The CEFA Executive Committee meeting in Skopje set the priorities for the strategic plan of the Central European Fair Alliance for the period 2025-2030.

The strategic priorities of the exhibition industry and the initiatives of the Central European Fair Alliance (CEFA), which will hold its annual General Assembly in Thessaloniki on June 3, 2025, were the key topics discussed at the recent CEFA Executive Committee meeting in Skopje.

The two-day meeting in Skopje brought together leading figures from the exhibition sector across the Balkans and Central Europe. Representing TIF-HELEXPO was CEO Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis.

The CEFA Executive Committee primarily focused on renewing the organization’s corporate identity, establishing new frameworks for collaboration, and shaping the strategic plan for 2025-2030. Participants also reviewed preparations for the upcoming CEFA General Assembly in Thessaloniki, which will coincide with the 30th-anniversary celebrations of its founding.

TIF-HELEXPO’s CEO emphasized that, “We are thrilled to be preparing for the CEFA General Assembly in Thessaloniki—an event that will not only highlight our 30 years of achievements but also set the priorities for our future path. This is a pivotal moment for CEFA as we work together to ensure a dynamic and sustainable future for the exhibition industry.”

It is worth noting that from June 3-6, 2025, Thessaloniki and TIF-HELEXPO will also host the major global exhibition industry event of the year—the UFI European Conference, organized by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). The conference will welcome 350 senior executives from the international exhibition industry from Europe and beyond.

CEFA, of which TIF-HELEXPO has been a member since 2013, is a key network of exhibition organizers in Central and Southeastern Europe. Founded in 1995, its goal has been to establish the region as a powerful international exhibition gateway that transcends national borders. CEFA’s mission is to support its members in offering businesses high-quality access to the emerging markets of Central and Southeastern Europe.

Three young talents win the first prize in TIF-HELEXPO’s logo design competition to mark its centennial anniversary.

The year 2025 begins on a high note for TIF-HELEXPO as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary, riding the momentum of 2024, a year that marked record-breaking profitability. During today’s New Year’s celebration, beyond reviewing last year’s successes and unveiling plans for 2025, the centennial celebration was highlighted with the announcement of the winners of the logo design competition.

The top prize was awarded to three young talents: Sozon Kalfas, a third-year student in the Department of Architecture at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) from Thessaloniki; Agapi-Angeliki Stavrochristou, also a third-year architecture student at AUTH from Athens; and Stavroula Pakataridou, a graphic design student at IEK DELTA from Kavala.

Their winning design encapsulates TIF-HELEXPO’s historical journey and its significant contributions to Thessaloniki’s economic, cultural, and social fabric. “We aimed to connect TIF with time itself,” said Sozon Kalfas, explaining that the design incorporates five simple lines representing both the institution’s timeline and its legacy, with a dynamic diagonal symbolizing its progression.

The competition drew submissions from across Greece, involving professionals, students, and enthusiasts. The first prize included a €2,000 cash award, while the second and third prizes came with €1,000 each.

2025: A Dynamic Start

During the New Year’s celebration, TIF-HELEXPO President Mr. Tasos Tzikas highlighted a 2024 EBITDA of €3.5 million—the highest since the 1970s—and shared updates on the exhibition center’s redevelopment project. “The goal is to finalize the project by the end of 2026,” he stated, outlining a series of centennial activities, including a documentary about TIF’s history, an anniversary publication, and a social initiative spanning Greece’s 13 regions.

The CEO of TIF-HELEXPO, Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis, provided a brief but positive review of the past year, highlighting a 33% increase in visitors to exhibition events in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching a total of 648,646. He also noted a 13.5% rise in conference events, with the total reaching 269. Special mention was made of the UFI European Conference to be hosted in early June at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Center, the Central European Fair Alliance (CEFA) General Assembly marking its 30th anniversary, and the Greek Exhibition Industry Association (SOKEE) General Assembly, both taking place during the exhibition. “The global exhibition industry converges in Thessaloniki,” he emphasized.

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, described TIF’s redevelopment as a transformative project for Thessaloniki, akin to the city’s metro and airport expansions. “The redevelopment of TIF-HELEXPO will be one of the most significant projects ever undertaken in Greece in the field of exhibitions. For Thessaloniki, it will be a project comparable to the metro. I am confident that once completed, we will be talking about a new Thessaloniki, a new Northern Greece. A Thessaloniki that, having upgraded its airport, port, delivered the metro, and in the coming years the FlyOver, will have an exhibition center that places the city at the ‘heart’ of global exhibitions,”.

Also, expressing his gratitude to the TIF-HELEXPO administration for their collaboration during his tenure as Regional Governor of Central Macedonia, he added that he would continue to support TIF in his new role. “The best for Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and our country lies ahead,” he concluded.

