Press Release 23.3.2011
The Vaasa Wind Exchange event that took place in Vaasa on March 22, exceeded all the organisers' expectations. - We had planned to have a small event with warm atmosphere but were overwhelmed by the huge interest shown towards the event. Altogether 49 exhibitors, both international and local companies, participated, describes Raine Vasanoja, who was responsible for the event organisation.
- The number of visitors took us totally by surprise. A total of 160 representatives from the exhibiting companies and organisations were present, and close to 250 persons visited the venue during the day. Plus the partners and media, so I guess the total number reaches almost 500, states Riitta Björkenheim, with responsibility for marketing and communications.
- We got almost solely positive feedback. There were some who boasted with having established more contacts in six hours than during trade fairs that last days, says Vasanoja.
- The event did, however, have its share of problems: some exhibitors didn't bring enough business cards along, says Vasanoja with a slight grin and continues: - Which means that in the end, the problem was in fact positive.
- VASEK had a communications team on the spot at Vaasa Wind Exchange to update the event's web pages with news, interviews and pictures, tells Björkenheim. - During the day, we published more than 10 news texts in Finnish, Swedish and English. The rest of the news and translations will be uploaded to the web pages as soon as all interview notes have been deciphered.
One of VASEKs tasks is to work on regional communication. An important part of this work was the communication at this wind power event, which was also directed to the foreign media.
Marketing of the Vaasa region as well as informing about it will continue throughout the spring. In april, VASEK will participate in a seminar ("Vetovoimainen Pohjanmaa") organised by Regional Council of Ostrobothnia and in May, Future Workshop will be organised in cooperation with Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce and the newspaper Pohjalainen. Another EnergyVaasa-visit to the parliament is planned in May.
More information
Raine Vasanoja
+358 44 332 2159
Riitta Björkenheim
+358 44 512 6612
VASEK and Merinova Technology Centre were the organising powers behind the Vaasa Wind Exchange event in cooperation with Novia University of Applied Sciences. Other partners included the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce and Vaasa Energy Institute.