The Regeneration of the International Exhibition and Congress Centre of Thessaloniki made an impression on the international audience at the UIA World Congress of Architects

The international audience of the World Congress of Architects, organised by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in Copenhagen from 2 to 6 July, was impressed by the regeneration of the International Exhibition and Congress Centre of Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki ConfExPark), which was presented by TIF-HELEXPO.

In fact, Swiss architect Regina Gonthier, Co-Director of ICC, who was elected by the general meeting in the framework of the Congress as the new President of UIA, congratulated the TIF-HELEXPO team for the exemplary International Architectural Design Competition that it organised, as well as for the satisfying rate of progress of the work, given the timely delivery of the architectural preliminary design. She also referred to the presentation of the International Architectural Design Competition organised by TIF-HELEXPO in a special UIA publication, which concerns architectural design competitions, as an exceptionally successful case study.

In the framework of the presentation, the head of legal services of TIF-HELEXPO and member of the management team of Thessaloniki ConfExPark, Eni Dodou, spoke about the continuous vision of the company both to enhance the economic activity of the exhibition body, as well as to give back to the city of Thessaloniki through the regeneration of its exhibition facilities, thus contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and resilient urban future for its citizens. The regeneration project was presented with its initial commitment as it spearhead: achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and accelerating national efforts to implement them through local action.

The next person to present was partner at German architectural firm Sauerbruch Hutton, Juan Lucas Young, who highlighted basic points of the delivered architectural preliminary design of the regeneration, underlining the sustainable character of the project through an urban park, as well as the dominant position that it is taking in the “rebirth” of an entire city.

Architecture Professor at AUTh, representative of Greece at the UIA, and a member of its Council, Fani Vavyli, took to the podium and provided a foreword for the presentation.

The presentation was followed by a Q&A with the audience concerning the progress of the project, and answers were provided by TIF-HELEXPO CEO, Dr Kyriakos Pozrikidis.

This year’s UIA World Congress of Architects attracted more than 6000 participants from 135 countries, and included 150 presentations, 250 scientific projects, and 400 speakers. The event is organised every three years at a different venue.

The UIA is an international non governmental organisation, recognised by UNESCO as the only architectural association that is active on an international level. It was created in 1948 in order to unite architects all over the world through a coalition of their national organisations. From 27 delegations at the time, UIA now has among its ranks architectural organisations from more than 100 countries, interconnecting approximately 1.3 million architects.

14/07/2023 – 11:16

The pioneering initiative of the Forward Green exhibition was a resounding success – The new exhibition outlines the present and future of circular economy

The wheel of circular economy turned even faster at the 1st Forward Green International Circular Economy Exhibition, which was held from 8-10 June at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, organised by TIF-Helexpo.

The first ever Forward Green event was a resounding success and it was yet another pioneering exhibition venture, even for European standards, as it is one of the very few exhibitions on this subject matter that is geared towards professionals and entrepreneurs.

The ‘reuse-repair-renew-recycle’ model, which condenses the entire philosophy of circular economy, was the main message of Forward Green, and the distillate from the Circular Economy Forum and many side events.

Forward Green hosted 138 exhibitors, 107 direct exhibitors from Greece, Germany, Bulgaria, and Switzerland, and 31 indirect exhibitors from Bulgaria, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland Italy, China, Portugal, and Finland. At the same time, it welcomed 60 international hosted buyers from Bulgaria, Germany, South Korea, Romania, Cyprus, Portugal, and Poland.

Bulgaria, Forward Green’s Honoured Country, had a dynamic presence with 32 enterprises, and many institutional representatives and business executives on the Circular Economy Forum panels.

The exhibition’s entrepreneurial identity was made clear through the more 270 partnership business meetings (B2B) organised by TIF-HELEXPO and Enterprise Europe Network Hellas of the Federation of Greek Industries. Meetings were held between 54 Greek and 43 international businesses from countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, and Poland. Even more business meetings were held at the exhibitor stands.

The Circular Economy Forum (which was streamed live) on ‘The present and future of Circular Economy’ covered several themes, all of which garnered a lot of attention. It was co-organised in partnership with Improvetech and the Hellenic-German Chamber, under the auspices of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, Sponsored by MOTOR OIL, and Supported by ACCI (Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and EOT (National Tourism Organisation).

There was also a wealth of actions at the 2nd ‘Thess Clean-Thess Green’ Circular Economy Festival of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, while there were many side events at the Forward Green Open Stage, covering all the sectors of circular economy.