Deputy Minister of the Interior, sector of Macedonia and Thrace, Mr. Kostas Gioulekas, hailed the exhibition as a trailblazer, stating, “Thessaloniki and Greece stand firmly behind the redevelopment project.”

Deputy Regional Governor for Health & Social Solidarity, Ms. Maria (Melina) Dermentzopoulou, affirmed ongoing support from the Central Macedonia Region, while Mr. Panagiotis Chatziioannou, President of TIF-HELEXPO’s Employees Association, emphasized the team’s commitment to success, calling the achievements a testament to teamwork and dedication.

Representatives from political parties also extended their greetings, including Mr. Stavros Kalafatis (ND), Mr. Christos Giannoulis (SYRIZA), Mr. Dimitris Sarigiannis (PASOK), Mr. Giannis Dellis (KKE), and Mr. Nikos Papadopoulos (NIKI).

TIF-HELEXPO’s Commitment to Sustainable Development and Reducing Environmental Footprint

The sustainable development strategy consistently implemented by TIF-HELEXPO is clearly reflected in the latest Sustainability Report prepared and completed by the national exhibition organization for the year 2023.

The TIF-HELEXPO Sustainability Report 2023 highlights the company’s initiatives and achievements in sustainable development and its application of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria. The report is aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards 2021 and is further aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

In 2023, TIF-HELEXPO reinforced its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, contributing to society, and enhancing corporate governance through new projects and initiatives ensuring sustainable growth and progress. Notably, the organization expanded the Zero Waste initiative, launched in 2022, to all its exhibitions. For the upcoming year, the aim is a 7% reduction in waste, complemented by active participation in the European program Waste Minimization in Large Events (MINEV) (https://www.interregeurope.eu/minev), further contributing to environmental protection.

The organization’s efforts towards accessibility and social inclusion are evident in the improvement of infrastructure for individuals with disabilities and the adoption of modern tools to support all visitors. Additionally, TIF-HELEXPO’s recognition as a “Great Place to Work” for the second consecutive year reaffirms its commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment.

TIF-HELEXPO’s developmental trajectory, sustainability goals, and adaptability to global trends in the exhibition industry are intrinsically tied to the redevelopment of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Center. The new venue will be fully bioclimatic, designed to minimize its environmental footprint. The redevelopment also includes a modern Metropolitan Park, featuring over 3,000 newly planted trees and 100,000 square meters of green spaces.

You can download the TIF-HELEXPO Sustainability Report 2023 in Greek [here].

350 senior executives from the international exhibition industry to shape the sector’s future

The UFI European Conference 2025, the major gathering for the global exhibition industry, will be held in Thessaloniki, Greece from June 3-6, 2025. The announcement was recently made at the UFI Global Congress in Cologne.

This groundbreaking and innovative conference will bring together 350 senior executives from the exhibition industry across Europe and beyond.

For the first time, UFI will also organize the European Event Week during these dates, featuring a series of events dedicated to the global exhibition industry, with the European Conference in Thessaloniki as the highlight.

The UFI European Conference was presented in Cologne by Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis, CEO of TIF-HELEXPO and member of the UFI Board of Directors. Dr. Pozrikidis emphasized Thessaloniki’s growing role as an exhibition and conference destination, bolstered by its infrastructure development, economic progress, and increasing appeal as a tourism hub.

The year 2025 marks a milestone for TIF-HELEXPO, as it celebrates 100 years since its founding. Likewise, UFI will commemorate its centennial in 2025, launching its anniversary celebrations from Thessaloniki.

TIF-HELEXPO has consistently invested in its international network and actively participates in the institutional bodies of the global exhibition community, being a member of UFI since 1927.

UFI represents 865 members from 88 countries worldwide, with its primary mission to advocate for, promote, and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry globally.

March 6-9, 2025, Neapoli Covered Market, Larissa

The Panhellenic Exhibition for Agriculture and Livestock, Agrothessaly, is just one step away from full capacity—three months ahead of its scheduled dates, from March 6 to 9, 2025. Demand for exhibition space has exceeded all expectations.
Agrothessaly, a regional exhibition with national reach, is the result of a strategic partnership between TIF-HELEXPO and the Municipality of Larissa. Held biennially at the Neapoli Covered Market in Larissa, the exhibition focuses on:

• Showcasing domestic and international agricultural and livestock products.
• Highlighting the latest advancements in agricultural technology.
• Promoting commercial networking for exhibitors both within Greece and abroad.

The new Municipal Administration of Larissa has embraced the Agrothessaly institution from the outset, investing in its strategic collaboration with TIF-HELEXPO. This partnership underscores the importance of the agricultural sector and agri-food industry as invaluable assets for Larissa and the broader Thessaly region.