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170 enterprises, international participations from eight countries, and ‘Tech 4 People’ as the main theme
Beyond, the innovation and technology exhibition, is opening tomorrow, 24 May, at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, which will welcome 170 enterprises, 29 of which are startups. The exhibition has an international atmosphere with participations from Luxembourg, France, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, and Cyprus, and the theme of ‘Tech 4 People’ as its main pillar.
From 24 to 26 May, important tech sector companies will have the opportunity to interact with the public in pavilions 15,13, and 14, promoting their services and products, and providing answers for a number of particularly timely subjects that are currently on the mind of society, such as Artificial Intelligence. Organised by TIF-Helexpo, Be-Best, and Industry Disruptors Game Changers, this year’s Beyond focuses on the relationship between technology and people, a theme that underpins its many events on all four stages of the exhibition. South-East Europe Beyond Leadership Dialogue, Creative Business European Network, the 10th Technology Forum titled ‘Spotlight on Israel’, and the Interdisciplinary Colloquium of the ‘KLEISTHENIS’ Panhellenic Union of General Secretaries of Greek Municipalities on innovative and tech applications for the digital transformation of local governments, are just a few of the events-actions of this year’s event.
In the framework of the synergies developed by Beyond this year, the annual EBAN (European Business Angels Network) conference is being held in Greece for the first time, with a large number of international investors at the ‘I.Vellidis’ Congress Centre, alongside the Career Days by kariera.gr at pavilion 12.
Beyond will have the Beyond App at its disposal for the first time, which, besides providing general information about the exhibition, also allows for booking meetings with exhibitors, as well as the Beyond Innovation Challenge, a platform for more targeted and specialised matchmaking, which is co-organised by Beyond and the Hellenic Association of Innovative Applications Companies.
Furthermore, Beyond and Livemedia are providing exhibitors with a platform, inviting them to short interviews in pavilion 13 during the exhibition’s working hours, for their further promotion.
Beyond is being co-organised by the Region of Central Macedonia, the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), the Municipality of Thessaloniki, the Ministry of Growth & Investments, the Ministry of Digital Governance, and the Ministry of the Interior (Macedonia-Thrace).
Intracom Telecom and Mytilineos are this year’s Gold Sponsors. Info Quest Technologies in partnership with Cisco are the sponsors, while Labour Inspectorate (SEPE), the Association of Information Technology Companies of Northern Greece (SEPVE), the Hellenic Association of Innovative Applications Companies (SEKEE), the Hellenic Emerging Technologies Industry Association - HETiA, Samsung, Dell Technologies, Infoteam Software, Advanced Integrated Communication Ltd, and Diversity Charter are supporters.
Beyond is being organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Citizen Protection, the Ministry of Tourism and the ‘KLEISTHENIS’ Panhellenic Union of General Secretaries of Local Government.
The Press conference
During the Press Conference today, in view of the opening of the event tomorrow, the President of TIF-HELEXPO, Mr Tasos Tzikas, characterised Beyond as an exhibition that is a wager in support of the narrative that has Thessaloniki transforming into a technology hub in recent years, while he noted that three years down the line, it has proven itself to be a major tech event in the Balkans, aiming for Southeastern Europe next.
Managing Director of Be-Best, Mr Evangelos Charalambous, stated that it is just a question of time before Thessaloniki becomes a destination for Europe’s tech people. He also referred to what has been a goal from the very beginning, namely, the event becoming truly international and a European tech reference point.
Beyond can become a starting point for the creation of a pole of attraction for international entrepreneurs and jobs, according to founder of Industry Disruptors Game Changers, Mr Michalis Stangos, who also made mention of a shared wager for the city of Thessaloniki, calling upon the city’s business world to support the exhibition.
The deputy Governor of Digital Governance, Mr Angelos Charisteas, characterised Beyond as a major opportunity in the sector of openness, underlining the digital steps of the Region, which, as he said, is the first smart Region in Greece.
In turn, the deputy Mayor of Digital Governance of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr Michalis Koupkas, noted that the event also brings the Municipality into contact with new tech developments, while he stressed that the openness and partnerships advocated by Beyond are at the core of the philosophy of the municipal authority, which is sailing through its digital transformation.
The General Director of TIF-Helexpo, Mr Alexis Tsaxirlis, stated that Beyond is the only exhibition in Greece and the Balkans with innovation and technology multi-event characteristics.
The exhibition’s Project Manager, Ms Sevi Kaffa, highlighted the plethora of events on Beyond’s 4 stages, while she also mentioned its international atmosphere and rich subject matter.
The spokesperson of the Technology Forum, Mr Kosmas Vamvalis stressed Beyond’s internationalisation, which is taking place alongside the internationalisation of the Technology Forum, while he thanked the organisers of the exhibition for the hospitality they showed the Forum this year.
Livemedia will provide a live stream of all Beyond participants this year, according to Livemedia CEO, Mr Stathis Parcharidis.
“We share the same vision: Promoting Greece internationally from the tech sector, not just shipping and tourism”, stated Intracom Telecom Marketing and Communications Director Mr Alexandros Tarnaris, who noted that the company has been in Thessaloniki for 30 years.
Mytilineos Energy & Metals is coming to Beyond with the platform of Smart Cities, as noted by the company’s Communications and Marketing Director, Ms Filio Lanara, who underlined that Beyond is evolving into a platform for exchanging views on innovation, while also focusing on the impact of technology.
Info Quest Technologies is participating for the third consecutive year in the effort to create a Pan-European tech event in Greece through Beyond, according to the company’s Sales Manager for Northern Greece, Mr Giannis Sinakos.
Beyond’s working hours are 10:00-20:00 on all three days.