Three of Greece’s largest meeting
industry organisations have formally agreed to work together to promote the
country as a destination for ‘high quality conferences and events.’
The Greek Meetings Alliance (GMA)
– made up of Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Hellenic Association of
Professional Conference Organisers & Destination Event Specialists, and the
Thessaloniki Convention Bureau – began to take shape during the pandemic.
It has already carried out a major
survey into the Greek meetings industry and laid out its objectives for the
coming year, which include profile-raising, education, sustainability, and growth.
The Mayor of the City of Athens,
Kostas Bakoyannis, emphasised the importance of the meetings and events
industry to the city’s strategy for the local economy.
“We believe deeply in the power of
partnerships to expand the profile of Athens as an international destination
for conferences and events,” he said.
"This is a strategic priority
that is closely linked to urban development. It promotes the upgrade of city
infrastructure and should be regarded as a tool that can improve the quality of
life of residents.”
Speaking on behalf of the
Hellenic Ministry of Tourism, deputy minister Sofia Zacharakis, said: “The goal
is to build high quality and balanced tourism. Conference tourism plays a
pivotal role in this development, bringing significant challenges that are also
great opportunities. We are determined to utilize them.”
The president of the Hellenic
Association of Professional Conference Organizers, Sissy Lignou, said: “The
Greek Meetings Alliance sends a resounding message about the power of
cooperation and the ability of Greece to become a leading conference
destination. Starting from a vision born in the midst of a very difficult
situation for the country and for Greek tourism, these three leading organisations
began a series of joint actions that today we are formalizing through a
memorandum of cooperation. Our association will contribute dynamically and with
passion to this common path.”
The president of the Board of
Directors of the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau, Yiannis Aslanis, said: “This
cooperation captures the best characteristics of the meetings industry in
Greece: adaptability, professionalism, creativity, cooperation.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
