Meet in Estonia
Welcome to Estonia, where medieval charm meets digital innovation! Nestled in Northern Europe, Estonia is the perfect destination for international mid-size conferences, corporate events, and incentives. With a unique blend of centuries-old history and cutting-edge modern facilities, Estonia never fails to impress delegates. Its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage provide an inspiring backdrop for any conference. Meeting planners will find exceptional value for money in Estonia, with affordable yet high-quality options for accommodation, dining, and more.
With a population of just 1.3 million, there’s always plenty of space. Seventy percent of the land is covered in lush forests and pristine peat bogs, ensuring clean, green surroundings with some of the purest water and freshest air in the world. As one of the world’s most digitally advanced societies, Estonia boasts free Wi-Fi available everywhere and a culture that embraces online, paper-free living.
Let us show you the top reasons why Estonia should be your next conference destination.
Positively Surprising Undiscovered Destination
Many frequent conference delegates have already traveled the well-worn conference circuit and seen the same locations many times. Impress your delegates with a novel European destination that’s still mostly undiscovered—a country that’s edgy and exotic, yet attractive and affordable! Estonia, the world’s digital mastermind, is full of positive surprises and will definitely exceed your guests’ expectations. First-time visitors are always amazed by Estonia’s historic ambience. At the same time, Estonia’s cities are surprisingly modern, with the latest high-tech conveniences always at hand. It’s the combination of old and new, medieval and modern, that gives Estonia its unique flavor.
Cosy Cities for meetings and events
Cities in Estonia are perfectly-sized – big enough to be lively and packed with activities for conference-goers, but small enough so that people can easily get around on foot. Historical sights, attractions, hotels, restaurants and event venues are typically within short walking distance, which makes visiting a cosy, relaxing experience. All the cities feature a good choice of high-quality hotels, most of which also offer spa services.
The capital, TALLINN, is famous for its picture-perfect Old Town, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for being one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in Europe. Old Town is universally loved by conference travellers, but there’s also a diverse list of other not-to-be-missed areas in the city, including historical, wooden-house districts and refurbished factory areas that have been transformed into trendy hubs of culture and nightlife for Tallinn’s hipsters, artists and fashionistas.
Estonia’s second-largest city, TARTU, has been chosen to be European Capital of Culture in 2024. As the nation’s main university town, it attracts a good number of international conferences related to science, research and academia. Tartu is loved for its off-beat student culture and also has its fair share of historical charm, including its own Old Town.
The seaside resort town of PÄRNU, meanwhile, is a popular choice for holding events outside the bigger cities. Known as the country’s wellness capital, Pärnu is loved for its beach, parks and especially its well-developed spa hotels, which double as conference hotels, creating wonderful opportunities to mix business with healthy relaxation.
Off-the-Beaten-Track Meeting Locations- For those who want to go beyond the usual and let delegates truly experience the tranquility that Estonia offers, there’s no better way than to hold a gathering in one of the country’s less traveled spots. The serene coastal and forest areas of northern Estonia are excellent choices and are fantastic for those who want to combine their event with outdoor adventures or nature activities. We especially recommend the wonderfully restored Vihula Manor and the secluded, beachside La Spa & Conference Hotel in Laulasmaa, both less than a one-hour drive from Tallinn.
Sectorial Strengths in Estonia
Estonia is renowned as the most digitally advanced nation globally, enabling almost all services online. Citizens use digital identities for tasks such as paying taxes, voting, online banking, and accessing healthcare records. With 99% of public services available online 24/7, Estonia’s e-Estonia programme has digitised society through initiatives like e-Governance, e-Tax, e-Voting, e-Health, e-Prescription, and e-Residency.
Estonia boasts more thriving startup companies per capita than anywhere else in the world, and has the highest number of unicorn companies per capita globally, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and government support for technology and small businesses. Estonia also excels in cybersecurity, boasting the most advanced cybersecurity in Europe. Estonia has become a successful role model in education at the global level, with the most recent PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results placing its basic education first in Europe and among the highest in the world.
Key industry sectors include ICT, business services, bioeconomy and timber, fintech, electronics and mechatronics, food industry, and transport and logistics. Estonia blends traditional and modern economies, thriving in both technology and value-added sectors like forestry and green energy. Find out more at our Estonia – Sectoral Strengths and Areas of Excellence page.
Among the World’s Top Sustainable Destinations
According to the latest annual study by Euromonitor International (September 2023), Estonia ranks 5th among sustainable travel destinations worldwide. Cities are easily explored on foot, by bike, or using eco-friendly trams and buses. Most business hotels and venues hold Green Key Certifications. The diverse selection of restaurants serves high-quality cuisine made from local ingredients and seasonal menus. Additionally, the tap water throughout the country is pure enough to be served in restaurants, eliminating the need for bottled water during meetings and reducing the waste and pollution associated with plastic containers.
