Maarit Liivamäki-Koivisto

Sales Manager

The best part of my job is those shared moments of success when I see a client’s excitement as the plan hits the mark and their satisfaction as everything comes together at the event site. I’ve been lucky to experience these successes at Messua with some of the best colleagues and clients for over a decade.

Interesting tasks in sales and customer service keep me motivated day after day, project after project. My work lets me connect with companies and people from all sorts of industries as they prepare for diverse events. While digitalization has introduced new channels for companies and their clients to connect, there’s still a demand for in-person trade shows. Face-to-face encounters are valued and appreciated again in a whole new way.

Alongside work, I study, and for balance, I enjoy the proven benefits of choir singing. In my free time, I enjoy cozying up with family, listening to audiobooks, and walking with my dog through the woods and village paths. In both work and life, I believe that you can learn something new every day and always improve.

Sanna Jokinen

Sales Manager

Working in the exhibition industry is meaningful to me, as every project is unique and created through close collaboration with people. My work is centred around my clients’ success, and I aim to bring them tangible value.

It’s important to me that clients receive support throughout the entire process – from the initial idea to a fully realised exhibition stand. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing a concept come to life as a functional whole, and knowing the client is satisfied with the result.

My background in account management, project management, and events brings confidence to my work and added value to my clients. International projects take me into new environments and inspire fresh ideas, which are reflected in the perspectives I bring to each client.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, partner, and dogs, often at our cottage, where nature, the sauna, and the lakeside setting bring balance to everyday life.

Feel free to get in touch – I’d be happy to help and to design a successful exhibition solution tailored specifically to your needs.

Eriikka Kalliokoski

Managing Director

I’m a third-generation entrepreneur in the trade show industry. My first official workday was in September 1999, when I started as a sales manager. Before that, I’d been tagging along to trade shows since elementary school, from Singapore to Stockholm and Helsinki to Szeged. Back then, kids were still allowed in the trade show halls…

The best part of my job is the variety of projects and clients. Every day brings something new and different. It’s inspiring that, even after over twenty years, I can still learn something new daily. And what’s more interesting than getting to know companies from so many different industries that you previously knew nothing about?

Someone once told me that being an entrepreneur means working 24/7. It’s true, but I definitely try to carve out free time. For me, nothing beats those lovely, relaxed days at home!

Our kids have already flown the nest, and my husband and I have reclaimed the house for ourselves. In our free time, we go on long walks, whether close to home or exploring new places. I read a lot of books—though these days, I mostly listen to them so I can multitask.

Jonna Simola

Project Manager

I’m a bit of a jack-of-all-trades—almost literally. My first training in booth construction was with my dad when I was 16, in London. Whenever possible, I helped out in trade show decorating and went on decal trips as a summer and extra pair of hands. After high school, I followed in my grandfather Esko’s footsteps by studying to become a decorative painter. (He was a master painter before dedicating himself to the trade show industry.) After my studies, I became a full-time trade show professional in the fall of 1995, moving from Lahti to Tampere to work as a display manager at Messua. Along with trade show decals, I also gained experience in retail and vehicle decals.

After four years in display work, I moved to Messua’s Lahti office and joined the design team. Along with booth design, I created print materials for clients, from wall displays to smaller projects. I stepped into my current role as an account manager in 2017. In this role, I get to use everything I’ve learned—I work with tools and software and even do finishing touches on-site. It’s the variety that makes this job so enjoyable!

Since 2009, I’ve also been a co-owner of the company. The rest of my time I spend with my partner, three energetic young adults, and our bearded dog, enjoying country life, the cottage, and often being out on the water.

See you at the trade shows!

Kai Porotähti

Project Manager

I’ve been involved in the exhibition industry for nearly 30 years, spending most of that time in various roles at Messua. The job has taken me to many parts of the world, including Santiago de Chile, Las Vegas, Miami and Dubai. Over the years, exhibition venues across Europe and Finland have also become very familiar to me.

What has always appealed to me about this industry is the variety of the work – no two days are ever quite the same. The best part of the job is working with great clients and helping move projects forward in all kinds of locations. It also gives you a front-row seat to see what is being produced in Finland and taken out into the world.

In my free time, I enjoy life at home by the shores of Lake Näsijärvi. My grandchildren live nearby, so there is always something going on. I also like to have some sort of renovation project on the go from time to time, having gained experience from all kinds of building and renovation work over the years.

Whenever possible, we try to escape the late autumn gloom and head somewhere warmer in the south – as long as the budget allows.

Jukka Tiihonen

Designer

Jukka Tiihonen here, hello!

I’ve been enjoying my time with the lively Messua crew for over twenty years now and currently work as the Head of Design at our Lahti office. You could say I’m a “design wizard” who’s been through it all.

Motto: Every job is taken seriously—but not too seriously. 😉

In my free time, we travel as much as the budget allows, enjoy good food and drink (even if it means a little debt), and any leftover time goes to walking the dogs. So, lots of relaxing and refreshing activities to balance out screen time.

—Jukka

Leo Rongonen

Designer

I’ve been working with trade shows for 30 years now—time flies when you’re having fun! Most of my time has been spent designing booths, but I’ve also had the chance to do all sorts of other things. What I enjoy most about my work is the variety of ways to solve challenges.

In my free time, I’m out in nature a lot, foraging for mushrooms and berries. My hobbies also include skiing, ice skating, and kayaking. When I’m not outdoors, I happily spend hours editing videos, designing furniture, and doing woodworking.

Both at work and in life, I’m always aiming to learn something new and find fresh perspectives.

This rolling stone doesn’t plan on gathering moss anytime soon. 😉

Pasi Nyman

Designer

Profile description coming soon.

Emil Kalliokoski

Marketing Coordinator

I’m Emil, Marketing Coordinator at Messua. I’m responsible for marketing, content, and website development, and in my work I combine digital marketing, UX/UI thinking, and visual communication.

I’m particularly motivated by building clear, functional solutions that support both business goals and the user experience. I aim to make things understandable, engaging, and above all, effective.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Marketing), and I’m currently deepening my expertise through studies in digital experience design.

Harriet Stormbom

Project Manager ∙ On sabbatical

Ten years as a project coordinator in the trade show industry has flown by—though part of that time I was on maternity leave.

I love that my job lets me deliver a turnkey service to clients, which clearly makes their lives easier. I’m also motivated by the international aspect, the variety, client interactions, reliable partners, and amazing colleagues. There are plenty of challenges, but problems are meant to be solved. I don’t leave things to guesswork; I know to ask if I don’t understand.

I’m trained as a translator, which gives me strong language skills and an eye for detail. I see myself as enthusiastic, proactive, empathetic, and entrepreneurial.

As a mother of two, my days are filled with activity—whether I like it or not!

Running and spending time outdoors are essential for recharging and my overall well-being. Regular travel also keeps my mind refreshed.