WHAT GETS YOU EXCITED IN YOUR ROLE?

“Seeing my colleagues succeed. You see them fighting to go the extra mile, and then you can see the happiness in their eyes when we win some business – that is really fantastic. I also get excited about building long-term relationships, which is an important part of my work.”

YOU STARTED OUT IN THE HOTEL RECEPTION AND SINCE THEN YOU HAVE HAD MANY ROLES AT GOTHIA TOWERS. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE AND DEVELOP WITHIN THE GROUP?

“I have always been goal-oriented and driven. I still remember my interview for the job of project coordinator. They asked me ‘Where will you be in five years?’ and I said that I was certain that my future lay in sales! I realized I wanted to work here when I was studying Hospitality Management in Gothenburg. There is security here and the organisation is very sound. But at the same time there is also an insistent belief in the future and the will to be first. That is a powerful combination. The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre is a fantastic employer that is good at keeping employees who want to move forward. If you get stuck in, have patience and do a good job, there are as many career opportunities as you wish.”

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO DEVELOP AS A MANAGER?

“I learn a fantastic amount every day. Partly by watching how other managers act and partly through courses. Among other things, we can participate in the managers forum, which is held by the group’s head of HR. We meet four times a year and there are lectures and workshops.  At the next we will have some training in conflict management. I have very good contact with my colleagues in the management group for sales and marketing, so I have many people to sound out questions and ideas with.”

“As a manager, I believe I am honest, straight and open. And I have always been a bundle of energy who likes to engage others.”

• Name: Malin Erlandsson
• Education: Hospitality Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Works as: Director Congress & Events, Gothia Towers
• Employed in the group since: 2001
• Previous roles in the group: hotel receptionist, project coordinator, project manager, Sales Manager
• Leisure interests: the family, skiing, handball, football, travel, food and the summer house