The SHIFT Business Festival will be organized for the 11th time next May 2, when the Visitor and Innovation Centre Joki and the surrounding Jussinaukio in Turku Science Park will once again transform into the venue for the city's largest business event.
September.- The upcoming SHIFT will once again feature keynote speeches, in-depth discussions, and interactive workshops—not forgetting plenty of networking opportunities. There will also be room for experiences and surprises, which SHIFT is known for. New elements are also on the way - the event spaces have been redesigned with a slightly different concept to make even better use of their potential.
What does autumn look like for SHIFT? CEO Carita Varjonen and Program Director Jutta Ruusunen share more details.
"Many are surprised to hear that the SHIFT program is already largely complete and that the stages are nearly full! Even before the last event had ended, we began conceptualizing new themes - community, internationalization, and data-driven leadership - and the first speakers were already booked in May."
The overall program has once again been developed based on feedback from visitors and partners.
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The more intimate discussion stage, piloted at the previous SHIFT with its roundtable setup, proved to be a success and will return. The three stages of talks will once again be complemented by high-quality workshops, which in 2026 will be produced in collaboration with SHIFT’s main partner, Turku University of Applied Sciences.
"As something completely new, SHIFT will launch live partner interviews, produced in cooperation with our long-term partner Mama Creative. Of course, a few more surprises are still in store - as is only fitting for SHIFT," says Carita Varjonen.
Success from new perspectives
SHIFT’s overarching theme continues to be Success, approached through the lenses of data-driven leadership, internationalization, and community.
Internationalization will be visible at the upcoming SHIFT both as a theme and through an even broader English-language program. Internationalization is seen as strategic business and the building of partnerships, where data, digital platforms, and cultural understanding together enable growth. Speakers on this theme will include Lars-Johan Jarnheimer, Chair of the Board of IKEA Group and Telia Company; Sanna Suvanto-Harsaae, Chair of the Board of Finnair, Posti, and Orthex; as well as serial entrepreneur Toni Lähde, known from the Finnish version of The Apprentice and his work in international branding.
Community, in turn, is understood as an innovation platform, where customers, partners, and even competitors co-develop solutions together, since future success is based on sustainable networks, knowledge sharing, and joint value creation. Speaking on this theme will be Karoliina Kauhanen, founder of the award-winning "Tinder for helping" Commu App and featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact list in 2024, as well as Kamilla Sultanova, a well-known speaker and expert in diversity, equality, and inclusion.
"The third theme, data-driven leadership, is above all about smart decision-making that combines data, technology, and human judgment. We will hear concrete business cases and perspectives on this theme from both the individual and organizational level. For example, Tarum Sharma from Nokia Ventures will be among the speakers," explains Jutta Ruusunen.
Encounters throughout SHIFT Week
The popular side events will once again take place during SHIFT Week, both in the Science Park area and at partners’ own venues across Turku.
"For example, the partner event organized by Tallink Silja during the previous SHIFT, held onboard a ship in the harbor, attracted a large number of participants. The ship hosted a keynote by Kert Kenner and provided excellent opportunities for networking with food and drinks, making it a fantastic kickoff for the festival week," says Carita Varjonen.
At the core of SHIFT remain the 1-to-1 meetings, enabled by the SHIFT Business Festival app powered by the Brella platform. Networking and onsite meetings were especially popular at the last SHIFT, with the area nearly full throughout the event. Through the app, participants can see who will be attending and book meetings with the most relevant contacts in advance. The app also provides a convenient tool for checking the program and additional speaker details.
As always, networking is also supported by the legendary SHIFT afterparty that concludes the festival day - this time featuring the celebrated artist Jenni Vartiainen.
"SHIFT is more prepared now in September than ever before! Our partnership situation is excellent - and there’s still room for a few more side events. We’ve firmly established ourselves as Southwest Finland’s most influential business event, and from this strong foundation we continue at full speed towards next May’s festival," concludes Carita Varjonen.