On Thursday, February 6, a formal appreciation event took place at the Estonian National Museum to recognize outstanding conference organizers of 2024 and to present certificates to Tartu’s new conference ambassadors.
“Tartu continues to thrive as a successful conference destination, attracting prestigious international events, renowned researchers, influential entrepreneurs, and creative thinkers. The year as the European Capital of Culture proved that Tartu is increasingly capable of hosting international conferences. Last year, the number of such events grew by a third. This progress lays a strong foundation for the future, reinforcing Tartu’s role as a hub for knowledge and innovation,” said Mayor Urmas Klaas.
In 2023, Tartu hosted 60 major international academic and professional conferences, along with numerous smaller meetings and gatherings. The University of Tartu was the leading contributor to international conferences in the city, while the business festival sTARTUp Day attracted the highest number of participants.
The conference ambassadors’ appreciation event was held for the 12th time this year. Over the years, it has become a cherished tradition to reflect on the past year’s conferences, acknowledge outstanding events across various fields, and express gratitude to their organizers.
The Estonian Convention Bureau’s Conference Deed of the Year 2024 award in Tartu was presented to the European Conference on Ecological Restoration (SERE2024). Held in late August, the event brought 673 delegates from 47 countries to Tartu and stood out for its duration, large number of international participants and represented countries, diverse program, and innovative organizational solutions.
According to Kadri Karu, Executive Director of the Estonian Convention Bureau, Tartu excels as a venue for academic and professional conferences, which helps position the city as a center of excellence in various disciplines and strengthens international collaboration opportunities for local researchers and experts. “We hope that the enthusiasm and determination of Tartu’s outstanding conference organizers will inspire many others,” Karu said.
At the event, 15 additional international conferences held in Tartu in 2024 were recognized:
- The 8th Baltic Electrochemistry Conference: Finding New Inspiration 2 (BEChem 2024) – organized by the University of Tartu
- Ariel Consortium Meeting – organized by the University of Tartu, Tartu Observatory
- Annual Conference of the Science Fiction Research Association “Transitions” – organized by the University of Tartu
- The 17th Baltic Conference on Food Science and Technology FOODBALT 2024 – organized by the Estonian University of Life Sciences
- The 10th E-Governance Conference – organized by the e-Governance Academy
- TEH 97 Conference Arts of Survival – organized by the Trans Europe Halles Network
- FOSS4G Europe 2024 Conference – organized by the University of Tartu
- International Conference of Innovative Technologies and Learning (ICITL 2024) – organized by the University of Tartu, ATEEM
- The 14th European Conference on Ecological Restoration – organized by SER Europe
- The 10th BBBB Conference on Pharmaceutical Sciences – organized by the Estonian Academic Pharmaceutical Society
- Arts of Survival in Borderless Business – organized by JCI Estonia
- LCR 2024 – Learner Corpus Research Conference – organized by the University of Tartu
- FM&NT-NIBS 2024 – organized by the Estonian Physical Society and the University of Tartu
- ENLIGHT Teaching & Learning Conference 2024 – organized by the University of Tartu
- ICOM ICEE Annual Conference 2024 “Momentum: Exhibitions and Memory” – organized by ICOM Estonia
Additionally, special recognition was given to Tartu’s flagship conferences, which take place annually:
- sTARTUp Day (sTARTUp Day)
- Annual Conference on Russia (Baltic Defence College)
- International Conference Biosystems Engineering (Estonian University of Life Sciences)
- Mobile Tartu Conference (University of Tartu, Mobility Lab)
- Annual Tartu Conference on East European and Eurasian Studies (University of Tartu, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies)
- International Gene Forum (University of Tartu, Institute of Genomics, Estonian Genome Center)
- Annual Baltic Military History Conference (Baltic Defence College)
Tartu’s conference ambassadors play a key role in bringing events to the city. These are individuals who are part of international networks and help bring their field’s major conferences to Tartu, contributing to its development as a conference destination.
During the appreciation event, four new Tartu Conference Ambassador titles were awarded:
- Moonika Teppo – University of Tartu
- Meelis Käärik – University of Tartu
- Aveliina Helm – University of Tartu
- Timo Kikas – Estonian University of Life Sciences
As of today, Tartu has 141 recognized conference ambassadors. Learn more about the ambassador program HERE.
More information: Merje Laimets, Visit Tartu B2B & MICE Specialist, +372 5564 9706, merje.laimets@visittartu.com