Twice as many hosted buyers at Philoxenia

An increase in visitor numbers in comparison to last year was recorded for Philoxenia-Hotelia and Real Estate Expo North, which set the scene at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre from 10 to 12 November. The overall number of visitors came to 25,209, which highlights the importance of the three exhibitions dedicated to tourism (Philoxenia), hotel equipment, catering, and the café industry (Hotelia), and real estate (Real Estate Expo North). in fact, this year’s Philoxenia welcomed twice as many hosted buyers as last year’s event, proving that it is an unmissable meeting point for the domestic and foreign tourism market of the broader region.

Also encouraging, is the fact that exhibitors stated they were particularly pleased and expressed their intent of participating next year. During the three-day event, more than 3000 quality meetings were held between hosted buyers and Philoxenia and Hotelia exhibitors.

Bulgaria was the Honoured Country at Philoxenia. The neighbouring country was represented by Minister of Tourism, Ms Zaritsa Dinkova, who presented all of its popular tourist destinations.

The Philoxenia-Hotelia programme of side events was broadened and very interesting this year.

Seventy side events educated and informed Philoxenia visitors and captured the interest of the public and trade visitors.

Speakers and participants in Philoxenia Forum 2023 on ‘Searching for balance: overtourism – circular economy – climate change’, were very satisfied with the event. 30 distinguished speakers presented the challenges of overtourism and the impacts of climate change on the tourism product. The Forum was organised under the auspices of the Department of Organisation Management, Marketing, and Tourism of IHU and was Sponsored by Fraport Greece.

The musical tribute organised by the Mikis Theodorakis Museum of Zatouna, TIF-HELEXPO, and the Municipality of Gortynia, with the support of the Regional Association of the Municipalities of Peloponnese, and sponsored by EDIL, HENGAZ, and TILEMATIKI, stood out among the events.

Hotelia also presented a wealth of events, with the All About Gastronomy and All About Café thematic sections organised in its context. All About Gastronomy’s side events titled ‘Local Greek Tastes’ were dedicated this year to the promotion of the locality of each region and to the creation of a complete tourism experience through gastronomy. 8 master classes were held at the specially designed dining area in Pavilion 9, where visitors had the opportunity to learn about and try the delicacies prepared by Chef Giorgos Psyllos and his team, using the products of the 17 producers participating in the event. The sponsor of ‘Greek Tastes’ was Torre, while the event was organised by ChefStories.

All About Café’s thematic section, organised and supervised by Valantis Lambrianidis, Valenio WCE Certified Judge & Coffee Business Consultant, proved to be a success. Exhibitors stated that they had real traffic and made connections in the professional sector, while they exchanged interesting information regarding current developments in coffee. On their side, visitors were very satisfied, as they tried different coffee varieties and attended interesting presentations. Meanwhile, the LATTE ART THROWDOWN 2023 competition, whose Grand Sponsor was

Barista’s Gold by Nounou and Equipment Sponsor was Eurogat, was a complete success. First and second place were taken by Nikos Adamakis and Thanassis Basdanis respectively.

The 2nd Real Estate North, with participations by dozens of representatives of real estate agencies, construction companies, digital service companies, and law firms, was visited by more than 2000 professionals from Greece and abroad. In fact, representatives from the Greek real estate market, visiting professionals, and foreign investors held more than 100 B2B business meetings with the investors invited via the hosted buyers programme. The 3rd Real Estate Forum was organised in the context of the exhibition.

431 Exhibitors at Philoxenia-Hotelia and an international atmosphere

The Philoxenia and Hotelia exhibitions had a total of 431 participations from the entire spectrum of the tourism industry. More specifically, at Philoxenia there were 211 direct and 90 indirect exhibitor participations (a total of 301 exhibitors), a 30% increase from last year. There was a total of 17 exhibitor countries at Philoxenia: Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria — which is the Honoured Country — Turkey, Serbia, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, Iran, Georgia, Jordan, Luxembourg, the Philippines, and Kosovo.

National participations in Philoxenia included the Honoured Country, Bulgaria, (with the direct participation of the Ministry of Tourism and the delegation led by the Minister of Tourism, Ms Zaritsa Dinkova, and participations from Varna, Bansko, Sofia, and Veliko Tarnovo), Cyprus, Georgia, Serbia (with participations from Belgrade, Sokobanja, and the Republic of Srpska), Turkey (with participations from the Municipality and the Chamber of Commerce of Izmir), and Albania (with the participation of the region of Korça).

