The only sector to have remained continuously closed since March 2020, with damages in excess of 200 million Euros

The Greek exhibition sector has been left at the mercy of the pandemic. It is the only sector that has not been allowed to reopen since the beginning of the health crisis. Its losses from the suspension of exhibition activities exceed 200 million Euros, with a very broad economic and social impact.

With all exhibitions having been cancelled and the ban on new events still in place, the future of the sector seems uncertain and the cry of despair is deafening. Exhibition organisers, exhibition centres, and pavilion construction companies are in dire straits, recording almost zero income for 12 months, while not being included in any of the support programmes implemented for other sectors, such as, for example, the catering sector. At the same time, more than 9000 sector workers — direct and indirect — are living in uncertainty as to what the future holds.

Greece’s exhibition industry contributes catalytically to the growth of local economies, by boosting a number of financial activities, from the hotel sector to catering, and from transports to recreation. In fact, it has been calculated that for each Euro spent on exhibition activities, another 6 Euros spill over into the local economy of the area organising the

exhibition. At the same time, exhibition activity is inseparably connected to professional high-income tourism throughout the year.

Sector representatives have repeatedly submitted their requests and have met numerous times with state and business officials from ministries in order to support the exhibition industry — which acts as a barometer for the country’s financial health — only to find out that they come second, behind the just requests of other suffering sectors. In any case, the Greek exhibition sector must receive the attention and care it deserves from the State and be incorporated into the programmes being planned to restart the economy, as it is a true pillar for a number of individual professionals.

The sector is reopen and operate under strict health protocols and regulations, providing absolute safety for exhibitors and visitors, as soon as the State allows it.

• Athens Metropolitan Expo S.A.
• Be Best
• Exposystem S.A.
• FORUM S.A.
• Interform S.A.
• MEC Mediterranean Exhibition Centre
• ROTA S.A.
• TIF-Helexpo S.A.
• Posidonia Exhibitions S.A.

15/04/2021 – 14:10

The 29th ‘Agrotica’ International Fair for Agricultural Machinery, Equipment & Supplies will be held from 27 to 30 January 2022 at the International Exhibition Centre of Thessaloniki.

Representing global technology from all the entire range of agricultural entrepreneurship, the 29th Agrotica will outline all the developments in agricultural production.

The dynamism of the primary sector which met the challenges of the pandemic, the Improvement Plans that will change the face of agriculture, and the latest innovations in the sector of agriculture will be the focus of the Fair.

Agrotica holds the record for most visitors and exhibitors. The last time it was held it hosted 2077 direct and indirect exhibitors from Greece and 45 countries, and welcomed 161,775 visitors, and it will once again be the reference point for domestic and international agriculture.

02/04/2021 – 13:33

The Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre and TIF-Helexpo have left a clear mark on society as regards the health crisis Greece has been experiencing over the past year, by contributing with all its available infrastructure and means at its disposal to supporting and facilitating the health system. Despite the disruption of all exhibition activities due to SARS-Cov-2, the exhibition body did not remain inert. It made available its facilities, located at a critical geographic point, for a series of services and actions related both to the Health sector and broader social contribution.

Thus, one of the two mega vaccine centres in Greece has been hosted for some time at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre (the other is hosted in Helexpo Maroussi in Athens). 108 vaccination lines are located in pavilions 13 and 15. At the same time, TIF-Helexpo also houses the EODY (Hellenic National Public Health Organisation) mobile labs, with a fleet of 35 vehicles.

Outside pavilion 17, a city centre Emergency Services station is being created, ensuring the best possible base and the best possible exits for ambulances headed to both east and west Thessaloniki.

Among other things, TIF-Helexpo has provided storage space for the health supplies of the 3rd and 4th Health District, while the International Exhibition Centre regularly becomes a reference point for Thessaloniki hospital blood drives.

At the same time, beyond the health aspect, the International Exhibition Centre of Thessaloniki also hosts purely social actions,

such as the distribution of food by the municipality of Thessaloniki three times a month, while it also provides shelter for the homeless when the weather requires it.

Furthermore, over the past months, TIF-Helexpo provided equipment — from outdoor pavilions to air purifications systems — to the hospitals of Thessaloniki, contributing where it could.

The national exhibition agency will continue to show its social awareness, responding to any need that arises in the framework of the pandemic and anywhere else it can, proving that, beyond its exhibition role, it is also a vital and active part of the local society, with which it has identified its existence.

22/03/2021 – 12:40