Tampere Spent €22,000 Hosting VIP Reception Ahead of Eppu Normaali Farewell Concert

Tampere spent more than €22,000 hosting a 100-guest VIP reception before Eppu Normaali's farewell concert at Ratina Stadium on August 8, according to Aamulehti.

City brand and marketing director Iina Ojala said the event was part of the city's advocacy and stakeholder relations work. It aimed to maintain contacts with ministers, Pirkanmaa members of parliament and other influential figures. The invitation list included 13 ministers and all Pirkanmaa MPs, but only four ministers and nine MPs attended. Tampere said each guest package cost about €221.90. It covered catering at Tampere City Hall, a concert ticket and a drink voucher.

Ojala said such relationship activities are difficult to value in the short term; results may only appear after years. She said the city runs about 300 invitation events a year and stages one to four large national receptions for major events. Tampere said it will review how such hospitality is arranged after the public debate. Mayor Ilmari Nurminen declined to give an interview.