The new International Exhibition and Congress Centre that will come about from the revitalisation of the existing TIF installations will be a catalyst for the growth of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, and the Greek economy, an exhibition hub for the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe, and perhaps the most important piece of infrastructure the city has gained since the regime changeover.

The revitalisation project has drawn the interest of the crème de la crème of leading architecture firms internationally, and its design will include the most modern developments in this sector, leading to the implementation of a bioclimatic construction project of the highest aesthetic value, respectful of the environment and the city, and which will harmoniously blend into the vision of the bodies and citizens for a Thessaloniki of the future.

The project includes the creation of an open green space of approximately 15 acres, suitable for recreation and outdoor cultural uses.

This green “lung” that the city is missing today, will radically tip the environmental scale in Thessaloniki for the better, providing approximately 50% of the current area for use by citizens of the city.

The TIF revitalisation project is the result of long-term planning, discussions, and fermentation with the governments and society at the time, from 2012 onwards, while its final form garnered the support of both the previous and current governments.

At the same time, the vast majority of the country’s political spectrum has repeatedly provided a “vote of confidence” to the current TIF revitalisation plan.

Furthermore, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, and all the productive and technical stakeholders of Thessaloniki and Northern Greece have given their support.

The citizens of Thessaloniki also warmly embraced it. In a survey carried out by ‘Interview’ on behalf of TIF-Helexpo in February 2013, 69.8% of citizens wanted the Fair to remain in the city centre and have

its installations revitalised, along with the creation of a metropolitan park.

In 2012-2013, in the middle of the financial crisis, the plan implemented by the Advice – BCS – Kantor joint venture, on purely technical-economic terms, underlined that keeping the TIF in central Thessaloniki and the revitalisation of the current exhibition centre, is the only sustainable solution, both for the national exhibition body, and for the city as a whole.

Moving it to Sindos and building the necessary infrastructure would require more than 500 million Euros in capital, while the cost of revitalising the current installations was calculated at about a third of that.

The plan in question concluded that the only implementable option was the revitalisation of the current, antiquated and highly energy consuming facilities, and the creation of a “green lung” and a new emblematic and blioclimatic Exhibition and Conference Centre in the city centre.

TIF-Helexpo partnered with the School of Spatial Planning and Development of AUTh and the Technical Chamber-Department of Central Macedonia, as well as with the Municipality of Thessaloniki, submitting in the summer of 2017 a request to pre-approve the Special Spatial Plan (SSP), which was provided by the General Secretariat of Spatial Planning and Urban Environment of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Following deliberations in March-May 2019, there was unanimous approval of the SSP and the Environmental Terms in April 2020 by the Council for Metropolitan Planning of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, while a Presidential Decree draft was signed by the Minister of Environment and Energy.

At the same time, the International Architectural Design Competition commenced and 15 architecture firms were selected to move on to the next phase. These firms come from the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Finland, and Kuwait.

There are up to 9 partnered Greek architecture firms in 7 of the 15 architectural teams.

The major international interest on the revitalisation is proven by the fact that there were 116 candidates from 33 countries and 5 continents in the pre-selection phase.

For reasons of transparency and for the promotion of the Competition under the highest quality and most stringent specification, the International Judging Panel consists of internationally acclaimed professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban

planning, while Joan Busquets, Spanish architect, urban planner, and Head Professor of Urban Design at Harvard Graduate School of Design is the President of the panel.

The BoD of TIF – HELEXPO SA, after 8 years of material deliberation with the state, city agencies, and society, believes that the Revitalisation of the TIF Exhibition Centre is the only sustainable, safe, and complete solution for the growth of Thessaloniki, the sustainability of the company, and the quality of life of the citizens of Thessaloniki.

22/12/2020 – 14:23

Dozens of leading architectural firms from around the world participated in the first phase of the International Architectural Design Competition for the revitalisation of the Thessaloniki Exhibition and Conference Centre. 15 of these firms were selected on 5 December to move on to the next phase.

The head architects of the 15 Contestants come from the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Finland, and Kuwait.

