An interview with Marte Schuurmans, moderator of the Young IFFI Event

At just 25, Marte Schuurmans has already carved out a career as an interviewer, event host, and presenter. For the past two years, she’s been self-employed, juggling a wide variety of assignments, covering all sorts of topics, and addressing a constantly changing audience. With resilience and personal development as the central themes of this year’s Young IFFI Event, we sat down with Marte to find out how she handles setbacks, keeps developing herself, and shapes her career.
From the photos on her online portfolio, it’s clear: Marte is bursting with energy. The range of projects she’s worked on is equally striking. So how does she prepare for such different assignments?

“I completely dive into the subject. I studied communication, so I often start with very little prior knowledge. That’s why I research: reading articles online, watching YouTube videos, and sometimes picking up books on the topic. For example, this event focuses on resilience and personal development, so I’m reading a book on resilience right now. At the same time, I’m learning about the ingredients industry, which I didn’t know much about, despite being interested in nutrition. That’s the fun part of my job: I get a little bit smarter every time because I’m always learning something new.”

Freelancing by design or accident?
“I really wanted to be an event host, that’s my favourite thing to do. And that almost automatically makes you a freelancer. I didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur, it just came with the job, but it suits me. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so maybe it’s in my blood.”

Staying sharp
“I’m part of a professional network for event hosts, and I meet regularly with colleagues. It keeps me up to date and lets me exchange experiences. I don’t see other hosts as competitors, there’s enough work for all of us. By sharing ideas and learning from each other, we raise the standard across the board. And when an event has had a great host, organizers are far more likely to hire one again next time.”

Dealing with uncertainty
“For me, preparation is the key to confidence. When I know my stuff, I can step on stage relaxed and at my best. The adrenaline gives me focus and helps me get into the right flow. In my private life, I can feel quite insecure. But once I’m on stage, I step into a role. Thanks to the adrenaline and the importance of making the event a success, both for the audience and the client, I’m able to set aside my own insecurities. It’s simply part of the profession.
As for business uncertainty, I haven’t really experienced that yet. Things have gone better than expected, and through word of mouth and my website, I get plenty of work. That doesn’t mean there haven’t been setbacks along the way, however! Sometimes things go wrong, and despite giving it your all, you end up far from satisfied.”

Building resilience
“Right now I’m reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Dr. Brené Brown. She’s a professor at the University of Houston who’s been researching vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame for more than twelve years. The book is full of personal stories and tips on becoming more resilient, like strengthening three areas: courage, passion, and connection. Self-compassion is something I can definitely improve on. I see every setback as a chance to practice those skills, and over time that makes you stronger.”

Her tip for young professionals and students
“I’ve started reflecting more. I keep a small notebook where I jot down, each day, something positive and something negative I experienced. In a short time, I’ve learned a lot about myself and some of it has really surprised me. Reflection helps you stay on track, figure out what fits you, and handle situations better.
I also believe in keeping your energy in balance. Some things drain you, others energize you. If you have to do something that takes a lot of energy, balance it with something fun or fulfilling. That’s how you stay grounded.”

Marte Schuurmans
Event Host, interviewer