Cooperation of Organizations working towards Convention Tourism

The bolstering of the Greek conference market, in addition to consideration of the demands and future prospects of convention tourism in Greece, were the main broad objectives of the meeting which took place on Friday, 6th June, 2008, between representatives of the Thessaloniki Convention and Visitors Bureau (TCVB), the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO) , the Athens Hoteliers Union - Attica (EXAA) and the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB).

The meeting, which was the first of its kind, was initiated by the TCVB and was held at the Athens offices of the ACB and of the Athens Tourist and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo).

During the course of the meeting, points for discussion included, amongst others, the latest developments in the domestic and international convention market, current and long term issues concerning convention ventures, means of better organization and promotion of the convention commodity within the country as a whole. Matters relating specifically to the convention market in Athens and Thessaloniki were also discussed.

All organizations jointly concluded that Greece has recently begun to show great promise as a destination for conventions, and in terms of constructive meetings and incentives between companies. One exception, however, being the need for a programme of legislative mediation and initiatives, principally on the part of the State, aimed at maximizing the infiltration of the Greek convention commodity into the international markets, of interest also to the decision making bodies of the worldwide convention market.

With this objective in mind, those who participated in the meeting:

• considered the general strategies for cooperation,
• made a commitment to proceed with joint ventures and projects with specific completion deadlines,
• agreed to convene for similar meetings at regular intervals.

Present at this meeting were: Representing the TCVB, Mr V. Brovas ( Chairman of the Board), Mr G. Aslanis (Board Member) and Mrs E. Milona ( Managing Director). Representing HAPCO Mr D. Astras (Chariman of the Board), Mr P. Podimatas (Vice-chairman of the Board), Mr D. Mantzios (Board Member), Mr Z. Kaplanidis (Board Member) and Mrs L. Mastronikoli ( Managing Director). Representing ATEDCo and the ACB, P. Arkoumaneas (C.E.O., ATEDCo), G. Angelis (Director of ACB) and Mrs E. Fragiadaki (Member of the Advisory Board ACB). Representing EXAA., Mr. G. Tsakiris (Chairman and Member of the Board ATEDCo) and Mr A Mousamas (Member of the Board).

For further details please contact:
Directorate of Public Relations, Katerina Papadopoulou
Tel: 210 32 53 123, Fax: 210 32 16 653
E-mail: kpapadopoulou@atedco.gr