There were 130 exhibitors at Hotelia, with a direct international participation from Turkey and indirect participations from 17 countries, a 22% increase in comparison to last year’s numbers.

The exhibitors at Philoxenia and Hotelia include the Ministry of Tourism, EOT (the National Tourism Organisation with both

exhibitions under its auspices), tourist destinations, airlines and shipping companies, travel agencies, construction, technology, furniture, manufacturing, equipment, and renovation companies addressed to the tourism sector from all the regions of Greece, as well as the most important institutional bodies, XEE (Hellenic Chamber of Hotels), SETE (Greek Tourism Confederation), HATTA (Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies), POX (Hellenic Hoteliers Federation), and HAPCO (which had placed the exhibition under their auspices).

There was also a noteworthy increase in the number of direct participations, the most important being the appearance of SKYEXPRESS for the first time, as well as SEAJETS, GRECOTEL, Easy Hotelier, 12 of Greece’s 13 regions, and municipalities from all tourist regions.

Philoxenia welcomed 101 individual Hosted Buyers from 34 countries, while Hotelia welcomed individual 13 Hosted Buyers from Greece, Cyprus, and Serbia. Furthermore, a 50-strong business delegation from North Macedonia and delegations from Bulgaria visited both exhibitions.

The sponsors of the Philoxenia-Hotelia exhibitions were the National Bank of Greece (Official Bank), Aegean (Official Air Travel Sponsor), PPC (Official Power Provider), NOVA (Official Telecommunications Provider), Epsilon Hospitality (Official IT Partner), and Autohellas Hertz (Official Transport Sponsor). The exhibitions were supported by the Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation, Thessaloniki Convention Bureau, Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agency Association, and the Thessaloniki Hotels Association.
 

20/11/2023 – 13:38

Philoxenia and Hotelia will give the beat of the tourism industry from 10 to 12 November

Significant increase in exhibitors to a total of 431

Real Estate Expo North and Skywalker’s JobFestival are being organised at the same time

Friday 10 November will mark the opening of the Philoxenia and Hotelia exhibitions, with a significant increase in the number of exhibitors, coming to a total of 431 participations from the entire spectrum of the tourism industry, and with it commences of a celebration for Thessaloniki, which will last until 12 November. Alongside the two exhibitions, Real Estate Expo North is being held for the second time at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, while on 10-11 November Skywalker’s JobFestival will be held at the ‘Ioannis Vellidis’ Congress Centre.

More specifically, there will be 211 direct and 90 indirect exhibitor participations, with a total of 31 exhibitors at pavilions 13 and 15, and an increase of approximately 30% in comparison to last year. In total, there will be 17 exhibitor countries at Philoxenia: Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria — which is the Honoured Country — Turkey, Serbia, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, Iran, Georgia, Jordan, Luxembourg, the Philippines, and Kosovo.

At Hotelia there will be 130 exhibitors (in pavilions 8, 9, and 10), with a direct international participation from Turkey and indirect international participations from 17 countries. There will be a 22% increase in the number of exhibitors at this event in comparison to last year.

The domestic tourism industry will be present throughout the two events. More specifically, exhibitors at Philoxenia and Hotelia include the Ministry of Tourism, EOT (the National Tourism Organisation with both exhibitions under its auspices), tourist destinations, airlines and shipping companies, travel agencies, construction, technology, furniture, manufacturing, equipment, and renovation companies addressed to the tourism sector from all the regions of Greece, as well as the most important institutional bodies, XEE (Hellenic Chamber of Hotels), SETE (Greek Tourism Confederation), HATTA (Hellenic Association of Travel & Tourist Agencies), POX (Hellenic Hoteliers Federation), and HAPCO (which have the exhibition under their auspices).

There is also a noteworthy increase in the number of direct participations, the most important being the appearance of SKYEXPRESS for the first time, as well as SEAJETS, GRECOTEL, Easy Hotelier, 12 of Greece’s 13 regions, and municipalities from all tourist regions. This year’s Philoxenia will particularly highlight mainland Greece as a winter destination, through the group participation of the Hellenic Federation of Hoteliers in Pavilion 13, with the presentation of the MAINLAND GREECE concept.

Philoxenia will also present the Innovative Design Cluster, the first innovation Cooperative Scheme in Greece, which consists of companies and other bodies that are active in or which incorporate into their actions creative planning.

