I’ve just returned from Copenhagen, and what an unforgettable experience it was!
This was my first hosting engagement in Denmark, and the room was filled with futurists, innovators, ambassadors, and forward-looking professionals who came together to discuss one shared question: what does the future hold for humanity, technology, and consciousness?
About the Event
I had the honor of hosting Future Tense Copenhagen, powered by Lürssen, an internationally awarded B2B conference for first movers since 2018.
The event was organized by Komunikacijski laboratorij d.o.o., Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, and Think PR, bringing together some of the brightest minds shaping what lies ahead.
The venue, Pressen, carried personal significance for me. Years ago, I attended events there focused on inclusive media narratives about immigrants. Standing on the same stage again, this time as the host, felt like a full-circle moment. Or as we say in Finnish, “ei paha!” (not bad at all!) 😄
What Futurists Do and Why It Matters
Futurists don’t predict the future, they prepare for it. They explore the possible, probable, and preferable paths ahead using structured thinking, scenario-building, and systems analysis to help organizations anticipate change.
As host, my role was to translate complex, forward-looking ideas from scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders into messages that every participant, from seasoned experts to curious newcomers, could connect with.
It was both a joy and a challenge to facilitate such deep, boundary-pushing discussions on how we can shape equitable and ethical futures using technology and foresight.
Key Takeaways That Stuck With Me
🔹 “Turn uncertainty into options, and options into opportunities.”
A phrase that stayed with me long after the event.
🔹 Futurism is not about predicting, but preparing.
As Daria (Dasha) Krivonos and Sofie Hvitved emphasized, the work of futurists is to imagine the futures that are hardest to imagine, where humanity and technology coexist, not compete.
🔹 Global perspective, human focus.
From discussions on geopolitics to AI ethics and collective imagination, every insight reinforced the need to anchor our progress in human values.
I highly recommend following Daria (Dasha) Krivonos for her brilliant analysis of the “new world order” and geopolitical foresight.
People and Partnerships That Made It Special
One of the highlights for me was collaborating with the ambitious Croatian team behind the event and meeting remarkable leaders like Ambassador Tina Krce and former U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nathalie Rayes. Their openness and vision added even more depth to the day’s conversations.
A heartfelt thank-you to Manuela Šola, Daria (Dasha) Krivonos, Danijela Johan, Kristina Gotovac, Mario, and Ivan for creating such a pleasant, professional, and unifying experience.
And of course, to keynote speakers Sofie Hvitved, Gerd Leonhard, and Bogi Eliasen, your perspectives stretched our minds, challenged our assumptions, and grounded futurism in wisdom.
Feedback
After the event, I received a message from Iva Biondić that truly touched me. Iva Biondić is one of Croatia’s and Europe’s most respected business leaders, known for her distinguished corporate career, visionary leadership, and deep influence across industries. Her voice carries weight far beyond national borders, and her encouragement means the world:
“You did an amazing job. You made us all feel larger than life on stage and in the audience. Thanks for leaving us hopeful, keeping discussions people-oriented, and sharing big-picture conversations in a way everyone could relate to.”
Feedback like this reminds me why I love what I do, helping people connect across ideas, industries, and identities to co-create futures worth believing in.
Still buzzing from the energy, ideas, and deeply human connections made at Future Tense. More reflections to come, but for now, a big thank you to everyone who made Copenhagen such an inspiring milestone in my hosting journey.
