Congratulations, Tiina! Our Event Project Manager Tiina Kaldma has completed 5 years as a member of the WOW Events team. In this rapidly changing world, 5 years is a milestone worth celebrating! So – congratulations to us for being able to keep and value her.
Dear Tiina, tell us the story of how you got into event management?
Olavi Ruhno invited me and when I said that I had no experience in this field, his answer was that in event management, it is not experience in this specific field that counts, but life experience. And he was right, because it has been easy to learn new things if you have a broad horizon and a talent for organizing. This job is not for everyone, because it is more of a lifestyle than a job. Creativity is also useful, which is needed both in solving situations and in proposing new ideas.
I like working in a small team where you do everything that needs to be done. It's great when every day is unique and there's relatively little routine. It suits me and I would get bored otherwise. It's also definitely been beneficial that I try to keep my eyes open as much as possible everywhere and see what's happening a little further away from me - a broad horizon and my own interests definitely add a lot.
What personal qualities have been useful when working in event management?
You have to be very tolerant and can't look at everything from just your own perspective (although you often really want to do that).
Patience is definitely a great virtue – I don't always excel at it. It still gets annoying sometimes when you stumble upon something irrational, but then you have to breathe in and out, and just move on.
I would consider flexibility to be the most important thing, and I am very good at it. Often we are the link between the client and a service provider, and it is not always easy to find a solution that suits everyone right away. We then set an example to others and try to be flexible. Hopefully we get the same in return.
What does your favorite client look like?
A good client is open and friendly. With some clients I will have a great rapport after a brief encounter, while others will take longer to develop. 
I must admit that I can't immediately remember any client who makes you shake your head and think, "huhh, how terrible." If you yourself are open and friendly and communicate pleasantly and do as promised or a even little more, then there is no direct reason for the client to be grumpy and unpleasant. So far, I guess I have been blessed with good clients.
What is the one element without which it is not possible to have a good event?
You can't have a good event without good guests/participation.
The program can be awesome, the food delicious, and the party venue perfect, but if the people aren't on board, then nothing will work. We always give 110% and a little more to put together the party according to the target audience. But if we've been given wrong information from the start, it can end up so that the client really, really likes everything, but the majority of the even participants don't appreciate it at all. Ultimately, the client isn't happy with the party either, because the guests weren't happy. But who is to blame at this point...?!
Tiina, we glad you are with us!
