Over 270 exhibitors from Greece and abroad, with the participation of 21 countries, 30 foreign authors, including acclaimed artists, and over 400 events featuring 700 Greek and foreign speakers will breathe life into the 14th Thessaloniki International Book Fair (TIBF), which will be held at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre starting on 11 May and ending on 14 May. For four days, Thessaloniki will beat to the pulse of this great celebration of books, attracting the interest of the sector to the city.

At the heart of this year’s TIBF, which is being organised by the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, TIF-Helexpo and the City of Thessaloniki, with the support of Greek publishers and under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, lies the thematic tribute ‘In Search of the South’. At this central event, distinguished authors from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus and other neighbouring countries from the broader Mediterranean basin, such as Turkey and Israel, will converse with writers, journalists, artists, intellectuals and the reading public on issues concerning European affairs and Mediterranean Europe.

The fair will be inaugurated on Thursday, 11 May at 20:00 by the Minister of Culture and Sports, Ms Lydia Koniordou.

The Press Conference

During today’s Press Conference in view of the opening of TIBF, the President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tassos Tzikas, stated that Thessaloniki International Book Fair is entering a new era, stressing that the problems of previous years have been resolved.

In turn, Mr Giorgos Papanastassiou, a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, stressed that books are a pretext for a number of cultural events held as part of

the 14th TIBF and encompassing numerous themes and geographical areas.

The Deputy Mayor for Culture, Ms Elli Chryssidou, characterised TIBF as an institution for the city, but also highlighted the new beginning marked by its content, underlining that the City of Thessaloniki believes that major events must be held in the city in order to make it more extroverted.

In turn, Mr Manolis Piblis, the head of design and implementation of the 14th TIBF, stressed that this year’s event aims at taking several steps forward, highlighting its international character, the development of various themes and the joining of Greek and international participations. He also spoke about the determination of the people of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, the invaluable contribution of TIF-Helexpo, the support of the City of Thessaloniki, the confidence shown by the Ministry of Culture, the decisive participation of Greek publishers and the role of the reading public of Thessaloniki.

The President of Attiko Metro, Mr Yiannis Mylopoulos, spoke about the meeting of a major transit project, the Thessaloniki Metro, and technology in particular with culture, a symbolic expression that the company wishes to transfer to TIBF. Attiko Metro, along with Aktor and Hellenic Petroleum, are the sponsors of this year’s Fair.

The Deputy General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, spoke about addressing difficulties that emerged in the past and creating prospects for the further growth of TIBF in the coming years. He added that from Thursday to Sunday, over 70,000 individuals will visit TIF, as four other exhibitions-events will be held concurrently with TIBF.

Events

This year, the 14th Thessaloniki International Book Fair will be hosting the fourth Young Writers’ Festival on 12 and 13 May, aiming at showcasing the dynamic new generation of Greek writers. Twenty young poets and authors will be present at the 14th TIBF, presenting the new generation of Greek literature through their work. At the same time, TIBF will be hosting the Translation Festival for a second year, addressed to both

professionals and the wider public interested in translated literature.

Another important part of the Fair is the Children’s Corner, which will include over 100 events – including the impressive illustration exhibition titled ‘Suns’ – such as book presentations, experiential workshops, speeches and discussions on issues that concern parents, children and teachers. These events will feature 156 authors, illustrators, speakers, artists, promoters and teachers.

The schedule of TIBF also consists of four major thematic axes: The work of the great Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis, the hundredth anniversary of the October Revolution, the Refugee Issue, and the Greece-China 2017 Cultural Year.

10/05/2017 – 16:31

The third Freskon left its ‘seal’ on the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, serving as a point of reference and meeting place for producers, international retail groups, as well as domestic and international transporters of fresh fruit and vegetables. The considerable sway of the trade show was demonstrated by its increased visitor numbers, translated into approximately 4,000 individuals during the period of 27-29 April, marking a 10% increase over last year’s event. This year’s Freskon proved that, each year, it is edging ever closer to its initial goal: the development of exports, the extroversion of Greek enterprises and the promotion of Greek fruit.

The 3rd Freskon, deployed over 12,500 sq.m., had an intensely international character at the level of both exhibitors and trade visitors. More specifically, there were 191 direct and indirect exhibitors from Argentina, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Iraq, Albania, Belgium, Germany, Denmark United Kingdom, the USA, Japan and Canada.

