Skills belong to everyone
13.10.2026
Marcus Bergström, Director of Messukeskus Events & Congresses, shares that Messukeskus is proud to host Abilympics Helsinki 2027 and to join its Advisory Board, because events are ultimately about people, and skills deserve recognition whoever holds them. In this blogpost, he explains how an event can be a platform for change, opening career paths, building networks and shifting attitudes towards diversity in working life.
Marcus Bergström
- Director of Messukeskus Events & Congresses
- Member of Abilympics Helsinki 2027 Advisory Board
Here at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, we’re proud to be the venue for the Abilympics Helsinki 2027 competition. The World Championships for skilled professionals with special needs is about far more than competition. It’s a demonstration of skill, equality and creating opportunities. That’s why it felt natural for us to also join the Abilympics 2027 Advisory Board.
Skills, not limitations
When we talk about events, congresses and meetings, we’re really talking about people. Abilympics reminds us of something important: people shouldn’t be evaluated by their limitations, but by their skills, potential and professional ability. At the same time, the competition gives skilled people who need special support visibility, opportunities and valuable connections to working life. These are goals we want to support.
As an event venue, Messukeskus’s role is to create meetings that spark new skills, collaboration and opportunities. Abilympics is a great example of this. It brings together competitors, educational institutions, employers, decision-makers and the wider public in a way that can open new career paths, build networks and change perceptions about skills. At its best, an event isn’t just a competition, it’s a platform for change.
Equality in practice
Diversity and equal opportunity mean more to us than words on paper. We believe the best ideas, solutions and events come about when different people, experiences and perspectives meet. The more we build an inclusive working life and society, the stronger we all are together.
Equality also shows up in practical actions. We’ve worked hard to make Messukeskus an accessible event environment, so that as many people as possible can take part in events on an equal footing. Accessibility isn’t a one-off project – it’s ongoing work, shaped by listening to our customers, users and partners.
We don’t do this work alone. We’re proud of our collaboration with our many partners. Our work with the Live Foundation, for example, has given us valuable insight into how education, working life and events can come together to promote equal opportunities. When different organisations join forces, the impact reaches far beyond a single event.
Messukeskus also has a long history of hosting professional events in healthcare, wellbeing and other socially important fields. These events bring together experts, researchers, professionals and decision-makers to tackle questions that matter to society. At their heart is sharing knowledge, learning and improving people’s wellbeing. We see the same goal in Abilympics.
A lasting legacy of the event
We’re increasingly talking about the “legacy” of events. The most significant events don’t just leave behind visitor numbers or economic impact – they create lasting change in skills, attitudes and society. Abilympics Helsinki 2027 offers a unique chance to raise awareness of diversity in working life, influence employers’ attitudes, and showcase talented people whose abilities don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
That’s exactly why we want to be involved.
We’re proud that Abilympics Helsinki 2027 will be held at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. For our part, we want to help make sure the competition leaves a lasting mark for international participants and visitors, for employers, and for society.
At their best, events don’t just bring people together – they change attitudes, open new opportunities and help build a more equal future. We believe Abilympics Helsinki 2027 will do exactly that. That’s why we’re especially proud to open our doors to the world and be the event’s home in Helsinki.
