A dynamic start to the new year is being made by TIF-HELEXPO with the 12th Artozyma, taking place from February 28 to March 2 at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, and the 38th Athens International Jewellery Show, to be held at Metropolitan Expo from February 27 to March 2.

The 12th International Exhibition for Bakery & Pastry, Machinery, Equipment and Ready-Made Products “Artozyma” is raising the bar both qualitatively and quantitatively this year, constituting the most important professional meeting point for the bakery and pastry sector in Southeastern Europe for 2026. The 38th Athens International Jewellery Show is the country’s largest trade fair for jewellery, watches and precious stones, serving as a stable reference point for the Southeastern European market.

More specifically, Artozyma records a 20% increase in exhibition space and features 220 exhibitors — up 14% compared to 2024 — coming from 21 countries, compared to 19 in the previous event. This year’s exhibition has secured the participation of major raw material companies as well as all sectoral bodies of bakery and pastry. Following the success of the previous event, many exhibitors are participating with larger booths.

At the same time, Artozyma is accompanied by a rich program of events full of innovation and creativity, with a strong international character, including the participation of distinguished professionals from abroad.

In particular, this year’s event is structured around three main thematic pillars covering bakery, pastry and specialized nutrition (Gluten Free).

The first pillar is Baking Together – Mediterranean Edition, a three-day tribute to the art of Mediterranean baking. At the heart of the event lies the collaboration of four countries — Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. For the first time, national baking teams from these countries will meet in a non-competitive framework with the common goal of collaboration, knowledge exchange and highlighting baking as an art and profession with an international dimension. Leading professionals and members of the international Richemont Club network will also participate.

The second pillar revolves around Pastry Lab 2026, a specially designed area in Pavilion 15 dedicated to haute pâtisserie, featuring masterclasses and seminars for professionals and students. This year’s Pastry Lab program is richer and includes international participation by Portuguese pastry chef Américo Dos Santos from the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Belcanto, while enjoying the support of additional institutional partners. Pastry Lab is organized in collaboration with the Greek Pastry Chefs Club.

The third pillar focuses on Gluten Free bakery products. This specialized event addresses dietary trends and the needs of individuals with gluten intolerance, creating new opportunities for bakers, pastry chefs and HORECA professionals who must respond to growing domestic and international demand for such products.

Additionally, within the framework of Artozyma, The Expert Lab will be organized by the Panhellenic Union of Food Technologists, featuring a scientific conference titled “Innovation and Challenges in Bakery, Pastry and Food Technology,” as well as five workshops on food technology.

This year’s exhibition will also host the Southern Europe Culinary Challenge 2026, organized by the Greek Chefs Association, with 300 participants from 15 countries and renowned judges from 10 countries.

The official opening of Artozyma will take place on Saturday, February 28 at 18:30 by the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Christos Kellas.

As for the 38th Athens International Jewellery Show, the quantitative data clearly reflect the sector’s dynamism. The exhibition occupies Hall 1 of Metropolitan Expo, covering a total of 11,500 square meters and attracting 378 exhibitors, including the largest companies in the sector. Its footprint is strongly international, with exhibitors from 11 countries including Italy, France, India and Turkey.

The Athens International Jewellery Show once again strategically focuses on innovation and extroversion. Regarding innovation, the Design Section returns for its 5th consecutive year with increased participation from Greek designers, showcasing new trends and contemporary creativity.

In terms of extroversion, the exhibition implements a targeted Hosted Buyers program with trade visitors from strategic markets prioritized by exhibitors, including Estonia, Serbia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Lithuania.

The official opening of the 38th Athens International Jewellery Show will take place on Friday, February 27 at 18:00 by the Deputy Minister of Development, Stavros Kalafatis.

The Press Conference

The 2026 exhibition program was officially launched during today’s press conference by the CEO of TIF-HELEXPO, Andreas Mavrommatis, who presented the qualitative and quantitative figures of Artozyma and the Athens International Jewellery Show. He emphasized that, as a man of exhibitions, he is well aware of the added value an exhibition creates for its host city, noting that the new administration will work toward further strengthening the organization, enriching its events and upgrading its exhibition infrastructure.

“The Artozyma is our strength, our image, proof that the bakery has a present and a future,” stated Elsa Koukoumeria, President of the Federation of Greek Bakers, noting that it is not just another exhibition for bakers, but a place where the Greek baker meets the future of the profession.

Antonis Vaggelis, President of the Thessaloniki Pastry Shop Owners Guild, described the event as an institution that must exist in the city, as it supports pastry chefs who have significantly evolved. “Young pastry chefs are dynamic, modern and educated,” he noted, adding that during Artozyma the Guild will present a historical album on Thessaloniki’s connection with sweets.

