Event Information for the Event Days
For more detailed information, visit our complete event info page, chat with one of our customer service staff members on-site, or reach out to our customer care!
Agenda
Day 1
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
08:30
09:00
Exclusive VIP Breakfast event at the start of Day 1.
- Doors open 08:30
- VIP Breakfast 09:00-10:00
- VIP Session with Rahaf Harfoush by 10:00-11:00
Learning Points:
- How to move from information overload to insight
- How to build an Adaptive Knowledge Practice
- How to future-proof thinking and learning
Please note that the session is only for First Class and VIP attendees at the venue. If you want to upgrade your ticket, please contact our customer care.
11:00
Enjoy a delicious lunch and drinks on us at the networking area!
12:15
- How to challenge the outdated growth assumptions, especially about China, that might be hiding massive risks in your current strategy.
- How to build a winning strategy when you’re no longer competing with companies, but with the subsidized power of nations.
- How to design a resilient, “shock-proof” supply chain and market strategy for a world that is breaking into geopolitical blocs.
13:15
- Why AI is becoming a commodity (like electricity), not a sustainable competitive advantageâand why your focus must shift immediately to unique human insight.
- Why the most valuable information is now “wild knowledge”âthe unique, untamed insights from the edges of your market that algorithms will always miss.
- Why the most successful leaders of the next decade will be those who master the art of combining AI’s processing power with the irreplaceable wisdom of “wild,” human-centric knowledge.
14:00
Enjoy snacks and drinks on us!
Also, make sure to explore the Networking area and connect with other event guests.
15:00
- Why human judgment is the only way to build trust and differentiation when everyoneâs using the same AI tools
- How to combine analytics and human insight to make decisive calls when the data is conflicting
- How to stop waiting for certainty and use AI tools to create your own opportunities
15:50
- How to protect focus and deepen human intelligence in an age of acceleration
- How to engage technology consciously, not blindly
- How curiosity and comfort with ambiguity enable resilience
16:30
Enjoy snacks and drinks on us!
Also, make sure to explore the Networking area and connect with other event guests.
17:25
- How to intentionally design your teamâs environment and culture to drive high performance
- Why behavior shifts across different contexts, and how leaders can harness this to their advantage
- The secret to sustaining peak performance without relying on fleeting willpower
- The most effective frameworks to construct situations that empower your team to win
18:10
- How to replace reliance on fleeting willpower with the power of consistency and scalable discipline.
- How to use the “Hats, Haircuts, and Tattoos” framework to fail fast, learn faster, and outpace the competition.
- Why meaningful work and human connection are the primary drivers for attracting and retaining the next generation of top talent.
19:15
Continue networking with other event guests after the main program.
19:15
Enjoy food and drinks with other VIP and First class guests until 22:00.Â
Please note that the session is only for First Class and VIP attendees at the venue. If you want to upgrade your ticket, please get in touch with our customer care.Â
Day 2
Thursday, 17 September 2026
07:45
08:30
This session is built around the critical questions every CEO must answer to navigate the next decade. Key questions we will explore include:
- Which markets beyond ChinaâIndia, Southeast Asia, North Americaâdeserve greater focus in your firmâs strategy?
- How can your firm adapt when competition is set by state subsidies rather than market pricing?
- How exposed is your business model to shifts in alliances, sanctions, or regulatory barriers?
- How should you incorporate geopolitical instability into board-level
decisions about investment, insurance, and talent location? - Where can your firm capture opportunities created by the rebalancing of global supply chains and investment flows?
09:30
- How to build the right partnerships across your ecosystem â from suppliers and peers to competitors and communities â to unlock the kind of collective impact no company can achieve alone, and which sits at the heart of becoming truly Net Positive.
- How to build the radical trust and transparency required to lead transformative change across your entire value chain.
- How to turn humanity’s greatest challenges into your company’s biggest opportunities and most profitable ventures.
- How to find the personal courage to lead with purpose, making the tough, values-driven calls that build unbreakable trust with your team.
