CONNECT announces Tampere, Finland as 2022 host city

The Airport Agency has announced that the 18th CONNECT Route Development Forum will be hosted by Business Tampere, from 23 to 25 February 2022. This much-awaited face-to-face event aims to help drive the recovery process of the aviation industry. The event will be supported by Official Carrier airBaltic.

The Airport Agency has announced that the 18^th CONNECT Route Development Forum will be hosted by Business Tampere, from Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 February 2022. This much-awaited face-to-face event aims to help drive the recovery process of the aviation industry.

Set between two lakes, Tampere is a scenic, compact and innovative city that will offer a unique CONNECT experience. Following the past two events taking place by the Mediterranean, CONNECT now embarks on a magical winter journey where frozen lakes, snow-covered forests and the aurora borealis await attendees.

“We are very pleased to host the CONNECT Route Development Forum in Tampere next year. The event will take place in mid-winter and the theme will be CONNECT with ice,” says Marja Aalto, Senior Specialist Aviation, Visit Tampere. “The effects of the pandemic have touched us all, but it is now finally time to get together. Tampere offers excellent facilities for a safe and enjoyable event. Here, the lakeside starts from the city centre, and so do the forests: fresh air and nature await you. In Tampere, we focus on sustainability and aim to be a carbon-neutral city by 2030. Safety is our priority and we are working hard to ensure the best conditions for our guests. Tampere is a city where everything is within walking distance and in the wintertime, you can even walk on the frozen surrounding lakes. Tampere is also the Sauna Capital of the World with over 50 public saunas in the region. Welcome to Tampere!”

Karin Butot, Chief Executive Officer, CONNECT Route Development Forum, comments: “We are delighted to be working alongside Tampere to deliver a very special winter themed event for all our participants who will be able to reconnect with their colleagues and also connect with nature. Following COVID’s devastating impact, our forum offers an invaluable platform to network and build back the industry. More than ever, the pandemic has revealed the need for human contact and the value of physical events. We look forward to bringing the industry back together in true CONNECT spirit.”

The event will be supported by the Official Carrier airBaltic. “airBaltic is one of the largest carriers in the region and we are thrilled to become an official partner of CONNECT Route Development Forum,” says Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer, airBaltic. “The aviation industry will be the driver for restoring physical ties between people across the world. CONNECT will be the place for professionals to discuss the safest, most efficient and sustainable way to restore travel.”