acb_mag

issue

01

SEP-NOV2008

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ATHENS CONVENTION BUREAU

www.athensconventionbureau.gr

THE ACB MAG IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ATHENS TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

ACB MAG

ATHENS TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

EDITOR IN CHIEF

PRESIDENT

Giorgos Salamas

Athanassios Spyrakos

DESIGN DIRECTOR

CEO

Charalambos Andreanidis

Panagiotis Arkoumaneas

ILLUSTRATION

DIRECTOR, ATHENS CONVENTION BUREAU

Lila Kalogeri

George N. Angelis

EDITORIAL TEAM

DIRECTOR, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Susann Byman Ruud, Kelly Diapouli, Sakis Dimitrakopoulos, Laurie Keza

Manolis Psarros

PHOTOGRAPHY

Katerina Papadopoulou

Where opinion is expressed it is that of the authors and does not

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

the ACB mag. All information in this magazine is verified to the

Dimitris Maziotis

best of the authors’ and the publisher’s ability. However, the ACB

CONTACT 7 Xenofontos Street, Syntagma, 105 57 Athens, Greece T. +30 210 32 53 123, F. +30 210 32 16 653 E. info@athensconventionbureau.gr www.athensconventionbureau.gr

ance on it.

PRODUCTION

LIVANIS PUBLISHING ORGANIZATION 98, Solonos Street, 106 80 Athens.

T. 210 36 61 200, F. 210 36 17 791 www.livanis.gr ©ACB mag. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company.

PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR

Gerasimos Domenikos, Giannis Giannelos Dimitris Koilalous, Periklis Merakos Louiza Nikolaidou, Giorgos Oikonomopoulos TRANSLATION PROOFREADING

Laura Bodger, Michele Spurdle

necessarily coincide with the editorial views of the publisher of

mag does not accept responsibility for any loss arising from reli-

COVER ILLUSTRATION

The Calatrava Bridge, by Lila Kalogeri

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial

5FrontlinesWhy Athens? 6Athens: Facts and Figures10Athens Convention Bureau12

InterviewNikitas Kaklamanis Mayor of Athens

14EVENT CALENDARUpcoming Conferences 18

AirportThe Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” Posidonia 2008

24Case Studies6th WACAP Forum 28

46The Sportaccord Convention in Athens 50

VenuesMegaron Athens International Conference Centre TransportationThe Underground Metro System MuseumsThe New Acropolis Museum CultureAthens Epidaurus Festival

32HotelsThe Athens Hilton 52

38LocationsRoman Agora 36

42DaytripsCape Sounion 48

56FoodSeafood 60

AppendixMap of Public Transport to and from the Athens International Airport Map of Road Access to and from the Athens International Airport

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p/32 p/6

Why Athens?

p/42 p/14

Megaron Athens International Conference Centre

The New Acropolis Museum

Nikitas Kaklamanis Mayor of Athens

p/48 p/24

Cape Sounion

Athens International Airport

p/56 p/28

6th WACAP Forum

Athens Epidaurus Festival

EDITORIAL Panagiotis Arkoumaneas CEO / Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company

Athens is fast becoming one of Europe’s leading business destinations. And it’s little wonder. Having hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics, Athens can today meet the requirements of the most demanding of events in terms of organization, infrastructure, accommodation and transportation, creating a unique experience for visitors interested in experiencing a destination with timeless substance and brand new style.

Committed to satisfying the growing global interest in Athens as a destination for meetings and conferences, and determined to accommodate the needs of the international meetings industry, the City of Athens established, in March 2008, the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB) as a division of the Athens Tourism & Economic Development Company (ATEDCo) which is the official tourism board of the city.

Our mission here at ACB is to make Athens the destination of choice for conventions, conferences, meetings and incentives. As part of our plans to ensure that Athens keeps its quick pace toward becoming a premier business destination we made the decision to publish the acb magazine, with information on all that Athens has to offer to the business and convention traveler.

Every three months you will be informed, through our magazine, about what is new in our unique city, from conference facilities to cultural events and from hotels to total event solution services. This magazine aims to introduce you to the variety of choices Athens offers to its business visitors.

For more information on Athens and the Athens Convention Bureau, please visit the acb website www.athensconventionbureau.gr We look forward to seeing you in Athens.

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FRONTLINES

WHY ATHENS? The International Association Meeting Market Statistics Report 1997 - 2006, prepared by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), shows a rapid growth both in the choice of Athens as a meeting destination and in the number of participants in international conferences taking place in Greece. Athens prevails as the top meeting destination within Greece, second within the Mediterranean basin, fourteenth amongst all European cities and twentieth amongst all cities around the world.

For anybody who has any knowledge at all of contemporary Athens, this development seems reasonable and even predictable. In terms of infrastructure, the city combines a number of important qualities such as easy access, quick and inexpensive transportation, a wide variety of meeting facilities – both in hotels and in Convention – Exhibition Centers – large, synchronous and state-of-the-art accommodation facilities, qualified professionals in all fields of the tourist industry, easily accessible beautiful pre and post conference destinations either by the sea or in the mountains, a lively nightlife and a rich cultural life, not to mention wonderful weather all year round and a spontaneous hospitality evident in everybody you meet here.

The unique added value of Athens, though, is one difficult to describe in numbers and figures but which is evident to everybody who has experienced a convention in this city. Athens is, in effect, the city that has given birth to the notion of conventions and the city with the longest history in this field. What we could label as “the innate Athenian capacity for social gatherings” is the city’s long-lasting quality that paved the way for democracy and symposia to come into being. In other words, it is the special way in which the city brought together both its inhabitants and guests to discourse on a specific issue. It is this quality that permitted democracy to prevail, philosophy to flourish and symposia to become a common practice in ancient times. Today, it is this same quality that turns all conventions into big successes. From Plato’s “Symposium” to the contemporary international, European and national meetings of various fields, the “innate Athenian capacity for social gatherings” makes you bring out the best in yourself, turning the convention into a rare experience.

So, before you decide on your conference’s next host city, learn about Athens’ top 12 features that make the Greek capital a top meeting place.

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1. Easy flight access

5. Professionals to co-operate

One of Athens’ great sources of pride is the new Athens International Airport (AIA) “Eleftherios Venizelos”. Since 2002, AIA has demonstrated an annual growth of 7%, growing from 11 million passengers in 2002 to more than 17 million passengers in 2008 and over 200.000 flights. These figures have placed AIA on the list of the fastest growing airports in the world. Year by year, the airport enriches its network with new air companies and new destinations. In 2007 alone, AIA welcomed 15 new air companies and 10 new destinations. As a result, today AIA is connected to all major cities around the world at competitive prices.

It is not by chance that Athens has prevailed in recent years as a top meeting destination. To a great extent this is due to the highly qualified professionals the city has in various fields of the tourist industry in general and the meetings industry in particular. Today in Athens, there are 40 PCOs who can guarantee the successful outcome of your conference. Three of these are members of the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO) and eight are members of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

2. Easy, quick and inexpensive transportation The synchronous transportation network – Metro, Buses, Tram, Railway, Trolley – buses and expansive highways – provides for easy and quick transportation at a very low cost. It takes a maximum of 39 minutes and 6 Euros to get from the Airport to the city center – where most hotels are located. What is more, most hotels are within walking distance from a metro station within the city center, which means that it will take you 3 to 5 minutes to move around in the city. The ticket costs 0,80 Euros and can be used on all forms of public transport within a one and a half hour period of time. A day travel card costs 3 Euros. Taxis are also inexpensive compared to prices in most European capitals.

3. Sound meeting infrastructure The variety in meeting venues is such that you are sure to find a venue tailored to your needs. Today there are 40 Conference – Exhibition Centers and 89 Hotels with meeting facilities – 42 of which are located within the city center – in Athens and surrounding areas. With regard to accommodation facilities, Athens and the greater Athens region offer in total 29,050 rooms in 493 hotels of various categories. What is even more important is the fact that the majority of this infrastructure has been updated, offering state-of-the-art facilities, due to the widespread renovation project that took place on the occasion of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

4. Everything on foot The majority of hotels in the city are located within walking distance from a metro station. This in effect maximizes the opportunities to have an enjoyable time, since you can take advantage even of the conference breaks to go sightseeing, relax in a nice spot of the city, go shopping etc.

6. A wide variety of pre and post congress destinations Athens is probably the sole capital in Europe from which it takes around 30 minutes to get to the sea and another 30 minutes to the mountains. The variety of choice for pre and post congress tours is huge. It takes less than 2 hours drive from the capital to reach places that have both archaeological or historical interest and exceptional natural surroundings such as Sounio, Nafplio or Delphi. Hydra, Spetses and Poros – three small and picturesque islands of the Saronic Gulf – are also ideal for daily tours, since there is a regular service from the port of Piraeus every day.

A new trend in terms of pre and post international conference events is that of excursions to some of the most well known and highly acclaimed Greek islands such as Santorini, Crete, Mykonos etc. The modern transportation network of the Greek capital allows you to be at the airport in 30 minutes. It takes another 30 minutes flight to get to most islands and the service is very frequent. So it takes approximately less than two hours to get to one of these islands and offer your delegates a short holiday in a top world destination.

7. Attracting more delegates The choice of Athens as a host is a strategic choice as well with respect to the number of delegates and their country of origin.

The city’s geographical position and its proximity to areas such as the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Middle East provide easy, and in many cases, very affordable access for delegates coming from economically developing countries.

FRONTLINES

There are also many indicators showing that Greece is a favourite destination for the Balkans and Eastern Europe in general.

According to YUTA, the National Travel Association of Serbia, this year Greece remained the top destination with 34% of Serbs tourists choosing to spend their holidays in Greece. The data of the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, records a 30% increase in outgoing tourism to Greece for the period 2002 – 2006, climbing from 3.2 million tourists in 2002 to 4.2 in 2006. The National Association of Travel Agencies in Romania reports that in 2007, 750,000 Romanian chose to spend their holidays abroad. Of these, 200,000 chose Greece as a destination, a number which is expected to rise by 20% for 2008. And the greatest rise from all European countries comes from Russia. As reported by the Greek National Tourism Organization, the number of Russian tourists visiting Greece in 2008 is estimated to rise by 60% compared to 2007.

