Creative Economy and Beyond - CEB (9-10 September 2009) focused on the role of creativity in the economy and society.

The conference brought together policy-makers, businesses, artists, researchers and others interested in developing and understanding the creative economy in an urban context. Over 300 guests from Finland and all around the world took part in the event. The conference featured a range of interesting speakers, including Professor Nancy J. Adler from the University of McGill in Montreal, Professor Chris Voss from the London Business School, Professor Alf Rehn from Abo Akademi University in Turku, G.K. Van Patter, Director of Strategy Humantific in New York, Professor Steven S. Taylor from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Massachusetts, and Professor Joachim Sauter from the Berlin University of the Arts. The lectures were followed by panel discussions and served as a starting-point for further discussions. Rebecca Madgin from the University of Glasgow moderated a session on local examples of creative industries and their impact on city development.

The Future City Game session run by the British Council on the second day focused on environmental creativity in Helsinki. The game brought together people from different countries to share their local experience and generate ideas that might be applicable to Helsinki.