Always deliver more than expected.

This has been both motivation and guiding principle for almost 20 years. In 2003, Mark Heuse and Pierre Stitterich founded the event agency SaxEvent GmbH. After initial steps in the event sector, the company quickly grew into a full-service agency. Today, SaxEvent is primarily specialized in personnel services. But who are the people behind it?

An Interview with Pierre

Pierre, what career did you originally dream of before founding SaxEvent GmbH with Mark?

I wanted to become a pilot. I earned my glider license at fifteen — even before getting my driver's license. Later, I switched to ultralight aircraft. That feeling of floating weightlessly through the air, flying along the horizon with the world below — it’s simply indescribable. There’s no better way to change your perspective. After finishing school, I applied to become a pilot for the German military, though working for an airline was never an option for me. They offered me a spot in the Air Force, but I declined it out of conviction.

Flying has accompanied me all my life and I always wanted it to retain the lightness it represented for me. There was a longer break in between, but then my son was born. When he was about a year and a half old, he started watching planes in the sky, pointing at them with his tiny fingers, almost as if to say, "Look, Dad — keep flying!" That was the moment that reignited my passion for flying.

You didn’t pursue a career as a pilot. How did your professional journey continue?

Initially, I pursued a path in law. My background is very similar to Mark’s. Our parents worked in different areas of the legal system, so I also chose to study law. But, like Mark, I quickly realized it wasn’t truly me. "Law isn’t always justice" — many of us know this saying, and it holds true ethically. Both Mark and I are people who value doing the right thing and treating others respectfully. It might sound very moralistic, but this attitude has taken us far. It also allows us to look at ourselves in the mirror each day with a clear conscience.

You didn’t finish your studies and instead started SaxEvent GmbH together with Mark?

Yes and no — it wasn’t quite that simple. During our studies, we earned extra money by working in trade fair and stage construction. Then we expanded into lighting and sound technology, and artist management for radio stations like PSR and MDR. What started as a side job suddenly became a real business. We began staffing people and supporting them in promotions and events. Pioneer was our first major client, and through them, we grew into a full-service agency.

Because when we do something, we do it properly. That’s always been our mindset. And that’s something the brand representatives we worked with quickly noticed. We were — and still are — authentic. Always reachable. Whenever an issue arose, we responded immediately. We still work this way today. That’s what set us apart back then — and it still does today. It has opened many doors for us. It’s simply the way we live.

Were there any special moments you particularly like to remember?

Oh, so many moments. We got to learn and experience so much. It started with the language — suddenly, we had to deliver pitches in English. A few years ago, we wouldn’t have imagined doing that, but now we simply do it. We respond to demand. Our greatest growth happened in the last four years. Before that, we kind of stumbled into opportunities. We attended amazing events, introduced new products for well-known brands, and got to be part of the entire process. That’s very special for us.

Were there moments when you wanted to give up?

Yes. After we lost a major client and also faced some personal setbacks, I did have thoughts about giving up. Without Mark, I wouldn’t have continued. He motivated me to keep going and to believe in us.

Despite the current economic situation, are you still aiming for growth?

Yes! Now more than ever!

What kind of person are you?

I’m the opposite of Mark — more introverted, quieter. We complement each other well. I’m also the father of two wonderful children, and I try to use and enjoy the time I have with them as intensively as possible. There’s not much time left for hobbies — unless I can combine them. Flying doesn’t always work because my son is still too young. But on my days off, I enjoy riding motorcycles with my partner.

Are you and Mark also friends in your private lives?

Yes, we’re best buddies. We’ve known each other for thirty-three years. We’ve spent almost our entire lives together and are always there for each other. Only our shared leisure activities have taken a bit of a back seat since we both started families. But our business connects us daily.