Patras: Europe's Cultural Capital for 2006:
The city of Patras has been chosen by the European Union as the Cultural Capital of Europe for the year 2006. In this frame an international conference, titled "Media and Culture," will take place in Patras in March 25-29, 2006. Organised by the Patras 2006 European Capital of Culture and the Journalist's Union of Peloponnese-Epirus-Islands with the co-ordination of iForce Communications, SA, the conference will take place at the Cultural and Conference Centre of the University of Patras. State-owned Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation and Television (ERT) is this event's communication sponsor.
URL: http://patras2006.gr/en/modules/news/article.php?storyid=16
URL (iForce's company profile): http://www.iforce.gr/grafika/iforce-profileen.pdf

Hydra Conference held annually by ELIAMEP, British Embassy and British Council:
The British-Greek Conference is an annual dialogue on issues of bilateral and wider interest with the aim of exchanging views and strengthening the links between the UK and Greece. The Hydra Conference has been organised by the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), the British Embassy in Athens and the British Council since 2000. This unique event has proved successful in attracting high caliber participants and providing a forum for stimulating discussion. In the past, it has brought together a wide range of people including British and Greek Ministers, officials, academics, journalists and business professionals. The theme of the Conference varies each year, depending on the current economic, political and security developments in Europe and its periphery. In the past, areas of discussion have included issues of EU enlargement and relations with third countries (Turkey, Cyprus, Balkans, transatlantic relations) EU topics (European economy and competitiveness, enlargement, CFSP) as well as bilateral issues like employment and social policies, immigration, education.

Hydra, with its beautiful surroundings and its relaxed atmosphere, provides an opportunity to get away from day-to-day pressures and create a hospitable environment.

Participation in the Hydra Conference is upon invitation only. For further information, contact Elizabeth Phocas.

Thessaloniki to host 14th Eurochambres' Annual Congress in 2006:
Eurochambres' 14th Annual Congress is scheduled to take place in Thessloniki between October 5-6, 2006. The Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry is ready to organise the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry's annual event in October, president Dimitris Bakatselos told reporters on January 3, 2006. Bakatselos said Eurochambers' two-day congress is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates to Thessaloniki, including Eurodeputies, European Commissioners, ministers, union representatives and company executives from Europe, Asia and the United States. Last year's congress was held in Stavanger, Norway. For further information, contact INVgr. Or visit http://www.ebeth.gr/eb/eurochambres_congress.asp.

1st Aegean Airlines Pro-Am
Your chance to sample Desert Golf at its best!

1st Aegean Airlines Pro-Am
Inaugural, PGAs of Europe-endorsed Aegean Airlines Pro-Am
Dates: June 2-4, 2006
Venue: The Crete Golf Club, Hersonissos, Crete, Desert Golf Course, designed by Bob Hunt
URL: http://www.invgolf.com/aegean_proam_crete.htm
Aegean Airlines SA, in association with Crete Golf SA and The Crete Golf Club, offered golfers the chance to compete in the 1st Aegean Airlines Pro-Am, endorsed by The PGAs of Europe, and fully supported by The PGA of Greece and the Hellenic Golf Federation. Aegean Airlines, the most dynamic airline in Greece, is the creator and major sponsor of this Pro-Am, a prestigious 36-hole, Aegean Airlines Pro-Am that was held at the "Desert Golf Course" (an 18-hole championship course) at Hersonissos, Crete, between June 2-4, 2006. The event offered a EUR 70,000 prize purse for PGA professionals and exceptional gifts-awards for amateur competitors. The 1st Aegean Airlines Pro-Am was open to a maximum of 50 teams, made up of one Professional and three Amateur partners. The format  was as follows: one practice day, 36-hole competition. Fifty teams of four, one PGA professional, three amateurs per team.