Positive visitor attendance messages are also emerging for the 38th Athens International Jewellery Show, despite challenges facing the sector, such as the luxury tax and rising precious metal prices, according to Petros Kalpakidis, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Craftsmen Silversmiths, Jewellers and Watchmakers (POVAKO).

Marios Papadopoulos, Vice President of the European Confederation of Bakers and Confectioners and President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Crafts (VETH), noted that visiting the two exhibitions may inspire young people to pursue technical professions in bakery, pastry and silversmithing.

The trust of the nationwide sectoral bodies represented at Artozyma and the Athens International Jewellery Show is underscored by TIF-HELEXPO’s collaborations with participating federations (POVAKO and the Federation of Greek Bakers), as highlighted by the company’s General Director, Alexis Tsaxirlis.

Parthena Pastrafidou, collaborator of Artozyma for the Baking Together – Mediterranean Edition, referred to the shared memory of Mediterranean countries regarding the traditional oven and to the event’s effort to highlight the value of bread in the Mediterranean diet.

Christos Gotsis, Vice President of the Greek Chefs Association, stressed the importance of professionals choosing Thessaloniki and Artozyma as the venue for the Southern Europe Culinary Challenge 2026.

Artozyma opening hours: Saturday and Sunday 10:00–19:00, Monday 10:00–18:00. Admission is free for trade professionals upon registration.
Athens International Jewellery Show opening hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00–20:00, Monday 10:00–19:00. The exhibition is addressed exclusively to trade visitors.

In a move of strategic importance, the Board of Directors of TIF-HELEXPO proceeded during today’s meeting to decide on the establishment of the company’s Advisory Committee and to approve its Rules of Procedure. The creation of this new institutional body marks a positive step for the national exhibition organization, ushering in a period of close cooperation with the productive forces of Thessaloniki and Northern Greece.

The main feature of the new Advisory Committee is its formation at the highest possible level. Its composition includes the Presidents of six leading productive bodies, as well as the Executive Member of SETE, a fact that enhances the Committee’s prestige and influence.

• • • Mr. Ioannis Masoutis, President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry
    • Mr. Kyriakos Merelis, President of the Professional Chamber of Thessaloniki
    • Mr. Marios Papadopoulos, President of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Handicrafts
    • Ms. Loukia Saranti, President of the Federation of Industries of Greece
    • Mr. Panteleimon Filippidis, President of the Thessaloniki Trade Association
    • Mr. Symeon Diamantidis, President of the Greek Exporters Association
    • Mr. Alexandros Thanos, Executive Member of the Greek Tourism Confederation

Specifically, the members of the Advisory Committee, appointed for a four-year term, are as follows:

The Board of Directors approved a well-structured and technocratic set of Rules of Procedure, ensuring the Committee’s flexibility and effectiveness. Under these Rules, TIF-HELEXPO will undertake full secretarial support of the body, providing the necessary infrastructure for its smooth operation. The Advisory Committee will function as a purely consultative body to the company’s Board of Directors. Its mission is to support the Administration along three critical pillars: promoting innovation and development, designing strategic partnerships, and strengthening the outward orientation (extroversion) of TIF-HELEXPO.

Referring to the establishment of the new body, the President of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr. Christos Tsentemeidis, made the following statement: “The establishment of the Advisory Committee is not a mere formal procedure, but an initiative of substantial importance that institutionalizes the alignment of the national exhibition organization with the leadership of the business community. The participation of the Presidents themselves lends the prestige and momentum required for the new era of TIF. In this context, we are launching a collaboration in which market and economic expertise will directly inform our strategic planning, with the shared objective of fostering growth and enhancing the outward orientation of Thessaloniki and TIF-HELEXPO.”

Japan – a global economic powerhouse where tradition goes hand in hand with technology—will be the Honored Country of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), to be held from 5 to 13 September 2026. Preparations for organizing its participation and designing its pavilion have already begun and are progressing at an intensive pace. The Honored Country’s presence will be hosted in Pavilion 13 of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center and is expected to impress visitors to the 90th TIF, a commemorative edition marking 100 years since the first TIF in 1926.

Greek and international audiences at the 90th TIF will have the opportunity to explore the distinctive Japanese “universe” through the three thematic pillars of “Takumi”: wisdom, empathy, and driving force. In particular, the Embassy of Japan in Greece, which has undertaken the coordination of the Honored Country’s participation in the 90th TIF, will present a panorama of Japanese companies and organizations from the sectors of tourism, technology, innovation, automotive industry, energy, and healthcare. At the same time, a rich program of events will be offered, including thematic days, educational activities, networking events, corporate presentations, as well as a series of cultural events.

