Linda Nilsson, president-elect of the MPI Finland Chapter, knows the importance of face to face. Her first job when she was in junior high school was working in a senior citizens home where she helped the elderly, talked to them and kept them company.
That spirit of giving back continues today even as she has embarked on a career as a meeting and event professional. She is the owner of her own company, Nillin Consulting, in the Jyväskylä area in Finland, but is also very proud of her volunteer work.
“I have been so lucky that I have been given such amazing possibilities to take part in different international sporting events that I would not have ever even dreamed of to be able to take part in when I was younger,” she says.
She pursued a career in meetings and events because she would get to be part of amazing projects where she could learn and use skills such as project management, multitasking, marketing, promotions, managing people, teamwork, public relations and more.
“The list is pretty much endless,” she says. “Just one event can have so many different sides to it. That makes this industry the best in my opinion.”
She’s in Sevilla this week for MPI’s European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC), where she plans to entrench herself in the education.
“You can read about the trends and talk to people online, but nothing beats the possibility to be among similar-minded people, talking with them in person, experiencing things together, creating new ways of thinking by experiencing something different and getting new ideas for yourself and, most importantly, connecting with one another,” she says. “EMEC is very important for the European professionals, especially as this industry is not as respected and known to people as it is in North America, from what I have experienced.”
What are the words that best describes you?
Enthusiastic, energetic, loud.
How has MPI helped you in your career?
It has given me a network that I would not have otherwise. A channel to learn new things and keep up with the industry. I was told when I started an event management class in Canada that to be in the industry, you should join the MPI community. So, I did, and I think it has absolutely been worth it. I would not have ever thought that through this I would now be part of the Finland Chapter and meeting all these amazing professionals that I get to call colleagues.
What’s the best advice someone gave you?
It’s nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in this industry?
Yes, it is one of the most stressful jobs in the world, but also the most rewarding. Despite all the stress and crazy hours, endless surprises despite your careful planning, there is nothing better than seeing all your hard work turn into something magical and seeing people’s reactions to it.
What do you do for fun?
Listening to music, dancing and watching Formula 1 racing. I have also recently started to make some electronic music and knit.
