With internationally renowned sculptor Takis as the honoured artist and major galleries from Greece and abroad participating, the 3rd Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Art Fair is preparing to open its doors to the public. This year’s event, which is being held for the third time and is becoming an institution, will take place between 22 November and 25 November, being held at Pavilions 8, 9 and 10 of Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre. Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Art Fair is being organised by TIF-Helexpo and its Artistic Director, Mr Pantelis Tsatsis.

With the slogan “Circulation-Information-Entertainment”, the Fair is being held under the auspices of the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Interior (Macedonia-Thrace), the Region of Central Macedonia and other city agencies, operating at the level of artistic expression as well as the level of commercial, cultural and economic growth.

Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Art Fair is a ‘meeting place’ for art galleries, investing in the strategic and geographical position of Thessaloniki, its multi-cultural identity, its long history

and its strong ties with the Balkan countries, the USA, Russia, Israel and Turkey.

In the context of this year’s side events and on the occasion of the participation of the USA as the Honoured Country in this year’s 83rd Thessaloniki International Fair, exhibitions will be held featuring works by Greek-American artists from the collection of Zacharias Portalakis, works by the American artist Sol LeWitt and works from the collection of Efi Piplikatsi-Andreadou.

This year’s Fair will also include exhibitions dedicates to Design and Virtual Reality, a special exhibition concerning ‘ARTI’, the historic art journal published by Antonis Bouloutzas, an Honorary Wall consisting of an ‘egg’, a wall installation featuring works by 42 acclaimed artists, as well as numerous partnerships with cultural institutions. The Research Centre for Art and Science (KETE), Takis’ foundation, will also participate in the 3rd Art Thessaloniki International Fair.

Given its educational character, the 3rd Art Thessaloniki Fair will welcome secondary school students on Friday, 23 Nofember, from 09:30 until 15:00.

15/10/2018 – 11:21

The 83rd TIF experienced its very own “American dream”, raising the bar even higher this year as it succeeded in attracting 283,853 visitors, as compared to 263,724 last year. People of all ages embraced the Fair enthusiastically, turning it into the largest of the last 20 years.

With extroversion, entrepreneurship, and innovation as its slogans, and with the USA spearheading the event as the Honoured Country, the 83rd TIF was the main focal point for Thessaloniki and the broader region for 9 days. American business giants and their technological achievements, more than 100 Greek start-ups in the ‘Digital Greece’ theme park, dynamic Greek production – represented by 48 Chambers of Commerce and 360 member-companies – 20 international state participations, a large variety of thematic exhibitions, ranging from beauty and gastronomy to education and the automotive sector, in combination with daily concerts, cultural events, and dozens of side events, composed a multi-event that laid the groundwork for an even more enriched event next year.

The curtain of the 83rd TIF closed yesterday with the Blues Brothers, who arrived in Thessaloniki with a US air about them, carrying the audience away with their rhythm and liveliness, while they themselves were drawn in by the vibrant nature of Thessaloniki.

TIF-Helexpo has renewed its date for next September when the 84th TIF will take place, with the ‘Honoured Country’ torch passing to India.

The Fair was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace). The official drink of the 83rd TIF was Coca Cola and the official car was DS Automobiles of the Gianniris company. ‘Papastratos’ industries supported the Smoke Free TIF initiative. The official Hotels of the Music Events were Capsis and Capsis Bristol, while the Association of Decorator’s of Northern Greece helped decorate Thessaloniki with stars in the colours of the USA.

24/09/2018 – 14:02

Thessaloniki is preparing to welcome the largest TIF to be held in the last 20 years. From the 8th to the 16th of September, the heart of entrepreneurship, innovation, and US tech excellence will beat in this northern Greek city. With a total of 20 official, direct state participations, as compared to 17 last year, and the USA as the honoured country, the 83rd TIF will be the most international of recent years.

Exhibition participations at this year’s event have exceeded 1,500, as compared to 1,398 last year and 556 in 2012, while 100% of the exhibition space available has been covered – in terms of both indoor and outdoor spaces – which translates to a total of 32,075 sq.m. as compared to 27,191 in 2017.

