The Communication Committee of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce awards the Central Finland Communicator Award to a company or organization that has enhanced the positive visibility of the region through its communication efforts. The first Central Finland Communicator Award was presented to Sauna from Finland on October 1, 2024, at Keskisuomalainen. With this new award tradition, the committee aims to highlight the importance and value of communication.
“We received numerous diverse suggestions for the first Central Finland Communicator Award. It’s wonderful to see how much professional communication is appreciated in Central Finland. Sauna from Finland’s extensive work requires professional, strategic, and tactical communication and marketing expertise. In leading networks professionally, trust-building, open communication, and active interaction are key. Likewise, the development of services and innovations demands skilled marketing and communication. Marketing the products and services of companies and organizations involved in experiences and saunas requires an understanding of brand recognition. Sauna from Finland has done this work excellently both domestically and internationally, while also raising awareness of the Central Finland region,” explains Suvi Vuojolainen, chair of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce, in justifying the selection.
The winner was awarded with Samuli Alonen’s “Messenger” sculpture. Inspired by a relay baton, the piece reflects the name of the award, Communicator. The award was received by Carita Harju, the executive director of Sauna from Finland.
“This recognition feels significant because, with small resources, long-term effort, and determination, we have worked for the cause of the Finnish sauna. We’ve created an impactful phenomenon. Phenomena can emerge with limited resources when there is passion and commitment. Communication and marketing are central to our activities – they are marathon disciplines. Many innovative and impactful things can be accomplished without large investments, using creativity, collaboration, and community strength,” says Harju.
“In the communications and marketing at Sauna from Finland, the key theme is conveying the authentic Finnish sauna experience to the world. We emphasize in our communication the holistic sauna experience: relaxation, well-being, and connection to nature. We must communicate in English so we can reach the widest possible audience. We do targeted communications through various channels and invite people worldwide to get to know and appreciate Finnish well-being through the authentic sauna experience.” – Titta Pervis, Marketing Manager, Sauna from Finland.
Sauna from Finland – A Growing Network
Sauna from Finland is an international network of over 200 companies related to the sauna experience, operating out of Muurame. Its mission is to promote Finnish sauna culture globally and to enhance the visibility and export of Finnish saunas and related companies.
The network has done long-term and highly visible work, with many successes since 2010, according to the selection rationale. The visibility of the Finnish sauna has gained over 1.5 million annual impressions worldwide and received international media coverage. Hundreds of articles have been published about sauna, with outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and National Geographic as publishers. In Central Finland, Jyväskylä hosts the annual international World Sauna Forum, which in 2024 attracted nearly 400 participants from 27 different nationalities, spending time together in saunas and networking. The number of members in Sauna from Finland grows each year. Currently, the network includes dozens of foreign companies that want to bring the authentic Finnish sauna experience to their home countries.
We warmly thank all our members, who make our activities possible, provide encouraging feedback, and actively participate in our operations. Together, we are stronger, and through collaboration, we can contribute to the success story of the Finnish sauna!
The goal of the Communication Committee of the Central Finland Chamber of Commerce is to promote the region’s success and growth and to support local companies and organizations through communication and marketing. The committee consists of marketing and communication professionals from companies and organizations and serves as a forum for their cooperation.
