FF & Friends 2026: From Potential to Impact
On October 8th, customers, partners, and friends of Forward Forever gathered at Clarion Hotel Mestari in Helsinki for FF & Friends 2026, our annual customer event focused on sharing experiences, learning from each other, and exploring how organizations can turn digital potential into measurable business impact.
This year’s theme, “From Potential to Impact”, reflected many of the conversations happening across the industry. Organizations are investing in AI, data, automation, and modern business applications, but success depends on much more than technology alone. Governance, adoption, business ownership, and continuous improvement remain just as important.
What’s Holding Organizations Back?
At the start of the event, we asked attendees: “What’s holding your organization back from turning potential into impact?” The answers were consistent. The biggest challenges weren’t technology itself, but a combination of limited resources, competing priorities, data and governance challenges, organisational silos, and uncertainty around AI adoption and business value.
Many of the day’s sessions tackled these exact topics. From Power Platform governance and Microsoft Fabric to AI adoption and operating models, the discussions showed how organizations can move forward with the right combination of strategy, governance, technology, and change management. That’s exactly where Forward Forever helps customers every day: turning ambition into action and helping organizations move from potential to impact.
Inspiring Keynotes
The day opened with a welcome from Olli Korpelainen, CEO of Forward Forever, followed by a keynote from futurist and inventor Perttu Pölönen. His presentation on lifelong learning, embracing failure, and having the courage to remain a beginner offered fresh perspectives on how both individuals and organisations can thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Later in the afternoon, Teemu Vidgrén, Managing Director of Microsoft Finland, shared insights on the latest developments in AI and what organisations should be preparing for next.
Customer Stories and Practical Insights
One of the highlights of FF & Friends is hearing directly from customers and our advisors. This year’s breakout sessions covered topics ranging from Power Platform and Microsoft Fabric to AI and business transformation:
- Power Apps Code Apps – So Hot Right Now with Lasse Teeriaho and Tiago Neves (Power Platform Advisors, Forward Forever)
- SOK Kiinteistöässä SmartPlanning with Jenna Lehtovaara (Financial Manager, SOK) and Viljami Latvala (Power Platform Advisor, Forward Forever)
- The Rakennustieto Fabric Story: Engineering a Practical Data Platform with Sami Raatikainen (System Architect, Rakennustieto) and Nicholas Wanberg (Power Platform Advisor, Forward Forever)
- AI Beyond the Chat Window: From AI Assistants to AI-Enhanced Business Processes with Mikko Koskinen (AI & Copilot Lead, Forward Forever)
Together, the sessions showcased how organisations are moving from experimentation to real business value through data, automation, governance, and AI.
A Day of Insights and Connections
Clarion Hotel Mestari provided once again a the right setting for a day filled with learning, discussions, and new ideas. Throughout the event, customers, partners, Microsoft representatives, and the Forward Forever team exchanged experiences, explored new technologies, and discussed how to turn digital potential into real business impact.
And as always, some of the best conversations continued after the final session at Bar Mate, where guests enjoyed networking, great food and drinks, including a custom cocktail menu inspired by Power Platform and Microsoft Fabric. It was the perfect way to close a day dedicated to learning, sharing experiences, and connecting with the wider Forward Forever community.
Thank You
A huge thank you to all attendees, customer speakers, partners, and the entire Forward Forever team for making FF & Friends 2026 another memorable event. Behind every great event is a community that shows up, shares openly, and leaves a little more connected than before.
