(Updated 03.09.2006)

The EBU reference group will meet in Helsinki 7 - 10th September 2006, YLE informed today. It will have a look at the venue Hartwall Areena and meet representatives of Helsinki City.

The reference Group lead by Executive Supervisor Svante Stockselius will discuss on the ticket sales and contents and the visual solutions of the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki 2007. The reference group will also discuss on accommodation organisation for the international delegates, but the decisions will be made by the YLE team later this autumn.

The City of Helsinki will work closely with YLE in the arrangements next year. Sponsor deals are again dealt by Swiss company T.E.A.M and merchandise is sold by Badge.

The YLE Eurovision project is lead by head producer Heikki Seppälä. Other members of the team are head of YLE Entertainment Ilkka Talasranta, head of YLE Swedish language entertainment Kjell Ekholm, director Timo Suomi, producer-director Tapani Parm, technical planner Kaj Flood, security engineer Matti Niskanen, information manager Pirjo Talvio and project assistant Heidi Kokki.

Head producer Heikki Seppälä tells further to Iltalehti that he is very happy with the progress of the arrangements. "Actually we are now ahead of the schedule". He says, that the broadcaster will present their ideas to the reference group during the meeting, but no final decisions on the theme or the look of the show is expected until later this year. Seppälä also says, that issues like the selection of hosts and sales of tickets along with visual decisions will be made later this year.

Source: YLE