Art also had a place of honour at Forward Green, through CIRCULART, a visual art proposal in which five very important young artists presented their work, made using recyclable materials. CIRCULART was held in partnership with Lola Nikolaou Gallery, while it was curated by the Art Director of Art-Thessaloniki International Fair, Mr Pantelis Tsatsis.

Visitors also had the opportunity to see in person all 61 of the works of art selected in the Painting Competition held for the first time in the framework of the 86th on ‘Young people paint the future’, organised by the Regulatory Authority for Energy in partnership with the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Fine Arts of AUTh and the support of TIF-HELEXPO.

In the framework of Forward Green, the ‘Contract for consultation services for the development of the Climate City Contract in the Municipality of Trikkala’ was signed on Saturday 10 June at the TIF-HELEXPO offices, in order to support the inclusion of the city of Trikala in the 100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities of Europe by 2030.

The contract was signed by the Mayor of Trikala and President of KEDE, Mr Dimitris Papastergiou, with the President and CEO of ‘ANAPTYXIAKI LLC’, Mr Athanasios Kouloutmanis, and Founder and Managing Director of ‘MELLON LABS LTD PARTNERSHIP’, Mr Kyriakos Tsitouridis, in the presence of the President of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr Tasos Tzikas.

Upon the conclusion of Forward Green, the new exhibition initiative, would like to thank all exhibitors, visitors, partners, and entities that supported this new venture, and it would like them to save the date for the 2024 Forward Green.

19/06/2023 – 11:03

Bulgaria as the Honoured Country at the 87th TIF from 9-17 September at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre

Bulgaria will be the Honoured Country at the most important business, financial, social, and cultural event of 2023, the 87th Thessaloniki International Fair, which will be held from 9-17 September at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

Bulgaria has been a participant in the TIF from the very first time it was organised in 1926 and, ever since, the neighbouring country has had a continuous presence at many TIF-HELEXPO general and trade fairs.

As pointed out by the Minister of Economy and Industry of Bulgaria, Mr Nikola Stoyanov, in a letter to TIF-HELEXPO management, the 87th TIF is the largest trade event in Southeastern Europe and the ideal event to enhance financial, business, political, cultural, and educational relationships between the two countries.

During a period of major reshuffling domestically and internationally, the 87th TIF will present all the new challenges in technology, innovation, environmental protection, energy, education, start-ups, and e-governance.

At the same time, the 87th TIF will also host and a number of entertainment events for all ages.

12/06/2023 – 14:37

Beyond 2023: The innovation and technology multi-event in Thessaloniki starts tomorrow and lasts until 26 May

170 enterprises, international participations from eight countries, and ‘Tech 4 People’ as the main theme

Beyond, the innovation and technology exhibition, is opening tomorrow, 24 May, at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, which will welcome 170 enterprises, 29 of which are startups. The exhibition has an international atmosphere with participations from Luxembourg, France, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, and Cyprus, and the theme of ‘Tech 4 People’ as its main pillar.

From 24 to 26 May, important tech sector companies will have the opportunity to interact with the public in pavilions 15,13, and 14, promoting their services and products, and providing answers for a number of particularly timely subjects that are currently on the mind of society, such as Artificial Intelligence. Organised by TIF-Helexpo, Be-Best, and Industry Disruptors Game Changers, this year’s Beyond focuses on the relationship between technology and people, a theme that underpins its many events on all four stages of the exhibition. South-East Europe Beyond Leadership Dialogue, Creative Business European Network, the 10th Technology Forum titled ‘Spotlight on Israel’, and the Interdisciplinary Colloquium of the ‘KLEISTHENIS’ Panhellenic Union of General Secretaries of Greek Municipalities on innovative and tech applications for the digital transformation of local governments, are just a few of the events-actions of this year’s event.

In the framework of the synergies developed by Beyond this year, the annual EBAN (European Business Angels Network) conference is being held in Greece for the first time, with a large number of international investors at the ‘I.Vellidis’ Congress Centre, alongside the Career Days by kariera.gr at pavilion 12.

Beyond will have the Beyond App at its disposal for the first time, which, besides providing general information about the exhibition, also allows for booking meetings with exhibitors, as well as the Beyond Innovation Challenge, a platform for more targeted and specialised matchmaking, which is co-organised by Beyond and the Hellenic Association of Innovative Applications Companies.

Furthermore, Beyond and Livemedia are providing exhibitors with a platform, inviting them to short interviews in pavilion 13 during the exhibition’s working hours, for their further promotion.

