Dr. Max Hirsh (PhD, Harvard) is a leading global expert on airports and urban development, and pioneer of the Airport Urbanism method. Drawing on 15 years of industry experience, he serves as technical advisor on a variety of airport-led development projects and regional masterplans. His keynote focuses on the role of regional airports in economic development, the effect of climate change and emergence of new technologies, and future opportunities for development of the Tampere-Pirkkala airport and the surrounding region.
Mantas Vrubliauskas is VP Network Management at airBaltic, with over 14 years of experience in the airline industry and extensive expertise in route development, fleet planning, and network strategy. In his keynote, he will explore why regional airports are vital for flight connections and accessibility, and how airBaltic is strengthening its role in Finland and Northern Europe.
Aivars Starikovs is a Member of the Board of Hydrogen Europe and Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Hydrogen Association. He is also an Advisor for Energy and Alternative Fuels to the President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Currently, as North-East European cluster coordinator, Aivars is involved with the development of joint procurement activities for fuel cell buses.
Salla Paajanen is a media professional from Tampere, best known for her long-time work as a reporter and on-camera presenter for YLE and MTV3 News. She now works as a freelance journalist.
Riku Huhta, MSc (Tech.), works as Team Lead for Strategic Transport Systems at Destia. Huhta has more than eight years of experience in the transport and logistics sector. His work involves examining Finland’s transport systems and their development, then bringing topical transport issues into the national conversation. Most recently he has been following the transition in air transport, the air freight market, and the development of Finland’s foreign trade and international connections.
Ding Ma serves as Head of Economic Development for the City of Lappeenranta and General Manager of the Saimaa Airport Foundation. His work with the City of Lappeenranta is focused on supporting business growth and elevating the profile of the city with his experience in economic development. As General Manager of the Saimaa Airport Foundation, he focuses on securing Lappeenranta Airport’s operating conditions to enable direct international connections and support regional security.
Markus Sjölund is a Director at the Tampere Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Juuso Rönnholm is the Head of Public Affairs and data analysis at BusinessOulu. Rönnholm’s responsibilities include data-driven management and public affairs within BusinessOulu’s sector (Employment and Economic Services of the City of Oulu). The role includes promoting accessibility in the Oulu region, including air traffic development. Previously Rönnholm has served as Special Adviser to the former president of Finland Sauli Niinistö, as well as to Minister Antti Häkkänen and Minister Paula Risikko across various ministries.
Timo Rissanen is a tourism and transport expert who, through his company Port Experience, focuses on the development of regional air and cruise traffic. He has over 20 years of experience in aviation, cruise operations, and tourism development projects. In recent years, he has concentrated on improving regional accessibility in areas such as Arctic Lakeland, Lake Saimaa, Pärnu, and most recently Kuusamo. He has also contributed to exploring and developing new cruise opportunities for destinations including Kalajoki, Saimaa, and the Gulf of Finland.
Joonas Nurmi is the co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of the airline Aerocom Aviation and Helsinki Citycopter. Aerocom Aviation provides high-quality private flight services with modern helicopters and jets throughout Europe and the Nordic countries. The company’s goal is to develop even more flexible and versatile private aviation services for corporate and private clients, while also strengthening Finland’s position as a competitive and easily accessible travel destination. In our world, time is a luxury – Aerocom Aviation offers its clients the freedom to use it more meaningfully.
Eveliina Ojala has been in the logistics industry since 2009. She has gained experience in ground handling at Tampere-Pirkkala and Helsinki-Vantaa airports. Ojala joined DANX Oy in 2014, and currently serves as Operations & Linehaul Manager Finland. Her responsibilities include domestic and cross-border linehaul operations as well as air freight logistics. Ojala is a trained avionics technician.
Seppo Tossavainen is a seasoned professional in international business, with over 30 years of experience in exports, growth strategies, and innovation ecosystems. Seppo’s areas of expertise include the circular economy, bioeconomy, and cleantech, where he has built global distribution networks in 25 countries. He founded Business Finland’s Canadian branch in Toronto and has served as leader of the North American bio- and circular economy team. Seppo currently works as Head of Economic and International Affairs for the City of Joensuu, promoting sustainable growth and global cooperation in the region. He holds a Master of Philosophy and an MBA degree in international business, and is a Certified Board Member. Seppo has been awarded the President of the Republic’s InnoFinland Award and Internationalization Award for developing and internationalizing the Forest Joensuu innovation ecosystem.