International Conference of Trends, Impacts and Policies on Tourism Development

Dates: June 15-18, 2006
Venue: Amoudara, Heraklion, Crete
Contact: Dr. Konstantinos Andriotis.
URL: http://tourism-conference.eap.gr/
The Hellenic Open University (Postgraduate Programme Tourism Business Administration) is organising an international conference on "Trends, Impacts and Policies on Tourism Development". [Conference announcement in PDF format (4 pages)]

Mare Forum 2006

Mare Forum 2006
Dates: September 25 & 26, 2006
Venue: Astir Palace Vouliagmeni, Athens, Greece
URL: http://www.mareforum.com/

8th ann. Greek Ship Finance Forum
Dates: October 12, 2006
Venue: Athens Ledra Marriott Hotel
Organiser: Marine Money International
URL: http://www.marinemoney.com/Greece%20contact.htm
URL: http://www.marinemoney.com/ForumSchedule.pdf

IENE Natural Gas Forum in Athens, April 5, 2006:
Following the law passed by Greece's parliament in November 2005 regarding the liberalisation of the domestic market for natural gas, but also the reorganisation of the Public Gas Corporation (DEPA) and other related developments, the Institute of Energy of South-East Europe (ÉÅÍÅ) took the initiative to organise a Forum on "The Liberalisation of the Natural Gas Market, Prospects and Challenges -- The New Institutional Framework," which was held on April 5 in the amphitheatre of the National Bank of Greece (Th. Karatzas Building). The Forum offered an overall approach of such subjects as the supply of natural gas, the Greek Transmission and Distribution Network and its future development prospects, the new institutional framework and DEPA's role in it, the role of the regional Gas Distribution Companies (EPA), the independent suppliers of natural gas and eligible customers.

Invited speakers at the Forum included energy sector representatives from both Greece and abroad, as well as members of the government and the main opposition party. The Hellenic Ministry of Development was represented by Anastasios Nerantzis, Deputy Development Minister, while Anna Diamandopoulou spoke on behalf of PASOK. Other speakers included senior executives from DEPA, Prometheus Gas, the Gas Distribution Companies of Athens, Thessaloniki and Thessaly, and presentations were given by representatives of large eligible customers, including ATHEX-listed Public Power Corporation SA (PPC) and ENTHES (part of ATHEX-listed Hellenic Petroleum SA). An important number of foreign speakers attended, among them representatives from large gas supply companies such as Gazprom, Statoil and Edison. The development and operating prospects of the European natural gas market was analysed by a representative of the Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA).

The Forum's organisation was supported by DEPA SA, Prometheus Gas SA and Attika Gas Distribution Company SA (EPA Attikis).

For further information on the Institute of Energy of South-East Europe, visit http://www.iene.gr/index_en.htm.

AmCham conference entitled "Irish Experiences for Greece", April 5, 2006:
The American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce organised a conference on the Irish model of growth titled "Irish Experiences for Greece". The event took  place on April 5, 2006, at the Kempinski Hotel Nikopolis in Thessaloniki. Irish Minister for Trade and Commerce Michael Ahern TD, Greek Deputy Economy and Finance Minister Christos Folias and George Milonas, Chairman of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (SBBE) were among the speakers of this one-day event, which was being sponsored by P&K Securities SA.
URL (in English): http://www.amcham.gr/article.asp?news_id=91
URL (in Greek): http://www.amcham.gr/client_files/PROGRAMIRISHEXPERIENCE.doc

78th Annual AHEPA Family Excursion, April 8-12:
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes in the United States, arrived in Athens on April 8 to commence the 78th Annual AHEPA Family Excursion. It is a two-week journey, aiming to strengthen ties and promote programmes between American Hellenes and the Eastern Mediterranean region. More than USD 140,000 will be donated to health and day-care facilities and Orthodox Christian institutions during the course of the trip by AHEPA.

The excursion started ambitiously as AHEPA honored the Hellenic Republic on April 10, 2006 at a banquet with more than 600 persons in attendance at the Athenaeum InterContinental Athens. According to AHEPA Supreme President Gus J. James, II, it is the first event of its kind to be held in Athens in recent memory.