Estonia is one of the most advanced e-societies in the world. For two decades now, paperless business operation has been the norm in the country. It’s easy to stay connected and go paperless in Estonia by using the free, reliable internet connections available in all hotels and meeting places.
With a population of just 1.3 million, there’s always plenty of room for everyone. In fact, 70 percent of the land is covered by forests and peat bogs. That means the country is as clean and green as can be, having some of the best air quality in the world. Estonians, who are nature-minded people, really value their ecology and offer great options for sustainable meetings and activities
Outstanding Meeting Hotels with the Best Prices in Europe
Let us share a well-kept secret – in Tallinn, you can still book a 5-star hotel room for under 200 euros, including breakfast! The city center of Tallinn offers over 7,600 bedrooms, Tartu provides an additional 1,300, and Pärnu has 2,500 bedrooms, all mostly centrally located. A good mix of 3- to 5-star hotels can be found in downtown areas, providing excellent access to the larger, city-center conference venues. Host your meeting in renowned international hotel chains like Hilton, Radisson, Accor, or explore the many cosy and elegant local Estonian hotels. Many of these hotels feature spa and wellness areas included in the room rate, making the conference experience even more appealing for delegates. See more on our Venues & Hotels page.
Full of Stunning Unique Venues
Stand out from the crowd and capture imaginations with a memorable event venue! Both Tallinn and Tartu offer a fascinating mix of historic and modern venues. Imagine hosting your event in a former submarine factory, a former power station, seaplane hangars, a Renaissance-style guild hall, Northern Europe’s oldest Town Hall, or even a TV tower. Tallinn’s largest conference facilities are the Alexela Concert Hall and the Tallinn Creative Hub, both located in the city center close to most hotels. For those organising smaller conferences, we recommend one of the city’s many superb conference hotels. Visit our Venues page to choose the best venue for your event.
Authentic Networking Activities
Being one of the smallest nations in Europe means that visitors don’t have to choose between city and nature, but they can experience both in a short time. With a population of just 1.3 million spread over a territory larger than the Netherlands, with 70 percent covered by forests and bogs, Estonia is small and hassle-free. In addition to that, Estonia has 2,222 islands, a number of UNESCO attractions, and of course, Tallinn Old Town which is one of the best-preserved Hanseatic town centers in the world. From ultramodern to ancient and from urban to wild, the diversity is staggering. ‘Small in size, big in experiences’ is not just a slogan, but the way of living in Estonia. Whichever location you choose for a conference in Estonia, you’ll find a wonderful selection of social programmes and incentives available – fascinating tours, creative classes, wilderness exploration and action-packed fun. Explore our GROUP ACTIVITIES page for best ideas groups can do in Estonia.
Cosy and compact – Save on Transfers
Estonia is small and hassle-free. Both in Tallinn and Tartu, hotels, conference venues, attractions and restaurants are all within walking distance of each other. The welcoming and friendly Tallinn International Airport is only minutes (4 km) away from the city centre. Otherworldly bogs and peaceful forests are no more than 30 minutes away from Michelin-star restaurants and vibrant business hubs. And there is room for everyone – Estonian population density is almost 4x less than the EU average.
Easy Organising
Organising events in Estonia is easy: Estonia is a Schengen Visa Zone country, so visas won’t be needed for most delegates. The currency is the Euro, and English is widely spoken. Estonia’s positive, can-do attitude makes setting up your event incredibly easy. The Nordic work culture means that those in the industry speak English, respond promptly, offer flexible solutions, and keep their promises.
Most importantly, the local convention bureaus are here to help, providing assistance with choosing the right venues, accommodation and local partners, and acting as your first point of contact with Estonian suppliers.
Professional Local Suppliers
When planning a live, virtual or hybrid event it is crucial to choose the right partner for conference assistance or ground handling services. Our excellent network of PCOs, event agencies, DMCs, catering and AV companies would be delighted to discuss your requirements to plan and deliver seamless conferences and events in Estonia. To find a local partner for your event in Estonia, please visit our Suppliers page.
Financial Support for Conferences in Estonia
City of Tallinn and Estonian Innovation and Business Agency offer several Conference Support Grants for international conferences. And although Tallinn is a compact city where you can easily walk to most destinations, the city offers organisers of international events (conferences, cultural, and sports events) the opportunity to apply for free public transport for their participants. Find out more on conference supports in Estonia here.
Don’t take our word for it…
Our Conference Calendar lists most international association conferences held annually in Tallinn, Tartu, and other locations across Estonia. Click on the link to see our satisfied clients who have successfully hosted their conferences in Estonia.
How can we help you?
At the Estonian Convention Bureau, we offer free and impartial services to meeting planners and associations. Our expert team can provide advice on venues, hotels, social programs, and local suppliers to ensure your conference has the most appropriate solutions in place. Get in touch with our team to discuss ideas best suited to your conference or to organise a site visit at info@ecb.ee
