Elämys Group chosen as Ireland’s Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR) for the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020

The new CEO of Elämys Group Pasi Latva takes charge as the fast-growing company is heading towards international markets

Finnish Travel and Event Management Agency Elämys Group has concluded a significant exclusive contract with the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI). The contract includes sales and marketing rights concerning the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. Elämys Group has previously signed a similar contract with the Finnish Olympic Committee (FOC).

Elämys Group will adapt to the new challenges risen from the growth and internalization of the company by strengthening the company’s Board of Directors. The current CEO of Elämys Group’s competitor Event Travel, Pasi Latva, is taking charge as the new CEO of Elämys Group in July. Elämys Group has also strengthened the company’s Board with Ville Alanen, the CEO of Secto Automotive Oy. The current CEO of Elämys Group Jussi Viskari will continue as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and will keep taking the main responsibility for the international clientele as the Director of International Operations.

The Olympic contract with Ireland is a significant step forward to our company not only as a separate project but also as a proof that our concept measures up to the toughest international comparison. During the competitive tendering process of the Irish contract we were able to beat the current market leaders, ATPI from the UK and CoSport from the US. In addition, as we managed to appoint one of Finland’s toughest professionals of this line of business as our CEO and to get a talented start-up expert as a new Board member, this spring will be a turning point for us,” states the current CEO Jussi Viskari.

The contract between OFI and Elämys Group has gained significant media attention in the Irish newspapers. It is also one of the most significant Finnish service export agreements in years.

The contract between Elämys Group and the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI)is solid evidence of the international competitiveness of this Finnish Travel and Tvent Management Agency. It is also a proof that a company with brave and open-minded attitude does not need to bow to the global market leaders” lauds Heli Mäki-Fränti, the CEO of the Association of Finnish Travel Agents (SMAL/AFTA).

The head negotiator in the process, Peter Sherrard, the Chief Executive of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI), said that a rigorous selection process during which all the candidates were carefully evaluated, preceded the nomination of Elämys Group. After the selection, OFI analysed more in detail the company’s background and ethics to make sure Elämys Group is the best candidate. According to Mr Sherrard, OFI is convinced that they have made a good choice and Elämys Group will be an excellent addition to the Ireland’s Olympic team.

Sarah Keane, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland summed it up and said

Given the context, the appointment of Elämys Group as ATR marks another important milestone on this journey, and we are pleased to have a new partnership in place focused on servicing our athletes, families and the general public in relation to their ticketing arrangements at the Games.

Elämys Group
Aarni Kotilainen, 040 5929404
aarni.kotilainen@elamysgroup.com
Jussi Viskari, 040 584 6425
jussi.viskari@elamysgroup.com

Olympic Council of Ireland
Peter Sherrad, ceo@olympicsport.ie

Smal ry
Heli Mäki-Fränti, 040 575 1303, heli.maki-franti@smal.fi

Elämys Group / Secto Automotive
Ville Alanen, ville.alanen@secto.fi

Elämys Group / Event Travel
Pasi Latva, 040 070 0328

Other references

Ireland’s National Public Service Broadcaster RTÉ
 https://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics/2019/0409/1041689-olympic-federation-of-ireland-sarah-keane-tickets/