The “American Dream” will come to life in Thessaloniki at this year’s 83rd TIF – where the United States of America will be the honoured country – if one takes into account both the calibre of the companies that will be participating in the US pavilion – Microsoft, Google, Cisco, Coca Cola and Lockheed Martin – as well as the number of events that will frame the participation. As underlined by the TIF-Helexpo administration at a presentation today for the diplomatic corps regarding the upcoming event, the engines of the national exhibition body are at full throttle in preparation of the September Fair.

“Our goal is for the 83rd TIF to be the best one yet, both as regards the numbers of visitors and exhibitors, as well as regards cultural events”, noted TIF-Helexpo President, Mr Tassos Tzikas. At the same time he underlined that the two main strategic wagers of the company, internationalisation – which is what led to the participation of the USA in the 83rd TIF – and the renovation of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

On his side the Governor of Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas characterised the 83rd TIF as a landmark-exhibition, noting that the participation of the USA as the honoured country is the most important event in the institution’s modern history. He also stressed that through the Fair Greek and American companies will have the opportunity to become well acquainted and reach good levels of cooperation, while at the same time it will send a clear message regarding the country and the region: that it remains dedicated to its traditional relationship with the USA.

On his side the Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr Yiannis Boutaris underlined the close and effective cooperation of the Municipality with the TIF-Helexpo administration on all levels, while he stressed that the presence of the USA at the 83rd TIF is important because it restores balance. “We may be a member of the European Union, but we have traditional ties to the USA”, he explained, providing reassurance that the Municipality will do everything it can to support this year’s event and provide a festive atmosphere.

The US government is aiming at highlighting its commitment to Northern Greece with its participation in the 83rd TIF, stressed US Consul General in Thessaloniki, Rebecca Fong, who pointed out that the US side considers its relationship with Greece important. In this framework the 83rd TIF will be visited by a high-ranking US delegation, which will include the US Secretary of Commerce, Mr Wilbur Ross. She also noted that in view of the 83rd TIF a series of precursor event is being planned, such as a visit by US astronaut Marsha Ives, who was on the International Space Station for 55 days, and who will talk about her experience at an event in Thessaloniki next month. “I hope that everyone will see this TIF as something exceptional, a truly regional event. I invite you all to visit the US pavilion”, she mentioned.

His hopes that the US pavilion will remain in upcoming Fairs and that the US participation will not just be passing through, was expressed by the representative of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Greece, Mr Athanasios Kouimtzis, who stressed that we must seize the opportunity of the US presence at the 83rd TIF.

“We are very proud of the 83rd TIF. This year we will all experience the “American Dream” in Thessaloniki”, stressed TIF-Helexpo CEO Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, making a brief presentation of the upcoming event. In fact, he noted that apart from major US companies, many smaller companies that do not have a presence in Europe will be participating at the 83rd TIF, while there will also be many surprises in the framework of the honoured country events.

21/03/2018 – 16:35

Business giants with a leading role in the global market, such as Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Google and Cisco, were drawn by the 83rd TIF, in the framework of this year’s participation of the USA as the Honoured Country.

The 83rd TIF will be held from 8 to 16 September 2018 at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre. It was presented today in Athens to the representatives of the diplomatic corps to Greece.

As underlined by President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tassos Tzikas, “our national exhibition organisation is moving at an intense pace in preparation of September’s 2018 TIF, at which the USA will be this year’s Honoured Country. The 83rd TIF will be characterised by the extroversion that TIF-Helexpo has been systematically investing in over the last few years, through networking in the international exhibition industry”.

Mr Tzikas addressed the foreign diplomats and asked for their support, “so that our actions can take on a truly international character that would benefit the Greek economy and domestic businesses that have been coping with the entire spectrum of the crisis in recent years. Through cooperation, synergies, and the identification on your side of the needs of foreign markets, we can progress towards a better result, beneficial to both sides”.

The 83rd TIF was characterised as a landmark in Hellenic-American relations by US Ambassador Mr Geoffrey Pyatt, who noted that there are two strategic goals that are served by the US participation in this year’s TIF.

 

One goal, as he said, is “for us to celebrate the achievements of US technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship”, while at the

same time send the international message that Greece is back, it is open to investments and the economy is recovering.

The US Ambassador stressed that Greece is a critical pillar for stability in the region, while the US pavilion at the 83rd TIF will highlight technology, innovation, and activities of the new economy. In fact, he pointed out that the US will utilise the TIF in order to deepen their financial relations with the region of Northern Greece.

Ambassador Maria Diamantopoulou, Director of the Diplomatic Bureau of Alternate Foreign Minister Mr Georgios Katrougalos, conveyed the Minister’s greeting and stressed that economic diplomacy is a foundation in the materialisation of Greece’s foreign policy goals.

Greece’s economic policy, as she put it, follows the main axes of promoting Greek financial interests, supporting investment and entrepreneurial activity, strengthening exported products and services, as well as empowering and highlighting Greece’s strategic role as a hub in transports and energy pipelines.

US companies at the 83nd TIF

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The arrival of business giants with a leading presence in the global market at the 83d TIF, led by companies such as Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Google, and Cisco, was announced by the President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce Mr Simos Anastasopoulos. He noted that other powerful industrial groups, such as Lockheed Martin, as well as major Greek businesses, such as Intralot, have responded to the invitation to participate in the 83rd TIF, in the framework of the Honoured Country, while more exhibition participations are expected in the sectors of technology, food, pharmaceuticals, etc. Mr Anastasopoulos reflected on the recovery of the Chamber’s participation in the TIF after years of absence, and he underlined that an effort is being made to attract bilateral American Chambers from neighbouring Balkan countries to the Fair.

In turn, the CEO of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, stated that the US businesses to participate in the 83rd TIF will come from the high tech, health, education and energy sectors. The US participation will be framed by a series of side events, which will include investment forums, as well as cultural and other events.

Lastly, Mr Pozrikidis estimated that the 83rd TIF will host more than 1400 exhibitors and he raised the bar as far as the number of visitors to the Fair is concerned to 290,000 people.

13/03/2018 – 11:24

The home and office furniture market expresses all its current trends and prospects at the Furnidec Business exhibition, which will be held at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre from 9 to 11 March.

Furnidec Business is a landmark for furniture, decoration, and interior and industrial design, while it has become established as a specialised exhibition event in furniture and it is the longest standing exhibition of the sector.

The exhibition will host professionals from various fields, such as those trading in furniture and decoration products, architects, decorators, designers and hoteliers.

Furnidec Business draws Greek and international trade visitors who represent some of the largest stores in the furniture and furniture upholstery sector.

This year’s event will host 150 trade visitors from all over Greece (the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, Crete, Athens, Peloponnese, etc.) and Cyprus.

Furnidec Business places great focus on the targeted and integrated promotion of “made in Greece” furniture, as well as smart and flexible proposals that respond to the specifications of each project.

Where the exhibition stands out and the main characteristic of its identity, is the variety in the categories and styles of the products and services presented.

07/03/2018 – 13:36