Markus Issakainen works as Key Account Manager for Lufthansa Group airlines. He’s dedicated to providing his corporate customers with smart and sustainable air travel solutions. Lufthansa Group offers customers the opportunity to offset carbon dioxide emissions during the booking process or even during the flight. For example, corporate customers can use SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) directly from Lufthansa and receive Scope 3-certified reports for EcoBalans reporting. SQUAKE is a climate technology startup, developed by Lufthansa Innovation Hub, that offers companies the opportunity to calculate and offset carbon dioxide emissions from their travel and logistics chains. If you’re looking for an expert partner who combines efficiency, sustainability and personal service for your company’s travel solutions, Markus Issakainen is your contact.
Elisabet Kivimäki works as Business Development Manager at Into Seinäjoki, a development company working to strengthen Seinäjoki’s position as Finland’s best city for business. Her responsibilities include development of the Seinäjoki airport area, business location services, building international connections, and developing new logistics solutions. Elisabet is known as an energetic and inspiring connector focused on bringing people together and helping companies find the right partners for their success. She’s gained international experience during her 17 years living abroad in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Marita Jaatinen serves as Chief Business Development Officer at Business Tampere. Marita leads initiatives aimed at industrial growth in the Tampere urban region, including hydrogen and heavy industry projects. At the same time, Marita also serves as the Director of Economic Affairs for the Municipality of Pirkkala.
Ruut-Maaria Rissanen works as a director for regional planning at the Council of Tampere Region. She has a long and versatile background in developing and researching transportation and land use. The Council of Tampere Region has a key role in overseeing the region’s interests as well as strategic planning.
Marja Aalto works at Business Tampere as a Senior Specialist in Aviation, where she is responsible for developing air traffic connectivity and accessibility in the Tampere Region. She works closely with airlines, the airport, companies and public stakeholders to ensure that Tampere Airport meets the needs of local industry, business and tourism. With 30 years of experience in aviation, Marja leads Business Tampere’s Accessibility Programme, which focuses on new air connections, travel chains and logistics, the green transition in aviation, and strengthening the international visibility of the region. Her mission is to make Tampere and the entire Pirkanmaa region more attractive and better connected for businesses, travellers and investments.
Tuukka Inkinen serves as Head of Commercial Strategy & Partnerships at Airpro Oy and has over 20 years of experience in the ground handling industry. He brings a strong operational background across several ground handling companies to the table, with extensive expertise in ground support equipment maintenance and procurement. He is specialized in commercial strategy and partnership development.
Dr. Pasi Keinänen has an extensive leadership experience in building and scaling deep tech ventures with a focus on breakthrough innovation, sustainability, and industrial decarbonization. Currently serving as CEO of Liquid Sun, driving the commercialization of electrochemical CO₂ conversion technologies for sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF). Proven track record in navigating high-tech startup ecosystems, strategic partnerships, and venture capital landscapes.
Tomi Viitanen is a business transformation expert with deep experience in the aviation and service industries. As CEO of Joen Service Oy, applies a proven methodology honed at large group companies (Swissport, ISS) and public companies (Pallasair Plc). Focused on building strong stakeholder relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions that drive growth.
Heikki Nikamaa is the founder of Cargo Flight Service Finland Oy, which he has managed since 2015. The company specializes in cargo flight services and critical shipments, and its customers range from state-owned companies to Finland’s leading overnight spare parts supplier. Heikki has more than 30 years of experience in air freight and logistics, and has held various positions at Finnair and its subsidiaries throughout his career – including Chief Operating Officer of Finnair Cargo, Head of Terminal Operations, and Head of Cargo Flights and Network Operations.
Harri Ojala is the CEO of Business Tampere. Ojala is a visionary who was elected CEO in 2024 and for whom the international success of Tampere region, including both investments in the area and the successful export of companies’ products, are matters of the heart.