8. Hospitality Greek hospitality is not only well known but also well acknowledged and rewarded. This summer, the readers of the British Sunday Times Travel voted Greece the second most hospitable European country. More specifically, the readers of Sunday Times labeled Greece as a country with friendly, warm and hospitable people, a country in which you are swept off your feet by the white beaches and vivid everyday life. What is probably less well known is that the quality of services in all hospitality sectors is to a great extent the result of quality education offered by Greek Universities and Higher Education Schools. Furthermore, the Organisation of Tourism, Education and Training (O.T.E.K) is the specialized Greek state institution providing regular education and training for professions in the field of Tourism, thus ensuring that Greek professionals of the tourist industry keep abreast of recent developments in the field.

FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS ANY KNOWLEDGE AT ALL OF CONTEMPORARY ATHENS, THE CITY’S DEVELOPMENT INTO A TOP MEETING DESTINATION WITHIN RECENT YEARS SEEMS REASONABLE AND EVEN PREDICTABLE

10. Culture and entertainment In terms of cultural life, Athens is a unique case internationally. It is probably the sole city in the world where you can discover a city more than 2.500 years old integrated into a contemporary metropolis. World treasures such as the Parthenon are situated right in the city centre and can be seen at all times as you walk around the city. A walk in Athens is in effect a walk through 2,500 years of the civilization of mankind.

This exceptional past is coupled with a vibrant contemporary cultural life full of highly acclaimed events all year round. Another interesting characteristic is the use of ancient venues during the summer time to host contemporary events, thus providing today’s guest with a sense of the cultural life people used to experience in Athens in ancient times To make things even better, Athens offers a lively nightlife with a wide variety of bars, clubs and restaurants, many of which are located on the beach.

9. Ideal climate

11. Mediterranean cuisine

Athens is known all over the world for its ideal climate, characterized by a sunny sky, warm temperatures all year round, breezes and lack of humidity. This combination results in what we could label as an “agreeable climate” with temperatures climbing above 22 degrees Celsius from April to the end of October. The winter is also mild with temperatures from 7 to 15 degrees Celsius and blue skies, since rainfall in Athens is minimal. The climate explains to a great extent the fact that Athens prevails as a growing city break destination all year round. “Megatrends”, a regularly updated report prepared by the European Travel Commission (ETC), reports a higher level of interest in winter sun holidays. Thus, when choosing Athens as your host city, consider that at the same time you are offering your delegates an extra service, namely a good opportunity to combine business with pleasure, extending their stay into a city-break holiday before or after the congress.

Fresh vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, feta cheese and a variety of fish and other sea food is not a luxury in Athens, but an everyday occurrence. Take the opportunity to taste the original recipes of the highly acclaimed Mediterranean cuisine, widely acknowledged as a healthy natural diet. Athens is the city of olive trees, wine, honey and various herbs such as oregano, basil and thyme.

12. The city of ideas Last, but certainly not least, Athens is the city of ideas. Some of humanity’s most exciting ideas were born in Athens. This could be due to the weather. Or the inspiring scenery. Or perhaps even the Athenian attitude towards life. Whatever the reason, the “innate Athenian capacity for social gatherings” is always evident and turns your conference into a highly successful event.

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FRONTLINES

ATHENS: FACTS & FIGURES

A TOP DESTINATION

Rapidly growing

Athens is among the top 20 cities around the world that host international conferences, according to the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) Statistics Report. Within the European continent, Athens climbs to a higher position, in 14th place among all European cities and in second place within the Mediterranean basin.

The same report shows a rapidly growing Athens in the international meetings market.

In less than 10 years, the number of international conferences held in Athens has more than doubled, climbing from 25 in 1997 to 51 in 2006. The term “international” for ICCA applies to association meetings that meet the following three criteria:

₁ attendance by at least 50 participants ₂ organization on a regular basis ₃ movement between at

least 3 different countries

Rapidly growing participation numbers

Rich meeting infrastructure

In less than 10 years, the number of participants for international conferences taking place in Greece has almost tripled, climbing from an average of 33,623 in 1997 to an average of 96,120 in 2006 and placing Greece amongst the top 15 countries in the world with respect to the scale of conferences in terms of participation numbers.

Athens and the greater Athens region offer in total 29.050 rooms in 493 hotels of various categories. More precisely, there are 6.350 rooms in 29 five star hotels, 6.915 rooms in 64 four star hotels and 5.851 in 87 three star hotels. What is more, most of the hotels underwent restoration on the occasion of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games that resulted in having up-to-date and state-of-the-art facilities and services. Most of these hotels have meeting facilities.

Within the city center alone, there are 42 hotels (nineteen 5 star hotels, twenty 4 star hotels and three 3 star hotels) with meeting facilities. If you add to these figures another 40 Conference and Exhibition Centers that operate in Athens, you can begin to comprehend the strong infrastructure offered by the Greek capital.

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ATHENS CONVENTION BUREAU In March 2008, the City of Athens established the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB) out of a dedication to satisfying the growing global interest in Athens as a meetings destination and a determination to accommodate the needs of the international meetings industry.

The ACB is a division of the Athens Tourism & Economic Development Company - the official tourism board of the city - and it aims to make Athens the destination of choice for conventions, conferences, meetings and incentives.

The ACB has a number of objectives which include attracting and generating events in Athens and the surrounding area and ensuring that choosing Athens for staging meetings and incentives is a sound investment and an assurance for the success of any event. We also aim to serve as a link between planners and the local meeting industry and to promote Athens as a business events destination.

FRONTLINES

The services offered to meeting planners and any other party interested in organising their event in Athens are numerous. Information and advice is provided concerning conference facilities, businesses and tourism services offered in Athens. Support, site inspections and other services are offered, which are essential for the successful organization of a conference or a meeting, as well as the provision of official support to bid proposals and information on facilities, venues and services, extending even to web services dedicated to the meetings sector through a functional website. In addition we aim to provide promotional material on Athens and work closely with all public and private institutions to ensure that business visitors are offered a memorable experience in our city.

The ACB is currently completing a formidable program to enhance its network of partners, providing thus a broad palette of selected venues, hotels and other tourism enterprises located in Athens and the greater city area.

During the first few months of its operation the ACB made its debut in IMEX 2008, where more than 30 scheduled and non scheduled appointments with hosted buyers took place. Following IMEX, the ACB participated in an ICCA Med chapter meeting in Istanbul. The positive feedback of the global market with regard to the establishment of the ACB is evident, as according to them it was something Athens really needed. To date, the ACB has handled more than one hundred requests and expects far more as the level of awareness rises.

Athens Tourism & Economic Development Company: The Athens Tourism & Economic Development Company (ATEDCo) acts as the official tourism board of the city, and aims to establish Athens as a leading destination all year round for both leisure and business travelers.

The Company’s mission is to achieve economic prosperity for the city of Athens, through viable actions and with respect to the city’s social, cultural and natural environment.

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INTERVIEW

NIKITAS KAKLAMANIS MAYOR OF ATHENS The Mayor of Athens talks about convention tourism and welcomes you to a new-look Athens.

On an international level, convention tourism is currently a market with very high returns and brisk turnover. What is Greece’s current position in this market?

The importance of convention tourism, as much for the benefit of the national as the local economy, has been recognised on an international level. In addition, there are strong indications that the convention industry has huge potential in terms of the scope of both immediate and long-term promotion and advertising, whilst at the same time offering an excellent means of revenue for all businesses involved, whether directly or indirectly, in the organisation of conferences.

The number of conventions held in Greece, and in particular in Athens as the figurehead of the country’s convention tourism, has increased dramatically over the past decade, whereas the last 4 years indicate that this positive trend is not a fleeting phenomenon, as its position has now stabilised. It is a fact, however, that Greece has the potential to develop still further, and to gradually become one of the leading convention destinations in the world. Athens, on its part, has new transportation networks, contemporary conference venues, quality hotel accommodation and unrivalled natural beauty throughout the area, and its cultural heritage is, in itself, a uniquely competitive advantage. In recent years the government and local authorities, in conjunction with the private sector, have succeeded in taking significant steps towards the progress and development of convention tour-

ism, and have now laid the foundations for even better results in the near future.

The City of Athens - through specialised bodies such as the Athens Convention Bureau - is developing specific enterprises aimed at boosting the local conference sector in order to attract large international conventions to Athens.

Do you believe that Greece’s tourism policies place as much emphasis as they should do on convention tourism?

It is a positive sign that the State has recently perceived the importance of convention tourism and acted accordingly.

In the City of Athens we have recognised what convention tourism means to the local economy, singling it out as one of the central axes of our policies for the economic development of Athens.

Similarly, convention tourism now comprises one of the nine main axes for the strategic promotion and communication proposals from the Tourist Development department of the Greek Ministry of Tourism. This is a significant step, as it requires the long-term support and reinforcement of the image we project, both as a country and as a city, as well as a concerted effort with a specific action plan to make the most of those characteristics which can help us climb further up the international ladder of convention destinations. The City of Athens is supporting this venture through the Tourism and Economic Development Company and the Athens Convention Bureau, and aims to produce positive results both in the short and the long term.

How is convention tourism developing in Athens? On what basis would a company select Athens as the location for a convention or conference? What are your goals in this respect?

Athens is currently the main convention destination within Greece, and this positive trend is constantly rising. Athens essentially gained a whole new face when it hosted the Olympic Games. It acquired ultra modern new buildings and significantly upgraded existing ones which did not meet the high standards.

Alongside this, quality services were developed for all the various stages of organising conventions. The convention sector is now highly professional. As a result, the extensive renovation of the city led to the number of conventions increasing rapidly, and to Athens’ share of the international convention market being maximised at a time when international competition is constantly growing.