10:25
- How to stay calm and choose your words when conversations
become tense. - How to shift from trying to win an argument to learning and
understanding your team. - How to build everyday conversational habits that help your team
handle friction and work better together.
11:15
Enjoy a delicious lunch and drinks on us!
12:45
- How to implement ‘radical honesty’ as the foundation for a high-performance culture where trust isn’t just a poster on the wall, but a daily practice.
- How to dismantle the traditional HR systems that kill motivation and replace them with a culture of freedom and responsibility that attracts and retains true A-players.
- How to build a ‘team, not a family,’ where every member is a high-performer, enabling the level of trust and collaboration required to achieve extraordinary results.
13:30
- How to unlock peak performance under extreme pressure by building absolute trust within the team.
- How to forge an unbreakable bond around a shared purpose, turning individual limits into collective strength.
- How to harness resilience to navigate uncertainty and deliver results even when the path is unclear.
14:30
Enjoy snacks and drinks on us!
Also, make sure to explore the Networking area and connect with other event guests.
15:25
- How to fulfill the highest, truest expression of yourself as a human being
- How to lean into daily gratitude and allow yourself to find moments of light
- How to trust your intuition and allow your decisions to come from a place of truth, staying aligned with your values and goals
- How to lean into your authentic self to create genuine connection
17:00
On the HS Visio Studio there are still three interviews after the Main Stage program ends:
- 17:00 Nando Parrado (Surviror, Leader, Producer): Decision-Making at Extreme Circumstances
- 17:15 Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae (Chair, Posti Group, Finnair, Bo Concept) : Effective Decision-Making
- 17:30 Des Dearlove (Co-Founder, Thinkers50) & Tuula RytilÀ (Board Member, Business Forum Group): Takeaway Decisions to Self from NBF 2026
You can find the full schedule including the side stages on the agenda page.
Get the Brella Event App
Download the event app and login with your email to book networking meetings, check the full agenda, access the recordings, and more.
Event name: Nordic Business Forum 2026
If you don’t see the event after signing in, click ‘join event’ and input your unique join code. You can find your code from the invitation email in your inbox using the sender name (Brella | Nordic Business Forum) and email address (noreply@brella.io). Remember to check your spam and promotions folders.
Buffets and Restaurants
Great news: All food and non-alcoholic beverages are included with your ticket and will be available throughout the event! đ
Buffets and Food Trucks
We prioritize using local, sustainable ingredients to the best of our ability. We offer vegan and vegetarian options, and source game meat and wild fish to respect our environment. Enjoy Finland’s vegetables, berries, fruit, fish, and game!
Special Diets
Lactose-free, gluten-free, and vegan options are available in all buffets. If you have any questions or specific dietary restrictions, just ask our staff with orange scarves and bow ties for help!
Restaurants
Many of the restaurants at Messukeskus are open, and you can enjoy their menus on our bill. Please note that only restaurants within the Networking Area are included, and the menus offered at the event may differ from their regular ones.
Evening Program
VIP Evening â For VIP and First Class Guests
đ Networking Area at Messukeskus
đ Wednesday, 16 September | 19:15â22:00
If you have a VIP or First Class ticket, youâre warmly invited to an exclusive evening gathering right after the Main Stage program ends. Come enjoy a delicious dinner, refreshing drinks, and great company!
Afterparties for Everyone
đ Marski by Scandic and Scandic Grand Central Helsinki
đ Wednesday, 16 September | 22:00 ->
If you have the energy to continue enjoying the vibes, you can join the official NBF afterparties at Marski by Scandic and Scandic Grand Central Helsinki. Last year, we noticed one location wasnât enough, so this year weâll have two locations instead. More details to be announced closer to the event!
VIP and First Class Extras
Our VIP and First Class tickets include extra content sessions and other benefits. Both VIP and First Class extras are included in the First Class ticket.
