In 1979, the long-standing human dream of experiencing flight like a bird was actualized with the introduction of the first commercial vertical wind tunnel flight at AERODIUM in Canada. What began as ‘bodyflight’ has now blossomed into a worldwide industry.The journey began with Jean St. Germain, a French-Canadian inventor, who started this as a family business in Quebec. The enterprise truly gained global traction when Latvian entrepreneur and innovator, Ivars Beitans, took the reins of AERODIUM in the early 21st century.A pivotal moment for global recognition was the Torino Winter Olympics closing ceremony on February 26, 2006. Over 183 million viewers worldwide witnessed humans flying high above the participants, expanding the understanding of vertical wind tunnel applications and propelling industry growth.Today, 45 years later, we have emerged as a leading manufacturer of vertical wind tunnels worldwide. AERODIUM offers both recirculating (closed type) and open-air type vertical wind tunnels for a variety of uses, from professional skydiving training to first-time experiences for those seeking the exhilarating sensation of flight.In addition to manufacturing, franchises, and events, we provide training and equipment for show business purposes, enabling stunt professionals to film free-fall sequences for movies such as Mission: Impossible, Black Widow, Chinese Zodiac, Infinite, and more.From the innovative mind of Jean St. Germain to the fearless entrepreneurial spirit of Ivars Beitans, AERODIUM has been fueled by innovation since its inception. This has resulted in unique patents for the safety and quietness of our vertical wind tunnels, as well as the construction of the world’s largest vertical wind tunnel for show business purposes.

NGO dedicated to the promotion of healthy and sportive lifestyles, and contemporary out-of-school education through snowboarding and event management. During my tenure organization reached a wide spectrum of kids and adults and joined an increasing breed of snowboarders in Latvia.My tasks were:- Create and increase youth participation in snowboarding by organizing innovative events and other field-related happenings - movie screenings, gatherings, and education activities. The industry grew manifold over the years and became the fastest-growing winter activity for youth.- emphasize the safety aspect in an active lifestyle and especially snowboarding - increase safety awareness by organizing the campaign "Safe Mountain" for school children and students. By this initiative number of deaths in the mountains was eliminated completely and safety equipment use became widely spread.- to promote quality education for snowboarding instructors by establishing a snowboarding instructors NGO and promoting snowboarding instruction as a way for a safe and sustainable learning approach. This initiative increased the demand for quality education in the mountains and responsible organizations started to organize snowboarding instructor programs in order to teach future instructors properly.- Establish an independent snowboarding media website Sniegaklubs.lv in order to create, maintain, and promote all things snowboarding locally and internationally for a wide audience by reporting weekly from events and industry happenings locally and internationally in multimedia format. The website became a major information source locally and later on was almost acquired by a major Scandinavian snowboarding media network - but Lehman's brothers' fall impacted this deal.

During my tenure, I created a fully functional marketing and business development unit consisting of young professionals and seasoned experts. I created a yearly budget, increased online sales manifold, a marketing plan, and a range of never-before-done activities such as visitors' attitude research in order to establish the NPS© score, curated new branding processes, attractive events for visitors, and new business opportunities in order to increase revenue diversification.For the year 2022, we as a team have reached the highest visitor count totaling 393k visitors, and the highest revenue since regaining Independence in 1991.

I was in charge of organizing the whole thing from scratch - creating a team, managing processes, creating content, developing tenders, and being responsible for results.My tasks were:- Create a willing and able team who can carry on the whole project forward;- to organize an architectural competition for the country of Latvia's pavilion presence at WORLD EXPO 2020. It means organizing the legal tendering process, jury, and deliberations to select the best contender, and creative concept for the country of Latvia narrative at the fair;- to organize budgeting, time planning, sales, and marketing for participants and enterprises;- to organize local sourcing in Dubai for a range of services from architectural contractors with local licensees to steel production and pavilion interior solutions;Due to the pandemic, the work was stopped and we have passed our prepared work to the state.

My task was to take care of the team, new business, and communication. Within a period of partnership, our agency has grown into TOP10 Latvian creative agencies and increased its reach internationally by working on a range of brands in the USA, France, the UK, and Scandinavia.

Producing and running Latvia pavilion at WORLD EXPO ASTANA 2017, establishing relationships with other countries, creating digital content, and making Latvian entrepreneurs succeed.My tasks were:- to organize an architectural competition in order to find the best solution for Latvia's representation at WORLD EXPO 2017.- to create a concept for Latvia's narrative at WORLD EXPO 2017 in order to establish an innovative platform for Latvia's entrepreneurs to promote their products and services.- to run the daily life of the Latvia pavilion by organizing staff selection and instruction, high-profile governmental happenings including the President of Latvia's visit, entrepreneurial conferences, and meetings, cultural events, visits of state officials from other countries, and plenty of other daily duties.

The first media literacy project in Latvia - Young Media Sharks movement is aimed at educating high school kids about the practical application of their own knowledge and widening their horizons for new inspiration.I ran a team who were responsible for concept preparation and the whole production - including tutors, participants selection process, venue selection, and logistics.As a result, YMS movement participants found their way into different media-related professions ranging from journalists, and multimedia producers, to successful managers in different fields.

Latvia's biggest school kids event gathering through 6 events more than 60 000 participants yearly.In 2013 I was invited to turn around a very popular event among Latvia's school youth and give it a new boost. I created a proposal on how to make it more fun, engaging, and attractive. The proposal was so successful that I had a chance to run the event three years in a row.During my tenure, we not only created the most engaging happenings and scored the best places for gala events on the seaside but also achieved the biggest-ever participation numbers across the country.Winning classes even had a chance to get a charter flight to Berlin for one day - back and forth and enjoyed the best of Berlin ZOO and, TV tower and city's eternal charm.

I launched highly successful campaign for Latvia's Institute in order to promote our country worldwide using world's most renowned social network Facebook - "If You Like Latvia, Latvia Likes You!". I've improved reputation of the company as well as consolidated it's creative performance by establishing powerful team of outstanding professionals. I established new businesses and Client relations after period of hibernation on local market.

It was one the major challenges I ever had during my professional career. I was invited to help team to make this project happen. Major challenges was time and resources. Dedicated team of highly motivated individuals and professionals made impossible possible. Within period of 4 months - from foundation stone to 6 storey building - we made it happen. During operation of Latvia pavilion it became one the top pavilion during Shanghai WORLD EXPO and won several acclaimed professional prizes in architecture, graphic design and technology solution.

I was invited to help launch the AERODIUM vertical wind business in Latvia with the help of launching a vertical wind tunnel in Latvia. Starting from opening a vertical wind tunnel in Sigulda, Latvia, AERODIUM became an instant success - people were waiting in line the whole summer of 2005 up to midnight in order to experience flight in a vertical wind tunnel. Revenue beat all prospects by a huge margin and it became financially viable within 6 months of operation.Gradually I became responsible for AERODIUM's marketing - from proper positioning to online presence - including all branding, mar com, PR, and events worldwide - from Torino Olympics Closing ceremonies 2006 to Las Vegas, Amsterdam, and WORLD EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, China.

I was in charge of all corporate events - from anniversaries to sport games, educational and entertainment events. During my career I selected and developed comprehensive team of motivated individuals, acquired plenty of new businesses and successfully integrated company in the corporate event business industry in Latvia.

I work in Saatchi & Saatchi during my advertising career. It was really nice time and lot of learning how to run processes and creativity. Really great time and great work for Clients such as Cesu Alus, Hewlett Packard, SONY, Panasonic, Toyota.