Carita Varjonen turned SHIFT Business Festival from the brink of bankruptcy into a profitable event. Now, she wants to renew the marketing of the office space business and strengthen the appeal of Turku Science Park.
Carita Varjonen has been appointed Marketing Director of Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt. In her new role, she will be responsible for the marketing and development of the Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt Group.
Varjonen moves to her new position from her role as CEO of SHIFT Events Oy, the organizer of SHIFT Business Festival. She has worked as the CEO of SHIFT since 2023. Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt is the main owner of the event.
– I am excited about my new role, and this is a fantastic opportunity! I feel that there is a lot of untapped potential in the office space business. I want to bring a new kind of dynamic and community spirit to the industry, says Varjonen.
The role of Marketing Director expands Varjonen's responsibility from a single event brand to the development of the appeal, visibility, and growth of the entire Turku Science Park.
Varjonen says she is leaving SHIFT with confidence.
– We have built a strong foundation upon which the next phase of growth can be constructed. I will continue as the Chair of the Board of SHIFT to support the transition and future development, and it is great to be able to follow the next steps of SHIFT in that role.
Varjonen says that the event will remain one of the key networking platforms for Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt.
SHIFT turned from the brink of bankruptcy to profitability in a couple of years
Under Varjonen's leadership, SHIFT rose in a couple of years from the brink of bankruptcy into a profitable business event of national interest. At the same time, the event's revenue almost doubled.
– This work has required long days, difficult decisions, and a strong belief in the future. At the same time, it has been exceptionally rewarding.
Varjonen started as the CEO of SHIFT in a situation where the event's finances were challenging and its direction was unclear. Under her leadership, SHIFT became rooted as part of Turku Science Park, the event's concept was renewed, and the language changed from English to Finnish. In addition, Varjonen renewed the event's sales, marketing, and partnership building.
Varjonen's strengths include, in particular, strategic marketing and communications expertise, authenticity, warmth, and the ability to build long-term collaborative relationships with customers, partners, and networks.
In 2024, Varjonen was awarded the 'Varsinaissuomalainen viestintäteko' (Southwest Finland Communication Act) award by the Turku Chamber of Commerce in recognition of her impactful work for the regional business community. Varjonen has long experience in sales, marketing, and event business roles in Southwest Finland. Before her current tasks, she has worked at, for example, FC Inter. Varjonen began working for Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt in 2018. She has been responsible for partnerships and developed the Visitor Centre Joki while also leading the SHIFT Business Festival.
More information:
Carita Varjonen, Marketing Director
Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt Oy
carita.varjonen@teknologiakiinteistot.fi
tel. +358 40 676 6037