As the Honoured Country, the USA have covered the entirety of Pavilion 13 with 60 business giants and agencies. In fact, the USA are bringing to the 83rd TIF dozens of top executives from some of the largest companies in the world, such as Facebook, Google, Intel, HP, Oracle, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, and others, while the US exhibition presence will include educational bodies as well as companies from the sectors of security, defence, pharmaceuticals, industry, etc. The arrival of Wilbur Ross, the US Secretary of Commerce, at the 83rd TIF and in Thessaloniki proves the gravity of the US presence at the Fair, while throughout its duration the Honoured Country and the exhibitors will hold dozens of side events, forums and presentations of the highest order (the full programme of the side events of the Honoured Country is available online at https://usatif2018.gr)

Apart from the USA, other participants in the 83rd TIF include Cyprus, India, Portugal, Bulgaria, Poland, Luxembourg, Indonesia, Iran, Romania, Russia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Turkey, FYROM, Bangladesh, China, Egypt and Italy.

Countries attending for the first time include Portugal as a state participation via the Portuguese Embassy as well as with businesses, Uzbekistan via the Embassy of Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh via its embassy and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority. Other large participations include the Honoured Country of 2019, India (with 35 companies), last year’s Honoured Country, China, with 30 businesses, and Bulgaria with 14.

At the same time, this year’s Fair will welcome 130 Greek start-ups at the ‘Digital Greece’ theme park (in Pavilion 12), which will highlight another aspect of Greece, as part of an initiative by the Ministry of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Information, and TIF-Helexpo.

Greek entrepreneurship is giving its vote of confidence to TIF, as it considers the Fair a valuable tool for the promotion and achievement of commercial partnerships. Thus, businesses from all over Greece are participating in this year’s Fair under the umbrella of the Union of Hellenic Chambers. A total of 48 Chambers from all over the country, as compared to 43 last year, with 360 business (as compared to 340 last year) will be participating in the Fair through the Union of Chambers, while the Professional Chamber of Thessaloniki, the Chamber of Serres and the Chamber of Kozani will have separate exhibition participations.

The Press Conference in view of the opening of the 83rd TIF

The vision of the national exhibition body for TIF to become a major player in Southeastern Europe, a hub for a market worth hundreds of millions, was expressed in the press conference held today in view of this year’s event by the President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tasos Tzikas. He also underlined the importance of the presence of the USA as a great opportunity for Greek businesses.

In turn, the Deputy Minister of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace), Ms Katerina Notopoulou, noted that the 83rd TIF will leave a unique social, entrepreneurial, economic and cultural mark, being the first TIF after Greece has left the bail-outs behind, and it will be taking

place in a city that has left its mark on the map of international interest.

TIF has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, as the Governor of Central Macedonia Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas noted, characterising the 83rd event as a landmark-exhibition. He also stressed that the US presence will upgrade the institution.

In turn, the Deputy Mayor for Finance of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Ms Anna Angelidou, referred to the innovations of the 83rd TIF, specifically the institution of the honoured country, the smoke-free initiative, and the check-in available via the Fraport Greece kiosk.

Visitors to the 83rd TIF will experience something similar to the glory days of the 60s and 70s, given the technological achievements that will be presented at the US pavilion, as noted by the CEO of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, who noted that this was the largest exhibition in the last 20 years.

Subsequently, the new Consul to Thessaloniki, Mr Gregory Pfleger, underlined that the US presence at the 83rd TIF is indicative of the extent to which the USA recognise the opportunities available in Greece, and especially Northern Greece. “The United States are here, the US are participating, they have taken an interest”, he mentioned characteristically, expressing his excitement for the US participation.

The President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, Simos Anastopoulos, referred to the presence of 60 businesses from the crème-de-la-crème of US entrepreneurship at pavilion 13. He also announced that the pavilion will feature at its centre a space that will host 70 events.

