Pentti Flink and the company John Nurminen Oy joined ICEFAT in 1984. Read his personal memories of almost 20 years with ICEFAT

From Rome to Helsinki - for today's traveler it's only a "domestic" flight in Europe. When time, more precisely years 1984 and 2003, is added,
we have a period, which covers many events and happenings. In 1984 the ICEFAT Convention was arranged in Rome, it was my very first convention of this association.

Now the Helsinki Convention is approaching and that will be my last ICEFAT event. When I am recalling these past 19 years and its conventions, the time is very short while the period of 19 years to come seems to be very long, indeed.

What has the ICEFAT membership given to the company and to me personally? Through ICEFAT the company immediately gained a network of agents, which covered all most important countries
having international cultural exchange between museums.

The annual convention gave an opportunity to meet cooperating partners at one venue and you did not have to travel to various parts of the world.
Development of business and strengthening of cooperation with agents has always been an essential object. Annual meetings naturally create
friendly relations, which have been of value both to the company and personally to me, too.

Once you had been introduced to the membership, it was easy to revert to earlier discussions, to continue from the very same point where you last time finished.

During these years ICEFAT has changed a lot - I am convinced that the now chosen lines and objects are correct and through them the members
will benefit from their contributions. The power of ICEFAT is in our own hands. The association alone is nothing, but its strength is in us, member companies and individual persons, who attend the annual convention and other activities. It's up to our own activity, how ICEFAT is going on in the coming years.

If you wish to join in developing ICEFAT, please participate in the committee activities, express your opinions and dare disagree constructively - mere critics do not result in anything. It's really great to experience, how the interaction in meeting discussions has increased when the new "young" generation has "stepped forward". Also their interest in participating in the committee activities is strong and promising.

I do have enjoyed these years, I have gained very much relating both to the business and to the large circle of personal friends.

To you who are not able to attend the Helsinki Convention I say - thank you, it was great to be a member in ICEFAT and work together with you. On looking at the preliminary registration list I am glad that so many of you are coming to Helsinki and I shall have an opportunity to say to you a personal good-buy here in Helsinki. I wish you sincerely welcome to Helsinki and believe that the Spirit of Helsinki will reign also in this convention."

Yours,

Pentti Flink