It is well-known that Athens is a city which offers countless options for every type of visitor in terms of accommodation, entertainment, recreation and enjoyment. This wide spectrum of choices, combined with the most up-to-date convention venues, the significant works which have been carried out for urban expansion and the broader aesthetics of the urban environment of Athens, have attracted even more interest, not only as a convention destination but also as a city break destination.

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The City Hall---

INTERVIEW

Our efforts are specifically focused on constantly providing new options, improved services and effectively promoting these. Our aim is for Athens to become established on an international level as one of the leading destinations for both the aforementioned sectors, and this goal is achievable with the cooperation and combined efforts of all interested parties, both in the public and private sectors. That is why the City of Athens and the city’s official tourism board - which set up the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo) - initially came into contact, and they are now working closely with all interested parties concerned.

Athens, however, is being called upon to compete with cities who are offering the same convention package.

It is true to say that competition in the area of convention tourism is particularly tough since, in addition to the more established convention destinations, we also have to compete with the new up-and-coming destinations within Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Mediterranean, the so-called ‘dollar-oriented’ destinations. This is understandable given the strong parity between the euro and the dollar.

The State still has many cards to play to compete with these other destinations, such as capitalising on the Olympic projects. The first plan is to transform the Indoor Gymnasium at Faliro into a cosmopolitan conference centre. On its part, the Municipality of Athens is determined to contribute its support of the convention sector both by providing services through the Athens Convention Bureau and by creating and supporting conference facilities. We are keeping a close watch on how things develop in this sector and, as long as we consider that the necessary prerequisites have been met, we will act promptly and effectively.

It should also be noted that the Olympic Games, and the work which took place because of them, set the ball rolling for the ongoing development of the city over the years ahead. The transportation network will be significantly improved with further extensions to the metro line, the tram and the Attica Highway road network. Large new projects in the fields of art and culture, such as the New Acropolis Museum, the Greek National Opera, the National Library and the Museum of Modern Art will all breathe new life into the cultural scene in Athens and will distinguish it as a cosmopolitan metropolis.

What made you decide to establish the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB)?

The establishment of such an organisation, in line with international standards, was absolutely necessary for Athens and the economy of the city in general.

It is widely recognised that tourism is the life blood of the Greek economy and, for Athens, conventions represent the most lucrative and qualitative type of tourism. The Athens Convention Bureau (ACB) is the City’s response to the demands of the worldwide convention market and to the challenge of establishing Athens as the most desirable international convention destination.

First and foremost, it aims to launch and promote Athens as a convention package, decisively contributing to the city’s appeal for conferences, business meetings and similar events which will have significant benefits for the economy and the development of the city.

To this end, the key role of the ACB is to provide - reliably, objectively and in a responsible manner - all interested parties with the abundant information required concerning convention venues and services in Athens. The staff of the ACB and its parent company, the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo), is composed of young people with excellent knowledge of the market

and its requirements, and who are committed to doing their best.

What feedback have you received from the initial period of the ACB’s operation?

Has there been any response from the Athenian and international markets?

The immediate response from the convention market in Athens was ardent and positive. Feedback from the international market is equally good and encouraging, as is the response from members of international associations, PCOs, Association Management Companies and multinational companies who have already contacted the ACB to determine the way it operates. It is no coincidence that the number of requests for information made to the ACB is increasing on a daily basis, as is the number of Athenian businesses wishing to become members of the organisation. This signifies a huge success for us and is totally compatible with our primary aim, which is none other than to achieve productive cooperation with representatives from the private sector, in order to establish Athens as one of the leading convention destinations in the world. I am convinced that all our goals are achievable and that the Athens Convention Bureau will make the greatest contribution to this end. Athens possesses all the essential elements which combine to make a successful convention destination. The international market is responding to this enthusiastically and, on our part, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary to achieve our aims and to respond to the expectations of the convention sector, both at home and abroad.

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EVENT CALENDAR

UPCOMING CONFERENCES SEPTEMBER- NOVEMBER

3rd European Association of Evolutionary Political Economy (EAEPE) Symposium: MARKETS AS INSTITUTIONS: HISTORY AND THEORY 5-6 September Athens University of Economics and Business The purpose of this symposium is to explore new directions in historical and theoretical research on the institutional properties of markets. In world history markets have taken a plurality of shapes in terms of their routines, pricing procedures and other features. Among the key themes of interest are: How have specific markets emerged? What role have (national) institution building, codified legal systems, property rights and commercial/business culture played in the formation of markets? How do institutional specificities influence the allocation of resources and the determination of prices? In what ways do markets play a decisive part in determining alternative political economies?

6th Euro Fed Lipid 7-10 September Athenaeum Intercontinental Organized by the European Federation for the Science and Technology of the Lipids, the conference gathers professionals and academics from various fields to reflect on recent developments in the field of lipids science and technology. Euro Fed Lipid is a federation of European National Lipids, Fats & Oils Societies and Associations, a network of 1700 persons and companies.

3rd International Conference on Digital Interactive Media in Entertainment & Arts (DIMEA 2008) 10-12 September Athens Information Technology Center of Excellence for Research and Graduate Education DIMEA 2008 will bring together academics, technologists, artists, designers, and industry representatives, to meet, discuss and share opinions and practices. Participants will have the opportunity to benefit from the Keynote Talks given by internationally distinguished speakers, such as Prof. Nadia Magnenat-Thalmann, Miralab/C.U.I. and Dr. Roberto Cencioni, Head of Unit INFSO.E2 Content and Knowledge, European Commission.

7th Athens Congress on Women’s Health and Disease 11-13 September Athens Hilton The field of women’s health and disease has been attracting the attention of the scientific community over the past 50 years. At the dawn of the 21st century a substantial amount of accumulated knowledge has found its way to clinical application giving rise, however, to new pertinent questions. The Scientific Committee has prepared a program related to issues concerning Women´s Health and Disease keeping a particular interest on gynecology, obstetric and infertility and assisted reproduction aspects. This goal will be fulfilled successfully thanks to the contribution of distinguished invited speakers with the hope of achieving a fair balance not only between basic and clinical science, but also between preventive and therapeutic approaches.

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27th Annual Meeting of the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society (IFMSS) 12-16 September Astir Palace Resort The International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Foundation aims to promote and encourage the development and advancement of the field of fetal diagnosis and therapy and advance the cause of education and research relating to the field of fetal diagnosis and therapy or other reasonably related medical or scientific pursuits.

The Society’s Annual Meeting provide its member with the opportunity to meet and reflect on recent developments on the above mentioned fields.

34th International Conference on Micro and Nano Engineering 2008 15-18 September Athens Hilton Micro-and Nano-Engineering (MNE) is an international conference on micro- and nano- fabrication and manufacturing using lithography and other nano-patterning related approaches. The conference brings together engineers and scientists from all over the world to discuss recent progress and future trends in the fabrication, manufacturing and application of micro - and nano- structures and devices.

HAICTA 2008 (4th International Conference on Information & Communication Technologies in Bio & Earth Sciences) 18-20 September Agricultural University of Athens HAICTA 2008 aims to bring together professional, experts and researchers working on ICT systems and applications in Bio and Earth Sciences. Contributions from various countries will allow a broadened perspective for all attending.

European Conference on Paediatric Anaesthesia 25-27 September Athens Hilton Organized by the Federation of European Associations of Paediatric Anaesthesia, the conference is a European and international forum for the presentation of research and the sharing of expertise and experience.

The scientific programme includes lectures by internationally renowned paediatric anaesthesiologists, satellite symposia, free paper presentations and workshops.

A trade exhibition will present the most recent advances in drugs, equipment and techniques for paediatric anaesthesia.

9th International Meeting AICT 2008 Athens Interventional Cardiovascular Therapeutics 26-27 September Divani Caravel Hotel This International Meeting will address the newest techniques and the most recently established indications for Interventional Cardiovascular Therapeutics. Several core topics will be highlighted: Drug eluting stents, new stent designs, detection and treatment of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, novel catheter based diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, percutaneous valve replacement, non coronary percutaneous interventions, percutaneous treatment of heart failure, interventional electrophysiology etc.

4th Emerging Europe Energy Summit 2-3 October Athens Ledra Marriot This year’s edition of the Summit will provide the audience with interactive discussions when speaker and delegates will exchange expert opinions, views and insights on industry happenings, regulations, investments, finance, renewable energy, nuclear energy, transmission and distribution, energy and emissions trading, energy risk and security, grid development and integrity, fuel supplies, oil prices, oil & gas transportation projects, trends and other challenges that the oil & gas and electricity industries are facing today and will continue to face in the next decades.

EVENT CALENDAR

Defendory International 2008 15th Specialised Exhibition of Conventional Systems for National Defence on Land, Sea, Air 7-11 October Hellenikon Exhibition Center

For the last 30 years, “Defendory International� exhibition provides the opportunity for the presentation of the latest defense technology achievements, inter state contacts, technical briefings, views exchange,as well as establishment of cooperative figures between defense industries or even promotion of existing ones.

8th International Hydrogeological Congress 8-10 October Athens Imperial Hotel Hosted by the Hellenic Committee of Hydrogeology, commission of the Geological Society of Greece, whose members are also members of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), in collaboration with the Cyprus Association of Geologists & Mining Engineers, the 8th International Hydrogeological Congress of Greece aims to the presentation and development of opinions and solutions of the contemporary hydrogeologic problems in connection with the promotion of knowledge and science.

Current Concepts in Head & Neck Surgery and Oncology Global Continuing Education Program (IFHNOS) 9-11 October Divani Caravel Hotel This major educational and scientific event was conceived by the Founder of International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS) Dr. Jatin P. Shah, a world leader in head and neck surgery and oncology. With the World Tour, IFHNOS is offering a global continuing medical education program featuring the most respected figures in the field of head & neck surgery and oncology. The program provides state-of-the-art knowledge and explores the frontiers of head and neck cancer diagnosis and treatment. Ample opportunity for interactive sessions between the local faculty, attendees and the traveling faculty will be provided.