The doors to a new world and a future with no cigarettes is being opened by the smoke-free initiative of the 83rd TIF, according to the Chairman and CEO of ‘Papastratos’, Mr Christos Charpantidis, who noted that the TIF is the first such major international event in Greece and Europe to be declared smoke-free.

A “city” of 10,000 people is moving at this moment and will be moving from Saturday onwards inside the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, according to the deputy General

Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, who made mention of the most largest event in the Balkans.

A broad field of thematic sections and events

The individual sections of the 83rd TIF cover a broad range of interests, from education, vehicles and energy to beauty, gastronomy, innovation, etc., with numerous actions and events.

As far as entertainment and recreation is concerned, the Music Events at the 83rd TIF include daily concerts by top singers of the Greek music stage (free with the ticket to the Fair). At this year’s concert’s the administration of TIF-Helexpo will pay tribute to Stavros Xarchakos, while on Sunday 16 September the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the ‘Blues Brothers Approved Show’.

The programme also includes:

• On the 12th and 13th of September, in the framework of the 8rd TIF, ‘the Mindspark’ will be held, one of the largest marketing, creativity and innovative thought events, during two days of knowledge, inspiration, and discovery. Internationally known speakers will transport the audience of ‘the Mindspark’ to the US way of doing business. ‘The Mindspark Thessaloniki’ is being organised by Technopolis Thessaloniki and TIF-Helexpo.
• At Pavilion 17, the Hall of Games, an entertainment park addressed to all ages, is being organised for the first time in Greece.
• For the 5th year, Cheapart is welcoming art lovers and the city public, with many pieces by selected artists from 8 countries.

This year’s fair will be smoke-free and will be the first open urban island whose spaces will be free of cigarette smoke, as the use of any smoking product will be forbidden in the indoor spaces, while at the same time visitors will be encouraged to not smoke in the outdoor spaces either, but instead to use the special smoking areas.

Furthermore, any exhibitors and visitors to the 83rd TIF travelling from ‘Macedonia’ airport to Greece or abroad with any airline can easily check-in and drop off their luggage at the Fraport kiosk inside the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

General admission to the Fair costs 7 euros, but reduced 5-euro admission will be available on weekdays until 18:00. Tickets for families of 4 are 20 euros, tickets for large families, families with three children, and people with disabilities are 5 euros, while children under 4 enter free of charge. The weekday working hours of the Fair are 16:00 to 22:00 and on weekends 10:00 to 22:00.

The Fair is being held under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace) The official drink of the 83rd TIF is Coca Cola and the official car is DS Automobiles by the Gianniris company. ‘Papastratos’ industries support the Smoke Free TIF initiative. The official hotels of the Music Events are Capsis and Capsis Bristol. The Culture Centre of the Region of Central Macedonia is the Sponsor of the Blues Brothers. The Association of Decorators of Northern Greece helped decorate Thessaloniki with stars in the colours of the USA.

07/09/2018 – 16:05

The 4th Freskon trade show was a reference point for the fresh fruit and vegetable sector in Greece and South-Eastern Europe. It was held from 26-28 April at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

The trade show recorded an overall increase in the number of visitors of 8.5% in comparison to last year’s event. It is also important that there was an increase of 22.23% in trade visitors, attending Freskon.

In fact, the increase in international trade visitors was even greater and reached 68%.

In that framework, the goal of the fair was achieved to an even greater extent, and that goal is none other than the growth of exports, the extroversion of Greek businesses of the sector and the promotion of Greek fruit.

The 4th Freskon, deployed over 11,000 sq.m., had an intensely international character at the level at the level of both exhibitors and trade visitors. Specifically, there were 210 participating exhibitors (direct and indirect) from 22 countries, among which are Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Dubai, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Egypt, India, Morocco, Israel and FYROM.

Freskon was a meeting point for producers, international retail groups, as well as domestic and international fresh fruit and vegetable transporters.

Thus, over 2,500 meetings between representatives of Greek enterprises and producers and international hosted buyers were held.

The hosted buyer programme attracted approximately 150 hosted buyers from 31 countries.

