Who are you?
Jussi Kaatrasalo, Service Manager of Keuda’s Meeting and Event Services.
I am responsible for the performance and development of Keuda’s meetings and events services. I am also responsible for the preparation, management and procurement of the AV budget of the municipality. So there’s quite a lot on my desk, but luckily I also get to sit at the light table in Kerava Hall.
How and why did you get into the AV sector?
The hobby became a job. Following friends, first to the stage of a youth theatre, then behind the sound desk. From behind the sound desk in amateur theatre to radio sound technician, a degree in sound and a switch to behind the light desk. If you’re excited enough and have a terrible desire to do something, you’ll probably end up on that famous path. My own path has been suitably loud, bright and quite surprising, and you never know where it will lead next.
Tell us something about your job and what you love about it?
At the moment, partly because of the interest rate, my job description is quite broad and complex. I am one of the lucky ones who have been able to work throughout this pandemic. What I have really found myself missing and loving during the corona are the few minutes before and after the lights go out. The anticipation hovering over the crowd…a moment of quiet darkness and …GO
What current issue in AV is inspiring you right now?
The debate on the sector. The fact that the pandemic has led to a wide-ranging debate on the events sector. There is much room for improvement in our sector, for example in working conditions, management, training and national advocacy on these issues. Although we are a young and developing sector, I can see that other industries and sectors of society could learn something from us. This is another reason why I think it is important for the events sector to organise itself and participate in the social debate.
What are you looking forward to at the next fair?
Above all, meeting people. Of course, the SVV Future Stage has a lot of interesting programmes. At least “Is there a cure for work-related fatigue in the AV sector other than prevention? On Wednesday there will be the AV Awards with SAY. I wish the shoemaker’s kid already had shoes, i.e. an industry that knows how to produce one great gala after another would produce one for itself.
Thank you Jussi! See you at the fair!