"We felt strongly this event was long overdue," said James, II who is heading a delegation of 100 Greek-Americans on the excursion. "We're proud of what we were able to demonstrate here this evening which was a commitment to Hellenism and an appreciation for the Hellenic Republic, its citizens, and their historic and modern contributions to the world."

AHEPA honoured the Hellenic Republic with the inaugural "Spirit of Hellenism Award," Prime Minister Kostas A. Karamanlis with the "AHEPA Socrates Award," and President of the Hellenic Parliament Anna Benaki-Psarouda with the "AHEPA Pericles Award." President Karolos Papoulias received the Spirit of Hellenism Award on behalf of the Hellenic Republic.

World Tourism Forum and preliminary launch of WTTC Greece Report, February 18:
Athens hosted the World Tourism Forum and preliminary launch of the WTTC Greece Report on February 18. A month earlier, in Washington, DC, J.W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Marriott International, Inc., one of the world's largest lodging companies, said that, following the success of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, his company is seeking new locations for investments in Greece. Marriott, Jr. was speaking during a press conference on January 20 that followed a roundtable discussion on tourism developments world-wide, organised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which announced the agenda for its forthcoming 6th Global Travel & Tourism Summit. Washington, DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams and former Greek Minister of Tourism Development Dimitris Avramopoulos, joined WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten for the announcement on January 20. The annual gathering of the CEO-level group will take place April 10-12, 2006, in Washington, DC. Avramopoulos said that given Marriott, Jr.'s deep knowledge and expertise in the sector, his statement was of great importance for Greek tourism and, by extension, the Greek economy, since the major hotel chains usually follow their competitors when they expand into specific markets.

Mack Brooks Group in Greece:
British exhibition organisers Mack Brooks Group have made a strategic investment in the biggest Food and Drink Exhibition in Greece creating a new company Mack Brooks Hellas SA, based in Athens.

Mack Brooks Group is a privately-owned company which organises trade fairs all over the world and publishes international periodicals in specialised business to business sectors. Its exhibition portfolio includes leading industry shows located throughout Europe, Asia and the USA.

The Greek exhibition market is undergoing major changes. Public tenders for privatisation and plans for extended and new exhibition sites highlight that Greece is becoming an internationally accepted events location. Mack Brooks Group is therefore keen to further invest in Greek exhibition organising companies that have a strong record of established events in the business to business sector.

Mack Brooks Hellas' 19th edition of the highly-acclaimed International Food & Drinks Exhibition took place from February 23-27, 2006 at the ExpoAthens.

U.S. franchise concepts seek Greek franchisees / master-franchisees:
Four U.S. franchise concepts participating in the 8th KEM - International Franchise Exhibition in Athens are seeking Greek franchisees / master-franchisees. This was revealed at the 8th KEM - International Franchise Exhibition, which took place at the Athens Exhibition Centre in Ambelokipi, February 17-20, 2006.

Large Spanish trade mission visited Athens and Thessaloniki, February 14-22:
A large delegation of Spanish entrepreneurs visited the northern Greek capital of Thessaloniki between February 14-22, 2006 for talks on bilateral collaborations with representatives of local business concerns.

According to the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBETH), the Spanish business delegation arrived in Thessaloniki on February 17 for scheduled meetings with company representatives based in northern Greece.

The trade mission to Greece and Turkey was organised by the Council of Chambers of the Valencian Community -- which comprises the provinces of Alicante, Castellon and Valencia, representing 10% of Spain's GDP -- in co-operation with EBETH, while individual meetings were pre-arranged by the Spanish Embassy's commercial office in Athens.

Participating in the business delegation were Spanish companies with export expertise in the sectors of building materials, foodstuffs, furniture and lighting, cosmetics, jewellery, sports materials, water pump machinery, household textiles and clothing/garments.

The Spanish delegation visited Athens, February 15-16, 2006, for similar talks in co-operation with the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA), before heading on to Istanbul on February 20.