Furthermore, as far as innovation is concerned, modern tech solutions for tourism created by the 13 startups of CapsuleT Travel & Hospitality Accelerator — an initiative of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels — will be presented at its pavilion.

National participations in Philoxenia include the Honoured Country, Bulgaria, (with the direct participation of the Ministry of Tourism and the delegation led by the Minister of Tourism, Ms Zaritza Dinkova, and participations from Varna, Bansko, Sofia, and Veliko Tarnovo), Cyprus, Georgia, Serbia (with participations from Belgrade, Sokobanja, and the Republic of Srpska), Turkey (with participations from the Municipality and the Chamber of Commerce of Izmir), and Albania (with the participation of the region of Korça).

The openness and internationalisation of the two exhibitions is evident from the number of international trade visitors and business meetings that will be held over the next few days. More specifically, Philoxenia will host 101 Hosted Buyers from 34

countries, while Hotelia will host 13 Hosted Buyers from Greece, Cyprus, and Serbia. Furthermore, a 50-strong business delegation from North Macedonia and delegations from Bulgaria will visit both exhibitions. There will be more than 3000 scheduled hosted buyer meetings with Philoxenia and Hotelia exhibitors. In addition, Hosted Buyers will also go on two fam trips in partnership with the Regions of Attica and Western Macedonia.

Philoxenia Forum 2023 is expected to turn into a pole of attraction for Philoxenia. It will be held on 11 November (Pavilion 14) under the auspices of the Department of Organisation Management, Marketing, and Tourism of IHU, Sponsored by Fraport Greece, and it will focus on current international tourism issues, under the title: “Searching for balance: overtourism – circular economy – climate change’.

The extensive programme of side events will take place on the stages of pavilions 13 and 14 and they include, among others, many lottery draws for airline tickets and gifts from exhibitors. Drawing on the Honoured Country, Zorpidis Travel Services and TIF-HLEXPO will give one lucky exhibition visitor a trip for two to Sofia.

Among the many side events, one that stands out is the musical tribute to the music of Mikis Theodorakis set the poems of Tasos Livaditis and Nikos Gatsos on Saturday 11 November. The musical tribute is being organised by the Mikis Theodorakis Museum of Zatouna, TIF-HELEXPO, and the Municipality of Gortynia, with the support of the Regional Association of the Municipalities of Peloponnese, and sponsored by EDIL, HENGAZ, and TILEMATIKI.

Hotelia also boasts a wealth of side events, where the uniqueness and particularities of Greek foods, as well as the art of preparing and presenting coffee, craft the creative profiles of the All About Gastronomy and All About Café sections.

All About Gastronomy, which is being overseen by Chef Stories, will highlight unusual tastes, ideas, and unique combinations of products of exhibitors and award-winning producers.

All About Café, which is being overseen by Valantis Lambrianidis, WCE Certified Judge & Coffee Business Consultant of Valenio, is dedicated to the art of preparing coffee, with workshops and the unique Latte Art ThrowDown Competition, with Barista’s Gold by Nounou as the Grand Sponsor and Eurogat as the Equipment Sponsor.

Today’s Press conference

“This year’s Philoxenia and Hotelia exhibitions prove that they are a major event for the tourism sector”, noted President of TIF-HELEXPO Mr Tasos Tzikas, at today’s Press Conference in view of the upcoming opening, predicting a particularly important three days for Thessaloniki. In fact, he made special reference to the Philoxenia Forum, stressing that it is important to search for the problems climate change is causing to tourism with people from the sector, while he highlighted the special relationship that has developed recently with Bulgaria, which will be this year’s Honoured Country at Philoxenia.

Philoxenia and Hotelia are amongst the most glamorous exhibitions besides the General Fair, stated TIF-HELEXPO CEO Kyriakos Pozrikidis, noting that the entire city, not just the Fair, will be celebrating over the next few days. “This is the regional tourism event after the international meeting of tourism professionals”, he stressed, and presented the detailed quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the exhibitions.

Tourism is a sensitive sector, and that is why we can only deal with its problems and challenges together, noted Mariela Modeva, consultant of the Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, while she highlighted the long and close relationship between our two countries. In fact, Ms Modeva stressed that last year Bulgaria had participated in Philoxenia for the first time after the pandemic, while she is very satisfied both by the participation at the most recent TIF, in which Bulgaria was the Honoured Country.

