The SHIFT Business Festival team gets an international addition at the end of January, when the new Head of Program and Event Experience, Anne Bergshoeff, starts in her position. Bergshoeff, who has been working as an economic specialist in the Netherlands, has solid experience in international event productions and promoting entrepreneurship.

Bergshoeff’s earlier career has offered her a deep dive into the possibilities of new technologies. New innovations, used intelligently, can help to solve global challenges, such as climate change and social injustice. Experience in both technology and social sciences made Bergshoeff a strong candidate for the position, says SHIFT CEO Mari Männistö. “We want to encourage companies to do intelligent business. By this, we mean business that uses innovations and new technologies, to be both profitable and ecologically and socially sustainable. In 2020, we focus on the international growth of the festival, in accordance with the Southwest Finland regional economic strategy. Recruiting Anne was a natural step on this path.”

Bergshoeff is excited about her new posting in Finland. “Over the past few years, SHIFT has quickly grown into one of the most significant business events for growth companies in Finland. I’m happy to contribute to this development and to harness my international experience for SHIFT and entrepreneurs,” says Bergshoeff. “It feels amazing to get back to Finland, this time to work.” Having studied at the University of Turku for six months during her bachelor’s degree studies, Bergshoeff is familiar with both the regional and national economic structures.

SHIFT is celebrating its 5-year anniversary in 2020. As earlier, the festival program will be built around future prospects of intelligence and its applications in business. “Curating the SHIFT 2020 program is going to be fun. A warm welcome to all of you to come and experience the next shape of SHIFT!” says Bergshoeff.

SHIFT Business Festival
26−27 August 2020
Turku, Finland
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