Recent Advances in Cancer Immunotherapy with an Emphasis on Vaccines 9-11 October National Hellenic Research Foundation

Organized by the European Society of Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy (ESCII) and Progress in Vaccine against Cancer (PIVAC), the conference aims to investigate into recent advances in cancer immunotherapy.

39th International Conference of the CMI (Comite Maritime International) 12-17 October Astir Palace Hotel Organized by the Comite Maritime International in co-operation with the Greek Maritime Law Association, the conference is an opportunity to promote and further maritime law, hear experts in all fields, meet old friends and make new contacts.

27th Congress of the International Academy of Pathology (IAP) 12-17 October Megaron, Athens International Conference Center Organized by the International Academy of Pathology, the congress gathers experts from all over the world to reflect on the latest developments in various fields of pathology, such as autopsy pathology, bone pathology, breast pathology, cardiovascular pathology, hematopathology, molecular pathology, etc.

3rd Dual Congress on Psychiatry and the Neurosciences 16-19 October Divani Caravel Hotel Two major events in the fields of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, namely the 2nd European Congress of the International Neuropsychiatric Association and the 3rd Mediterranean Congress of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry come together to form the 3rd Dual Congress on Psychiatry and the Neurosciences, thus offering a holistic approach into these closely related fields.

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EVENT CALENDAR

3rd International Conference on Performance Evaluation Methodologies and Tools, Valuetools 2008 20-24 October Hotel Amarilia

In recent years, a range of performance evaluation methodologies and tools has been developed within disparate research communities for the purposes of evaluation, design, and model reduction. The aim of the Performance Evaluation Methodologies and Tools conference is to build bridges between these communities, bringing theory and practice together in order to compare and debate the complete range of performance evaluation methodologies and their implementation into tools and to promote interdisciplinary flow of technical information among industry systems designers and researchers.

Global Forum 2008 21-22 October Zappeion Hall The Global Forum is an annual high-profile international and independent event dedicated to business, policy and civil society issues affecting the successful evolution of the Information Society.From 1992 the Global Forum brings together more than 300 high level key actors from the Information & Communication Society, from all over the world: - providing an arena for the exposure of divergent points of view - presenting a great opportunity for the participants to develop imaginative solutions in partnership with each other during both formal and informal face to face discussions and after the Forum by electronic networking - enabling its participants to keep abreast with the latest developments in technology, regulation, markets and applications of communications and broadcast.

2nd World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (CONy) 23-26 October Athens Hilton

With the problem of neurological diseases reaching epidemiological dimensions, treatment possibilities have digressed diversely. This development has created a need for debates on the numerous controversial issues, and to attain clinical conclusions. The intention of the 2nd World Congress on Controversies in Neurology (CONy) is to function as an exclusive forum for international experts to share and compare experiences, in order to outline appropriate treatment. A congress that focuses on clinical controversies is an entirely new concept. It is embarked upon primarily to facilitate effective debate on unresolved clinical and therapeutic dilemmas.

13th International Anti-Corruption Conference 30 October - 2 November Megaron, Athens International Conference Center Organized by the International Anti- Corruption Council, the Transparency International and the Ministry of Justice of the Hellenic Republic, the conference brings together leading practitioners and experts on sustainability, governance, and transparency to discuss the role of corruption and governance in the crucial questions that will make or break a sustainable future.

21st International Sericultural Congress 2008 3-6 November Educational Center of the National Bank of Greece Organized by the International Sericultural Commission, the conference gathers professionals and experts from all over the world to reflect on recent developments in various topics.

2nd International Conference Atlantis Hypothesis: Searching for a Lost Land 10-11 November National Hellenic Research Foundation

The 2nd International Conference on the “Atlantis Hypothesis: Searching for a Lost Land” aims to serve as a forum for the presentation and constructive discussion of all the subjects related to the hypothesis of the lost land of Atlantis as well as all the relevant theoretical issues. The purpose of the meeting is to gather specialists of all the different disciplines involved in highlighting the scientific aspects of this fascinating theme.

3rd International Exhibition Energy 2008 & 1st International Exhibition Photovoltaic 2008 20-23 November MEC Paianias Exhibition Center Energy is an international exhibition specialized in all kinds of R.E.S. The leaders of the energy market participate in this event, giving to the visitors an excellent opportunity for technical consultation and concrete successful business meetings. Along with the established Energy Exhibition, a new international exhibition on Photovoltaic Technologies is being inaugurated this year.

2nd International Symmetria Meetings 21-23 November Athens Hilton Under the title “Advances in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Anti-Aging, Redifing Old Techniques, Defining New Strategies”, the conference brings together an international faculty of distinguished plastic and aesthetic surgeons from around the world to reflect on the latest developments in the field.

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AIRPORT

Athens International Airport 2007 was a year of great performance for Athens International Airport (AIA). The airport achieved a significant 10% increase in passenger traffic, placing itself among the top 10 fastest growing major airports in Europe. Also, the re-establishment of Athens and Greece among the top European tourist destinations, combined with the successful implementation of AIA’s aeronautical developmental strategy, led to AIA’s very positive end-year outcome.

According to the Director of Marketing and Communications, Mr. George Karamanos, “as an integral part of the Hellenic tourism product, our airport supports tourism development in Athens and the entire country, by increasing every year its passenger numbers, its destinations and its airlines; during its 8-year history, AIA has succeeded in growing beyond the European average, attracting 68 airlines with a network of more than 110 destinations”.

Airlines from all around the world acknowledged AIA, for a third consecutive year, as the winner of the OAG Airline Marketing Award, in the 10-25 million passengers category, at the 13th World Route Development Forum “ROUTES 2007” in Stockholm.

New Airlines Aer Lingus Air Baltic Air China Carpatair Centralwings Clickair Continental Airlines Finnair Ilyich-Avia Kaliningradavia

Catching up with 2007 With a total of 16.5 million passengers, 2007 was another recordbreaking year for Athens International Airport, posting an impressive 10% increase year on year.

Considerable traffic increase was observed in both the domestic and international markets. Domestic passengers reached 6 million, passing for the first time the 2000 all-time record, while international passengers amounted to 10.6 million, posting a new record above the 10 million threshold.

Kras Air Saudi Arabian Airlines US Airways Vueling Airways

New Destinations Beijing Gothenburg Jeddah Kaliningrad

Foreign tourist arrivals also increased significantly in 2007, surpassing prior-year levels. More specifically, foreign residents travelling on vacation through Athens International Airport reached 2.3 million, approximately 350 thousand more than 2006.

Lviv Mariupol Philadelphia Riga

The network worksheet AIA’s route network significantly expanded in 2007. By adding 10 new destinations, the airport offered in 2007 direct scheduled services to 116 destinations in 50 countries, by 70 airlines. In addition, 15 new carriers launched scheduled operations to and from AIA.

Riyadh Timisoara

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Environmental Responsibility Among AIA’s top priorities is the responsible and effective management of all environmental challenges. The airport’s Environmental Management System (EMS) is certified according to the international standard EN ISO 14001:2004. In this context, AIA implements initiatives regarding waste and water management, noise, air quality, climate change, natural environment and wildlife control, and has developed a number of community-related environmental programmes.

Awards Among the many awards and distinctions of the AIA are:

Business Excellence • • •

• • • •

AIA OAG Airport Marketing Award Winner 2007 ATRS Business Efficiency Excellence Runner-up Award Winner of OAG Airport Marketing Award for the best airline development programme Winner of the OAG Airport Marketing “European Airport of the Year 2004” EAGLE Award Airport Marketing Award for airline route development support

Operational Excellence •

46th Paris Air Show - “Aerospace Industry Awards 2005”

Customer Satisfaction • • •

• •

2nd Superbrands Award Ceremony AETRA Awards - 2nd best airport in the world for 2004 AETRA Awards - 2nd best airport in Europe / 2nd best airport in the world for 2003 ΙΑΤΑ Award IATA “Global Airport Monitor” Award for “Overall Passenger Satisfaction” in 2002

AIRPORT

Easy access

By Suburban Rail

Transportation to / from the airport

AIA is connected via the Suburban Rail to Larissis Station (Athens Central Railway Station), Pireas Port and the city of Kiato. Trains depart from the airport every 15 minutes.

Public Bus • •

•

• • •

Route X92 Kifissia - Athens International Airport Route X93 Kifissos & Liossion Intercity Bus Stations Athens International Airport Route X94 Ethniki Amina Metro Station Athens International Airport Route X95 Syntagma - Athens International Airport Route X96 Pireas Port - Athens International Airport Route X97 Dafni Metro Station Athens International Airport

Fares: AIA - Athens single fare / € 6 AIA - Athens return ticket (within 48 hours) / € 10 AIA - Pireas single fare / € 6 AIA - Pireas return ticket (within 48 hours) / € 10 AIA - Kiato single fare / € 10 AIA - Kiato return ticket (within 48 hours) / € 18 (see also map on pages 62-63)

By Car

Ticket price: € 3.20 (for only one trip to or from the airport) Buses depart from the Arrivals Level between Exits 4-5 Regional Buses - KTEL Regional buses connect AIA with the following destinations: • • • • •

Port of Rafina Markopoulo Port of Lavrio - Change bus at Markopoulo Kalyvia - Change bus at Markopoulo Keratea - Change bus at Markopoulo

-

Buses depart from the Arrivals Level opposite the airport’s Sofitel Hotel.

The main access road to AIA is Attiki Odos, a high-speed tolled motorway. Toll-free access to the airport can also be obtained through Lavriou Avenue and other primary roads.

Driving from the Southern suburbs or Pireas, you can find your way to the airport avoiding tolls via Possidonos Avenue or Vouliagmenis Avenue, Varis-Koropiou Avenue and finally Attiki Odos motorway using the Airport junction.

By taxi The airport is accessible by taxi on a 24-hour basis. Passengers reaching the airport disembark at the Departures Level.

