As Estonia’s leading university city and a compact conference destination, Tartu offers a unique combination of academic excellence, rich cultural heritage and accessible event infrastructure. On 9 June, members of the Tartu Ambassador Club gathered for an inspiring networking event that invited participants to explore Tartu’s Old Town, Toome Hill and new ideas for enriching conference social programmes. Despite a refreshing summer rain shower, enthusiasm and a spirit of adventure remained high throughout the day.
Participants could choose between three parallel activities. Adventure event organizer 360 KRAADI led two engaging team games that introduced Tartu in a playful and interactive way. The Tartu Old Town Adventure invited participants to discover the historic city centre through creative tasks and friendly competition. As the oldest city in the Baltics and a former Hanseatic city, Tartu combines centuries of history with a dynamic university atmosphere and modern conference infrastructure.
The second activity, “Green Steps“, challenged participants to explore sustainability and carbon neutrality through interactive team tasks. Sustainability is a key focus for Tartu’s meetings industry. Alongside its Green Destinations recognition, the city has developed practical Guidelines for Organizing Environmentally Friendly Events to support more sustainable conferences and events.
The third option was a guided tour organized by the University of Tartu Museum, titled “Toome Hill – From a Medieval Centre of Power to the Heart of the University Campus”. During the walk, museum guide Marlis Mallo introduced participants to the rich history of Toome Hill through engaging stories that brought different historical periods to life. The tour also included a visit to the towers and ruins of Tartu Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, offering beautiful views over the city and its green surroundings.
Following the activities, participants gathered in the atmospheric Morgenstern Hall of the University of Tartu Museum, often praised for its Harry Potter-like atmosphere. Alfred Baskin, CEO of 360 KRAADI, shared insights into designing memorable conference experiences. Kadri Kaljurand-Lipp, Programme Manager at the University of Tartu Museum, introduced the museum’s event possibilities, while Maigi Lokko from Visit Tartu shared recent developments relevant to conference organizers.
Participants also enjoyed refreshments and continued networking at the museum.
The Tartu Ambassador Club brings together local ambassadors who help attract international conferences to Tartu. Organized jointly by Visit Tartu and the Estonian Convention Bureau, the club’s events take place at least twice a year and provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking and learning about developments in the meetings industry.
Curious to discover more? Explore the unique blend of Tartu’s inspiring conference venues, academic excellence, rich local heritage and memorable event experiences on the Visit Tartu conference website.
More information: Maigi Lokko, Business and Conference Tourism Specialist, Visit Tartu, maigi.lokko@visittartu.com, +372 5429 0508, www.visittartu.com