One event moved people across Finland
In 2022, as OP Financial Group marked its 120th anniversary, the milestone was celebrated in a unique way, paying tribute to its long history, expressing gratitude to its employees, and strengthening a sense of community. One of the measurable goals set during the planning phase that began in 2019 was to enhance OP Financial Group’s employer image.
The Idea Inspired by the Olympic Spirit
OP Financial Group has always had a significant impact on the lives of Finns. In 2022, another important milestone for our nation was the 70th anniversary of the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics. From this, an idea inspired by OP Group’s staff emerged—a torch relay honoring history. In this torch relay, OP bank employees carried a torch through Finland, from Pallastunturi to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, where the celebration reached its pinnacle in grand style.
Uncompromising Execution Captivated the Whole of Finland
The torch relay and the main event at the Olympic Stadium aimed to create an unprecedented week-long phenomenon, emphasizing both individuality and community spirit.
The event took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and special attention was given to health and safety. The final decision to proceed with the plan was made in February 2022, just a couple of months before the event date.
The torch’s journey across Finland began on May 1, 2022, following the route of the 1952 Olympic torch, from the summit of Pallastunturi’s Taivaskero to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. The torch was carried by a total of 450 OP Group employees, accompanied by support teams. The uniqueness of the torch relay was underscored by its use of the Olympic Team Finland emblem, granted by the Finnish Olympic Committee.
The torch relay culminated on May 7, 2022, at the Olympic Stadium in the largest employee celebration ever held in Finland. Over 16,000 OP Group employees and their loved ones enjoyed an unforgettable day together. The unique, tailor-made cross-disciplinary program featured a combination of music, dance, and circus acts, along with a stage show featuring some of Finland’s top artists.
A Scorecard to Be Proud Of!
The event was specifically designed for the employees, and the feedback received felt as valuable as an Olympic gold medal. On a scale of 1 to 5, the Olympic Stadium celebration received an overall score of 4.24 from OP employees, and the torch relay’s organization was astonishingly rated at 4.9.
In addition to feedback from the staff, the torch relay reached over 1.2 million readers in national and local media. Furthermore, it garnered significant attention on social media platforms.
The special programs designed for the event didn’t just provide momentary enjoyment for the participants but have also continued as popular items in OP’s internal employee events, such as the specially choreographed OP group dance.
A participant summed up the success of the event best, saying:
“The effort put into the content and organization of the celebration was palpable. It felt like an expression of gratitude from the employer to the employees for their hard work during challenging times. It was great that such an event was organized and dared to be held post-COVID-19. It instilled a sense of togetherness.”