When leaving the airport, please make use of the taxi stand next to Door 3 of the Arrivals Level. (see also map on pages 64-65)

Prices vary between € 1.50 and € 4

By Metro -

- -

The airport is accessible via Metro Line 3 (Blue line, Athens International Airport - Egaleo) Trains depart for the airport every half hour (:00 and :30) The journey from AIA to Syntagma Square (centre of Athens) lasts 27 minutes.

Fares: Single fare / € 6 Return ticket (within 48 hours) / € 10 Mobility impaired / € 3

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CASE STUDIES

WORLD CITIES JOIN FORCES IN ATHENS TO FIGHT POVERTY THROUGH LOCAL DEMOCRACY The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty (WACAP) once again united cities that have decided to take a public stand and mobilise all sectors of society, to do everything in their power to eliminate poverty both at home and abroad. More than 1,000 delegates on behalf

The sixth forum, co-organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the City of Athens, focused on the potential role of municipalities and other local authorities in securing adequate food, education, water and sanitation, as well as in combating hunger, child mortality and disease (primarily HIV/AIDS). The event took place in the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, from 26 to 28 March, coinciding with the 2,500 year anniversary of the birth of democracy in ancient Athens.

of 300 cities in 100 countries spanning all five continents, attended the sixth WACAP forum, making it larger than any of the previous biennial gatherings.

The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty is an international information network that acts primarily as a forum for exchanging exemplary municipal poverty-reduction policies and programmes. “Fighting poverty at a local level” was the message of the sixth WACAP forum, which had the theme: Reinforcement of Local Democratic Government, placing special emphasis on the role of local democracy and participatory processes in endeavours to eliminate poverty, bearing in mind that some 600 million of the world’s poorest people live in cities.

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WACAP co-ordinator, Mohand Cherifi, said that the theme chosen for the conference was not coincidental. “The lessons we learned from previous forums […] have contributed to the dissemination of information on the fight against poverty. […] We have indeed established that, while there has been a reduction in poverty and progress has been achieved in terms of MDGs in certain countries, many shortcomings still exist and delays are occurring […] leading to the theme of 6th Forum, reinforcement of local democratic government.” He added, “One of the innovative outcomes expected from the Athens meeting is the participating municipalities’ adoption of time-bound and quantified local ‘roadmaps’.”

A City of Athens representative said, “Richer cities will commit to international city-to-city co-operation.”

President of Greece, Karolos Papoulias who inaugurated the conference, said the forum addressed a “reality that was much worse than that reflected in official figures”.

In the opening address, Cecile Molinier, director of the United Nations Development Programme office in Europe, stressed that every three seconds a child dies of hunger or a preventable illness around the world and emphasized that nothing today is more of the essence than fighting world poverty. She called attention to the fact that unless there is action on a local level, the Millenium Targets that called for a 50 percent reduction of the percentage of the population living before the poverty line could not be achieved by 2015.

During the forum, the participating cities shared their experiences on the subjects of hunger, access to primary education, water and sanitation, child mortality, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS and gender gaps. The members of WACAP discussed an array of other interrelated issues, such as decentralization, local autonomy, participation, empowerment and participative cooperation to achieve the MDGs, as well as the adoption of time-bound, quantifiable local “road maps” that will establish targets to be reached on several aspects of poverty in each city. According to UNDP, richer cities will commit to cooperation with cities in the developing world to help them accomplish the identified goals.

“Poverty kills more people than terrorism, wars and violence,” said Jean Fabre, UNDP Deputy Director and one of the organizers of the forum. “It is the leading cause of death world-wide.” He added: “The Athens forum will prove an outstanding opportunity to create a type of school that will reinforce the role of municipalities in the network for the fight against poverty.”

President of Greece, Karolos Papoulias, stated that the free movement of capital, people and services had led to “the globalized environment in which we live, where the excluded of the First World, the collateral damage of asymmetric development and the further degradation of the Third World confirm the most pessimistic predictions.” Furthermore, he pointed out that poverty was not inevitable but a symptom of the failures of the economic and social framework and that soon, unless we do something to change the situation, there will be further marginalization and degradation of the majority of the Earth’s population.

Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyannis, said that poverty was a challenge to human dignity and underlined the role that local governments could play in alleviating poverty, since they are in direct and daily contact with people and are aware of local problems.

She concluded with the remarks: “With the participation of so many distinguished individuals from around the world, the forum constitutes an excellent opportunity to discuss the most appropriate methods to ensure successful co-operation. All of us here, together in Athens, let’s send a powerful, positive message: We cannot accept poverty.”

CASE STUDIES

Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis stressed that poverty was not just a phenomenon of developing countries. “It no longer affects only certain countries or societies. It affects all countries, societies and cities,” he said, adding: “We can no longer continue to feign ignorance. On the 2,500 year anniversary of the birth of Democracy in our city, this forum takes on even greater symbolic meaning. This forum signifies another transition, the transfer of the responsibility for poverty eradication from the central to the local level.”

Chairman of the Association of Local Municipalities and Communities of Attica Prefecture (TEDKNA), Dimitris Kalogeropoulos, also referred to the role that local government could play in the fight against poverty, “The nature of poverty is such that I feel local government is best qualified to effectively tackle it. Combating poverty requires action, it demands initiatives and, above all, it needs alliances. It also requires the formation of partnerships and networks, such as WACAP, and I am confident that the exchange of views and best practices, and mutual contribution toward our common goal, will prove fruitful here in Athens.”

About The World Alliance of Cities (WACAP) The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty (WACAP) is a contribution made by cities from all continents to the International Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. WACAP was initiated during the first quarter of 1996, International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, and officially launched on October 17, 1997 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Plans of action to fight poverty, protect children, regenerate the environment, provide access to healthcare, clean water, education and basic social services, and ensure an income and a decent standard of living for all, have been drawn up by the governments of the world at global conferences held in the last six years under the aegis of the United Nations.

Those plans must now be implemented.

With appropriate local and national efforts, as well as revitalized international cooperation, much can be accomplished during the 10 years ahead, so that one day, no child will go without an education, no human being will be denied primary health care or safe drinking water, and no one will be condemned to go hungry.

The World Alliance of Cities against Poverty unites cities that have decided to take a public stand and mobilise all sectors of society, from individuals to governments, to do everything in their power to eliminate poverty both at home and abroad.

The sixth World Alliance of Cities against Poverty forum in Athens enabled the elected representatives and civil servants of participating municipalities to link up with a number of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and businesses, including UNDP, UN Habitat, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the World Bank and other major development institutions. The Millennium Campaign was presented as well as the Millennium Cities Initiative with the Earth Institute at Columbia University.

The Millennium Development Goals at the heart of municipal action.

By 2015 : Reduce poverty by half Provide all children with primary education Eliminate gender disparities in school Reduce infant mortality by two-thirds Reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters Reverse the spread of AIDS and malaria Ensure environmental sustainability Develop a global partnership

for development

₁ ₂ ₃ ₄ ₅ ₆ ₇ ₈

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PHOTO KARAMANIAN Š

MEGARON ATHENS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE

Clare Amsel, Director of Conferences of the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, guides us through one of the finest and most technologically advanced conference venues in Europe.

An integral part of the Athens Concert Hall Organisation, whose facilities have been globally applauded since its opening in 1991, the international conference centre, offers a stunning environment, exceptional aesthetics, cutting edge technology and unrivalled client service.

VENUES THE CENTRE’S TOTAL CAPACITY IS AROUND 8,000 DELEGATES, DEPENDING ON THE CONFIGURATION, WITH THE LARGEST MEETING ROOM ACCOMMODATING CLOSE TO 2,000

All of the main Foyers adjoining the halls have dedicated catering bar facilities and cloakrooms.

Banqueting space facilities are many and varied throughout the building and include the Foyers, the Banqueting Hall, the intimate Allegro restaurant and will soon also include the Fly Tower restaurant, due to open in 2009, which has a magnificent view across the park adjacent to MAICC.

CLARE AMSEL director of conferences of the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre PHOTO ANAGNOSTOPOULOS ATHANASSIOS ©

MAICC was conceived and built with great respect for the environment and green urban planning. For whilst the original building faces straight onto one of Athens major avenues, the international conference centre has been incorporated into the park right next to it, with such skill, that it in no way infringes on it.

1. What facilities are available at the Megaron?

MAICC has a total offering of 143.000 square metres and a choice of 18 meeting spaces, combined with expansive exhibition and foyer areas totalling 12,000 square metres. The Centre’s total capacity is around 8,000 delegates, depending on the configuration, with the largest meeting room accommodating close to 2,000.

The main auditoria include, The Hall of the Friends of Music (1,960 theatre style), the Alexandra Trianti Hall (1,500 theatre style), the Banqueting Hall, which is a circular hall (650 theatre style), the Dimitris Mitropoulos Hall (450 theatre style) and the Nikos Skalkotas Hall (380 theatre style). These are complimented by a wide range of break out rooms with capacities ranging from 25 to 180, depending on set-up style.

There is also an independent Exhibition Hall adjoining two of the main auditoria.

The technology, audiovisual and stage systems incorporated into the halls are at the forefront of technology, incorporating simultaneous translation facilities, with capabilities from three to nine languages, depending on the size of the hall.

In a city where parking is at an absolute premium, we are proud to offer our guests a total of 750 parking spaces in our 3 story underground car park.

Megaron is right on a metro station with a direct line to the El. Venizelos international airport (35 minutes). Taxis, trams and buses are plentiful and right outside the main door.

2. What services are offered?

At MAICC we understand that a successful meeting is a single, seamless experience. In addition to day on day support, provided by our conference and event planning team, our technical, operations, and house management and banqueting departments also provide full support.

The technical teams at Megaron AICC are highly experienced and able to manage the most complex production. We maintain a full time technical staff of over 80 people.

In addition, show relay systems in the main auditoria allow for the transmission of live sessions from one hall to another.