Beyond is being co-organised by the Region of Central Macedonia, the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Ministry of Growth & Investments, the Ministry of Digital Governance, and the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace).

Intracom Telecom and Mytilineos are this year’s Gold Sponsors. Info Quest Technologies in partnership with Cisco are the sponsors, while Labour Inspectorate (SEPE), the Association of Information Technology Companies of Northern Greece (SEPVE), the Hellenic Association of Innovative Applications Companies (SEKEE), the Hellenic Emerging Technologies Industry Association – HETiA, Samsung, Dell Technologies, Infoteam Software, Advanced Integrated Communication Ltd, and Diversity Charter are supporters.

Beyond is being organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Citizen Protection, the Ministry of Tourism and the ‘KLEISTHENIS’ Panhellenic Union of General Secretaries of Local Government.

The Press conference

During the Press Conference today, in view of the opening of the event tomorrow, the President of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr Tasos Tzikas, characterised Beyond as an exhibition that is a wager in support of the narrative that has Thessaloniki transforming into a technology hub in recent years, while he noted that three years down the line, it has proven itself to be a major tech event in the Balkans, aiming for Southeastern Europe next.

Managing Director of Be-Best, Mr Evangelos Charalambous, stated that it is just a question of time before Thessaloniki becomes a destination for Europe’s tech people. He also referred to what has been a goal from the very beginning, namely, the event becoming truly international and a European tech reference point.

Beyond can become a starting point for the creation of a pole of attraction for international entrepreneurs and jobs, according to founder of Industry Disruptors Game Changers, Mr Michalis Stangos, who also made mention of a shared wager for the city of Thessaloniki, calling upon the city’s business world to support the exhibition.

The deputy Governor of Digital Governance, Mr Angelos Charisteas, characterised Beyond as a major opportunity in the sector of openness, underlining the digital steps of the Region, which, as he said, is the first smart Region in Greece.

In turn, the deputy Mayor of Digital Governance of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr Michalis Koupkas, noted that the event also brings the Municipality into contact with new tech developments, while he stressed that the openness and partnerships advocated by Beyond are at the core of the philosophy of the municipal authority, which is sailing through its digital transformation.

The General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, stated that Beyond is the only exhibition in Greece and the Balkans with innovation and technology multi-event characteristics.

The exhibition’s Project Manager, Ms Sevi Kaffa, highlighted the plethora of events on Beyond’s 4 stages, while she also mentioned its international atmosphere and rich subject matter.

The spokesperson of the Technology Forum, Mr Kosmas Vamvalis stressed Beyond’s internationalisation, which is taking place alongside the internationalisation of the Technology Forum, while he thanked the organisers of the exhibition for the hospitality they showed the Forum this year.

Livemedia will provide a live stream of all Beyond participants this year, according to Livemedia CEO, Mr Stathis Parcharidis.

“We share the same vision: Promoting Greece internationally from the tech sector, not just shipping and tourism”, stated Intracom Telecom Marketing and Communications Director Mr Alexandros Tarnaris, who noted that the company has been in Thessaloniki for 30 years.

Mytilineos Energy & Metals is coming to Beyond with the platform of Smart Cities, as noted by the company’s Communications and Marketing Director, Ms Filio Lanara, who underlined that Beyond is evolving into a platform for exchanging views on innovation, while also focusing on the impact of technology.

Info Quest Technologies is participating for the third consecutive year in the effort to create a Pan-European tech event in Greece through Beyond, according to the company’s Sales Manager for Northern Greece, Mr Giannis Sinakos.

Beyond’s working hours are 10:00-20:00 on all three days.

25/05/2023 – 15:39

Freskon recorded its best performance ever 4339 visitors from 23 to 25 April at the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable International Trade Event

A major increase in trade visitors in comparison to last year’s event

Freskon 2023, the Fruit and Vegetable International Trade Event organised by TIF-HELEXPO from 23 to 25 April at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, recorded its best performance ever as regards attendance, with 4339 visitors and a significant increase in trade visitors in comparison to the previous event.

Exhibitor and trade visitor satisfaction was evident, while there were more than 2000 targeted business meetings between hosted buyer and participating companies, laying the groundwork for trade partnerships. There was no disputing that Freskon succeeded in becoming a valuable springboard for networking and learning about all the developments in the international fruit and vegetable sector, and to confirm that it deserves its label as the largest sector meeting in Southeastern Europe.

