2024 Alvari Award to Lauri Markkanen, Entrepreneurial Promoter Award to Timo Koivisto
The City of Jyväskylä and JCI - Junior Chamber International Jyväskylä presented the annual Alvari Award today at the PK Yrittäjäilta event. In addition, entrepreneurial organisations awarded the 2024 Entrepreneurial Promoter of the Year Award.
2024 Alvari Award to Lauri Markkanen
The 2024 Alvari Award is presented to Lauri Markkanen. The citation stated that Lauri Markkanen is a positive example of an international professional athlete who is active as a public figure, including at a local level. Lauri has given a face to sport for young people and children and made it accessible to all, regardless of wealth or background. Lauri has had a successful career as a professional basketball player, and his hometown of Jyväskylä has followed him on the international stage throughout his career.
The award was received by Riikka Markkanen, Markkanen's mother. In her acceptance speech on Lauri's behalf, Riikka said that Lauri appreciates the recognition very much and that he is proud of his hometown and looking forward to coming here again for the summer holidays at the end of the basketball season.
The recognition was awarded in cooperation between the Junior Chamber International Jyväskylä and the City of Jyväskylä. According to the award criteria, the award can be given to a person or organisation that has made a significant contribution to Jyväskylä's business life and made the city known in Finland and around the world. Previous winners of the Alvari Award include Spinnova Oy and Mikko Markkanen, CEO of Crazy Town Oy.
The Alvari Prize has been awarded since 1987. Other recipients have included: Risto Reivi, Head of Tourism, Mikko Hirvonen, rally car driver, Kasvun Roihu Oy, Seminaarinmäki Male Singers, Tommi Mäkinen, rally car driver, Pekka Kettunen, Mayor of the Mayor's Office, Kalevi Kivistö, Governor of the County, Professor Lea Pulkkinen, Professor Pekka Neittaanmäki, CEO Ritva Nirkkonen, CEO Matti Häll, entrepreneur Sami Penttilä/Penaudio Oy, JYP, Tiimiakatemia/Partus Oy, rally legend Simo Lampinen, Jelmu ry, Nordic Business Forum and serial entrepreneur Lennu Keinänen.
Mayor Timo Koivisto received the Entrepreneurial Promoter Award
The recognition of the regional entrepreneurs' associations (Jyväskylän, Jyvässeudun and Korpilahden Yrittäjät) is awarded annually to an individual, part of a city organisation or a community who, through their work or activities, has significantly contributed to the development of a positive entrepreneurial climate or improved the chances of success for entrepreneurs in Jyväskylä.
In their statement, the entrepreneur associations praised Mr Koivisto for his pro-entrepreneurial attitude and for his cooperation with entrepreneurial organisations throughout his mayoralty. Mr Koivisto himself has preferred to stay close to the everyday life of businesses and to listen to entrepreneurs' topical messages from the field, for example by chairing a working group on business policy and a procurement forum. In addition, Koivisto's active visits to businesses have provided up-to-date information on the challenges and state of business and the role of entrepreneurship in developing the vitality and well-being of the city. Koivisto's cooperation with business organisations has been close and focused. The meetings have made it possible to express challenges, failures and compliments related to the city's services without losing an open and constructive dialogue. You could hardly have wished for a better person to work with as a partner in the city's organisation.
Surprised by the victory, Mr Koivisto said in his acceptance speech that it has been a pleasure for him to work with businesses and business organisations. He believes that working with businesses and entrepreneurs is an obvious part of a mayor's job, to maintain a feel for the situation of businesses in the region.
The Entrepreneurial Promoter Award has been awarded since 2013. Among the recipients are Marjo Laine, Pekka Utriainen, Jaakko Selin, Sarita Humppi, Pirkko Flinkman and most recently Risto Kovala.
More information on the Alvari Award:
Riikka Keskitalo, President, JCI Jyväskylä, tel. +358 40 831 5766
Timo Koivisto, Mayor, City of Jyväskylä, tel. +358 50 336 2819
For more information on the Entrepreneurial Promoter Award:
Reijo Kujala, Chairman of the Board of Jyväskylän Yrittäjät, tel. +358 50 61135
Päivi Leminen, Chairman of the Board of Jyvässeudun Yrittäjät, tel. +358 40 578 5873
Seppo Turunen, Chairman of the Board of Korpilahden yrittäjät, tel. +358 400 245 537
