I came away from the Conference in Espoo with a head buzzing with new ideas and a deep sense that Social Marketing is making a tremendous contribution to developing a more respectful approach to delivering more responsive social policy across Europe. I was impressed at the range of applications of Social Marketing and the high quality of the work that people are taking forward.

I was also stimulated by the keynote presentations at the event, as always lots of food for thought and a few of my assumptions challenged which is good. My one big takeaway point was that Social Marketing is maturing as a field of study and application. Unlike previous events I have attended there was a sophisticated understanding of social marketing theory and practice which was evident in lots of the case studies and research projects that were shared at the event.

My final impression was that not only are the Finns a great and hospitable people they are also very interested in the application of Social Marketing.