VIP Program
Wednesday 16 September
- 09:00-10:00 VIP Breakfast
- 10:00-11:00 VIP Session with Rahaf Harfoush – Mastering an Adaptive Knowledge Practice in the Age of Infobesity
- 19:15-22:00 VIP Evening in the Networking Area
Thursday 17 September
- 08:30-09:30 VIP Session with Michael Beckley – Navigating the New World Order
First Class Program at the First Class Lounge
Wednesday 16 September:
- 11:15 – 11:45 Q&A session with Angela Duckworth
- 14:10 – 14:30 Q&A session with Michael Beckley
- 14:30 – 14:50 Q&A session with Rahaf Harfoush
- 16:40 – 17:00 Q&A Session with Kjell A. Nordström
- 19:20 – 19:40 Q&A Session with Paul Polman
Thursday 17 September
- 11:15 â 11:40 Backstage tour (starts in front of the Main Stage)
- 12:20 – 12:35 Q&A Session with Alison Wood Brooks
- 14:55 – 15:20 Q&A session with Patty McCord
- 17:10 – 17:55 Photo Opportunity in Small Groups with Oprah Winfrey
First Class Lounge & Catering
The First Class attendees are welcome to relax at the First Class Lounge. There, you will have the opportunity to network in a quiet atmosphere and enjoy our First Class catering.
First Class Shuttle
First Class attendees can enjoy a ride from their accommodation to the venue (Helsinki area only). The shuttle service is, of course, free of charge.
Interpretation
We offer free AI interpretation for all Main Stage presentations in 60 languages with the help of Wordly.ai.
You can access audio and subtitles directly through the âInterpretationâ tab in the Brella event app. No extra devices or downloads neededâjust plug in your headphones and enjoy the event in your preferred language.
Instructions to use the interpretation:
- Download the NBF 2026 Brella App
- Connect your headphones
- Select the âInterpretationâ tab
- Choose your language
- Enjoy audio or text based AI translations
Accessibility
We want every guest to feel welcome and comfortable at Nordic Business Forum. All the relevant information has been gathered to our accessibility page. Our staff is also always happy to help!
Safety
ID and Tickets
Please remember to carry your ID with you throughout the event and always use your own Event Badge with the lanyard attached.
Health Measures
With thousands of people joining the event, we want to ensure everyone stays safe. We encourage you to stay home if you are ill during the event days. If you cannot attend the event live due to illness, you can easily transfer your ticket to a colleague or join us remotely via livestream.
We also want to encourage practicing good hygiene at the event. Remember to use hand sanitizers available and wash your hands regularly.
First Aid
First Aid by Finnish Red Cross is on duty the entire time during the event. You can find them from the First Aid point or through any member of our staff. You may also call them directly at +358 40 450 3237. The emergency phone number in Finland is 112.
Security
We have dedicated security staff at the event at all times. All attendees will also go through a security check every time they enter the event area.
Code of Conduct
All event guests, speakers, partners, and staff are required to uphold our Code of Conduct as we want everyone to be able to join the event in a friendly and safe environment. We prohibit discrimination of any kind and harassment, bullying, or disrespectful behavior in any form will not be tolerated. Any infractions or violations of this code will lead to immediate expulsion from the event without a refund.
Sustainability
Nordic Business Forum 2026 is Again a Certified Nordic Swan Ecolabelled Event!
Weâve been actively working on sustainability since 2011, and this recognition is both a milestone and a motivator. This recent Nordic Swan Ecolabel process offered new insights and helped us improve various aspects of our production.
If you are attending, please remember that you can do your part as well! Here a few simple yet impactful tips:
â
Use public transportation or a bicycle to arrive at the venue
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Recycle your waste during the event
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Minimize your own food waste
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Bring your own water bottle to use and refill during the event
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Take lessons from the conference into practice to make the world a better place
Thank you for working with us for sustainability!
Can't find what you're looking for?
For more detailed information, visit our complete event info page, chat with one of our customer service staff members on-site, or reach out to our customer care!