FVE General Assembly 2026

Organized 11–13 June 2026 in Rovaniemi, Finland

Welcome to the Arctic Circle

The Finnish Veterinary Association warmly invites you to Rovaniemi 11–13 June 2026.

Join us in the heart of Finnish Lapland as the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe General Assembly is hosted in Rovaniemi.

When: 11–13 June 2026 in Rovaniemi, Finland

Where: Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, Rovaniemi

Contact: toimisto@sell.fi

Registration

Register now to join hundreds of European veterinarian colleagues and experience Lapland!
We kindly encourage you to register by 26 April 2026. However, registration will remain open beyond that date.

Registration of partners can be completed using the same form. If you wish to change your registration details later, you can do it through the link included in your registration confirmation email.

Please note that the event participation fee will be invoiced at a later stage. Participants will select their preferred invoicing method in the registration form.

We kindly ask you to read the instructions below before registering. We have gathered critical information for the participants about the event venue and agenda, excursions, accommodation and travel on this page.

Jump to instructions:

Event venue and agenda
Excursions
Accommodation during the event
Travelling to Rovaniemi
Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Finnish Veterinary Association via email at toimisto@sell.fi.

Register

Event venue and agenda

Venue

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus is located in the heart of Rovaniemi, offering immediate access to the experiences of Santa’s Official Hometown. From the hotel, guests can easily embark on Arctic excursions, explore local culture and art, and enjoy adventures ranging from midnight sun activities to the magic of the polar winter.

The full‑service hotel features high‑quality conference facilities, an à la carte restaurant, a bar, and a café. With 170 rooms in total, the hotel tailors stays and events for individual travelers, premium guests, and various meeting and incentive groups.

Please note that Santa Claus only serves as the event venue and is no longer available for participant accommodation. Unfortunately, due to a double booking by the hotel, Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus can no longer offer rooms during the GA. We kindly recommend booking your accommodation at the event’s partner hotels listed on this page under Accommodation.

Agenda

Thursday 11 June

Venue: Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, Rovaniemi

9.00-17.00

UEVP GA
UEVH GA
EASVO GA
EVERI GA

Welcome dinner

When: TBA

Where: TBA

Friday 12 June

Venue: Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, Rovaniemi

9:00-17:00

FVE GA – Meeting room LAPPI

Gala dinner

When: TBA

Where: TBA

Theme: TBA

Saturday 13 June

Venue: Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, Rovaniemi

9:00-12:30 FVE GA – Meeting room LAPPI

13:00-19.00 Excursion: Reindeers

Excursions

In addition to the lectures and evening programmes on Thursday and Friday, separate daytime activities will be available for the participants’ partners. On Saturday, all participants and their partners will have the opportunity to join a visit to a reindeer farm.

Thursday 11 June (before lunch) – partners only

Arktikum – Arctic Science Center & Museum, Rovaniemi, Finland
Transfer on foot (1,0 km, ~15 min)
Who is it for? Partners of the GA participants.
Price: Adults 20 €, Children (7–17 years) 13 €. Includes entry and guided tour.
Description: What is life like in the northern parts of the globe? Learn about everyday life in the Arctic, the lifestyles of northern peoples, and the new challenges facing the region due to climate change and globalization. The exhibition Arctic Opposites takes you from the dark polar nights and freezing cold to a summer full of light, colours and sounds. In the permanent exhibition this region of opposites can be experienced and studied both from above and within.

Friday 12 June (before lunch) – partners only

Science Centre Pilke in Rovaniemi, Finland
Transfer on foot (1,0km ~15min)
Who is it for? Partners of the GA participants.
Price: Adults 7 €, children (7-15 years) 5 €. Includes entry.
Description: Discover the wonders of northern forests at Science Centre Pilke. Housed in an architecturally striking wooden building, Pilke showcases sustainable forest use. Explore how forests shape our daily lives and why their future matters. The interactive exhibition invites visitors to experience the sustainable use of northern forests and to understand their importance now and in the future — using all senses and engaging hands‑on.

Saturday 13 June (afternoon) – for all

Reindeer Farm Visit – Summer Experience in Rovaniemi, Finland
Who is it for? GA participants and their partners.
Price: Adults 95 €, children (4-14 years) 70 €. Includes: farm visit, lunch, coffee, transportation.
Description: Welcome to an authentic Lapland reindeer farm, where reindeer herding has been practiced by the same families since at least the 1800’s. During the visit, guests are introduced to the life of reindeer herders and the annual cycle of the reindeer. In summer, the reindeer can be met at the farm while they enjoy their seasonal pasture period, and feeding them is possible for those who wish. Come and experience the peaceful atmosphere of the Finnish countryside and learn about the traditions, animals, and stories that have shaped reindeer herding for generations.

Accommodation

FVA has arranged special accommodation rates, available only for registered GA participants and their partners, from multiple hotels in Rovaniemi.

The event organisers recommend booking your accommodation at one of the locations provided by Santa’s Hotels or from Scandic Rovaniemi City.

1) Santa’s Hotels – booking via email

Bookings at Santa’s Hotels should be made via email at kokous.rovaniemi@santashotels.fi.

Santa’s Hotels’ options include

Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle
Santa’s Hotel Rudolf
Hotel Postmaster

All reservations for these locations should be made via email at kokous.rovaniemi@santashotels.fi with ’FVE GA’ indicated in the subject line.

The majority of the hotels are located in the city centre. The only exception is Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle, which offers a premium experience and is recommended for those wishing to fully enjoy the unique Nightless Nights of summertime Lapland. A shuttle bus service arranged by the GA staff will transport participants between the event venue and the Igloo Village, which is located approximately a 15‑minute drive from the venue.

Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle

Address: Joulumaankuja 8, 96930 Rovaniemi

Booking: via email at kokous.rovaniemi@santashotels.fi

Room types and rates per night:

Premium Igloo (50 available): 117 €/person, or 126 € for two persons.
Premium Igloo with an alcove (10 available): 163 €/person, 171 € for two persons

Please note that the Igloo Village is located approximately 15 minutes from the event venue, Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus. Shuttle transportation between the accommodation and the venue will be arranged by the GA staff. Breakfast for Igloo Village guests will be served at the event venue.

Santa’s Hotel Rudolf, Rovaniemi

Address: Koskikatu 41, 96200 Rovaniemi

Booking: via email at kokous.rovaniemi@santashotels.fi

Room types and rates per night:

Economy room, 2 beds / 67 €
Economy room, 3 beds / 94 €
Standard room with sauna, 2 beds / 94 €

Please note that the check‑in and reception take place at Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, located approximately 600 meters away (walking distance).

Breakfast: Available for purchase at the hotel check‑in, 15 € per adult and 8 € per child.

Hotel Postmaster

Address: Postikatu 1, 96100 Rovaniemi

Booking: via email at kokous.rovaniemi@santashotels.fi

Room types and rates per night:

Superior room for 1–2 persons (24 available): 105 €/room, extra bed 40 €

Breakfast: Included, served at the hotel.

All hotel options offering special GA rates are listed below. Rates are valid from 10 to 14 June 2026. All prices include VAT and the hotels offer free Wi-Fi.

2) Scandic Rovaniemi City

All reservations for Scandic Rovaniemi City should be made via email at rovaniemicity@scandichotels.com with ’FVE GA’ indicated in the subject line.

Address: Koskikatu 23, 96200 Rovaniemi

Booking: via email at rovaniemicity@scandichotels.com

Cancellation policy and other booking terms: The cancellation policy of your booking depends on category of your reservation. In order to confirm your booking you must provide the hotel with the appropriate credit card details. Rooms can be reserved depending on the hotel’s availability and no later than 10 days before arrival.

3) Hotel Golden Circle Suites

All reservations for Hotel Golden Circle Suites should be made on the hotel’s website.

Address: Korkalonkatu 19, 96200 Rovaniemi

Booking: through the website goldencirclesuites.com

Room types and rates per night:

Superior room with private sauna for 1–2 adults (8 available): 135 €

Breakfast: 13 € / person

Additional information: extra cleaning during the stay 50 € / cleaning / room

4) Arctic City Hotel

All reservations for Arctic City Hotel should be made on the hotel’s website.

Address: Pekankatu 9, 96200 Rovaniemi

Booking: on the hotel’s website using the code FVEGA

Breakfast: Included

Hotel Map

Click on locations on the map to access address information.

How to get there?

Most of the commercial flights from central Europe connect through Helsinki. If you prefer, you can take a train—with both day and night services available—from Helsinki to Rovaniemi instead of a connecting flight. The event venue is located approximately 1,6 km from Rovaniemi Railway Station. Train tickets can be purchased from VR.

Getting from Rovaniemi Airport to the hotel in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Airport is located about 10 km from city centre.
There will be no group transportation from the airport

Travellers arriving in Rovaniemi have the following options to reach the city centre:

Airport Express Bus:
You may take the Airport Express bus from Rovaniemi airport to the city centre. The drop-off points in Rovaniemi near the main hotel are D, G and H. All of the drop-off points are located 300 meters or less from the main venue. Read more.
Taxi from the Airport:
Taxis are available at the airport 24/7. You can also pre-book a taxi. The journey from Rovaniemi Airport to the city centre takes approximately 15 minutes. Read more.

Important Notes:

Bus tickets can be purchased online in advance or on the bus.
Check the timetable on Airport Express’ website as it varies seasonally (summer is off-season)

Frequently asked questions

What is the FVE General Assembly?

The FVE General Assembly (GA) is a bi-annual meeting of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), representing veterinary organizations from 38 European countries. The GA brings together veterinary professionals to advance the profession and uphold high standards in animal health and welfare.

When and where will the event be held?

The event will be held 11–13 June 2026 in Rovaniemi, Finland.

When should I submit my registration?

The organizers kindly encourage participants to register by 12 March 2026 but the registration will remain open beyond that date.

Who is the event for?

The FVE General Assembly is for the representatives of all national veterinary organizations from European countries.

What is the weather like in Rovaniemi?

Weather in Rovaniemi in June can change from day to day. Daytime temperatures are usually between 10°C and 25°C. Evenings and nights can be cool, sometimes below 10°C.
We recommend layered clothing. A warm sweater, long sleeves, and a light waterproof jacket are useful. If you plan on joining Saturday’s excursion at the reindeer farm, comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

Can I drink tap water?

Yes! Finnish tap water is very clean and you drink it straight from the tap.

Are there mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes can appear in early June, mainly in the evenings. In Finland, mosquitoes do not carry dangerous diseases. Mosquito bites are not life‑threatening, but they may itch.
To avoid bites, using insect repellent is recommended (available at every grocery store). Anti‑itch creams and antihistamine products are easy to find at pharmacies.

Is swimming possible?

Swimming is possible, but the water in Rovaniemi’s rivers and lakes is cold in June
(usually around 10–15°C).
Please swim only at marked public swimming areas. The nearest swimming spots are along the Ounasjoki River, within a few hundred metres’ walk from Hotel Santa Claus. Be aware that the river may have strong currents.
Sauna is a pleasant and common part of Finnish culture,
and many people enjoy sauna even without going swimming.