Understanding that organizers and delegates need to stay in touch, in addition to Internet connectivity using a high speed leased line connection (which can carry up to 15 MBps of data) we also offer wireless LAN throughout much of the building and VLAN can be configured on a case-by-case basis.

There are several outdoor options including The Atrium of the Muses, which serves as a natural open-air extension to the Megaron’s interior.

Internet Zones are an option, which many conference and exhibition organizers need to provide and these can be set up at a number of strategic points in the Centre

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THE HALL OF THE FRIENDS OF MUSIC PHOTO KARAMANIAN ©

3. What size conferences can you accommodate?

6. What large conferences have you held recently?

MAICC can accommodate conferences for up to 8,000 delegates, depending on the configuration.

To name just a few: - IGS: 6th International Glaucoma Symposium - EAES: the 15th European Association for Endoscopic Surgery - ICP 2007: 25th International Conference of Pediatrics - CIRSE 2007: Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiological Society of Europe - AAPG: American Association of Petroleum Geologists - European Region Energy Conference - 33rd FEBS & 11th IUBMB Conference

4. Why do conference organisers choose the Megaron?

For a great many reasons, key to which are its central position in the city, close to many major hotels, the stunning facilities it offers, the excellence of its technical and support services and the international reputation which it has built. (Clare Amsel has recently been elected to the Board of Directors of AIPC -The International Association of Congress Centres -, which is recognised as the international body for excellence in conference centre management.)

5. How do you handle security issues?

We take security very seriously at Megaron. We know it is of the utmost importance in the choice of a venue. Having hosted a considerable number of the world’s high profile figures, we have substantial experience in this area and we maintain 24-hour full time security staff throughout the building. Our security teams are allocated to each and every event we host and are positioned at key points in the facility on a case-by-case basis.

MAICC HAS A TOTAL OFFERING OF 143.000 SQUARE METRES AND A CHOICE OF 18 MEETING SPACES, COMBINED WITH EXPANSIVE EXHIBITION AND FOYER AREAS TOTALLING 12,000 SQUARE METRES

7. What conferences will take place in September, October and November this year?

Two of the major international conferences we are currently preparing for are the XXVII Congress of the International Academy of Pathology in October and the 13th International Anti-Corruption Conference in late October, early November.

8. Why choose Athens to hold international conferences?

Bathed in light and drenched in sunshine for 300 days of the year and easily accessible to major airports worldwide, modern Athens is a vibrant metropolis and Greece’s principal centre for business and foreign trade. Completely regenerated and transformed to hold the highly successful 2004 Olympic Games, Athens demonstrated it has the facilities, services and infrastructure to host the most demanding global event.

Athens is also recognized as the birthplace of civilization. The source of many of the West’s intellectual and artistic conceptions, reminders are redolent throughout the city. The most famous of these is, of course, the Parthenon.

VENUES

WALKING DISTANCE HOTELS 9

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MEGARON ATHENS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE

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airotel ALEXANDROS

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Classical King George Palace

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★★★★

Vassou, 210 64 30 464

3 minutes walk

airotel stratos vassilikos

★★★★★

114 Michalakopoulou, 210 64 00 720

4 minutes walk

Athens Hilton

★★★★★

46 Vasilisis Sofias, 210 72 81 000

5 minutes walk

25 Michalakopoulou, 210 72 44 051

4 minutes walk

★★★★★

3 Vasileos Georgiou, Sintagma Square, 210 32 58 880

2 metro stations, 3 minutes walk

Classical NJV Athens Plaza

★★★★★

2 Vasileos Georgiou, Sintagma Square, 210 33 52 400

2 metro stations, 3 minutes walk

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Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre

★★★★★

50 Michalakopoulou, 210 72 78 000

5 minutes walk

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Divani Caravel

★★★★★

2 Vasileos Alexandrou Avenue, 210 72 07 000

7 minutes walk

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G.R. Louis hotel

★★★★

22 Timoleontos Vassou, 210 64 15 000

3 minutes walk

Best Western Ilisia

★★★★

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Hotel Grande Bretagne

★★★★★

Vasileos Georgiou A1, Sintagma Square, 210 33 30 815

2 metro stations, 3 minutes walk

11.

Holiday Suites

★★★★★

4 Arnis, 210 72 78 500

5 minutes walk

12.

St. George Lycabettus Hotel

★★★★★

2 Kleomenous, 210 72 90 711

1 metro station and 9 minutes walk

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Roman Agora You have probably encountered Opening and Closing Ceremonies in modern state-of-the-art hotels and venues. But have you ever experienced an Opening or a Closing Ceremony located at an ancient monument?

Athens, the city brimming with monuments, provides you with this unique opportunity. Situated in the very heart of the city, the Roman Agora is an archaeological site of the Roman era that can be hired for the hosting of a concert or a performance. The area between Plaka and Monastiraki has been a commercial centre for a considerable length of time. The use of the land has not changed with the passing of the centuries.

The area operated as a base for trade in antiquity and Roman times just as it does today. The Roman Agora was built in the area which is known as “aerides” (“winds”), and is now open to visitors for a few hours every day. Even passers-by who do not wish to enter can slow down a little to take a look. They have a good view from the roads which surround the Agora, as the stone wall is very low. It should be mentioned here that it is possible to hire the space for events, on application to the relevant Inspectorate of Antiquities. Everyone who attends an activity or event there speaks enthusiastically about the use of the space for modern cultural and social activities. It is a strange feeling to visit a monument in such circumstances, to make good use of it for contemporary reasons. On 6-8th September, for example, the Roman Agora has been hired for a special tribute to composer Manos Hadjidakis.

LOCATIONS

The Roman Agora was an open square space with sides approximately one hundred metres long, and had the appearance of a colonnaded courtyard. There were closed-in shops along the eastern side, all of the same size, which were rented by a few traders. The remaining traders sold their wares in the free space remaining. The Roman Agora was not created by chance, that is to say it did not appear because of the spontaneous arrival of traders to the same area, as happened with the Ancient Agora. On the contrary, it was an architectural concept dating back to the 1st century BC, which was a predecessor of the modern mall. Everything was designated from the very start: the who and where had been worked out before the traders even arrived. According to the plans, there was even a fountain with fresh drinking water and toilets.

Visitors to the Roman Agora can see findings from the excavation which has been carried out over half the area. The most distinguishing feature is the four surviving columns, each eight metres high, which were located at the western gate.

In the same place there is also an inscription which says that construction of the Agora was completed with funds supplied by the Emperor Augustus, and was begun with a donation from his predecessor Julius Caesar. Based on the inscription, this spot is considered to have been where the sanctuary of Athena had previously stood. However, the most important building in the Agora was the Clock of Andronicus of Cyrrhus, known as the Tower of the Winds, which gave the neighbourhood its name “Winds�. This is an octagonal building, 12 metres high with anaglyphic representations of the eight major winds.

Two water tanks moved the metal mechanism which showed the time. Over the years, the building was used as a Christian baptistery and as a tekke (prayer space) for dervishes.

THE ROMAN AGORA CAN BE HIRED FOR THE HOSTING OF A CONCERT OR A PERFORMANCE Residents of Athens considered the Tower of the Winds to be a temple to Aiolos, the god of the wind, and this is why this name was given to the nearby road which has been a centre of trade for many decades from the 19th century onwards. Today, on Aiolou St, as in other roads near the Roman Agora, we can see the same view that they would have seen in Roman times: the outdoor flea market with the wares spread on the pavement existing harmoniously alongside the roofed traders and traditional shops.

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THE UNDERGROUND METRO SYSTEM Easy and quick transportation for all delegates is always an issue high on the agenda for conference organizers. When planning a meeting in Athens though, this issue is already solved by the city’s transportation infrastructure. Since its inauguration in 2000, the Athens Metro has brought about a revolution in the capital’s daily life and transportation habits, eliminating the time required to move around in the city. Today, it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to reach the city centre from either the western, the southern or the eastern suburbs of the capital.

But the Athens Metro is not just a means of transport. It also functions as an underground museum since many stations display archaeological finds at the exact spot where they were discovered. During its construction, 50,000 objects were excavated from the depths of the earth. The history of Greece was revealed in layers. Roman baths, a section of the Peisistratian aqueduct, the bed of the Iridanos River and the ancient road which led to the municipalities of Messogia were all unearthed at Syntagma station. Next to these archaeological findings, a room which hosts lectures, exhibitions and cultural events has been created. So, if you are looking for an out of the ordinary venue for side events, the Athens Metro is a place you should consider.

The network The Metro Network consists of two lines. Line 2 or the Red Line (Aghios Antonios - Aghios Dimitrios) is 10.9 kilometers long and connects the western to the southern part of the city through 14 stations and in less than 30 minutes. Line 3 or the Blue Line is 16.4 kilometers long with 13 Stations, whereas another 21.2 kilometers of the Suburban Railway Network constitute the continuation of Line 3, by means of which the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” and the area of Messogia are directly connected to the city center using the Metro trains. So, if your flight arrives or leaves between 5:30 and midnight, the easiest way to move is via the Metro. The journey lasts 39 minutes and a single ticket costs 6 Euros.

The operation of the Metro induced broader changes in the capital’s transportation system, since other transportation networks have been connected to the metro to provide for more effective and quick transportation around the city. The two lines join up with the old Piraeus to Kifissia Railway Line which connects the port to the northern part of Athens, and also with the Tram line which leads to many beaches on the south side of Athens.

TRANSPORTATION

---The Acropolis Station

MORE THAN 650,000 PASSENGERS TRAVEL DAILY ON THE ATHENS METRO. FOREIGNERS ARE ALWAYS TAKEN ABACK

BY THE SPOTLESS APPEARANCE OF BOTH STATIONS AND TRAINS

Hotels within walking distance What is even more important – especially for meeting planners – is the fact that a large number of hotels are located within walking distance from a Metro Station within the city center. More precisely, there are twenty one 5 star hotels, nineteen 4 star and three 3 star hotels all offering meeting facilities and all located within walking distance from a Metro Station within the city center. In practice, this means that all delegates can move easily to and from the airport and have the opportunity to visit various places around the city even during breaks from their meetings. The Metro operates from 5:30 am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and from 5:30 am to 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. A single ticket costs 0,80 Euros and is valid for one and a half hours travel on any form of transportation (metro, train, tram, bus, trolley – bus).

