ECB Elects New Board and Sets Ambitious Growth Targets
At the Estonian Convention Bureau (ECB) general assembly held yesterday at the Tallinn Creative Hub (Kultuurikatel), members elected a new ten-member board that will guide the development of Estonia’s conference sector until 2029. Ott Sarapuu (PROTO Invention Factory) will continue as Chair of the Board.
Continuing board members:
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Anne Samlik, Member of the Supervisory Board at Estravel
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Heli Kuik, CEO of Konverentsimeistrid OÜ
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Ott Sarapuu, Member of the Management Board at PROTO Invention Factory
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Aivar Sirelpuu, Managing Director of Alexela Concert Hall
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Marleen Kirsip, Marketing Manager for the City of Tartu
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Annika Raadik, Head of Tourism Development, Pärnu City Government
Newly elected board members:
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Andres Kask, Head of the International Economic Partnership Department, Tallinn Strategy Centre
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Eero Pärgmäe, Member of the Management Board at Tallinn Airport
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Marko Dobrus, Member of the Management Board at Duco Hotels
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Evelyn Silvet, Sales Manager at Nordic Hotel Forum
New ECB Board Prioritises Business Event Impact and Convention Centre
The new board will prioritise increasing the economic impact of international business events to reach 82 million euros annually, accelerating progress toward establishing a modern international-standard convention centre, and improving the measurement and data quality of the sector’s impact.
ECB Chair Ott Sarapuu notes: “Our new board is placing stronger emphasis on ensuring that the economic impact of international business events in Estonia reaches 82 million euros in the coming years. This is not just a number – it is a clear signal that conference tourism in Estonia has significant untapped potential. It is also crucial that we take meaningful steps toward securing a proper international convention centre. We will not build it in three years, but by then the first shovel should certainly be in the ground. In addition, we are committed to improving data quality so that the sector’s impact can be measured more accurately and communicated more clearly to partners and policymakers.”
Beyond the elections, the general assembly also reviewed the activities of 2025, looked ahead to plans for 2026, and approved both the 2026 budget and the ECB’s new strategy.
The Estonian Convention Bureau, founded in 2008, is the umbrella organisation for Estonia’s meeting industry. Its mission is to strengthen Estonia’s international reputation as a conference destination and to increase the number of international events held in the country. The ECB works to boost Estonia’s economy and competitiveness through business events, support scientific development, and enhance the country’s visibility and appeal as a destination. The organisation represents companies and municipalities active in the meeting industry and works closely with the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency. The ECB is also a member of ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association).
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Posted: 11.12.2025
Categories: News