55 technical offices from 17 countries are participating in the selected groups, while 9 Greek technical offices or individual architects are participating in 7 of the 15 selected groups.

Furthermore, 222 engineers, of whom 55 are Greeks, are participating in the Competing project teams.

The Judging Panel made its decision based on the candidates’ capability and potential of providing design proposals that will combine the construction of an emblematic and modern exhibition and conference centre which will include a 15 acre urban park. This project will transform the centre of Thessaloniki, providing a new and unique landmark, improving the quality of citizens’ daily life from a bioclimatic perspective.

The fifteen Candidates who were selected are presented below in alphabetical order:

1. ALA ARCHITECTS (FI), MARELD LANDSKAPSARKITEKTER (SE)
2. AMANDA LEVETE ARCHITECTS (UK), STUDIO SEILERN ARCHITECTS (UK), VLADIMIR DJUROVIC LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE (LB), FHECOR NGENIEROS CONSULTORES (ES), R. ÚRCULO INGENIEROS CONSULTORES (ES)
3. BRUTHER ARCHITECTES (FR), ROBBRECHT EN DAEM ARCHITECTEN (BE), LIST (FR), GLOBAL – ARCHITECTURA PAISAGISTA (PT), SCHNETZER PUSKAS INTERNATIONAL (CH), DUSS (BE)
4. HEATHERWICK STUDIO (UK), M. DEDA AND ASSOCIATES (GR), BURO HAPPOLD (UK)
5. HOPKINS ARCHITECTS (UK)
6. KENGO KUMA AND ASSOCIATES (JP), AKT II (UK), HILSON MORAN (UK), GEORGES BATZIOS ARCHITECTS (GR), DOXIADIS+ (GR)
7. LINA GHOTMEH ARCHITECTURE (FR), VOGT PAYSAGE + URBANISME (FR), LAN (FR), LOT (GR), TRACTEBEL ENGINEERING (FR), SYSTEMATICA (IT)
8. OMA STEDEBOUW (NL)
9. PROEM ARCHITECTS (KW), YANNIS KITANNIS (GR), OMETE (GR)
10. SAUERBRUCH HUTTON (DE), GUSTAFSON PORTER + BOWMAN (UK), ELENA STAVROPOULOU (GR)
11. SOU FUJIMOTO ARCHITECTS (JP), GUY NORDENSON AND ASSOCIATES (US), CRACKNELL LANDSCAPE DESIGN (AE)
12. UNSTUDIO (NL), SCHEMA4 (GR), OKRA LANDSCHAPSARCHITECTEN (NL)
13. VALODE & PISTRE ARCHITECTES (FR), MICHEL DESVIGNE PAYSAGISTE (FR), VP & GREEN ENGINEERING (FR), ESPACE TEMPS (FR)
14. WILKINSON EYRE ARCHITECTS (UK), GRANT ASSOCIATES (UK), BIODIVERSITY BY DESIGN (UK), ELENI PAVLIDOU (GR), ATELIER ONE (UK), ATELIER TEN (UK)
15. WILMOTTE & ASSOCIES (FR), EGIS BÂTIMENTS INTERNATIONAL (FR), NEVEUX ROUYER PAYSAGISTES (FR)

Alternate Candidates (by order of preference):

1. ADJAYE ASSOCIATES (UK), MAKRIDIS ASSOCIATES (GR), AGIS PAPADOPOULOS (GR), STAVROU P. TZIOTZIOS G. (GR)
2. XAVEER DE GEYTER ARCHITECTS (BE), INSIDE OUTSIDE (NL), NEIHEISER ARGYROS (UK), DAIDALOS PEUTZ BOUWFYSISCH INGENIEURSBUREAU (BE), UTIL (BE)
3. STEFAN RUTZINGER (AT), JAN KNIPPERS INGENIEURE (DE), GREEN4CITIES (AT)

The next phase is that of submission and inspection of the standard documentation by the 15 Candidates, and on 1 February 2021 they will receive the detailed technical specifications and necessary plans for the main phase of the Architectural Design Competition to commence.