This year’s Philoxenia will create new paths of cooperation, stressed the President of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation, who noted that all the efforts being made by all agencies are making Thessaloniki and increasingly attractive destination. She also said that the immediate future must find us all closely linked together, so that we can deal with any imbalances that may arise. In fact, as she said, Thessaloniki is standing up to the new challenges that will impact the life of its citizens and the stay of its tourists.

Philoxenia has proven time and time again that it is a successful institution, and every year it becomes richer and is renewed. It is a meeting point for tourism entrepreneurs, institutions, and private parties, an opportunity for networking and deal-making, a springboard for promoting destinations, and a forum for information of the latest sector developments, according to the deputy Mayor

for Culture and Tourism of Municipality of Thessaloniki, Ms Maria Karagianni.

For decades, Philoxenia has been a tool that has contributed to the tourism growth of Northern Greece, noted the President of the Thessaloniki Hotels Association, Mr Andreas Mandrinos. As regards exhibition events, he stressed that great attention must be paid to the exhibitions and to protecting the city’s interests.

It is a joy, an honour, and an opportunity to be participating in Philoxenia, according to the Treasurer of the Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agency Association, Mr Konstantinos Kourakos. It is a joy, because it is a major international event, an honour because the Association has been included in the organising bodies, and an opportunity because there are contacts and deals to be made.

Besides the numbers, Philoxenia is also a celebration for the city, for Thessaloniki, and that is its essence, noted the new President of the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau (TBC), Mr Prodromos Monastiridis, who stressed that this year’s participation by the TBC has been upgraded. He also noted that the Fair is necessary infrastructure for Thessaloniki and that it needs to be modernised and to become a state of the art venue.

Real Estate Expo North has more than 1100 pre-registrations this year, in comparison to last year, according to the President Realtors’ Association of Thessaloniki, Mr Konstantinos Tzaros, who represented the organising company. He also stressed that this year’s exhibition also includes a hosted buyers programme, b2b meetings, and a forum on real estate, while he aims to become an institution, highlighting Thessaloniki’s real estate prospects.

Pavilion 12 is dedicated to the development of coffee in the present, an agricultural product that is being impacted by climate change, as noted by Valantis Lambrianidis, WCE Certified Judge & Coffee Business Coffee Business Consultant of Valenio, who invited the public to visit All About Café and to try the unique varieties that will be presented.

The differentiation that gastronomy can provide to visitors of a destination was underlined by Ms Sylvia Koumentaki of Chef Stories, who noted that this trend is the focal point of All About Gastronomy.

The General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, stressed that Philoxenia is the only tourism exhibition in Greece, while he underlined that this year’s Hotelia is one of the largest in recent years. He also noted that the exhibition body is offering its support Real Estate Expo North as it believes that is bringing something different to Thessaloniki.

The sponsors of the Philoxenia-Hotelia exhibitions are the National Bank of Greece (Official Bank), Aegean (Official Air Travel Sponsor), PPC (Official Power Provider), NOVA (Official Telecommunications Provider), Epsilon Hospitality (Official IT Partner), and Autohellas Hertz (Official Transport Sponsor). The exhibitions are supported by the Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation, Thessaloniki Convention Bureau, Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agency Association, and the Thessaloniki Hotels Association.

The three exhibition will be open on Friday 10 November 11:00 to 20:00, on Saturday 11 November from 10:00 to 20:00, and on Sunday 12 November from 10:00 to 18:00.

13/11/2023 – 11:50

The tourism industry and all new market trends and innovations will coexist at the PHILOXENIA-HOTELIA tourism international expo duo, which will be organised by TIF-HELEXPO on 10-12 November at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

PHILOXENIA is a cornerstone of domestic tourism entrepreneurship, as it is an exhibition and congress meeting hub for entities and private individuals from the entire spectrum of the tourism industry.

HOTELIA is also being held alongside PHILOXENIA. Hotelia is the hotel equipment exhibition that presents the very latest in the sectors of hotels, restaurants, catering and cafés.

The openness and internationalisation of the two exhibitions is evident from the number of international trade visitors and business meetings that will be held in their context.

With Bulgaria as the Honoured Country, PHILOXENIA includes a wealth of side events with thematic presentations, colloquiums, and activities, and is essentially the best opportunity for sector professionals to promote their businesses, and for local governments to present the beauty of Greek destinations.

One of PHILOXENIA’s poles of attraction is undoubtedly PHILOXENIA FORUM 2023, which is being held on 11 November, and under the auspices of the Department of Organisation Management, Marketing, and Tourism of IHU will focus on the most timely international tourism issues, under the title: ‘Searching for balance: overtourism – circular economy – climate change’.

