Growing up in a family synonymous with the Middle East’s AV and live events industry, it would be easy to assume that success in the family business came easy to Maria Kyvernitis. However, while family ties have provided a natural connection to the industry, there’s no doubt that every inch of success has been hard earned. “I grew up in a household where both hard work and music were part of everyday life,” she told TPiMEA. “My parents founded NMK Electronics and Melody House, so from a young age, my siblings and I spent a lot of time at the office while they worked.”
The constant exposure to the business brought with it a natural connection to some of the original trailblazers of the industry. “As kids, we would often be given tasks to help out, and everyone got to know us,” Kyvernitis reminisced, adding that the real battle in her early career was showing those same people that she was no longer the kid they remembered doing odd jobs in the NMK office. “That was certainly a factor in the beginning,” she laughed. “My father is a huge character, and he formed some amazing long-term relationships well before my time that I will always respect and appreciate.”
Now 14 years into her journey as a founding partner and Head of Operations at backline and orchestral rental services company MEI, it’s safe to say that Maria Kyvernitis has more than earned her stripes on her own merit. “I’ve always been firm in my convictions over the years, and I put 100% effort into everything” she stated.
Here, Kyvernitis shares her story, from growing up within the industry, to the early days of MEI, the development and regional expansion of the company, and her ambitions for the future.
Photos: MEI
