2017Archives

Year: 2017

By john

A 'breath of fresh air' at this year's Freskon 2017

Freskon, the International Trade Show for Fruit and Vegetables, to be held at Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Centre from 27 to 29 April, will bring a breath of fresh air for the third consecutive year. In just three short years, Freskon has become established as the focal point of the sector, serving as a meeting place for producers, international retailers, as well as domestic and international dealers of fresh fruit and vegetables.

This year, particular emphasis will be placed on the programme of hosted buyers, with important guests from South-Eastern and Central Europe, the Balkans, the Scandinavian countries, the United Arab Emirates and China.

The dynamism of this year’s event is already growing, with an increasing number of participants bolstering the qualitative and quantitative figures of the trade show. Freskon 2017 will also feature the International Kiwifruit Congress, to be held on 27 April as part of the trade show’s side events. Projections for global production and consumption in the coming years, new technologies in kiwifruit cultivation, new cultivars and trends in consumption, plant protection and nutrition issues, ways to combat diseases, as well as marketing and new markets will be just a few of the issues to be discussed at the International Kiwifruit Congress, which will feature acclaimed speakers from around the world.

The perennial goal of the organiser, TIF-Helexpo, is to establish Freskon as the top commercial event for the fresh fruit and vegetable sector in the broader region of South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. In fact, the organiser’s goals for this year’s events include growth of entrepreneurship in the sector, extroversion of Greek production and bolstering of the primary sector, which is of key importance for the Greek economy.

 

16/02/2017 – 00:00

By john

Record number of exhibitors and visitors The best Zootechnia yet

The 10th Zootechnia exceeded every expectation, as it achieved record visitor numbers, welcoming 58,743 visitors from 2 to 5 February, marking a 16.6% increase over the 50,354 visitors in 2015. During the weekend, in particular, Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre was flooded with visitors. Given the record number of exhibitors in this year’s event, with over 900 participants, the 10th Zootechnia will go down as the best ever.

The 27% increase in the number of international hosted buyers was particularly important, as their presence bestowed an intensely international character on the 10th Zootechnia. Greek exhibitors came from all over the country, direct and indirect international exhibitors represented 37 countries, while direct international exhibitors came from 11 countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey). This year’s Fair also welcomed hosted buyers from 10 countries (Albania, FYROM, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Germany, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria and Cyprus) as well as 300 visitors as part of group delegations from Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria. In total, the Fair covered a total of 14,350 sq.m. of indoor and outdoor space, as compared to 12,938 sq.m in 2015.

Thousands of visitors flooded the Pet Festival, which included, among other events, the ‘International Dog Festival’, a large salon entitled ‘All About Cats’ and the ‘Groom Expo’ section, as well as the 6th Horse Show, featuring over 50 Greek and other breeds that captivated the public. There was extensive participation in the side events of the 10th Zootechnia, covering every area of interest within the livestock and poultry sectors.

The 10th Zootechnia was supported by the Association of Manufacturers of Agricultural Machinery of Greece, the Hellenic Feed Industry Association and the Machinery Importers’ – Representatives’ Association.

TIF-Helexpo will return to the world of primary production in March and April, as it will host Detrop-Oenos, Agrothessaly and Freskon in Thessaloniki and Larissa.

06/02/2017 – 15:39

By john

Record number of participants at the 10th Zootechnia.

The 10th ‘Zootechnia‘ International Fair for Livestock and Poultry,the only event in Greece and the Balkans specialising in animalproduction, will begin on 2 February with a record number ofparticipants and will last until 5 February.
 
There will be 939 exhibitors at this year’s Zootechnia, as compared to 849 in 2015. Direct international exhibitors will come from Austria, Bulgaria,Cyprus, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia,Spain and Turkey, while international exhibitors (both direct andindirect) will represent 37 countries.
 
Greek exhibitors will comefrom all over the country, while the Fair will cover a total of 14,350sq.m. of indoor and outdoor space, as compared to 12,938 sq.m.in 2015. All major domestic livestock-poultry enterprises will bepresent at ‘Zootechnia‘ to present the latest developments in thesector, from major productive animal breeds to machinery,services and research. The Fair will be visited by hosted buyersfrom 10 countries (Albania, FYROM, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Germany, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria and Cyprus) as well as 300 visitors as part of group delegations from Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria.
 
This year’s Fair will feature an expanded Pet Festival, whichincludes the ‘International Dog Festival‘, a large salon entitled ‘All About Cats‘ and the ‘Groom Expo’ section, dedicating to groomingand caring for pets. A major pole of attraction is the 6th HorseShow, featuring over 50 Greek and other breeds.During today’s Press Conference, the President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tassos Tzikas, asked farmers to support Zootechnia which,along with Agrotica, is a celebration for the agricultural sector, andunderlined the importance of Zootechnia and the emphasis placedby the national exhibition agency on the agri-nutritional sector.
 
According to the Deputy Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Ms MariaKollia-Tsaroucha, the future of Greek livestock farming is brightthanks to Fairs like Zootechnia and the contribution of Greek scientists, adding that the primary sector is a priority for thegovernment.In turn, the CEO of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, characterised the 10th Zootechnia as the largest ever, noting that itis one of the five Fairs focusing on the primary sector organised bythe national exhibition agency.
 