At the same time, the uniqueness and particularities of Greek foods, as well as the art of preparing and presenting coffee, craft the profiles of the All About Gastronomy and All About Café sections, which will be held in the context of HOTELIA. All About Gastronomy, which is being overseen by Chef Stories,

will highlight unusual tastes, ideas, and unique combinations of products of exhibitors and award-winning producers.

All About Café, which is being overseen by Valantis Lambrianidis, WCE Certified Judge & Coffee Business Consultant of Valenio, is dedicated to the art of preparing coffee, with workshops and the unique Latte Art ThrowDown Competition.

02/11/2023 – 13:22

More commercial transactions at this year’s exhibition

Favourable climate for a further increase in the number of exhibitors at the 2024 event

 

There were more than 2000 commercial visitors — an increase from last year’s event — at the 37th KOSMIMA International Exhibition for Jewellery, Clocks and Watches, Precious Stones, Machinery and Equipment, held from 21 to 23 October at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

In fact, this year’s KOSMIMA made an excellent impression on exhibitors, as more commercial transactions took place thanks to increased attendance. In this context, most of the exhibitors expressed their intention of participating in the next event, while the positive atmosphere has created the best conditions for a further increase of exhibitors in 2024.

Commercial visitors at the 37th KOSMIMA came from Greece (Thessaloniki, Athens, Halkidiki, Skydra, Serres, Rethymno, Ptolemaida, Preveza, Pella, Larissa, Orestiada, Xanthi, Naousa, Volos, Corinth, Kozani, Katerini, Ioannina, Veria, Drama, Alexandroupoli, Giannitsa, Edessa, Kavala, and Florina) and from abroad (Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Australia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Canada, Serbia, Montenegro, and Turkey).

The number of exhibitors at the 37th KOSMIMA was 10% higher, while the exhibition space 30% larger than in the previous event. More specifically, this year’s exhibition hosted 50 direct exhibitors from Greece and abroad (specifically Turkey, Bulgaria, and Switzerland), while companies from Italy, Belgium, Ireland, UAE, and Estonia were also represented in a 1121 m2 exhibition space.

During KOSMIMA, awards and commendations were given to the winners of the 34th Panhellenic Jewellery Design Competition, organised by the Panhellenic Federation of Silver- and Goldsmiths, Jewellers and Watchmakers (POVAKO) in partnership with TIF-Helexpo, on the subject of ‘Versatility-multiple uses for jewellery’. At the same time, two more events were held, ‘Synthetic diamonds: Similarities and differences between synthetic and mined diamonds on a laboratory and commercial level’, and ‘The secrets of Emeralds’.

The next “date” for the jewellery sector has been made for 23-26 February 2024 at the Athens International Jewellery Show.

31/10/2023 – 12:19

The 37th KOSMIMA International Exhibition for Jewellery, Clocks and Watches, Precious Stones, Machinery and Equipment will open at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre on Saturday 21 October, with a 10% increase in the number of visitors and a 30% increase in exhibition spaces in comparison to 2022. The exhibition will run until 23 October. At the same time, three more exhibitions — Thessaloniki Boat and Fishing Show 2023, Sea and Tourism Expo 2023, and PHARMA point — will add their dynamism to the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre over the next few days.

This year’s KOSMIMA will host 50 direct exhibitors from Greece and abroad (specifically Turkey, Bulgaria, and Switzerland), while also represented will be companies from Italy, Belgium, Ireland, UAE, and Estonia. At the same time, it will also present the award winning designs of the 34th Panhellenic Jewellery Design Competition, being organised by the Panhellenic Federation of Silver- and Goldsmiths, Jewellers and Watchmakers (POVAKO) in partnership with TIF-Helexpo.

On Sunday 22 October the following side events will be organised in the context of KOSMIMA: awards and distinctions will be presented to the contestants of the 34th Panhellenic Jewellery Design Competition, the event on ‘Synthetic diamonds: Similarities and differences between synthetic and mined diamonds on a laboratory and commercial level’, and the event on ‘The secrets of Emeralds’.

The Thessaloniki Boat and Fishing Show 2023 and the Sea and Tourism Expo 2023 are being held from 20 to 22 October in pavilions 13 and 15, with exhibitors from all maritime activity sectors, while PHARMA point, the largest pharmaceuticals event in northern Greece, will be held over the weekend of 21-22 October at the ‘Ioannis Vellidis’ Congress Centre.

