A breeze of change has arrived in the Turku Science Park as the majority ownership of SHIFT Business Festival has transferred to Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt. The goal is to make SHIFT Business Festival an even more impactful event that brings together innovations from the business world in Turku and beyond.
The general meeting of SHIFT Events Oy, the organizer of SHIFT Business Festival, made a significant decision in October when Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt Oy became the majority owner of SHIFT Events.
With the change, Community Manager Carita Varjonen, responsible for Joki's partners, takes the lead in organizing SHIFT Business Festival and becomes the CEO of SHIFT Events Oy.
– The goal is to make SHIFT Business Festival an even bigger event, and Joki is strongly involved in this growth story, recognizing the importance and potential of SHIFT. Our common goal is to increase the attractiveness of the Turku Science Park and the entire city of Turku, says Carita Varjonen, CEO of SHIFT and Community Manager of Joki.
Carita Varjonen has been working with SHIFT for several years, and Joki has been an active partner of the event. Varjonen sees a lot of potential in SHIFT, but also a need for change.
– I believe that by anchoring the event to the Science Park area, SHIFT strengthens its role as a developer of the area and a builder of community spirit.
The missing piece brings the Science Park together
SHIFT acts as a concrete connector between companies already operating in the area, higher education institutions, and the city's development. Joki's partners have a unique opportunity to integrate into the SHIFT program and showcase their own activities. The goal is to bring more activity to the area and increase a sense of community, while simultaneously complementing the region's event landscape.
– We see SHIFT as the missing piece of the area that brings the operators of the Science Park area together even more. SHIFT serves as a meeting place for all companies and higher education institutions, where people from different fields can get to know each other.
The event brings the area together in a unique way, with the aim of also expanding the event's visitor base and creating a common meeting place for the entire area.
More versatile services for partners
Carita Varjonen remains responsible for the development, events, and partnerships of Joki. Additional support for managing Joki's partnerships will be provided by the account team of Teknologiakiinteistöt.
– Our new contact persons for partners will be account managers Annika Pakula, Tinet Santalahti, and Saija Kivikankare from Teknologiakiinteistöt, who have become familiar with Joki's operating network through their work with Teknologiakiinteistöt customers. It is therefore natural that they include Joki in their negotiations and assess customer needs for spaces and events, says Carita.
Joki's meeting room sales are still handled by Joki's sales service, and Joki's meeting coordinator helps customers with events.