The President of the Association of Manufacturers of AgriculturalMachinery of Greece (EKAGEM), Mr Andreas Koutsokostas, noted that Zootechnia is the only fully specialised exhibition in the sectorand a first-class opportunity for Greek livestock farmers to comeinto contact with EKAGEM members. EKAGEM is participating inthis year’s Zootechnia with 18 member-enterprises, covering 1,400sq.m. “Greek manufacturers comprehend the needs of Greek livestock farming and are ready to rise to the challenge”, he noted.In turn, the Vice-President of the Machinery Importers’ -Representatives’ Association (SEAM), Mr Ioannis Higas, stressedthe dynamic participation of SEAM in Zootechnia, with modernmachinery that, in his words, will lead to the mechanisation oflivestock farming.
 
The Deputy General Director of the company, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis,assured the audience of the readiness of TIF-Helexpo services forthe organisation of Zootechnia and foresaw that, at its end, it willbe remembered as an even more successful Fair.The Project Manager of 10th Zootechnia, Mr Vassilis Spyrou,characterised the Fair as a comprehensive event where visitors can encounter everything related to the sectors of livestock andpoultry, underlining the great interest by international exhibitorsand visitors in this year’s event.
 
The exhibition is supported by the Association of Manufacturers of Agricultural Machinery of Greece, the Hellenic Feed Industry Association and the Machinery Importers’ – Representatives’Association.Side events Zootechnia includes a rich programme of side events, which issummarised as follows:- ‘Research and innovation in mechanical milking and applicationof new technologies in livestock production’, jointly organised byTIF-Helepxo and the Laboratory of Animal Husbandry of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Aristotle University ofThessaloniki.- ‘Livestock farming as a driving force for the national economy’,jointly organised by TIF-Helexpo and the Hellenic Society of Animal Production.- ‘Reducing the environmental footprint of livestock holdings’,jointly organised by TIF-Helexpo and the Centre for Research &Technology, Hellas – Institute for Research and Technology,Thessaly.- ‘Meat and Meat Products’ (Pan-Hellenic Congress), jointlyorganised by TIF-Helexpo and ‘Meat News’ and held under theauspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, theRegion of Central Macedonia, the Hellenic Veterinary MedicalSociety, the Hellenic Veterinary Association, the Food TechnologyDepartment of TEI Athens and the National Inter-ProfessionalOrganisation of Meat.- The 6th Pan-Hellenic Animal Production Technology Conference.- A colloquium titled ‘New Threats for Greek Livestock Farming’,being held by the Hellenic Veterinary Association.The working hours of ‘Zootechnia’ will be from 10:00 to 19:00 onweekdays and Sunday, 5 February, and from 10:00 to 20:00 onSaturday, 4 February. Free parking on AUTH premises will beavailable from Friday until the end of the Fair.
 

03/02/2017 – 19:35

By john

700 exhibitors and 5,500 B2B meetings at the Detrop-Oenos exhibitions

This year’s Detrop-Oenos will be one of the largest events of the food-beverage sector, with a local and regional dimension, thanks to its ‘menu’ of 700 exhibitors, 12 exhibition pavilions 300 hosted buyers (international trade visitors invited to attend the event) from 36 countries, 5,500 pre-arranged B2B meetings and numerous side events.

These are just a few of the figures concerning the Detrop-Oenos exhibition duo, to be organised by TIF-Helexpo at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre from 3 to 6 March 2017.

The 26th ‘Detrop’ International Exhibition of Food – Beverages – Machinery & Equipment and the 6th ‘Oenos’ International Wine Fair will feature two major thematic salons with top representatives of the Greek food-beverage industry.

The first salon will focus on olive oil and olives, the treasures of the Greek land and the Mediterranean diet, while the second will focus on distillates and the ‘stars’ of Greece: ouzo and tsipouro.

After many years, Detrop-Oenos will cover the majority of Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre, with 12 thematic pavilions (covering 35,000 sq.m. of exhibition space in total) to facilitate visitors as much as possible.

The two exhibitions will be accompanied by innovative side events (organised in cooperation with the company ‘Places & Flavors’), covering many timely issues facing the food-beverage sector, the primary focus being on extroversion.

These events are:

Pop-Up Restaurants
These pop-up thematic restaurants can host over 1,000 hosted buyers and professional visitors, under the supervision of experienced chefs.

Corner Showroom ‘It’s All New’
An original showcase that hosts and awards new products that were introduced in the market in the last 2 years and are ready or in process for export.

Olives & Olive Oils
Renowned olive and olive oil tasters from around the world will be appearing at a specially designed tasting room, speak on the needs of the sector and analyze its secrets.

Spirits
At a well-equipped bar surrounded by companies of the sector, international and other visitors will have the opportunity to become acquainted with ouzo and tsipouro, the unique Greek distillates, through dozens of combinations, from their pairing with the corresponding meze (appetizer) to their inclusion in recipes of delicious dishes and pioneering cocktails.