Japan’s presence as the Honored Country at this year’s event is inspired by the philosophy of “Takumi” (ta-ku-mi), which in Japanese means “artisan” or “master craftsman.” Takumi does not merely describe the practice of a profession, but rather a timeless dedication to perfecting a craft, with an emphasis on skill, precision, attention to detail, and human-centered design. This philosophy is a cornerstone of Japanese culture and has been internationally recognized as a benchmark of quality and excellence.

The official announcement of Japan’s participation as the Honored Country at the 90th TIF was made at an event held yesterday at the residence of the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Koichi ITO, in the presence of representatives of the Japanese community, leading companies of Japanese business, and Greek representatives of Japanese enterprises. On the Greek side, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the management of TIF–HELEXPO were in attendance.

During the event, ways of further informing Japanese and Greek businesses about Japan’s participation as the Honored Country at the 90th TIF were also discussed, while emphasis was placed on the significant opportunity created to strengthen and deepen Greek Japanese political, economic, business, and cultural relations.

“This year offers substantial opportunities for the further strengthening of Japan–Greece relations. I feel deeply honored to announce a milestone in our cooperation for 2026,” noted the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Koichi ITO.

“The participation of Japan as the Honored Country, beyond being a significant event in itself, also has another dimension: Japan is now among the top priorities of our economic diplomacy for the next five years. The country has adopted a strategic five-year outward-looking plan, and among the geographic priorities identified, Japan ranks at the very top—something that will also be highlighted this September at the TIF. This will mark the beginning of closer cooperation between the two countries,” stated Mr. Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“It is a great honor for our organization that Japan will be the Honored Country at the 90th TIF, a commemorative edition marking 100 years since the first Thessaloniki International Fair in 1926. The institution of the Honored Country is extremely important to us and is inextricably linked to the technology, progress, and culture that each selected country brings to the Thessaloniki International Fair. In this case, we are dealing with a fortunate convergence, as these three concepts are embedded in the DNA of Japan—a pioneering country that also demonstrates deep respect for tradition and culture,” emphasized Mr. Christos Tsentemeidis, President of TIF–HELEXPO.

The company held its New Year’s cake-cutting ceremony

A new chapter of growth is opening in 2026 for Thessaloniki International Fair, both on the front of the redevelopment project and in its exhibition activity benefiting the company as well as Thessaloniki and Northern Greece. As highlighted during today’s event for the traditional New Year’s cake-cutting ceremony of TIF and its employees, the new year also marks the 100th anniversary of the first Thessaloniki International Fair in 1926.

“We have an ambitious goal, and that is the redevelopment. What I want to reassure everyone is that we have all the necessary tools to achieve this goal. What matters to us, however, is teamwork and participation. After all, this will not be the work of one person, but the work of all of us. It will change not only the company and the city, but the entire country,” emphasized the President of TIF, Mr. Christos Tsentemeidis, noting that 2026 will be a year of action. He also underlined the need for the local community to become part of this endeavor and pointed out that teamwork is key not only for the redevelopment project, but also for improving the company’s strategy regarding its exhibition and congress activities. “For the people of Northern Greece, TIF is more than a company, for many of us, it is a part of our lives,” he stressed.

Highlighting the historic significance of TIF, as well as its determination to look to the future, the company’s CEO, Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis, also referred to the 100 years that have been completed this year since the first Thessaloniki International Fair.

At the beginning of the event, the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Mr. Philotheos, officiated a blessing service, wishing for the advancement of the work carried out in recent years at TIF, so that good deeds may be revealed, as he said, as acts of kindness, and that the entire city may be promoted through them.

“The Fair is important for Thessaloniki, for all of Macedonia, and we are pleased because we look forward to its further development, for the benefit of the whole city and of the entire homeland,” he noted.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of the Interior (Macedonia–Thrace), Mr. Kostas Gioulekas, pointed out that the Fair is not merely the country’s only national exhibition institution, nor only TIF itself, but the Fair of Thessaloniki and it is inextricably linked to this city.

The long-standing support of the Region of Central Macedonia for TIF was emphasized by the Regional Governor, Mrs. Athina Aidona, who noted that “We must all work together to achieve the redevelopment.”

The President of the TIF Employees’ Association, Mr. Panagiotis Chatziioannou, described 2026 as a year of challenges, creativity, opportunities, and optimism, stressing the great bet of the redevelopment at its historic site. “We are ready to stand up to challenges and turn them into opportunities,” he said.

Greetings were also delivered by Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki B’ (New Democracy), Mr. Theodoros Karaoglou, Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki A’ (PASOK), Mrs. Rania Thraskia, and Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki B’ (KKE), Mr. Leonidas Stoltidis.