FreshCon Market performed particularly well, on 24 and 25 April, with the first partnerships between Greek transporters and the largest supermarket chains in Europe taking their first steps. Sixteen supermarket chains from 11 countries, more specifically, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, Albania, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Lithuania, Kosovo, and Ukraine, welcomed fruit and vegetable sector professionals and held 640 trade meetings at FreshCon Market’s spaces. Major focus was placed on the countries of the Balkans and Central Europe this year, with markets such as that of

Poland presenting significant business opportunities for Greeks. FreshCon Market was organised by TIF-HELEXPO and FROUTONEA magazine, and mainly aimed at bringing large supermarket chains into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector-Freskon exhibitors.

As far as the side events are concerned, Freskon’s International Citrus Fruit Congress was sold out. Professionals from the entire citrus fruit supply chain attended speeches by internationally distinguished Greek and foreign sector entrepreneurs and executives. From propagation material development, to modern orchard organising, to integrated post-harvest fruit management and marketing, the congress covered a broad range of subjects. The other side events of the event also garnered major interest.

This year’s Freskon attracted 217 exhibitors from 12 countries, more specifically, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, India, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Turkey, 25% more than in 2022. The exhibitors covered 12.500 square metres of exhibition space. Besides exhibitors, FRESKON also hosted 190 international trade visitors from 34 countries, including 115 as individuals and 73 as part of group participations from Bulgaria and North Macedonia.

The Region of Western Greece was the Honoured Region at this year’s event. It had the opportunity to promote its highly nutritious fruit and vegetables and to introduce people to the wealth of its primary sector. Besides the Region of Western Greece, other participants included the Regions of Crete, Western Macedonia, Thessaly, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, and Attica.

28/04/2023 – 16:20

217 exhibitors from 12 countries, 190 international trade visitors from 34 countries and 2000 business meetings at the FRESKON Fresh Fruit and Vegetable International Trade Event

25% increase in exhibitor numbers in comparison to 2022
Opening on Sunday, 23 April

This year’s FRESKON Fresh Fruit and Vegetable International Trade Event is opening on Sunday, with 217 exhibitors from 12 countries, 190 international trade visitors from 34 countries, the Region of Western Greece as the Honoured Region, an international congress on citrus fruits with distinguished speakers, and the established FreshCon Market providing a platform for major supermarket chains to come into contact with agricultural sector producers and professionals.

FRESKON, which will be held from 23 to 25 April at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, has levelled-up both as regards quantity and quality, and it has confirmed its title as the largest meeting of producers, international retail groups, and domestic and international transporters in Southeastern Europe.

The exhibitors, who will cover 12,500 square metres of exhibition space, have increased by 25% in comparison to the 2022 event, and are from 12 countries. Specifically, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Hungary, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, India, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Turkey. Besides exhibitors, FRESKON will also host 190 international trade visitors from 34 countries, including 115 as individuals and 73 as part of group participations from Bulgaria and North Macedonia. In this context, more than 2000 business meetings between representatives of Greek enterprises and producers, and international hosted buyers have been scheduled.

At this year’s FRESKON, the Region of Western Greece is the Honoured Region. Through its participation in the exhibition it will underline the high nutritional value of the region’s fruit and vegetables, aiming to promote them to international markets. Besides the Region of Western Greece, other participants include the Regions of Crete, Western Macedonia, Thessaly, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, and Attica.

The International citrus fruit congress stands out at this year’s exhibition, to be held on Sunday 23 April, with experts from Greece and abroad speaking on the latest developments in the production and trading of citrus fruits.

Furthermore, FreshCon Market, to be held on 24-25 April, organised by TIF-HELEXPO and FROUTONEA magazine, will focus on linking production to retail sales, mainly aiming at bringing large supermarket chains into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector, creating ideal conditions for direct deals. More specifically, 16 supermarkets from 8 countries will participate in this year’s FreshCon.

FRESKON also incorporates a number of other side events, at which specialised subjects of the primary sector will be presented, such as linking agricultural production to trade, standardisation-packaging, openness, etc.

The opening of the event will be held on Sunday 23 April at 17:00 and it will be carried out by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr Giorgos Georgantas. The opening hours of are: Sunday and Monday 10:00 to 19:00 and Tuesday 10:00 to 18:00.

Today’s Press conference

The President of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr Tasos Tzikas, characterised FRESKON as a model exhibition that was launched with the goal of becoming an international event and a success from the very first moment, during the today’s press conference in view of the opening on Sunday. He also underlined the participation of the Regions in this year’s event, especially that of the Honoured Region, the Region of Western Greece.