Today’s Press conference

KOSMIMA is being upgraded after the systematic efforts of the past few years, according to the statements of TIF-HELEXPO President, Mr Tassos Tzikas, at today’s press conference. In reference to the Thessaloniki Boat and Fishing Show, Sea and Tourism Expo, and PHARMA Point, which are being held at the same time, he noted that they prove that the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre is the main economic driver of the city.

The CEO of the international exhibition agency, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, focused on the hopeful element of putting forward new designers through the Panhellenic Jewellery Design Competition being organised by POVAKO in partnership with TIF-HELEXPO in the context of KOSMIMA.

The encouraging messages from POVAKO’s regional associations on the numbers of visitors to this year’s event were conveyed by the president of the Panhellenic Federation, Mr Petros Kalpakidis, who also noted that KOSMIMA was the first trade fair of the sector and that after many fluctuations it is at last recording dynamic progress.

The Thessaloniki Boat and Fishing Show and Sea and Tourism Expo double exhibition will cover twice as much space in its second year, gathering great interest from Greek and international exhibitors, according to Mr Antonis Ionas of Pelagic Expo, organiser of the exhibition duo. In fact, he noted that at this year’s event we will also see shipyards from Bulgaria and Turkey present, as well as other companies from Cyprus.

Another spokesperson of Pelagic Expo, Mr Giorgos Polychroniou, also stressed that the two expos are hosting 197 exhibitors in total, including many Greek shipyards that are active in exports.

While the four aforementioned exhibitions are being held at pavilions 10,9,8, and 7, 30 furniture enterprises are organising an exhibition on the sector over the weekend, while pavilion 2 will be open for registrations for the Night Half Marathon, according to General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis.

23/10/2023 – 11:06

The Chief Executive Officer of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis, was elected for the fifth successive year as a member of the top administrative body, i.e., the Board of Directors, of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). He is the only Greek representatives who has achieved this victory for a fifth consecutive time, becoming one of the 11 elected members of Europe in the UFI Board of Directors.

The re-election of the TIF-HELEXPO CEO is a vote of confidence reflecting Mr. Pozrikidis’ long service in the world exhibition industry, that also recognizes the position of the national Greek exhibition agency in the global exhibition scene.

It should also be noted that Mr. Pozrikidis is also a member of the Board of the Central European Fairs Alliance (CEFA), to which he was elected twice -in 2015 and 2016- as well as its chairman.

TIF-HELEXPO CEO is starting his new three-year term in office following the annual General Assembly of UFI, to be held on 1st November.

Recognizing the necessity of international networking in a globalized environment, TIF-HELEXPO has invested in its international profile by actively participating in the institutions of the international exhibition community. Indeed, TIF has been a member of UFI since 1927

19/10/2023 – 15:14

The general meeting of the Central European Fair Alliance (CEFA), scheduled for June 2024, will be held at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre. The unanimous decision was reached a few days ago at Novi Sad, in the context of this year’s general meeting of the Alliance, in which the CEO of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr Kyriakos Pozrikidis, participated as a member of the BoD of CEFA.

It should be noted that Mr Pozrikidis has been elected president of CEFA twice — in 2015 and 2016 — and that he was the first Greek to lead the Alliance of European Fairs.

Also present at the meeting of the Alliance was the Minister of the Economy of Serbia, Mr Slobodan Cvetković, who had an extensive talk with Mr Pozrikidis regarding the possibility of the Balkan country’s participation in TIF-HELEXPO exhibitions. Also in attendance at CEFA’s general meeting was the Regional Manager for Europe of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI), Mr Nick Dugdale-Moore.

The general meeting of CEFA has been held at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre once before, over two days in June 2016, with the participation of the presidents and CEOs of 21 European exhibition organisations.

CEFA, which TIF- HELEXPO has been a member of since 2013, is an important network of fair organisers from Central and Southeastern Europe. It was founded in 1995 to promote the region into a powerful gateway for exhibitions of international significance, that would exceed the physical borders of its members. CEFA’s mission is to help its members provide enterprises with high-quality access to the developing markets of Central and Southeastern Europe.