The FreshCon Market, held in the context of Freskon in cooperation with ‘Froutonea’ magazine, was a resounding success, bringing major supermarket chains into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector and paving the way for commercial agreements.

There was also high attendance at the 1st International Grape Congress, where acclaimed Greek and international speakers analysed the present and future of grapes on a domestic and international level.

The other side events of Freskon also attracted the interest of visitors.

It should be noted that at the completion of Freskon a collection of fruit and vegetables from the trade show was carried out and they were delivered to ‘Smile of the Child’.

03/05/2018 – 11:48

The 4th ‘Freskon’ International Trade Show for Fruit & Vegetables opens tomorrow, featuring 210 exhibitors (as compared to 191 in 2017) from 22 countries, 11,000 sq.m. of exhibition space covered, some of the largest European supermarket chains attending, 250 pre-arranged business meetings between representatives of Greek enterprises and producers and foreign trade visitors and 150 hosted buyers from 31 countries.

Freskon will serve as a meeting point for producers, international retail groups, as well as domestic and international transporters of fresh fruit and vegetables, turning Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre into a reference point for the sector in South-Eastern Europe from 26 to 28 April.

This year’s trade show features the 1st International Grape Congress, to be held on 26 April, with the participation of acclaimed speakers from Greece and abroad. All the latest trends concerning the cultivation and post-harvest behaviour of grapes will be presented at the grape congress. In fact, at the Digital Farming section, there will be extensive discussion of technological developments that affect grape cultivation and an announcement of all new grape cultivars currently being grown at the global level.

FreshCon Market will be held once more, in cooperation with ‘Froutonea’ magazine, focusing on the connection between production and retail sales. The main goal of FreshCon Market is to bring large supermarket chains into direct contact with professionals of the agricultural sector, creating ideal conditions for direct agreements.

Participants include the Masoutis, Kritikos, Metro, Chalkiadakis and Discount Markt supermarket chains from Greece, the Fantastico and T-Market retail networks from Bulgaria, ATB Market, Brusnichka, Tavria V and Velyka Kyshenya supermarkets from Ukraine, Mega Image from Romania and Dionis from Belarus. T

he central fresh fruit and vegetable procurement unit of the Metro group seated in Valencia, Spain and serving 18 countries in Europe and Asia will also be participating in FreshCon Market.

“Freskon is a major multi-event, expanding beyond the country’s borders thanks to its internationalisation. It has no equivalent in the broader region of South-Eastern Europe”, noted the Deputy General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, during today’s Press Conference held in view of the opening of the trade show tomorrow. He stressed that, being held for the fourth time, Freskon boasts all the features of an institution.

In turn, Mrs Tonia Nikolaidou, the Director of Freskon, noted that Greek companies participating in Freskon can increase the number of their suppliers and boost their sales, adding that the trade show concentrates the highest percentage of distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables in the country.

In turn, Mr Panayiotis Orfanos, the publisher and director of ‘Froutonea’ magazine, stressed that Freskon is gradually becoming an established institution and is being embraced by Greek fruit and vegetable distributors. He noted that Greece is becoming a centre for the supply of fruit and vegetables to all the Balkan countries. “All of Europe is turning towards Greek fruit”, he stated characteristically.

The 4th Freskon will be inaugurated tomorrow at 18:30 by the Alternate Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr Ioannis Tsironis.

It is noted that when Freskon ends, fruit and vegetables from the trade show will be collected and delivered to the charity organisation “The Smile of the Child”.

27/04/2018 – 13:48

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

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

Crowds of people rushed to get a taste of Detrop Boutique and Artozyma during the three days on which they were held (24-26 February) at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, where food and beverage businesses, confectioners and bakers from all over Greece made their presence felt with their products and concoctions, impressing audiences. At the same time, the number of trade visitors at ‘Hellenic Jewellery Fair’, which was organised from 23 to 26 February at Metropolitan Expo Athens, doubled in relation to last year, with more than 6000 visitors. The three exhibitions seem to have “levelled-up” as far as quality is concerned, a fact noticed by both exhibitors and visitors.

