A LONG TIME AGO
The historical development of the Katajanokka harbour area is closely associated with the establishment and development of the Helsinki Warehousing Company (Helsingin Makasiini Oy). In the early 1890s, a statute on bonded warehouses had been issued, giving them the right to issue warrants (certificates of deposit) for undeclared goods left in storage.
A company was established for such a warehousing operation and, as is documented, the Helsinki City Council took a favourable view of the matter. In 1896 the first warrant warehouse was constructed by the harbour, and in the following years twin warehouses were constructed on the blocks known as Elder and Poplar located on both sides of the Laukkasaarenkatu street. The aforementioned Mr. Elia Heikel designed the warehouses. The fruit of Heikels labours is still standing today, and is known as the Wanha Satama (The Old Harbour).
WANHA SATAMA, A CENTURY OF ATMOSPHERE AND TODAYS TECHNOLOGY
The Wanha Satama warehouses were a hive of activity early this century, and the same is true today. Several hundred thousand visitors and a multitude of event organisers flock there annually for new experiences and contacts. Restored with skill and respect for the original design, the buildings abound with cutting-edge technology intermingled with century-old atmosphere. And what is more, business is booming.
The brick buildings of the Wanha Satama provide a setting suitable for many types of occasion, that is both original and rich in atmosphere. Its location could not be better, high class facilities right in the heart of Helsinki and only a short stroll away from the market square.
HISTORY OF HELSINKI FAIR LTD
- Helsinki Fair Ltd began its fair activities in 1985, with MAMA 85 (Marketing and Advertising, Vantaa). This was followed by FINANSSI 86 (Investment and Finance fair) and MAMA 86. In 1988, Helsinki Fair moved into the Wanha Satama premises.
The Helsinki Fair Ltd was founded in 1982 by the entrepreneur Mr Markku Nykänen, who then sold the company to the former Insinöörilehdet Inc (Engineering Magazines Inc), presently Talentum Plc. At the end of 1993, the company was acquired by its present owner Navarino Inc. The Finnish Fair Corporation bought the Wanha Satama property and the Helsinki Fair’s business operations at the end of 2004.
As part of the service range, the Group implements and develops its own products at Wanha Satama. Overall, 50 exhibitions or seminar events and 70 smaller customer events are held at Wanha Satama each year. Roughly 200’000 guests visit Wanha Satama annually.
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