At the same time, a Hosted Buyers Programme was implemented, with the participation of 120 enterprises from 20 countries who attended over 2,500 B2B meetings with representatives of Greek enterprises and producers. The trade show also welcomed group delegations of hosted buyers from FYROM , Bulgaria and Hungary.

The FreshCon Market, held in the context of Freskon in cooperation with ‘Froutonea’ magazine, was a resounding success, bringing major supermarket chains into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector and paving the way for commercial agreements.

There was also high attendance at the International Kiwi Congress, where acclaimed Greek and international speakers analysed the present and future of kiwifruit, which is of particular importance for our country. The other side events of Freskon also attracted the interest of visitors.

03/05/2017 – 00:00

There is a ‘fresh breeze’ blowing thorugh the fruit and vegetable sector at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, where Freskon began and will remain open until 29 April.

The 3rd International Trade Show for Fruit & Vegetables is gradually maturing, having established its international appeal as a meeting place for producers, traders and international retailer groups.

Freskon will be inaugurated this afternoon at 17:30 by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr Evangelos Apostolou.

This year, Freskon features 191 direct and indirect exhibitors from Argentina, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Iraq, Albania, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the USA, Japan and Canada.

The event is deployed over 12,500 sq.m. and a Hosted Buyers Programme is being implemented with the participation of 120 enterprises from 28 countries. In fact, over 2,500 B2B meetings between representatives of Greek enterprises and producers and international hosted buyers have been scheduled.

Apart from the exhibition aspect of Freskon, important side events are also being held, such as the International Kiwi Congress, which began this morning at Pavilion 13.

Projections concerning global production and consumption in the coming years, new technologies in kiwi cultivation, new cultivars and consumption trends, plant protection and nutrition topics, ways to combat diseases, as well as marketing and new markets will be just a few of the topics to be discussed at the International Kiwi Congress, which will feature acclaimed speakers.

Freskon will also host the FreshCon Market, held in cooperation with ‘Froutonea’ magazine, mainly aiming at bringing large supermarket chains into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector, creating ideal conditions for direct agreements. Participants in this year’s FreshCon Market include the British group ‘Tesco’ and the German group ‘Metro’, both global players in the retail market, the ‘Fantastico’ and ‘T-Market’ chains from Buglaria, ‘ATB Market’ from Ukraine, ‘Velyka Kyshenya’ and ‘Tavria V’ from Romania, the French group ‘Carrefour’ and ‘Mega Image’, ‘Maxi’, ‘Univerexport’, ‘Mercator’ and ‘Super Vero’ from Serbia, as well as the ‘AB Vasilopoulos’, ‘Masoutis’, ‘Kritikos’, ‘Halkiadakis’, ‘My Market-Metro Cash & Carry’ and ‘Discount Markt’ from Greece.

The working hours of Freskon are from 11:00 to 19:00 today, from 10:00 to 19:00 tomorrow and from 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, 29 April. Parking is free for all exhibitors and visitors.

28/04/2017 – 11:31

Freskon, the International Trade Show for Fruit & Vegetables to be held from 27 to 29 April at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, will serve as a meeting point for international retail groups, as well as domestic and international transporters of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The 191 direct and indirect exhibitors participating in this year’s 3rd Freskon will come from Argentina, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Iraq, Albania, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the USA, Japan and Canada, and will have the opportunity to come into contact with representatives of major international supermarket chains, commercial enterprises and distribution companies-networks.

As announced during today’s Press Conference, during Freskon, which is deployed over 12,500 sq.m. this year, a Hosted Buyers Programme will be implemented, with the participation of 120 enterprises from 28 countries. In fact, over 2,500 B2B meetings between representatives of Greek enterprises and producers and international hosted buyers have been scheduled.

International hosted buyers are active throughout the entire sector of sale and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetable around the world. The trade show will also be welcoming group delegations of hosted buyers from FYROM (100 individuals) and Bulgaria (15 individuals).

Once again, Freskon will host FreshCon Market, which will focus on linking production to retail sales. FreshCon Market, held in cooperation with ‘Froutonea’ magazine, mainly aims at bringing large supermarket chains into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector, creating ideal conditions for direct agreements. In this context, participants in this year’s FreshCon Market include the British group ‘Tesco’ and the German group ‘Metro’, both global players in the retail market, the ‘Fantastico’ and ‘T-Market’ chains from Bulgaria, ‘ATB Market’ from Ukraine, ‘Velyka Kyshenya’ and ‘Tavria V’ from Romania, the French group ‘Carrefour’ and ‘Mega Image’, ‘Maxi’, ‘Univerexport’, ‘Mercator’ and ‘Super Vero’ from Serbia, as well as the ‘AB Vasilopoulos’, ‘Masoutis’, ‘Kritikos’, ‘Halkiadakis’, ‘My Market-Metro Cash & Carry’ and ‘Discount Markt’ from Greece.