Cheese & Wine
Pairing is a matter of harmony and contrast. In this case, the specially modified bar will host the suitable pairing of wine and cheese, curated by ‘specialist’ knowledge, creating a sensation of gastronomic delight for the palates of attending professionals.

Seminars & Panel Discussions
Seminars & Interactive Discussions, with the participation of specialised speakers from throughout the country and abroad.

Finally, Detrop will also feature the 10th International Culinary Competition of South-Eastern Europe, jointly organised by the Chefs’ Association of Northern Greece and TIF-Helexpo, and held under the auspices of WACS (World Association of Chefs’ Societies).

20/01/2017 – 17:55

By john

The largest Zootechnia in years from 2 to 5 February in Thessaloniki

The most important meeting place of the livestock and poultry sector will be the 10th Zootechnia International Fair, organised by TIF-Helexpo at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre from 2 to 5 February.

This year’s Zootechnia will be one of the largest fairs of the recent past regarding this sector, as it will feature 900 exhibitors and exceed the participation levels of all past events.

In fact, the Fair will be deployed to one additional pavilion, while one of its noteworthy figures is that indirect exhibitors will be coming from 38 countries and direct exhibitors from 11 (this is the first time Zootechnia will feature such a large number of direct exhibitors from other countries).

All categories of livestock and poultry products and services will be represented at the fair, while the arrival of visitor delegations from all over Greece, Balkans, Cyprus, etc. has been scheduled.

Zootechnia includes the Horse Show and the Pet Festival, two events that have been renewed and embellished with far more numerous exhibits than during past fairs.

Moreover, the fair will feature numerous side events, including:

  • ‘Research and innovation in mechanical milking and application of new technologies in livestock production’. This event is being jointly held by TIF-Helexpo and the Laboratory of Animal
  • Husbandry of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
  • ‘The Contribution of Livestock Production to the Growth of our National Economy’ – a colloquium jointly organised by TIF-Helexpo and the Hellenic Society of Animal Production (EZE).
  • ‘Reduction of the environmental footprint of livestock holdings’ – an event jointly organised by TIF-Helexpo and the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (EKETA) and the Institute for Research & Technology of Thessaly (IETETH).
  • ‘Meat and Products Thereof’ (Pan-Hellenic Congress), jointly organised by TIF-Helexpo and ‘Meat News’ and held under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, the Hellenic Veterinary Association, the Food Technology Department of TEI Athens and the National Inter-Professional Organisation of Meat.
  • The 6th Pan-Hellenic Conference of Animal Production Technology.
  • A colloquium titled ‘New Threats for Greek Livestock Production’, being held by the Hellenic Veterinary Association.

It should be noted that Zootechnia is being supported by the most important agencies of the sector, namely the Association of Manufacturers of Agricultural Machinery of Greece, the Hellenic Feed Industry Association and the Machinery Importers’ – Representatives’ Association.

18/01/2017 – 14:21

By john

The largest event in construction, building, heating, air-conditioning and energy to be held in Athens from 2 to 5 March

This year and for the very first time, ‘Infacoma’ and ‘Aquatherm’, the acclaimed international exhibitions on building, constructions, heating, air-conditioning, energy and water technologies, will be held in Athens.

After 33 years of success on the domestic exhibition scene, ‘Infacoma’, a peerless trend-setter in the sectors of building and constructions, will be held at ‘Helexpo Maroussi’ exhibition centre, concurrently with ‘Aquatherm’, from 2 to 5 March.

‘Aquatherm’ is an internationally known exhibition brand by the Austrian multinational company ‘Reed Exhibitions’ and represents the sectors of domestic and industrial heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, water management, water supply and sewerage, energy, equipment, spas, sanitary products, etc. in 14 European countries, including Austria, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

The two exhibitions will be organised by TIF-Helexpo in cooperation with the ‘Be-Best’ exhibition and congress company. Following the tremendous interest by the top companies of the broader sector in participating in the two exhibitions, the exhibition area in which they will be deployed will be significantly expanded in comparison to the original plan.

‘Infacoma Athens 2017’ will feature the significant presence of the largest companies involved in aluminium extrusion and window & door frames and will showcase new technologies, innovative applications and novel materials for building upgrades, energy-saving and modern architecture. ‘Aquatherm Athens 2017’ will feature the dynamic representation of the cooling, heating, pool- and spa-manufacturing and water management sectors.

Participants in the two concurrent exhibitions will have the opportunity to network and present top products and services to the Athenian audience. ‘Infacoma Athens 2017’ and ‘Aquatherm Athens 2017’ are addressed to representatives of construction companies and technical firms, architects, engineers, decorators, traders, technical companies, hoteliers and designers.

The exhibition ‘duo’, which was held in Thessaloniki in recent years, attracted over 35,000 visitors, more than 10,000 of whom were trade visitors. The exhibitions are deployed over 10,000 sq.m. of exhibition space, will welcome hosted buyers from abroad who will attend pre-arranged B2B meetings with Greek exhibitors, and will feature a rich schedule of parallel events.

17/01/2017 – 14:43