FRESKON’s maturity was pointed out by TIF-HELEXPO CEO, Dr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, who stressed the importance of the number of exhibitors in comparison to previous years.

It is an honour for the Region of Western Greece to be the focal point of such an important international event that concerns agri-food and there is great joy in the recognition of its efforts to promote its products, noted authorised consultant/assistant of the Governor of Western Greece, Mr Panagiotis Sakellaropoulos, who also referred to the Agri-food Partnership of the region and the ‘Olympiaki Gi’ brand.

FROUTONEA magazine publisher-director, Mr Panagiotis Orfanos, congratulated TIF-HELEXPO for organising FRESKON, while he noted that the fresh fruit and vegetable sector has great momentum, however, certain structural problems need to be resolved with the help of the State.

TIF-HELEXPO General Director, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, characterised FRESKON a model-exhibition for the exhibition events of the coming decade, referring to its specialised and export-oriented character.

This year’s FRESKON is complete, tight, and with improved quantitative and qualitative characteristics, according to the event’s project manager, Ms Tonia Nikolaidou. In fact, she announced that this is the first time that FRESKON includes state participations, such as Poland and Moldova.

 

24/04/2023 – 14:41

The FRESKON Fresh Fruit and Vegetable International Trade Fair is back with a renewed dynamism from 23 to 25 April

The ‘FREKSON’ Fresh Fruit and Vegetable International Trade Fair is at the gates, with improved qualitative and quantitative characteristics. It will be held from 23 to 25 April at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

FRESKON is preparing to become a pole of attraction for the fresh fruit and vegetable sector’s international interest, with an increased number of exhibitors from 15 countries (Greece, Uganda, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Egypt, Cyprus, Moldova, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, and Germany), while more new exhibitors are being added every day. In fact, in recent years it has been the reference point for developments in the fresh produce sector, as it is the largest meeting of producers, international retail groups, and domestic and international transporters in Southeastern Europe.

With everyone from cooperatives, producers, fruit & vegetable wholesalers, importers and exporters, supermarket chains from Greece and abroad, to logistics, consultant, and certification firms, exhibitors from a broad range sector representatives will be participating in FRESKON.

Freskon’s International Congress, which this year is dedicated to citrus fruits, the Hosted Buyers programme, with guests from 40 countries, and FreshCon Market, the targeted producers-to-supermarket networking unit, stand out among this year’s events.

The most important developments in the sector of citrus fruits will be presented at the International Congress, which will be held on 23 April, with expert speakers from Greece and abroad, who will talk about important issues, such as varieties, diseases, cultivation practices, shelf life, packaging, and consumer behaviour. The goal of the congress, besides providing information, is to shape a framework of broader cooperation in the European citrus fruit sector.

FreshCon Market is being organised by TIF-Helexpo for the seventh year, in partnership with Froutonea magazine, and from 24 to 25 April it will be the platform for communication between supermarkets and producers, with the goal of connecting fruit and vegetable production with retail. There are already retail chains registered to participate from seven countries, specifically, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, Albania, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania, and they will connect with agricultural sector professionals from all over Greece, in a networking framework that is ideal for business deals.

11/04/2023 – 13:39

40% increase in visitors to Athens International Jewellery Show It achieved the highest attendance of the decade

The 35th International Exhibition for Jewellery, Watches, Precious Stones, Machinery & Equipment, Athens International Jewellery Show (AIJS) was concluded with the highest attendance of the decade. It was held from 3 to 6 March 2023 at the Metropolitan Expo exhibition centre in Attica. More specifically, 4500 attended the exhibition — all trade visitors — 40% more than last year. The international character of the event was also enriched, with international hosted buyers from countries such as USA, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Switzerland, and India.

The exhibition, which covered a 12,000 sq.m. exhibition space, included 373 exhibitors (235 direct and 138 indirectly represented companies), a 20% increase in comparison to the 2022 event.

Furthermore, in the framework of AIJS, an educational seminar was held, titled ‘Synthetic Diamonds’, which aimed to highlight the similarities and underline the differences between mineral and synthetic diamonds, both at a laboratory and commercial level. The seminar was presented by gemologist-diamontologist and appraiser, Mr Georgios Spyromilios.

Athens International Jewellery Show, organised by TIF-HELEXPO and POVAKO (the Panhellenic Federation of Silver- and Goldsmiths, Jewellers and Watchmakers) is the largest sector exhibition in Greece, promoting new trends in gold, silver, and timepieces, informing sector professionals on modern materials and styles, while it also serves as the best platform for achieving partnerships between Greek and international enterprises.

