Finland Midnight Sun Expedition 2025

Client: Veterinary pharmaceutical group – UK HQ (under NDA)

Kuhmo, Finland

We were tasked by a long-standing client to create a European incentive programme for 40 guests that would deliver exceptional reward and recognition while leaving a meaningful legacy. The destination needed to be unique, sustainable and unlike anywhere the guests had experienced before.

Following extensive research, we selected Kuhmo, a remote town in Northern Finland close to the Russian border. While the destination perfectly aligned with the client's objectives, it also presented significant challenges, including complex travel logistics, limited accommodation options and heightened geopolitical considerations. Through meticulous planning, supplier collaboration and robust risk management, we transformed these challenges into opportunities to create a truly memorable experience.

Held from 20–25 June 2025, the programme immersed guests in the natural beauty and culture of the Kainuu region. Experiences included canoeing on pristine lake, fat biking through forests, elk safaris, rapids floating, midnight sun experiences and an overnight wilderness stay observing wild brown bears in their natural habitat which became the defining moment of the trip and was consistently described as a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A key achievement was successfully delivering a corporate incentive programme in a destination with limited experience of this market. Working alongside Hotel Kalevala and local suppliers, we developed enhanced operational processes, service standards and guest experience frameworks that can now support future corporate events in the region. This created a lasting legacy for both our client and the local community.

Despite operating less than an hour from the Russian border and coordinating a complex journey involving multiple flights and transfers, the programme ran seamlessly. The result was an unforgettable incentive experience that exceeded client expectations, showcased sustainable travel and demonstrated how innovative destination selection can create extraordinary rewards for high-performing teams. As the client later remarked, “white leaf events doesn't just plan incentive trips; they engineer unforgetable experiences".