Detrop Boutique, Artozyma and ‘Hellenic Jewellery Fair’ provided a forum for 654 business in the food and beverage, confectionery and baking, and jewellery sectors. Detrop Boutique and Artozyma covered more than 20,000 sq.m. at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre and welcomed 190 hosted buyers from 27 countries and group participations from 3 countries).

Specifically, 230 exhibitors participated in Detrop Boutique, which is a 30% increase in relation to the number of exhibitors of the previous event, while nine Regions of Greece were also present, namely Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Thessaly, the Northern Aegean, the Ionian Islands, the Peloponnese, the South Aegean, Central Greece and Crete. The Pairing Experience event was held in the framework of Detrop Boutique with great success, and it helped highlight and promote producers through gastronomy. In fact, during the event the Municipality of Thessaloniki presented the Thessaloniki Food Basket – with local products – and the three new ambassador chefs of Thessaloniki.

At the 8th Artozyma 172 businesses were promoted, while the exhibition space it used increased by 55% in relation to the previous event. In the framework of Artozyma and the 3rd Pan-Hellenic Bread Championship, the new National Baking Team was formed, with four members from Team Peloponnese, three from Team Macedonia and two from Team Crete. During the Championship the previous National Team created gluten-free pies, breads and cakes in an event that drew great interest. The 3rd Pan-Hellenic Bread Championship was organised by GruppoFL in cooperation with the Bakers’ Union of Thessaloniki, under the auspices of the Hellenic Federation of Bakers and with the aid of TIF-Helexpo. The creation of an enormous cake shaped like the White Tower with the Vergina Sun at the top made by the Hellas Pastry Chef Club was a special moment for Artozyma.

Artozyma also hosted the 24th Pan-Hellenic Confectionery Conference, the top event for confectioners in Greece, which was held with large numbers of attendees under the organisational responsibility of the Guild of Confectioner Shopkeepers of Thessaloniki, under the auspices of the Federation of Confectioner Craftspersons of Greece, and with the support of TIF-Helexpo.

After the completion of Detrop Boutique and Artozyma, all the food from the participating businesses and unions was turned over to ‘The Smile of the Child’.

‘Hellenic Jewellery Fair’ in Athens hosted 252 Greek and international exhibitors, and was once again a meeting point for the sector in view of the tourist season. International exhibitors came from Sweden, Cyprus, Italy, Germany, the USA and Turkey, while this year’s event brought together all the latest trends and designs for jewellery and watches, the latest developments in the jewellery-making sector, as well as new ideas for displaying jewellery.

28/02/2018 – 11:35

Three important exhibitions, Detrop Boutique, Artozyma and ‘Hellenic Jewellery Fair’ will drop the curtain on February at TIF-Helexpo, which – over the next four days – will be in Thessaloniki and Athens simultaneously, providing a forum for 654 businesses in the three sectors.

Detrop Boutique and Artozyma, organised from 24 to 26 February at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, will cover an exhibition area this year of more than 20,000 square metres, while it will welcome 190 hosted buyers from 27 countries and group participations from 3 countries.

Specifically, Detrop Boutique has drawn 230 exhibitors (food businesses and industries from all over Greece), which is a 30% increase in relation to the previous event and is being held in four pavilions (8,9,10 and 12). There will be nine Regions of Greece participating in the exhibition, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Thessaly, the North Aegean, the Ionian Islands, the Peloponnese, the South Aegean, Central Greece and Crete.

Detrop Boutique’s side events titled ‘Pairing Experience’ consist of four separate events, of which the first – and largest – is ‘Food Bars’ in pavilion 9. The second event is the Cheese & Wine unit at pavilion 8, which this year also features accompanying products (condiments, etc.). The third event is the ‘Exhibitors’ Corner’, an “index” at the entrance of pavilion 10 featuring all participating products and producers in a physical catalogue.

The fourth event will include speeches and presentations by chefs and specialists on gastronomy and food current news.

On its side, the 8th Artozyma has attracted 86 direct exhibitors (an increase of 37% in relation to the previous event) and 86 indirect exhibitors, international participations (from Romania and Bulgaria), while the exhibition space has been increased by 55%.

