ONLINE SPEED DATING VOL. 3

2

ONLINE SPEED DATINGS – PROMOTINGFINLAND AS A GREAT TRAVEL DESTINATION IN 2021 Agenda:• Online Speed Dating Vol 3. Quick facts• Online Speed Datings Vol. 1 & Vol 2. results and

learnings• Target group• Goals• Workflow• Take part

• Lahti

Online Speed Dating? Why?

Despite the lack of physical events, the importanceof connections does not decrease. Therefore, we

are happy to help the Finnish companies in makingmore connections online and promote theirbusiness via the available digital channels.

ONLINE SPEED DATING VOL 3. QUICK FACTS

• Timeframe: Autumn, October- November

• Participants: Finnish companies and buyersfrom DACH and Benelux-areas

• The meetings are free and take maximum 1h per time, more likely 40-50min

• Mode of organizing:• Finnish companies join by filling out

a registration survey• The idea is to organize a series of

small online meetings• Online meetings are organized

around a specific area or theme• Around 5 Finnish buyers at a time

get to pitch their products to a German buyer

43% of the respondents* got newbusiness contacts

*Respondents of the feedback survey after May-June meetings

6

1 2 3

ONLINE SPEED DATINGS VOL. 1 & VOL 2. RESULTSAND LEARNINGS – AND WHAT IS NEW ON THE 3. ROUND?The Online Speed Datings evolution:

-The first round in March2020 was organized for the Finnish regionalorganozations who missedITB -Organized based on the wishes of the Finnishpartners-We had around 20 Finnishpartners with us-5 Finnish partners pitchedtheir products in 30 min

-The second round in May-June 2020 was organizedbased on the wishes of the foreign buyers-We had around 100 Finnishpartners with us-We prepared a ready-made template for the Finnishbuyers to showcase theirproduct in a structuredmanner-5 presentations in 50 min

-Now the registration survey is easierand created to better match the demand and supply-Better timing thanks the opening of the country borders in EU (in Mayeverything was closed) -Now VF co-operates with regions to make suggestions of themedmeetings for the foreign partners, such as ”Winter adventures in Kuusamo” – in co-operation with the Finnish partners of course

7

FEEDBACK FROM LAST TIME

• “Very good timing for the meetings and possibibility to establish a first contact -> gave an good opportunity to continue the conversations one-on-one afterwards.”• ” I think the meetings went very smoothly and were well organized

:-)”• “It was a great pleasure to take part in this online dating program.

Very comfortable and easy. Thank you!”• “Thank you for the good arrangements! Looking forward to new

ones in the autumn!”

TARGET GROUPIn Finland:

- Finnish Travel companies. Regional organizationscan assist and join, but the businesses are hoped to do the presentations.

- Preferably all types of companies, from small and unknown to larger and well-established companies.

- The idea is, that Finnish companies can also learnfrom each other – the newer companies learn from the more established ones how to presentthemselves and offer the packages, while the moreestablished ones can learn new innovative products from the more agile, newer companies.

Foreign buyers:

- All companies who are looking for new ideas and/orpartners in DACH/Benelux areas

- Companies who are likely to survive from the travelcrises

- Companies who already have business in Finland orin the Nordics or would like to expand to Finland.

43% continued to make business after the first meeting

*Respondents of the feedback survey after May-June meetings

§ Offer safe travel products § Use the momentum so direct tourists who have

previously visited only other Nordic countries to come to Finland instead

§ Use the momentum and direct tourists whopreviously visited the Alps to try Finnish Lapland

§ Provide great products for couples, families and small groups (bigger groups are likely to fall out)

§ Consider new target groups§ Focus is first in winter travel, summer travel

meetings are organized based on demand§ Stregthen the brand image of Finland and push our

strengths and unique selling points:§ Northern lights§ Santa Claus§ Special accommodations§ Husky tours§ Snow and winter sports§ Clean and safe environment§ Local culture and local food

GOALS

VF invites Finnishcompanies to join

Visit Finland and regionial organizatinos

create samples of themed meetings, eg. ”Winter adventures in

Kuusamo”-These sample groups

are gathered to a Howspace-site

Visit Finland invitesforeign partners to

choose their preferredthemed meetings from

the selection at the howspace-site or make

their own ”custom-made” meetings

Visit Finland coordinates and moderates the

meetings

WORKFLOW

36% got more confidence to reach moreinternationaltourists

*Respondents of the feedback survey after May-June meetings

13

I AM A COMPANY, HOW TO TAKE PART AND GET SUCCESSFULL MEETINGS?

• Sign up and share your own goals and products with us • We will group you tohether with suitable other organizations and market the meetings for the

foreign partners• Once a meeting is guaranteed, we will send invitations• You will be asked to fill out a model template or provide us your own• Make sure you have the best photos, photo tells more than a thousand words• Practice your 5 min pitch beforehand, the time is quite short• Be positive and come prepared to the meeting, it will go well!

14

Covid 19 is a challenge for the whole travel industry.But wehave never been afraid to be pioneers and find solutions

with some sisu!

Thank you!