The seminar can be divided into two basic parts:
- A group of business people from all over the Nordic countries come together to discuss and learn new things about Nordic business and for a week.
- At the same time, participants get to know other business experts and have fun together.
Here is just a quick glimpse of the great atmosphere at the NESU conference. The presentation is loosely chronological and in places highly generalised. Only by attending the seminar can you discover the whole truth…
BASICS
The seminar has a theme related to business or entrepreneurship. The topics are usually broad, with a number of smaller chunks being dealt with the help of a number of different partner companies and the educational institution concerned. The Nordic dimension is strongly present in the seminar’s themes, as NESU is a Nordic organisation.
The aim of the seminar programme is to broaden the participants’ knowledge of the subject and, where appropriate, to provide added value and new ideas for their studies. The programme will of course also include plenty of entertainment and mutual fun.
BEFORE THE SEMINAR
Invitations to the seminar are usually sent out a few months before the seminar, after which those who wish to attend submit an application to the organising city/country. The number of participants is usually limited to 40-60 people.
AT THE SEMINAR
The NESU seminar will include the following elements
The more formal part
This part includes lectures, company visits, excursions, workshops and case work
The lectures will cover both the theoretical basis of the week’s topic and practical applications in real companies. The lecturers are teachers or students from the host institution and representatives of local companies. Depending on the topic, case studies may be used to familiarize the participants with the subject. Company visits broaden the perspective.
The not so formal part
Sitz parties, cottage parties, clubbing, shopping, sightseeing, general partying and hanging out.
The week traditionally includes two sitz parties. Local evening, usually held at the cottage and focusing on the culture of the host country and local specialities. Nordic evening sits are more of a traditional sits type of evening, and sits are also open to non-seminar attendees.
NESU ACTIVITIES
National Meeting, Union Meeting
At the National Meeting, representatives from each country discuss current events in their country and possibly decide on a common position on the Union Meeting agenda.
All seminar participants are present at the Union Meeting, which is the decision-making body of NESU. Cities will report on their own activities and plans. The President and members of the Board of Directors report on their activities and plans. The President and Board members report on their activities since the last seminar.
The order of the above sections varies quite freely, but one event has its own place in the schedule:
GALA
The Gala is on the last evening of the week (usually Saturday). At the gala, overalls are left at the hotel and the whole crew dresses in their best. Gentlemen dress in dark suits, while the women are dressed in long evening gowns. The gala usually takes several hours to prepare, so there is plenty of free time before the cocktail reception.
The etiquette is followed, with the slight modifications typical of NESU, the wine flowing and the singing, perhaps a little hoarse at the throats, but still with great enthusiasm. Dinner usually lasts at least a couple of hours, but they always pass too quickly in the company of old and new friends. The gala may seem like a bit of a joke, with songs and a few snaps being thrown around during the evening, but the reality is something quite different. The menu is sophisticated to say the least and includes several dishes. The gala is an integral part of the various traditions, which will be revealed on the spot. The gala is often followed by a rather raucous and lively after-party.
Although the seminar lasts for seven days, the dreaded and anticipated Sunday morning comes too early. The traditional saying about the seminar is ”What happens in conference, stays in the conference”. Only by participating, you can experience the uniqueness of the whole seminar. BE BRAVE AND COME ALONG.