10/10/2023 – 11:24

Germany participating under the slogan ‘Made in Germany’

A German delegation met with the administration of TIF – HELEXPO

Germany will be the Honoured Country at the 88th TIF (7-15/9/24) and preparations for organising their participation and creating their pavilion are already underway at a rapid pace. The Honoured Country will present its full range of potential under the slogan ‘Made in Germany’ in a 6000-square metre area, namely, the entirety of pavilion 13 of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

Innovation and technology — for example, from the sectors of renewable energy sources, mobility, or digitisation — will play the same important role with the thematic units of education, research, nutrition, and culture in the context of the German presence. At the same time, a broad programme of thematic days, educational events, networking events, and corporate presentations, as well as a cultural programme in the city will tie together Germany’s participation as the Honoured Country at the 88th TIF.

During the 87th TIF a German delegation met with the administration of the national exhibition agency in Thessaloniki. During the meeting it presented planning so far as regards its participation, which will be organised in pavilion 13. The meeting was purely for organisational purposes, while it served as a platform for exchanging information and actions, which both sides committed to implementing, so that Germany’s participation acts as an example of excellent organisation.

They also discussed further promotion and informing German and Greek companies regarding Germany’s participation as the Honoured Country at the 88th TIF, while also highlighting the major opportunity presented for enhancing and deepening Greek-German political, economic, and business relations.

The German delegation, which included the German Consul General in Thessaloniki, Ms Sibylla Bendig, consisted of officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Actions of Germany, officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany, representatives of Leipziger Messe International (the Exhibition Organisation of Leipzig), which has undertaken the construction and preparation of the pavilion, officials from the German Embassy in Athens and the German Consulate in Thessaloniki, as well as a representative of the gtp2 architekten architectural firm, which is collaborating in the construction of the German pavilion.

On the Greek side, participants in the meeting included the administration and executives of TIF-HELEXPO, as well as representatives of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It should be noted that Germany’s participation as the Honoured Country at the TIF had originally been planned for 2020, but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

27/09/2023 – 17:49

A large number of trade and business meetings held between Greek and Bulgarian enterprises

The response to the call sent out by TIF-HELEXPO by the 123,864 visitors to the 87th Thessaloniki International Fair, to support those affected by the catastrophic floods in Thessaly and the fires in Evros, was great and moving.

100,000 Euros will be allocated from the ticket sales of the 87th TIF and TIF-HELEXPO has committed to giving this amount to our fellow people struggling in Evros and Thessaly.

The total number of visitors to the 87th TIF was impacted both by the difficulty people from many parts of the country faced in accessing the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, as well as by the broader events that dominated the days during which the Fair was being held.

However, with 1500 exhibitors, 18 international participations, Bulgaria as the Honoured Country, 382 SMEs represented by 49 Chambers, and 9 thematic events, the 87th TIF held from 9 to 17 September was the focal point of Greece’s political and economic scene.

Greece and Entrepreneurship, Akademia, Regional Greece, Circular Economy, Gastronomy-Nutrition, Digital Greece Startups, Public Bodies-Organisations, Cosmos-International Participations, and Furniture-Household Equipment were the thematic events of the 87th TIF that attracted thousands of visitors and highlighted the latest tech developments and the most modern market options.

The trade and business section of the Exhibition was successfully organised and was characterised by many, interesting meetings between Greek and Bulgarian enterprises.

The participation of Bulgaria as the Honoured Country consisted of 60 enterprises from sectors such as energy, circular economy, industry, innovation-technology, food, transports-logistics, cosmetics, tourism, the primary sector, packaging, and services, all housed at pavilion 13.

The interest of Bulgarian enterprises in the TIF translated into an estimated 1000+ b2b meetings with Greek enterprises, organised by the exhibition body and the Federation of Greek Industries (FING). At the same time, there was the highest possible institutional representation in the Bulgarian participation at the 87th TIF, with the President, the Prime Minister, and many members of the cabinet of the government of Bulgaria attending.

The Bulgarian delegation was framed by a number of side events, spearheaded by culture.

There were 18 international state participations this year, including Bulgaria as the Honoured Country. In fact, South Korea, Moldova, and Thailand participated for the first time, while the remaining countries were Cyprus, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam, Uruguay, Ukraine, Armenia, Iran, Italy, Poland, Serbia, India, and Nepal.

The Union of Hellenic Chambers was dynamically present with 49 Chambers and 382 SMEs from all over Greece, representative of domestic entrepreneurial growth. Four Chambers participated with separate participations; namely, the Professional Chamber of Thessaloniki, the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Thessaloniki Chamber of Small & Medium-Sized Industries (VETH). In fact, the Thessaloniki Chamber of Small & Medium-Sized Industries (VETH) organised for the first time a special thematic unit on clothing, footwear, and accessories at pavilion 16, titled Thessfashion, with the participation of important names from the world of fashion.

