The modern challenges of the exhibition and conference industries, along with the creation and expansion of relevant infrastructures to support future growth, were at the center of the panel titled “Exhibition Venues: Developments and Challenges.” The panel featured members of the Board of Directors of SOKEE:
- Kyriakos Pozrikidis, CEO of TIF HELEXPO S.A.
- Alexis Lagoudakis, CEO of Athens Metropolitan Expo S.A. and ROTA S.A.
- Vangelis Charalambous, CEO of BeBest
Key Takeaways from the Panel:
- The economic multiplier effect of organizing exhibitions and conferences is significantly greater compared to other sectors of the economy. In particular, trade fairs boost Greek exports and create thousands of jobs.
- Greece is currently lagging behind in terms of exhibition infrastructure, both in Athens and Thessaloniki.
- Construction work for the renovation of the TIF HELEXPO exhibition center -a strategic investment- is expected to begin by the end of 2026, based on the current schedule.
- In the Athens airport area, Athens Metropolitan Expo is in discussions with authorities to extend the Metro line to the exhibition center -a development that would greatly facilitate the thousands of visitors attending events there.
- Sustainability, extroversion, and the development of smart, sustainable, and interactive infrastructures were among the key themes emphasized by the three speakers.
The theme of this year’s HAPCO & DES Conference, “Metamorphosis,” reflects the transformative power of change, highlighting the evolution of our industry, our community, and our aspirations for the future.
For more information hapco.gr