Their design proposals for the multifaceted project for the revitalisation of the TIF facilities will be submitted 4 months later, in late May 2021, and then the International Judging Panel will select the winner of the Competition.

The full composition of the Judging Panel met for 3 days, from 3 to 5 December 2020, and selected the 15 Candidates. The panel is composed by:

Regular Members of the Judging Panel:

1. JOAN BUSQUETS, President of the Judging Panel (Spain), Architect, Urban Planner, Head Professor of Urban Design at Harvard Graduate School of Design.
2. FARSHID MOUSSAVI (Great Britain), Architect and Professor in Practice of Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design.
3. RENA SAKKELARIDOUArchitect, Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Architecture.
4. SIMON EWINGS (Norway), Architect and Head of Haptic Architects in Oslo.
5. SAMULI MIETTINEN, UIA Representative (Finland), Architect and partner at JKMM Architects in Helsinki.
6. ARETI MARKOPOULOU (Greece), Architect. Director of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Barcelona.
7. IRENE DJAO-RAΚIΤINE (France),Landscape architect and member of the Landscape Institute, United Kingdom.
8. DIMITRIOS KERKENTZES (Great Britain), Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, Paris, France.
9. KYRIAKOS POZRIKIDIS (Greece), CEO of TIF-HELEXPO S.A.

Alternate Members of the Judging Panel:

1. FANI VAVILI (Greece), Professor of Architecture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Architecture.
2. SIMON HARTMANN, UIA Representative (Switzerland), Architect and Visiting Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design.
3. DANIEL FÜGENSCHUH (Austria), Architect and President of the Austrian Chamber of Architects.

TIF-Helexpo S.A. Management would like to sincerely thank the 116 candidates who participated in the pre-selection phase. The came from 33 countries, which indicates the multifaceted character of the revitalisation of the Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre and the international interest surrounding it.

11/12/2020 – 13:40

One of the largest primary sector exhibition events in S.E. Europe, the 12th International Trade Fair on Livestock and Poultry, ‘Zootechnia’, will be held from 30 September to 3 October at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre. The continuing pandemic has forced a change in the dates on which Zootechnia will be held; it was originally planned for 28-31/1/2021. ‘Zootechnia’ will be a reference point for all new developments in livestock and poultry, offering the necessary space for B2C and B2B meetings.

The exhibition is the only specialised event in the food producing animal sector in Greece and the Balkans. All major livestock-poultry enterprises will be present at ‘Zootechnia’ and they shall inform visitors on all their options for modernising and upgrading their production.

03/12/2020 – 16:19

Vote of confidence from the international architecture community

The notice of the Architectural Design Competition for the revitalisation project of the Thessaloniki Exhibition and Conference Centre was enthusiastically accepted by the international architecture community.

Over the previous weeks more than 300 interested parties from all over the world registered at the Competition website, www.thessaloniki-confexpark.gr.

The first phase of the Competition, which concerned the submission of applications, was completed successfully yesterday, recording broad international interest.

More specifically, a total of 116 applications from individual architectural firms or groups of firms/architects were submitted. It is also impressive that these applications came from architectural firms or groups of firms/architects based in 33 countries on all 5 continents. In fact, there was intense interest from Greek architectural firms, too.

As foreseen by the Competition process, by December 2020 15 teams of firms/architects will be preselected, which will then submit their design proposals by May 2021.

The International Architectural Design Competition has been announced in accordance with the principles of UNESCO architectural design competitions, and its Regulations have been approved by the International Union of Architects (UIA).

The goal is to design an environmentally friendly and ultra-modern emblematic Exhibition and Conference Centre of the highest standard, while also ensuring the best functionality of its facilities, in combination with an urban green park to be used by its citizens.

The project includes the creation of an open green space of approximately 15 acres, suitable for recreation and outdoor cultural and exhibition uses.

The first prize winner will be selected by the International Judging Panel in June 2021.

TIF-Helexpo President Mr Tasos Tzikas stated that “the large number of participating architectural firms from around the world in the first phase of the Competition constitutes a vote of confidence in the revitalisation project of the Thessaloniki Exhibition and Conference Centre. The creation of a new bioclimatic landmark for a modern city will help Thessaloniki become an important Exhibition Centre in Southeastern Europe, and will improve the quality of life of its citizens”.