A day ticket costs 3 Euros and 10 Euros for a weekly ticket.

Added value More than 650,000 passengers travel daily on the Athens Metro. The reason so many people trust it is not only the fact that it provides easy and quick access across the capital, but also because of its passenger friendly environment. All stations provide access by elevators for persons with limited mobility.

Foreigners are always taken aback by the spotless appearance of both stations and trains. It’s true that the fact that eating or drinking is neither allowed in the stations nor on the trains has helped the Attiko Metro Company to maintain standards of cleanliness throughout the day.

State-of-the-art technological systems, such as the Automatic Protection System (ATP), Fire-detection and Fire-fighting, Ventilation, Smoke Exhaust, CCTV, Supervision and Alarm, UPS, etc. ensure the maximum degree of safety for the passengers, the personnel and the equipment. Announcements to the public are made in real time to prevent passenger accidents or damage to technical equipment and to inform passengers of train arrivals and departures or to inform persons with special needs with regard to the operation of lifts. To make things even better and transportation around the city a unique experience, the Athens Metro could be regarded as a museum in which, in order to move from one room to the next, you get the train. Each station holds exhibits either from ancient times or works by contemporary Greek artists, thus providing foreigners with the opportunity to move around Greek art as they move around the city.

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The Acropolis Station---

TRANSPORTATION

List of Hotels with Meeting Facilities within walking distance from a Metro Station Evangelismos Station

Omonia Station HOTEL

RATING

HOTEL

RATING

2 Fashion House Hotel

5 star

Divani Caravel

Acropol

5 star

Athens Hilton

Athens Park Hotel

5 star

St. George Lycabettus

5 star

Residence Georgio Hotel

5 star

Best Western Ilissia Hotel

4 star

Fresh Hotel

4 star

Kaningos 21 Design Hotel

4 star

Polis Grand Hotel

4 star

HOTEL

Titania

4 star

Crowne Plaza Athens City Center

5 star

Airotel Stratos Vassilikos

5 star

Holiday Suites

5 star

Golden Age

4 star

Syntagma Station HOTEL

RATING

5 star 5 star

Megaro Moussikis RATING

Athens Electra Palace

5 star

Grande Bretagne

5 star

King George Palace

5 star

N.J.V. Athens Plaza

5 star

HOTEL

Amalia

4 star

G.R. Louis Athens Hotel

5 star

Best Western Esperia Palace

4 star

Airotel Alexandros

4 star

Electra

4 star

President

4 star

Zafolia

4 star

Ambelokipoi RATING

Acropolis Station HOTEL

RATING

Metaxourgio

Divani Palace Acropolis

5 star

HOTEL

Royal Olympic Hotel

5 star

Athens Imperial

5 star

Airotel Parthenon

4 star

Jason Prime Hotel

4 star

Hera Hotel

4 star

Novotel

4 star

Ilissos Hotel

4 star

Stanley

4 star

RATING

Syngrou - Fix Station HOTEL

RATING

Athenaum Intercontinental

5 star

Athenian Callirhoe Exclusive

5 star

Ledra - Marriot

5 star

Athens Atrium

4 star

For further information on hotels, visit the ACB website www.athensconventionbureau.gr For further information on the Athens Metro, visit the Athens Metro website www.amel.gr

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THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM Antiquity meets contemporary architecture and technology at the new Acropolis Museum, which opens to the public in 2009. The building is made of glass, stainless steel and cement, and houses marbles of Classical Athens: a total of 4,000 archaeological findings. The museum is at the foot of the Acropolis hill, located in the heart of the city, and is right next to one of the most beautiful pedestrian paths in the world. The building was designed by Bernard Tschumi, dean of the School of Architecture at Columbia University in New York. The Swiss architect’s suggestion was accepted because it fulfilled the particular specifications set. For example, he had pre-designed a way to display the antiquities which would be found on the site during the digging of the foundations. The site chosen to build the museum on was known to hide important findings which would have to be preserved and displayed.

The new Acropolis Museum was built in such a way as to utilise the natural light so that there is a feeling of being outside, as most of the findings were out in the countryside in ancient times. The architect also placed great importance on the connection between the Museum and the Parthenon, so that while visitors are looking at the exhibits, they will simultaneously have a clear view of the monument itself.

The use of glass for its construction makes it possible for a person to be looking at the display cases one moment, and then in the next looking across towards the Parthenon itself, with the light of Attica filling the inside of the building and giving the impression of being outdoors.

MUSEUMS

Right from the start, the ambitious aim was for the metopes from the frieze and pediments of the Parthenon to be displayed in all their glory in this way, and for the marbles from the Acropolis to be reunited with those which are currently in the British Museum. Another aim was to integrate the huge size of the museum into a densely-populated area, whereby low-rise apartment blocks from the 1960s and 1970s exist alongside spacious neoclassical buildings built at the end of the 19th century.

THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM WAS BUILT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO UTILISE THE NATURAL LIGHT SO THAT THERE IS A FEELING OF BEING OUTSIDE, AS MOST OF THE FINDINGS WERE OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE IN ANCIENT TIMES

Bernard Tschumi’s proposal was to construct a 21st century building without it being influenced by antiquity-worship.

The materials he chose for the construction made it possible for the building to be filled with light. Yet another of his aims was for there to be no static lines, so as to create an allusion of movement. For this reason, the final storey seems to revolve around the central axis of the building. The parallelogram which sticks out from the main bulk of the building (it diverges from the lower storey by 23 degrees) was not placed there by mistake. The main hall has the same orientation and dimensions as the Parthenon, which seems to be right next door through the glass divide, as if you could reach out and touch it.

The statues have the same orientation as well, meaning that they are in the same positions in which they would have been situated in the ancient monument.

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MUSEUMS Visitors to the new Acropolis Museum have to both look up above their heads and down beneath their feet. Up above is the Sacred Rock with the Parthenon and, under the glass floor below their feet, are the preserved antiquities which were found in the ground during the excavations. Everyday objects, remains of houses, baths, roads and workshops were uncovered and have been kept in their original positions. The building has three floors, with a total surface area of 21,000 m2. The ground floor (which contains the entrance hall, shop, cafeteria and auxiliary halls for periodical exhibitions and events) is supported by approximately one hundred cement columns which bring to mind ancient architecture but can in no way be considered to be imitations. The middle section is 10 metres high, and houses findings from the Archaic Period up to the period of the Roman Empire. In total, more than 4,000 findings are housed here, and each of these plays a specific role in creating the image we have of this golden era, as well as of the eras which preceded and followed it. The exhibits are divided into five collections, with findings from the slopes of the Acropolis, from the Archaic, Classical and Roman Eras, and from the remains of ancient Athens as it appears beneath the glass floor.

BERNARD TSCHUMI’S PROPOSAL WAS TO CONSTRUCT A 21ST CENTURY BUILDING WITHOUT IT BEING INFLUENCED

BY ANTIQUITY- WORSHIP The findings from the Acropolis are being housed all together for the first time as, up until now, they were kept in various different museums all over Athens, or in store-rooms. Some of them were housed in museums abroad. The question of whether or not the marbles stolen by Lord Elgin will be returned is still open, as these are still on display in the British Museum. One of the main arguments for them to be kept in England was that there was nowhere suitable to display them in Athens - an argument which has now been shot down with the creation of the new museum. There is a great movement

by Philhellenes campaigning for the so-called “Elgin” marbles to be returned. Not just the new building, but also the careful transfer of exhibits is a guarantee of the good treatment exhibits receive in the place they originated from. Two-hundred and forty-five large objects, weighing a total of 113 tonnes, were moved down from the old museum, at the top of the Acropolis rock, with the help of three cranes.

The building of the new Acropolis Museum has been a vision for the Athenians for the last thirty years, since the idea for a modern and open building, worthy of its exhibits, was first expressed. During this period of time, the type of building, the site, and the general philosophy of the museum have been the subject of heated conversations and disagreements amongst archaeologists (who were concerned that excavations would destroy the remains), architects (who put forward many different views about integrating the building into the fabric of the city), and politicians, who expressed a wide range of misgivings. Time has shown that the moral is the same as in fairytales: All’s well that ends well.

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CASE STUDIES

POSIDONIA 2008:

A NEW RECORD IN THE PARTICIPATION OF EXHIBITORS AND VISITORS The 21st edition of Posidonia, the biannual world maritime exhibition taking place in Athens, achieved two new records in terms of the participation of both exhibitors and visitors. This year the number of exhibitors exceeded 1,700, whereas more than 16,000 people visited the exhibition to find out more about the most recent developments in various areas of the maritime field.

From June 2nd to 6th, Athens was placed in the spotlight of the international maritime field. “The Hellenic maritime field is the pearl barley of the world maritime industry and the Posidonia Exhibition is its compass which, pointing always towards Greece, invites the international maritime community”, said Mr Themistocles Vokos, President of the Posidonia Exhibition.

The Exhibition was opened by the Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis, who emphasised the legal framework that his government has developed in order to support investments in the Hellenic maritime field. He stated that “In 2006, the maritime field contributed a total of 14 billion euros to the Greek economy, an amount that increased to 17 billion euros in 2007”.

World wide participation The number of exhibitors amounted to 1,710 from 82 different countries. The large number of participants led the organizers to extend the exhibition area to 28,100 square meters. Posidonia took place at the Hellenikon (former airport) Exhibition Center. Besides the growth of participation in terms of numbers, there were also new countries coming in such as Honduras, Iceland, Luxembourg and Mongolia.

There was also a considerable increase in exhibitors from Asian countries, who totalled more than 300, a number that has almost tripled since the exhibition held in the year 2000.