Source: ANA.

2006 European Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition -- Europe's premier wind energy event:
Athens hosted the EWEC 2006, February 27 - March 2, 2006, where more than 2,000 professionals from across the globe gathered to engage in high-level political debate, technical discussions, business, and networking. The European Wind Energy Conferences are widely recognised as Europe's premier wind energy events, attracting a high number of professionals, leading experts and exhibiting companies from across the globe. It is a forum for up-to-date and relevant information on business, policy, science and technology.

EWEC 2006 is the only international wind energy forum that brings together all the disciplines that affect the wind industry -- business, policy, science, and technology -- with an extensive exhibition of all the major players. This wind energy event offered a unique combination of opportunities to engage in high-level political debate, technical discussions, business, and networking.

At EWEC 2006, which was held at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), more than 500 oral and poster presenters and 150 exhibiting companies from all sectors met to chart the course of wind energy. The event allowed professionals to gain first-hand knowledge and experience from industry leaders, politicians, and the research community, benefit from unique and unrivalled networking opportunities, obtain insight in and understanding of the key issues in today's wind industry, and develop strategies that will yield a competitive advantage.

Some of the key issues addressed at EWEC 2006 in Athens were:

• New market opportunities and corporate strategies.

• Financial solutions and models.

• Changing role of regulators in the liberalised market.

• Latest scientific and technological developments.

• Policy and regulatory frameworks from across the EU and beyond.

• Successful projects, case studies and strategies.

• The latest products and services.

You are advised to contact event organisers for full details and complete information

ACEO Greek Leadership Congress 2006:
Two internationally-distinguished gurus of management, Dr. Tom Peters and Prof. Richard Boyatzis and the most famous football referee in the world, Pierluigi Collina, spoke at the Greek Leadership Congress, organised by the Association of Chief Executive Officers (ACEO) on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, at the Divani Caravel hotel in Athens.

Furthermore, Prof. Takis Athanasopoulos, Executive Vice-President of Toyota Motor Europe, and Dimitris Katsachnias, Partner & Strategic Director of AIR Paris and Garden & Partners, expert on Branding and Publicity, analysed case studies and "adapted" the main speakers’ instructions to the Greek business environment.

The ACEO Greek Leadership Congress has been established as the most important event on management in Greece. It is addressed to Businessmen, Chairmen, General Directors and Executives of companies as well as to their colleagues.

Keynote speakers:

• Prof. Richard Boyatzis developed the following topic: "Resonant Leadership: Creating Sustainable Leaders through Mindfulness, Hope and Compassion". Based on decades of research into emotional intelligence competencies and longitudinal studies in their development, Prof. Richard Boyatzis lead the audience through examples of what resonance looks and feels like, as well as ideas as to develop someone's "resonant leadership" capability, their emotional intelligence, and the experiences of mindfulness, hope, and compassion.

• Dr. Tom Peters talked about "The Eccentric Leader: Challenging Received Wisdom, Mediocrity and Routine". With his evocative, emotional and dynamic speaking style, he gave answers to the following questions, among others:
  - After a while organisations settle in routines, standard operating procedures, and particular mindsets. How can outstanding leaders keep challenging their organisations to promote continuous learning, innovation and change?
  - To be eccentric is to be off centre. How can effective leaders, while remaining central to the functioning of their organisations, retain an element of eccentricity that will introduce novel ideas, inspire people, and unsettle established ways of thinking and behaving?
  - What is the role of leaders in orchestrating creativity, frame breaking, and innovation?
  - What are the challenges innovative leaders face today? What dangers to guard against? What are the individual and organisational prerequisites to enable them to carry out their tasks effectively?

At the ACEO’s Greek Leadership Congress the participants had the opportunity to listen Collina explaining "How to make tough decisions on the spot and command respect on the ground". His speech's key-points will be:

• How to handle potentially explosive situations, or quasi-crises.