18/11/2020 – 14:47

TIF-Helexpo CEO Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis was elected for the fourth consecutive year to the supreme administrative instrument of the of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), its board of directors, holding anew one of the 11 elected positions in Europe.

This re-election is especially important, as it is the first time that a Greek has been elected for a fourth consecutive year to serve on the board of directors of UFI, a fact that reflects the recognition of both the CEO of TIF-Helexpo and the role of our national exhibition body in international exhibition events, by the global exhibition industry. The new three-year term of Mr Pozrikidis starts after the annual UFI general meeting to be held on November 10.

TIF-Helexpo invests in its international character, having followed in recent years a targeted strategy of openness, by networking with exhibition bodies abroad. TIF has been a member of UFI since 1927, while it has participated in many other important international exhibition organisations.

18/11/2020 – 14:32

TIF-Helexpo took an important step towards the revitalisation of the Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre, as it announced today the International Architecture Competition for the long awaited project. It is a project that will play a leading role in Thessaloniki and will contribute to the reforming of its metropolitan centre.

The International Architecture Competition, which was announced in accordance with the principles of UNESCO architecture competitions and will be placed under the auspices of the International Union of Architects, aims towards the design of an Exhibition and Conference Centre of the highest standard, the design of which will be friendly to the environment, technologically cutting edge, and emblematic for the city, while also ensuring the best functionality of its facilities, in combination with an urban green park to be used by its citizens.

The new Exhibition and Conference complex, along with the Business Centre, are expected to play an important role in the economy of Thessaloniki, contributing to its transformation into an international business and tourism destination. The project includes the creation of an open green space of approximately 15 acres, suitable for recreation and outdoor cultural and exhibition uses.

15 teams will have been preselected by December 2020, and they shall submit their proposals by May 2021. The first prize winner will be selected by the International Judging Panel in June 2021.

18/11/2020 – 14:42

Internationally established professionals in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning will compose the Judging Panel of the International Architecture Competition for the Revitalisation of the Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre. The members of the Panel will assess all candidates at the pre-selection stage, they will choose the nominees, assess all design proposals, rank them, and present the awards.

The Judging Panel will consist of nine members and three alternate members.

The members of the Judging Panel are:

1) JOAN BUSQUETS, Chairperson of the Judging Panel (Spain)

Architect, Urban Planner, Head Professor of Urban Design at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

2) FARSHID MOUSSAVI (Great Britain)

Architect and Professor in Practice of Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

3) RENA SAKELLARIDOU (Greece)

Architect, Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Architecture.

4) SIMON EWINGS (Norway)

Architect and Head of Haptic Architects in Oslo.

5) SAMULI MIETTINEN, Representative of UIA (Finland)

Architect and partner at JKMM Architects in Helsinki.

6) ARETI MARKOPOULOU (Greece)

Architect. Director of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) in Barcelona.

7) IRENE DJAO-RAΚITINE (France)

Landscape architect and member of the Landscape Institute, United Kingdom.

8) DIMITRIOS KERKENTZES (Great Britain)

Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, Paris, France.

9) KΥRIAKOS POZRIKIDIS (Greece)

CEO of TIF-HELEXPO S.A.

The alternate members of the Judging Panel are:

10) FANI VAVILI (Greece)

Professor of Architecture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Architecture.

11) SIMON HARTMANN, Representative of UIA (Switzerland)

Architect and Visiting Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design.

12) DANIEL FÜGENSCHUH (Austria)

Architect and President of the Austrian Chamber of Architects.

18/11/2020 – 14:45

Top industries and businesses on the European and international financial stage will be participating in the National German Pavilion at the 85th TIF, holding B2B meetings with Greek companies that are interested in expanding into the largest economy in Europe. Preparations for the participation of Germany as the Honoured Country at this year’s TIF, to be held from 5-13 September at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, are now entering the final stretch.