The 87th TIF side event programme was impacted to a certain degree by the events of recent days, however it retained its dynamism. In that framework, one of the stand-out events was the Congress on Natural Disaster Management titled ‘Protecting life-Building resilience’, which was held on Wednesday 13 September at the ‘I. Vellidis’ Congress Centre, organised by the Economist in partnership with TIF-HELEXPO.

The 87th TIF also held for the first time ever the unique exhibition ‘Thessaloniki through collections’, which hosted collections of renowned collectors on the theme of Thessaloniki and its monuments. This exhibition event was organised by TIF-HELEXPO in partnership with MC Salonica, while pavilion 6 was also the venue for the 2nd Collectibles’ EXPO 2023 on exchanging and promoting collections and artefacts by traders and collectors, during the last 4 days of the 87th TIF.

The ‘TIF 5×5 football tournament’ is expected to evolve into an institution that will make itself felt every year at the TIF, with the timeless message of ‘No to violence’. The last match of the tournament saw the team of TIF-HELEXPO face off against the team of Honoured Country Bulgaria. The captain of the Greek team was TIF-HELEXPO President, Mr Tasos Tzikas, and the captain of the Bulgarian team was alternate Minister of the Economy and Industry of Bulgaria, Mr Nikolay Pavlov. The tournament — held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and organised in cooperation with AC Panorama — included matches between Thessaloniki football academies with children aged 8-21, matches between Thessaloniki journalists and artists, directors, and camera operators, matches between veterans of Thessaloniki teams (PAOK-Aris-Iraklis-Apollon Kalamarias), and more.

The major cultural tribute for the 100 years since the birth of Maria Callas was held successfully under the Auspices of the National Council of Greek Women (NCGW) and the support of TIF-HELEXPO. The tribute to Maria Callas ‘A LIFE LIKE A FAIRY TALE’ was curated and presented by artist Marina Petri.

The point of reference of the 87th TIF’s side events was Music Events Live, where major hits and leading names from the Greek music scene were the stars every day.

The 87th TIF included dozens more interesting business, science, entertainment, and educational events. In fact, the HELEXPO App was also launched, a useful tool that helps visitors stay up to date with everything happening at the Fair. The application is an initiative of the Ministry of Digital Governance.

A number of events under the slogan ‘We choose European rice for a sustainable environment’ were organised for yet another year by the Agricultural Cooperative of Thessaloniki (EASTH) and Consejo Regulador de la DOP Arroz de Valencia (Valencia PDO Rice Regulatory Authority), in the framework of the EURICE

European programme, ‘Information and Promotion Actions aimed at highlighting the sustainable aspect of rice production in Greece and Spain’.

The 87th TIF, like all other TIF-HELEXPO exhibitions, stayed green and, pursuant to last year’s partnership with ‘CIGARET CYCLE Non Profit Organisation’, cigarette butts were recycled by placing 30 recycling bins in the exhibition centre. It total, 40,000 cigarette butts were collected and recycled, while the product of this recycling is equal to 8.8 kilos of compost fertiliser, 30.8 kilos of industrial plastic, and 280 cubic metres of fresh or salt water saved from pollution.

At the same time, the 87th TIF was also part of TIF-HELEXPO’s Zero Waste Expo initiative, with 20 recycling spots inside the exhibition centre for organic, recyclable, and non-recyclable waste.

The 87th TIF was held under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace) and the Region of Central Macedonia.

The National Bank of Greece was the Official Bank, Aegean was the Official Airline, PPC was the Official Energy Provider, NOVA was the Telecommunications Sponsor, PAPASTRATOS was the Sponsor of the 87th TIF, Nymfi was the Official Beer of the 87th TIF, Autohellas Hertz was the Official Transport Sponsor, Loux was the Official Soft Drink of the 87th TIF, Pigi OLYMPOU was the natural mineral water Sponsor of the 87th TIF, and Epsilon SingularLogic was the Official IT Partner.

Capsis Hotels was the Hospitality Sponsor for Music Events Live, Limousines Greece VIP Services was the VIP Transportation Sponsor, Taxi Way was the Transportation Sponsor, and Samiotakis was the Catering Sponsor.

21/09/2023 – 14:54