14/03/2023 – 15:04

AgroThessaly postponed until 9-12 March following the rail tragedy at Tempi

The decision to postpone the 13th Agrothessaly’ Pan-Hellenic Fair for Agriculture and Livestock was made by the Municipality of Larissa and TIF-HELEXPO, following the unspeakable rail tragedy that occurred at Tempi and the declaration of three days of national mourning.

AgroThessaly was scheduled to be held from 2 to 5 March and has been postponed. It will be held from 9 to 12 March at the same location in Larissa (Indoor Market of Neapoli).

Both the administration and employees of the Municipality of Larissa and TIF-HELEXPO wish to express their most sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this tragic accident.

01/03/2023 – 12:08

26% increase of hosted buyers at Detrop & Oenos Intense internationalisation with a 165% rise in international trade visitors The side events highlighted the future of food-beverage production

With a 26% increase in trade visitors, Detrop and Oenos, TIF-HELEXPO’s first ‘Just Go Zero’ exhibitions, recorded the needs and the innovations of the food and beverages market, from 18-20 February at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

It should be noted that there was an 165% overall increase in international trade visitors, highlighting the intensifying internationalisation of the two exhibitions, which are focusing on Greek small and medium food and beverage enterprises, and the delicatessen products they export internationally.

Through a wealth of side events, the two exhibitions presented the entire spectrum of developments in some of the most important Greek foods that act as ambassadors for Greece abroad.

The innovation of Detrop and Oenos also became evident by the fact that they were the first ‘Just Go Zero Events’ of the national exhibition body, in partnership with Polygreen. The exhibition pavilions were equipped with infrastructure to soundly sort waste for the best possible recovery of materials, while exhibitors and visitors participated in the recycling effort.

At the same time, the two exhibitions also attracted 81 representatives of many major Greek industries and food-beverage enterprises, as well as retail chains, which received awards at the 2023 Food Experts’ Awards organised by Cibum, the Greek food expert website.

There was an enthusiastic response by the more than 135 international trade visitors from 19 countries, who met with the exhibitor-enterprises at Detrop-Oenos.

In a 15,000 sq.m. exhibition space the two events attracted more than 420 exhibitors from all over Greece, as well as from Hungary, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. The

Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace was this year’s Honoured Region, while there were dynamic participations by the Regions of Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, Thessaly, North Aegean, and South Aegean, as well as the Chambers of Commerce of Larissa, Halkidiki, Chania, Imathia, Pella, and the Chamber of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Thessaloniki. In addition, startup companies participated in a specially designed space in pavilion 8, highlighting the pioneering entrepreneurial initiatives of the food and beverage sector.

Two of the stars of the side events of Detrop & Oenos were olives and olive oil, with the 1st Golden Olive Expo acting as a pole of attraction for visitors. Golden Olive Expo’s menu consisted of exhibition participations with olive and olive oil products and olive derived products, equipment and packaging, the B2B Lounge Area for targeted meetings between exhibitors and hosted buyers, the Open Stage Area for side events and colloquiums, and the Olive Bar, a space for olive oil tasting, food pairing, and networking. The ‘Olive Oil Trophy’ International Quality Competition for exceptional olive oils and the ‘Table Olives Trophy’ International Quality Table Olive Competition were also organised in the framework of Detrop & Oenos, with the participation of both Detrop exhibitors and sector enterprises from Greece and abroad. The competitions were organised by the prestigious ‘FILAIOS’ Friends of Olive Oil & Olives Association.

Attendance was high at the Detrop Bites & The Pairing Bar side events, a product of the partnership between TIF-HELEXPO and Chef Stories, with more than 1000 visitors to 20 different events and the participation of more than 80 producers. In the specially designed gastronomy space of pavilion 13 and the ‘Detrop Bites’ training and tasting dining area, visitors, including many international trade visitors, had the opportunity to try 14 different delicacies and watch product presentations by the Chef Stories team and the producers themselves.

There was also an international flare to the 12th International Culinary Competition of Southern Europe, organised by Culinary Professionals Greece in partnership with TIF-Helexpo and it is supported by Worldchefs, with 400 participants from 12 countries.

Lastly, the Hellenic Association of Food Technologists highlighted the Food Trends — innovative products and their producers — in a specially designed space at the exhibition, while it also organising a colloquium on security and food innovation.

24/02/2023 – 12:05