This year’s Artozyma is hosting a major thematic exhibition for gluten-, lactose-, sugar-free and vegan products, namely all the ‘Free From…’ range. The Greek gluten-free product unit is the result of cooperation between TIF-Helexpo and the Hellenic Coeliac Association.

Artozyma is also host to some of the most important events in the baking sector, which are the following:

-The 3rd Pan-Hellenic Bread Championship, which will last three days and will produce – for the second year – the National Baking Team, whose mission will be to promote traditional Greek bakery products beyond the borders of Greece. The 3rd Pan-Hellenic Bread Championship is being organised by GruppoFL in cooperation with the Bakers’ Union of Thessaloniki, under the auspices of the Hellenic Federation of Bakers and with the aid of TIF-Helexpo. The gluten-free event of the National Baking Team should also be noted.

-The 24th Pan-Hellenic Confectionery Conference, the top confectioner’s event in Greece, which is being hosted by Artozyma for the first time. The conference is being organised by the Guild of Confectioner Shopkeepers of Thessaloniki, under the auspices of the Federation of Confectioner Craftspersons of Greece, and with the support of TIF-Helexpo, while it will also host the general meeting of the Federation.

-The day-meeting of the Hellenic Association of Food Technologists on: ‘Baking – Confectionery – Ice Cream, Modern Trends and Prospects’.

-Seminars on many current matters, such as leaven as a functional factor in baking and its role in forming organoleptic properties, alternative sweeteners in flour baking and confectionery, sugar-free desserts and ice creams, etc.

Apart from the two exhibitions in Thessaloniki, ‘Hellenic Jewellery Fair’, the largest jewellery and timepiece fair in Greece, will be held at Metropolitan Expo exhibition centre in Athens from 23 to 26 February, in cooperation with the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Silver- and Goldsmiths, Jewellers and Watchmakers (POVAKO).

With the participation of the most dynamic brands on the market, the Fair will cover 12,000 sq.m. and will host over 252 Greek and international exhibitors. International exhibitors will be visiting from Sweden, Cyprus, Italy, Germany, the USA and Turkey, while this year’s event will bring together all the latest trends and designs for jewellery and timepieces, the latest developments in the jewellery-making sector, as well as new ideas for displaying jewellery.

The Press Conference

The constant enrichment of the events of the national exhibition body was underlined by the President of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Tassos Tzikas, during his press conference today in view of the opening of the three exhibitions. He also stressed that the company is becoming increasingly attractive, which has resulted in it being approached by anyone who wants it to organise or promote their exhibition.

On his side, TIF-Helexpo CEO, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, pointed out the gravity of the three events, the plethora of side events, as well as the company’s close cooperation with the organising agencies towards their success.

The significant increase in the number of exhibitors at ‘Hellenic Jewellery Fair’ over the last five years – following the cooperation of TIF-Helexpo and POVAKO – was noted by the representative of the Federation, Mrs Eleni Tezapsidou, who also underlined that it is imperative for Greek jewellery to find its way abroad.

The constant increase in the numbers of visitors and exhibitors of Artozyma was highlighted by First Vice-President of the Hellenic Federation of Bakers, Mrs Elisavet Koukoumeria, who stressed that it was the only option, since the event concerns fresh bread, the trademark of bakers. “Bread is culture. That is what we have come to show”, she noted.

His belief that desserts are the best ambassador of Thessaloniki was expressed by the President of the Guild of Confectioner Shopkeepers of Thessaloniki, Mr Marios Papadopoulos. He also mentioned the event of the Pan-Hellenic Confectionery Conference, which is being held in the framework of Artozyma for the first time, with the participation of 270 confectioners from all over Greece.

The high number of events this February was highlighted in turn by the deputy general director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, who characterised this month as the strongest regarding exhibitions, with six events which are expected to draw more than 200,000 visitors. He also noted that the dynamism of the exhibitions is due, to a great extent, to the cooperation with the agencies.

26/02/2018 – 14:16