leading fingerprint technology startup, he has been a pioneer in the biometrics field.
Johan Wasberg, Senior Advisor, Technology Centre Merinova
Mr. Wasberg possesses a Master of Forestry degree from The Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. He has 28 years of work experience in Merinova which manages the EnergyVaasa cluster – the largest energy technology hub in the Nordic countries. Most of the time Mr. Wasberg has worked with the development of the cluster which has a Gold Label in Cluster Management Excellence. In his presentation, Mr. Wasberg focuses on practical advice for successful cluster management.
Jonne Sandberg, Development Director, City of Kokkola
Jonne Sandberg is the Development Director of the City of Kokkola, whose aim is to make Kokkola an even more attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit. Sandberg has been involved in numerous city development initiatives and projects and has cooperated with local companies, residents, and other stakeholders.
Kaisa Kaapo, Executive Director, Kokkola Industrial Park Association
Kaisa Kaapo is the new Executive Director of the Kokkola Industrial Park Association and has gained work experience in various leading expert positions at SOK, Finlayson Oy and Manna&Co. She has over 10 years of experience in designing, selections, purchasing, sales, conceptualizing and marketing well-known Finnish brands. Kaisa has moved from Helsinki to Leenala in Kokkola, where she lives with her husband and two small boys. Kaisa is a versatile and enthusiastic project expert who wants to be involved in developing her new hometown.
Lucia Seel, International Cluster Expert, Lucia Seel International Consulting
Lucia Seel is a senior expert in international innovation and cluster policies with over 20 years of experience. She is prominently known for her role as the Communication, Community, and Content Manager of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform.
Lucia has played key roles in flagship European projects like the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (being also a certified ESCA Gold/Silver Label assessor). She has specialized in EU project development and management, international cooperation/networking, and capacity building, with a particular interest on gender equality and cultural industries.
Lucia is a guest lecturer for Communication for Cluster Managers at the University of Strasbourg. Her notable career also includes membership in the European Cluster Expert Group of the European Commission (2019-2022). Fluent in six languages, a recognized speaker and moderator. Lucia’s extensive network and global perspective make her a leading voice in the cluster community.
Registration
Please register on August 16th at the latest. (Registration site opens in a new window)
Note: Limited number of places. The places will be filled in order of registration.
The event and transportation to visits are free of charge, and meals self-paid
Please notice we have a no-show fee of 20€. We would appreciate if you unregistered in case you were not able to participate.
Our partners
Want to be our partner?
If you would like to participate in the arrangements, please contact us.
Visibility is given to all those responsible for the arrangements and costs.
For more information:
Triinu Varblane
NordicHub Manager | Export Advisor
+358 44 332 3134
triinu.varblane@viexpo.fi
Kristian Schrey
CEO
+358 50 572 8253
kristian.schrey@viexpo.fi