This year’s trade show will also feature the International Kiwi Congress, to be held on 27 April, while the overall schedule of Freskon side events is particularly broad and rich.

Freskon: An international exhibition

The President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tassos Tzikas, referred to the international prospects of Freskon, which were clear from the first moment, stressing that this trade show covers a gap identified in the market by the national exhibition agency.

In turn, the CEO of the company, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, characterised Freskon as the fifth piece of the exhibition ‘puzzle’ created by TIF-Helexpo for the primary sector, noting that this trade show is one of the company’s most international events.

In turn, Mr Christos Katsanos, an associate of the ‘Froutonea’ magazine, stressed that Freskon is a unique exhibition, placing emphasis on small crops of high added value that had no exposure until recently. Mr Katsanos also spoke about the International Kiwi Congress and the acclaimed speakers from the most important kiwi producing countries participating in the event.

Thessaloniki can play a crucial role in the logistics chain of fresh fruit and vegetables, from producers to international markets, as noted by the deputy general director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, who characterised Freskon as a very important brand for the Fair.

Finally, the Director of Freskon, Ms Tonia Nikolaidou, stated that the goal of this international event is the growth of exports, the extroversion of enterprises and the showcasing of Greek fruit.

Freskon will begin on Thursday, 27 April, and its opening hours will be 11:00 to 19:00. The event will be inaugurated at 17:30 on the same day by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr Evangelos Apostolou. The working hours on Friday, 28 April will be 10:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday, 29 April from 10:00 to 18:00. Parking is free for all exhibitors and visitors.

 

27/04/2017 – 13:46

Furniture, decoration, interior and industrial design will meet at Furnidec Business, the first exhibition of the year for the sector, as well as its longest-running event, which will be held at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre from 17 to 19 March.

Furnidec Business, the most specialised event in the furniture sector, will cover 12,500 sq.m. of exhibition space over 4 Pavilions, featuring 70 exhibitors covering the entire spectrum of domestic and professional furniture, decoration and design.

The exhibition will welcome 155 hosted buyers from Greece and Cyprus, representing the largest stores in the field of furniture and upholstery.

The exhibition, organised by TIF-Helexpo, will host professionals from various fields, such as traders of furniture and decoration products, architects, decorators, designers and hoteliers.

Apart from domestic and professional furniture, the exhibition will also present comprehensive proposals from the creative world of modern design and interior decoration.

The dynamism of Furnidec Business is proven by the fact that it continues to attract major agencies of the field, which will present their activities. In this context and on the occasion of Furnidec

Business 2017, the Thessaloniki Architects’ Association (SATH) will inaugurate its presence at trade fairs. The SATH pavilion will consist of three sections and will be set up in cooperation with professional Thessaloniki architects and the School of Architecture of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The central exhibit of the pavilion will be creations by Thessaloniki architects active in the field of industrial design – object design.

Furthermore, the results of the synthetic/design exercise ‘Fabrication Protocols / Modulated Surfaces’ will be exhibited and over 30 models and plans will be presented.

16/03/2017 – 14:55

The 11th Agrothessaly Pan-Hellenic Fair for Agriculture and Livestock, held for the first time under its new form, achieved all three of its initial objectives: visitor numbers, exhibitor numbers, and exhibition space. More specifically, Agrothessaly, marking the first strategic partnership between TIF-Helexpo and the Municipality of Larissa, attracted 40,153 visitors, i.e. four times the number of the previous event. At the same time, the Fair hosted 167 exhibitors representing over 500 enterprises from 26 countries, i.e. three times the number of the previous event, while the exhibition space covered was more than doubled, with 20,000 sq.m. covered at the Indoor Market of Neapolis.

The dynamism of the renewed Agrothessaly, which resulted from the re-design of the Pan-Hellenic Agricultural, Livestock, Environmental Fair of Larissa, which had been held by the local Municipality for 20 years, was evident from the very first day and reached its peak during the weekend. Agrothessaly was also an international event, as it welcomed group delegations from Bulgaria, FYROM and Turkey, as well as visitors from Cyprus and Italy. The Fair was also attended by the President of the Albanian Agribusiness Council (KASH), Agim Rrapaj, as well as entrepreneurs of the sector from Albania.

