June 13, 2026
All about the Conference Conference, Conferencia
About the Conference
Master the fundamentals.
Unlock the tools.
When 2 – 4 December 2026
Where Heureka, Vantaa, Finland
The conference theme acknowledges a pivotal moment for the museum sector. Tools that were once available only to large, well-resourced institutions are now within reach of small and medium-sized museums everywhere.
Yet this democratization of technology creates a paradox: the more powerful the tools, the more essential it becomes to master the fundamentals. Strategy before software. Story before algorithm. Human connection before digital spectacle.
The conference advocates a strategic return to core principles — clear communication, collaboration, purposeful audience engagement, sound marketing and PR fundamentals, and institutional storytelling — as the foundation for making high-tech tools truly effective.
For the 1st time, ICOM COMMS and ICOMON will be together, welcoming attendees who will learn how to transform their museum’s online and offline presence by focusing on essential fundamentals of institutional change, storytelling, engagement, and fundraising. Also, ICOM Exhibitions will join us to host and moderate a session. You just can’t miss it!
Share your story. Shape the conversation.
We invite all museum professionals — in communications, management, education, and exhibitions — to submit proposals. Whether you lead a national institution or a local community museum, your experience matters.
Articles
Presentations
Workshops
Special program tracks
Yes, we can: how we overcame the “Not Possible” mindset. Discuss how digital tools have removed historical obstacles related to budgets, staffing, and specialized technical skills in small-to-medium museums.
And we are all together: Unlock High-Impact Audience Engagement in Museum Projects. There is room for great projects that listen to colleagues’ needs and apply fundamental principles to deliver high-quality, professional results.
Follow the money: where are the investments heading? The main challenge for museum directors, which constrains most museum initiatives regardless of their merit, is revenue generation.
Heureka — The Finnish Science Center
A world-class home for discovery
Tiedepuisto 1, 01300 Vantaa, Finland
We are proud and honored to be hosted by Heureka — the Finnish Science Center, one of Finland’s most beloved and visited cultural institutions. Since opening in 1989, Heureka has welcomed more than 300,000 visitors each year, earning its reputation as a national landmark for science education, innovation, and public engagement. Its award-winning architecture by Heikkinen–Komonen, interactive exhibitions, state-of-the-art planetarium, and world-class conference facilities make it an extraordinary setting for our conference. Conveniently located in Tikkurila, Vantaa, Heureka is just a 15-minute train ride from Helsinki city center and 30 minutes from the airport.
We are equally grateful to ICOM Finland for their invaluable partnership in making this conference possible. Their commitment to strengthening the Finnish and international museum community is a vital part of this initiative, and their generous support has been instrumental in bringing Back to Basics to life.
Heureka Meeting Facilities
https://www.heureka.fi/en/pages/meeting-facilities
Auditorium Virtanen
220 seats
Av equipment:
• Touch screen with a performance point for controlling AV equipment and lighting.
• Two pieces of HDMI connections at the performance point.
• Wired and wireless LAN.
• Screen 7.4 mx 3.8 m, image resolution 1920 x 1200.
• Induction loop.
• Stream-ready with camera and microphone summation sound via USB connection.
There is a wheelchair lift and an induction loop in the auditorium.
Workshop rooms Alfa, Beta and Gamma
20–60 seats, can also be divided into three smaller rooms (max. 20 people/room).
Av equipment:
• Monitors LG 86″ with wheel stands. Resolution max. UHD (3840×2160).
• Wireless network.
• HDMI connection, with a converter, and a VGA connection.
Service information
Weather in December:
December is known as a winter month with below-freezing weather. As the winter solstice approaches, there is an average of only 6 hours of daylight from sunrise to sunset. A very warm weatherproof jacket, proper boots, a woolly hat, and mittens are highly recommended when outdoors.
Public transport:
Heureka is situated at Tikkurila. Walking distance from Tikkurila station to Heureka is appr 8 minutes.
Commuter trains
Airport – Tikkurila – Helsinki City Center (“Rautatientori”) every 10 minutes
Helsinki City Center (“Rautatientori”) – Tikkurila every 10 minutes
The fastest trains are D, R, and Z, which take 19 minutes; the slower ones take 35 minutes.
Tickets for 4,50€ can be bought via the easy app “HSL” or at the ticket machines when entering the station.
More information on local transport: https://www.hsl.fi/en/travelling/visitors
Hotels
1. Sokos Hotel Vantaa, Hertaksentie 2, 01300 Vantaa
– 134 EUR / 1 person room Standard / 1 night
– 164 EUR / 2 persons room Standard / 1 night
– breakfast included
– conveniently 5 min. walk from Heureka, right next to the local train station Tikkurila
– there might be some lively night events, so rooms on the upper floors are recommended
Sokos Hotels Sales Services
Phone: +358 300 870 000
www.sokoshotels.fi
2. Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Asema-aukio 2, 00100 Helsinki
– 245 EUR / 1 person room Standard / 1 night
– 275 EUR / 2 persons room Standard / 1 night
– breakfast included
– in the city center of Helsinki, right next to the railway station, traveling to Heureka with a local train takes approximately. half an hour
Sokos Hotels Sales Services
Phone: +358 300 870 000
www.sokoshotels.fi
3. Hotel Anna, Annankatu 1, 00100 Helsinki
– appr. 90 EUR / 1 person room Standard / 1 night
– in the city center of Helsinki, 10 min. walk from the railway station
– breakfast included
Hotel Anna
Phone: +358 9 616621
info@hotelanna.fi
Restaurants
10. kerros
Traditional food, nice drinks
Kaivokatu 3
358 300870020
www.raflaamo.fi
Kosmos
Classic artsy atmosphere
Kalevankatu 3
358 9 647 255
www.kosmos.fi
Boulevard
Modern seafood
Bulevardi 6
358 10 3229382
www.boulevard.fi
Sauna
There are nice public saunas at the city centre
– Allas Sea Pool https://www.allaspool.fi/en/pools-and-saunas/
– Kulttuurisauna with pre-booking https://www.myhelsinki.fi/places/kulttuurisauna/
– very traditional Kotiharjun sauna https://www.kotiharjunsauna.fi/en).
You can use a towel around you if you are not willing to sit in the sauna naked, as Finns do. Showers are communal. Price differs, appr. 20 euros.
Swimming suits are needed if you wish to enjoy the warm swimming pool of Allas or swim in a very cold sea at Kulttuurisauna.
Here are a few tips to ensure that you’ll get the most out of this steamy adventure:
1. Pack the essentials: Just bring a towel and your swimsuit.
2. Hydrate: It is good to drink some extra water both before and after sauna to replace the fluids lost in sweating.
3. Lighten your load: Leave your clothes, phone, and other belongings in the lockers of the changing room. All you need is your towel and swimsuit, but no need to put them on yet.
4. Shower first: You can find showers in a shared washing room. You should not wear a swimsuit in the shower. Flush yourself before and after the sauna.
5. Relax and enjoy: The warmth and quietness will make you feel nice and free from tension.
More about Finland:
Curious to find out more about Finnish history? Check this:
https://finland.fi/life-society/main-outlines-of-finnish-history/
Curious to find out more about Finnish design?
https://www.discoveringfinland.com/about-finland/finnish-design-information/
Curious to find out more about the Finnish education system?
https://www.sivista.fi/esittely/in-english/the-finnish-education-system-in-a-nutshell/