The issues of security, traffic, and consistent implementation of the health protocol, as well as the planning of the National German Pavilion, were the focus of the meetings of the administration and executives of TIF-Helexpo with the German delegation, which in the past few days visited the exhibition centre and Pavilion 13, the pavilion to house the German businesses and agencies.

The delegation consisted of the Consul and Deputy Consul General of Germany to Thessaloniki Mr Carsten Müller, Mr Patrick Specht, Head of Division Policy on Fairs and Exhibitions, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Athens, Mr Michael Dorn, Head of the Economic Department, and Ms Sonja Bohnet, Cultural and Political Affair Consultant from the Cologne Exhibition Organisation (which is responsible for Germany’s participation in the 85th TIF), Mr Holger Hey, Team Leader German Pavilions Worldwide, and Mr Anthony de Taranta from the gtp2 German architectural firm.

The delegation was briefed in detail regarding all matters of exhibition preparations, and it expressed its satisfaction for key issues in this year’s event, such as the health and safety of exhibitors and visitors.

The National German Pavilion will host 63 businesses and agencies and is completely full, drawing participations from the largest sectors of the German economy, such as the car industry, energy, courier services and logistics, the pharmaceutical industry, agronutrition, IT-software, air transportation, waste management and environmental protection, etc.

Indicatively, some of the businesses and industries to participate at the National German Pavilion are BASF, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, DHL Express, Fraport Regional Airports of Greece Management Company S.A., Kosmocar SA, Mercedes-Benz Hellas, Siemens Electrotechnical Projects and Products Societe Anonyme, etc.

Furthermore, exhibitors will include important bodies representing German economy, business, education, and culture. The B2B meetings between German and Greek businesses will hold a special position in the programme of side events to be held in the framework of Germany’s participation as Honoured Country.

The business side of the German participation is further strengthened by the initiative of the German-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is organising its own Group Pavilion titled ‘Greece meets Germany’, which will provide the opportunity to companies that export to the German market to promote their entrepreneurial activity to TIF visitors.

The German participation will also include a rich programme of side events related to the economy and culture, to be announced shortly.

13/07/2020 – 11:19

The 85th Thessaloniki International Fair to be held from 5 to 13 September, will be adapted to the new conditions that have taken shape due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event will proceed with the safety and health of exhibitors and visitors in mind. Following the recent crucial months, this year’s event wants to send a message of optimism regarding the restarting of the economy, to be heard beyond the borders of Greece.

The content and programme of the Fair will be adapted depending on the protocols to be followed at this year’s event. With regards to these changes, TIF-Helexpo is in close cooperation with the competent ministries, the National Public Health Organisation, and the exhibition organisation of Cologne, which is responsible for the participation of Germany as the Honoured Country at the 85th TIF.

Throughout its long history TIF-Helexpo has succeeded in operating under very difficult conditions, always aware of its responsibility towards its visitors, customers, and partners. The effective and successful management of the health crisis in Greece is the best guarantee for the responsible organisation of an international fair, such as the 85th TIF.

03/06/2020 – 11:41

Due to the latest developments on the CoronaVirus front and with a high sense of responsibility towards our exhibitors, visitors and staff, TIF-HELEXPO has decided to cancel FRESKON, the International Event for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. FRESKON was planned to take place during the period 2-4/4/2020 at the International Exhibition and Congress Centre in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Following our communication with exhibitors and guest visitors, the National exhibition Organizer, making the safety of all participants and stakeholders a priority, is renewing its exhibition “appointment” with the fresh fruit and vegetables sector for 15-17/4/2021.

TIF-HELEXPO is closely following the development of the virus outbreaks and shall be adjusting its exhibition schedule accordingly in the coming weeks.

All necessary precaution measures have been taken inside the International Exhibition and Congress Centre of Thessaloniki and all hygiene and safety rules are followed by our staff, collaborators and visitors while the Management of TIF-HELEXPO is in constant communication with the competent services of the Ministry of Health, the Region of Central Macedonia and the Municipality of Thessaloniki.

The National Exhibition Organizer would hereby like to thank all partners and collaborators from Greece and abroad for their support and collaboration as well as for their coherence on the issue of COVID-19.

 

10/03/2020 – 12:15