There was great interest in the Fair’s side events, covering a broad part of the agricultural sector and attracting numerous visitors who wished to receive information from primary sector agencies and educational foundations, such as the University of Thessaly and the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Thessaly.

The next major ‘appointment’ between TIF-Helexpo and the people of the agricultural sector will be ‘Agrotica’, one of the largest primary sector fairs in Europe, to be held from 1 to 4 February 2018.

14/03/2017 – 12:54

The ‘pulse’ of the Greek food-beverage industry was beating at the Detrop-Oenos exhibitions, which were held at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre and ended yesterday, achieving an overall 15% increase in the number of domestic and international trade visitors, as compared to the 2015 event.

The prevailing characteristic of this year’s events was the extensive attendance by international hosted buyers, who numbered over 300 and attended almost 5,500 targeted B2B meetings with exhibitors.

Most notably, the exhibitions featured top-quality pavilions by many small and medium-sized food industries, presenting products aiming at international markets.

The quality of the exhibitions was upgraded as regards the level of all participants and the profile of visitors.

This year, Detrop and Oenos covered a total of 11 Pavilions, as compared to 6 during the previous event, and featured approximately 700 exhibitors, as compared to 530 in 2015.

Hosted buyers came from 36 countries around the world, namely Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Cyprus, Germany, Belgium, India, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, France, Poland, Spain, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, England, the USA, Denmark, Slovenia, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, Russia, Portugal, Canada, Japan and others.

16/03/2017 – 13:04

The Hellenic Jewellery Fair confirmed its leading role in the jewellery market, achieving a 36% increase in trade visitor attendance, as compared to the previous event.

The Hellenic Jewellery Fair was held from 3 to 6 March at the Metropolitan Expo exhibition centre in Attica and was organised by TIF-Helexpo.

The Fair covered 12,000 sq.m. of exhibition space and featured over 270 companies from Greece and abroad. Foreign exhibitors came from Sweden, Cyprus, Belgium, India, the USA and Turkey.

The Hellenic Jewellery Fair brought together all the latest trends and designs for jewellery and watches, the latest developments in the jewellery-making sector (machinery, tools, etc.), as well as new ideas for displaying jewellery (packaging, decoration, etc.). The Fair served as a meeting point for all the professionals and businesses of the sector, in view of the upcoming summer tourism period.

The next Hellenic Jewellery Fair will be held from 22 to 26 February 2018.

16/03/2017 – 12:59

The first ‘descent’ of the Infacoma-Aquatherm exhibitions to Athens proved a great success, as they welcomed 15,000 visitors from 2 to 5 March at ‘Helexpo Maroussi’ exhibition centre. This is a very important figure, given that this was the first ‘meeting’ between the exhibition ‘duo’ and the general public of Attica, Southern Greece and the islands.

Apart from their successful image, the two events were characterised by high satisfaction on the part of exhibitors, who renewed their exhibition ‘appointment’ for next year, and the messages of optimism that resounded at Infacoma-Aquatherm regarding the sectors being represented. The two exhibitions, which were deployed over 10,000 sq.m. of exhibition space, featured 200 exhibitors, with participants hailing from 17 countries. There was significant presence by international hosted buyers from countries such as Russia, Egypt, Libya, Bulgaria and Sweden, who attended over 500 particularly fertile B2B meetings with exhibitors. The group participation of member-enterprises of the Chamber of Timisoara, Romania, stood out among the hosted buyers. There was also extensive participation by professionals from all over Greece, with over 250 professionals invited in cooperation with the Trade Union of Hydraulics Technicians of Greece. The side events organised as part of this dual exhibition proved very popular.

Infacoma once again proved itself as the star of the sector of building and constructions, while Aquatherm, which represents the sectors of domestic & industrial heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, water management, water supply & sewerage, energy and equipment for spa, sauna and swimming pool facilities, justified its international acclaim. There was significant presence by enterprises of the sectors of hotel and accommodation unit equipment, aluminium extrusion and window & door frames, as well as water management, construction and maintenance of swimming pools, spas and saunas, etc.

The two exhibitions, which were jointly organised by TIF-Helexpo and the ‘Be-Best’ company, were supported by the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Aluminium and Steel Small-Industry Manufacturers, the Greek Federation of Glass Handlers and Glaziers, the Hellenic Aluminium Manufacturers Association and the Trade Union of Hydraulics Technicians of Greece.