• How to handle partners with a "difficult" character.

• How to make fair and balanced decisions on the spot.

• How to impose one’s authority on the field and command trust and respect on the ground in fiercely competitive conditions where much is at stake.

• The role of planning before a critical meeting.

For further information, contact ACEO at:

Association of Chief Executive Officers
Tel.: +30 210 689 4323, +30 210 689 4324
Fax: +30 210 683 1748
E-mail: aceo@ease.gr
URL: http://www.ease.gr/

Posidonia 2006 International Shipping Expo to be Held in Athens in June:
Posidonia 2006, the 20th edition of the world's most prestigious international shipping exhibition, will be held this year at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre (HEC), at the site of the former Athens Airport, from June 5-9 and is expected to be the biggest in the show's 37-year-long history.

The biennial event, which attracted over 1,600 Greek and international exhibitors in 2004, will be held at a new and bigger venue this year. This move will allow Posidonia 2006 to satisfy the increased demand for space by past and new exhibitors. This year's exhibition expects to attract more than 20 national pavilions, exhibitors from more than 70 countries and 16,000 visitors from around the world.

Posidonia represents a 140 million tonne shipping fleet of 4,000 vessels capable of ordering USD 14 billion of 350 new buildings and with an annual budget of USD 8 billion for the modernisation, maintenance and supply for existing units.

Posidonia 2006 is sponsored by the Hellenic Ministry of Mercantile Marine, the Greek Ministry of the Aegean, the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee, the Union of Shipowners of Mediterranean Cargo Vessels, the Greek Association of Passenger Ship Companies, and the Union of Coastal Passenger Ship Owners.

7th International Venture Capital Forum, Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, June 28 & 29, 2006 -- Call for Expression of Interest:
The Hellenic Centre for Investment (ELKE), the New Economy Development Fund (TANEO), the Innovation Relay Centre HELP-FORWARD with the co-operation of the Hellenic Venture Capital Association invite entrepreneurs and researchers having ambitious and innovative business plans to participate in bilateral business meetings with Greek and International Venture Capital firms during the 7th International Venture Capital Forum.

The event will take place at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, June 28 & 29, 2006. Businessmen, researchers, policy makers from South-East Europe and the East Mediterranean, and in particular from Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM, Greece, Israel, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, are invited to attend, present their business ideas and discuss venture opportunities in dedicated bilateral meetings.

The 7th International Venture Capital Forum is a unique two-day event dedicated to raising financing for ambitious and dynamic entrepreneurs, business oriented researchers and new technology-based firms in Southeast Europe. The event also provides a forum for institutional and other investment professionals to meet with policy makers, entrepreneurs, academics and researchers for an open exchange of views and ideas. This International Venture Capital Forum is now the largest international private equity forum in South-East Europe.

For the third subsequent year, the "Best Business Plan Prize" will be awarded to three business plans selected by the VCs that will participate in the forum.

Venture capital firms are requested to present their availability and interest to explore the event portfolio, while new entrepreneurs and researchers are invited to submit their business plan the latest by May 25, 2006, via the forum's Web site.

The event is being held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Association of Greek Exhibition & Conference Organisers (A.G.E.C.O.)

Established in the 1980s, A.G.E.C.O.'s foremost goal is the confrontation of the long-term and lasting issues of the country's exhibition and conference organising sector. For further information, contact Tassos Koumanis, Chairman of the Board, at:

Association of Greek Exhibition & Conference Organisers
59, 3rd Septemvriou Street
GR-104 33 Athens
Greece
Tel.: +30 210 821 5673
Fax: +30 210 821 5804
E-mail: seoes@seoes.gr
URL: http://www.seoes.gr/

Eurexpo

Eurexpo SA
International Fairs - Conferences
59, 3rd Septemvriou Street
GR-104 33 Athens
Greece
Tel.: +30 210 824 8053
Fax: +30 210 824 8054
E-mail: info@eurexpo.gr
Contact: Tassos Koumanis