The next ‘appointment’ of the construction materials sector has been scheduled for 15 and 16 May, at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, where the ‘Enterprise Greece’ organisation will host business meetings concerning this sector, with the support of TIF-Helexpo.

06/03/2017 – 15:38

The exhibition ‘duo’ of Detrop-Oenos will cover a total of 11 Pavilions this year, as compared to 6 during the previous event, and will feature 700 exhibitors, as compared to 530 in 2015. There will also be 300 hosted buyers – trade visitors from 36 countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Cyprus, Germany, Belgiu, India, Italy, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, France, Poland, Spain, Romania, Hungary, the Netherlands, England, the USA, Denmark, Slovenia, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Portugal, Canada, Japan and others. In total, over 5,500 B2B meetings have been scheduled to take place.

Detrop and Oenos will also feature two major thematic exhibitions. The first will focus on olive oil and olives, while the second will focus on distillates. The two exhibitions will be complemented by innovative side events (held in association with the company ‘Places & Flavors’), such as Pop-up Thematic Restaurants and the Corner Showroom titled ‘It’s All New to Me’, a specially designed area within Detrop that will showcase new Greek products that are ready to be exported. The first-ever Patsas Festival will also be held alongside the 10th International Culinary Competition of South-Eastern Europe, jointly organised with the Chefs’ Club of Northern Greece.

During the same period, the exhibition ‘duo’ of Infacoma and Aquatherm will be held at ‘Helexpo Maroussi’ exhibition centre in Athens from 2 to 5 March. The two exhibitions will feature 200 exhibitors coming from 17 countries and will cover 10,000 sq.m. of exhibition space. During its 33-year history, Infacoma has been the most important trend-setter in the sector of building and constructions, while the internationally acclaimed Aquatherm represents the sectors of domestic & industrial heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, water management, water supply & sewerage, energy and equipment for spa, sauna and swimming pool facilities. The hosted buyers at Infacoma and Aquatherm will hail from numerous countries, including Russia, Egypt, Libya, Bulgaria and Sweden, and are scheduled to attend over 500 B2B meetings with exhibitors. The group participation of member-enterprises of the Chamber of Timisoara, Romania stands out among the hosted buyers attending the events, while in cooperation with the Trade Union of Hydraulics Technicians of Greece, over 250 professionals from all over Greece have been invited.

Infacoma and Aquatherm, which are being jointly organised with ‘Be-Best’, are supported by the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Aluminium and Steel Small-Industry Manufacturers, the Greek Federation of Glass Handlers and Glaziers, the Hellenic Aluminum Manufacturers Association and the Trade Union of Hydraulics Technicians of Greece.

At the same time, in Athens, the Hellenic Jewellery Fair, the laregst jewellery and watch exhibition in the Balkans, will be held from 3 to 6 March at ‘Metropolitan Expo’ exhibition centre. With the participation of the most dynamic brands on the market, the Fair will cover 12,000 sq.m. of exhibition space and will host over 270 Greek and international companies. International exhibitors will come from Sweden, Cyprus, Belgium, India, the USA and Turkey, while this year’s event will bring together all the latest trends and designs for jewellery and watches, the latest developments in the jewellery-making sector, as well as new ideas for displaying jewellery.

TIF-Helexpo is on the go

“March is the most important month for us in terms of exhibitions’, stated the President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tassos Tzikas, during today’s Press Conference held in view of the three events. In

reference to the company’s exhibition presence in Athens, he noted that the company has “spread its wings” to cover all of Greece.

In turn, the Deputy Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Ms Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha, stressed that the side events help create a framework that increases the interest of visitors and exhibitors.

Furthermore, the CEO of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, stressed the intense exhibition activity being carried out by the company, adding that the national exhibition agency will have carried out 15 exhibitions by June.

The Greek silver- and gold-smithing industry is one of the most dynamic in Europe, according to the representative of the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Silver- and Goldsmiths, Jewellers and Watchmakers (POVAKO) and President of the Association of Jewellers – Watchmakers of Thessaloniki, Mr Petros Kalpakidis. In fact, Mr Kalpakidis expressed the belief that this year’s Hellenic Jewellery Fair will once again see an increase in the number of visitors.

The Deputy General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, stated that the concurrent exhibitions being held underline the tremendous prospects of the national exhibition agency, while the project manager of Detrop-Oenos, Ms Sevi Kaffa, noted that despite economic adversity, exhibitors continue to support and trust the exhibition.

03/03/2017 – 12:12