One third of them (almost 100 exhibitors) were from China and 62 from Japan, Singapore and Korea. This edition also marked a record in the number of national delegations, which accounted for 22 in total. “As far as the Asian shipbuilding companies are concerned, Posidonia is a biannual event in which they need to participate in order to network with Greek ship owners and executives of shipping companies. This is mainly because the Greek shipping industry controls the bulk of the orders for the building of new ships on the international scene, with orders that by the end of March exceeded 1,050 ships and 75 million dwt.”, says Ms Nana Michael, CEO of Posidonia Exhibition. And she continues: “Those involved in the maritime field have to keep pace with the developments and Posidonia, an exhibiton that contributes to the formation of the agenda in the international maritime industry, offers considerable services to both exhibitors and visitors as the ideal environment for co-operation and networking.”

On the Hellenic Maritime Industry Although Greece is a small country both in terms of population and geographic area, the Hellenic Maritime Industry controls 8,7% of the world fleet with 4,173 ships and a total capacity of 261 million tones. In 2007, the Hellenic Maritime Industry contributed 17 billion Euros , to the Hellenic Economy a number that accounts for 7% of the National GDP. The Port of Piraeus is home to 1,300 maritime companies that employ around 12,000 people. It is also estimated that in the region of 250,000 people are employed in companies that are related directly or indirectly to the maritime industry.

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Cape Sounion The Ancient Greeks built temples to their gods in the most beautiful locations. Poseidon, the god of the sea, was clearly one of the favourites as the place of worship devoted to him was erected in impressive natural surroundings, high up on rocks 60 metres above sea level at the very end of the Attica peninsula. Sounion stands looking out over the open Aegean Sea, and instils a sense of uncertainty in visitors as to whether they are closer to the sea or the sky.

For Athenians, a visit to the Temple of Poseidon has always been a traditional day trip, even though in recent years the construction of luxurious dwellings has helped transform this beloved destination into a popular place for short weekend breaks. Despite the fact that it is only 65 kilometres from the city, Sounion is so completely cut off from any urban centre that when you arrive you have a sense of being much further away from reality than you really are.

DAYTRIPS THE BEST TIME OF DAY FOR A VISIT TO THE TEMPLE OF POSEIDON IS IN THE EVENING, FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT SOUNION IS RENOWNED FOR ITS SUNSETS An imposing temple Reference to Sounion is made in Homer’s Odyssey, while the findings in the area bear witness to an increase in the idolisation of the gods here from the 7th century BC onwards. The surviving Temple of Poseidon was built upon the ruins of an earlier temple dedicated to the same god during the decade of 450440 BC, in the period considered to be the Golden Age of Pericles. Today, only 15 pillars constructed in the Doric Style survive of this impressive building. To the northeast there is a temple of the goddess Athena, which brings to mind the dispute between the two gods over who was to control the land of Attica. In the 19th century, the geographical position of these places of worship, and the fact that the greater part of the temple was still imposing, led to Sounion attracting travellers like a magnet.

The Philhellenic poet Lord Byron engraved his name on one of the pillars (today anyone attempting to do something similar would be considered a vandal and arrested).

A coastline of clear water The best time of day for a visit to the Temple of Poseidon is in the evening, for the simple reason that Sounion is renowned for its sunsets. A visit can be combined with a dip in the sea off the beaches of the Saronic Gulf. The route to the temple follows a coastline of clear water, and sea bathing is permitted everywhere. There are no private beaches in Greece. Everyone is allowed access to the beach, although organised beaches have ticketed entry. Both in Sounion, and on the way there, there are restaurants along the side of the sea. Fish and shellfish are often displayed in the windows, and it is customary for customers to choose the seafood they would like to order from what is laid out in the fridge.

An interesting town A trip to Sounion can also be combined with a visit to Lavrion, which is 7 kilometres from the Temple of Poseidon, on the eastern side of Attica. To a great extent, Lavrion was the place to which the ancient city of Athens owed its development, as it was where the silver mines were to be found. The fact that the area is rich in mines drew the attention of a French-Italian mining company in the 19th century. The town they built is a combination of industrial and Neoclassical elements which attracts even more interest than the working port itself. There are many reasons why a trip to Sounion should be made in conjunction with a visit to Lavrion: the technological park, the archaeological site of Thorikos, and the fish restaurants overlooking the harbour to name but a few.

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THE SPORTACCORD CONVENTION IN ATHENS “Following the great success of the 2004 Olympic Games, Greece has refined its place on the sports map. It has proved that it is in a position to meet major demands and has won respect and international recognition. The holding of SportAccord in Athens is once again turning people’s attention to the Greek capital, which now has the right experience and know-how to become a popular venue again.” These were the words of the Greek Minister of Culture, Michalis Liapis, preceding the sixth, and so far the biggest and most successful SportAccord, one of the most important sport conventions in the world, marking yet another victory for Athens as a host to a significant event in the Olympic spirit.

CASE STUDIES

Only just two months before the Grand Opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, SportAccord Athens 2008, the annual international convention of the sport movement, took place at the convention hotel, Athens Hilton. Over five dynamic days, representatives from the 100 International Sports Federations affiliated to GAISF, ASOIF and AIOWF, as well as the International Olympic Committee Executive Board came together. The President of GAISF & Chairman of SportAccord, Hein Verbruggen, said they were “honoured to be in a city that has such a historic and passionate involvement with the sports movement.” Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee could not agree more, saying that Athens was, without a doubt, the most appropriate city to host the 6th annual SportAccord convention.

Between 2 and 6 June, Athens proved to the world, yet again, that it undeniably has the ability to turn the most demanding of events into a success story, welcoming over 1500 delegates from more than 500 organisations in 60 countries worldwide, including sponsors, bidding and host cities, architects, sports lawyers, broadcasters, Olympic Organising Committees, rights holders and other specialists that all came together to present and discuss the key issues facing the sports industry.

Ahead of the upcoming event, the Mayor of Athens Nikitas Kaklamanis believed that ”Athens is sure to elicit a powerful sports vibe to all that attend the SportAccord convention, and to offer participants a memorable experience in this vibrant European capital, with world-class cultural attractions complimented with modern amenities, diverse entertainment and natural beauty,” and his faith was rewarded.

The convention had almost 70 exhibitors, top-notch speeches from over 30 leading figures, abundant networking receptions and the Annual General Meetings of the Sports Governing Bodies. The organizers of SportAccord happily expressed their gratitude to the City of Athens for hosting a great event, making it the largest and most successful edition up till now.

The Greek hosts worked closely with the organisers ahead of the Athens SportAccord to present an increasingly memorable program of social and cultural events in Athens, enhancing SportAccord’s already recognized platform for networking opportunities. Athens’ Tourism and Economic Development company commented on the preparations, saying, “A brand new Athens celebrates the privilege of hosting the distinguished SportAccord Event in 2008.

As a city steeped in sporting tradition, we look forward to offering a unique and very special experience to all delegates attending the 6th edition of the event.”

During this sixth edition of the SportAccord, a new feature was introduced to the programme, the SportAccord ‘City Forum’ aiming to serve cities that host or want to host sports events around the world. It is designed specifically to facilitate cities in conveying ideas and best-practice principles. Similarly, the first edition of SportAccord Yearbook, to be launched later in 2008, will focus on sport cities, providing a valuable reference tool on the sporting and event infrastructure of cities worldwide.

Foremost media from all over the world, such as AFP, The Times, Reuters, NBC, Eurosport, DPA, BBC, AP, China Central Television, Insight Media Hong Kong, JIJI PRESS Japan and Al Jazeera International, attended SportAccord to report on the IOC’s announcement of the official candidate cities to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, and this sold-out highlight was also made accessible for all to experience the event online through streaming.

About SportAccord Owned by GAISF, ASOIF and AIOWF, SportAccord encompasses the annual Associations’ Congress and General Assemblies, while offering the sports community a valuable opportunity to come together in an exclusive and authoritative networking environment to build relationships, exchange knowledge and develop ideas.

SportAccord comprises networking activities and a select series of high-level conference sessions centred on a comprehensive exhibition of cities, organising committees, international sports federations and businesses working within the international sports events sector. By attracting and connecting the right people, SportAccord facilitates the discussions and relationships that drive organising committees, cities, federations and businesses to develop sport and make sporting events success stories.

In keeping with the SportAccord organizers’ aim of providing an information resource that extends beyond the event, SportAccord TV, provided video coverage for the first time, featuring the conference sessions and more than 20 exclusive interviews with top executives and sport industry leaders in Athens.

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HOTELS

THE ATHENS HILTON In 2006, the international meeting industry witnessed a major shift regarding conference venues. As recorded in the International Congress and Convention Association Statistics Report, for the first time in the last 10 years, meeting facilities in hotels have taken over as the most popular type of venue at which to organise an event as opposed to Conference/ Exhibition Centres.

The increased demand for comfort and time saving seems to favours the choice of hotels as conference venues, since they minimize the distance a delegate has to go from the conference hall to his room a few floors above via the elevator, within the space of a few minutes. The Athens Hilton is such a case, combining a large number of qualities for a successful conference, such as ideal location, large meeting spaces, state-ofthe-art equipment and facilities and excellent services. Every year it hosts numerous international, European and Panhellenic medical conferences, as well as prestigious international conventions in a wide variety of fields. These include the Athens Summit on Global Climate and Energy Security and the International Sports Convention “Sportaccord� in May and June 2008 respectively, to mention just the most recent ones.

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HOTELS

International recognition

Location

One of the top branches of the 2.800 hotels belonging to the Hilton Hotels Corporation, the Athens Hilton has achieved a worldwide reputation that improved drastically after the preOlympic renovations, which included a new wing with an additional 100 rooms, and the hosting of the Olympic family for one month during 2004. It was due to its high and unique standards in service, amenities and security that Athens Hilton was chosen as an IOC (International Olympic Community) hotel, and it received the utmost praise from its guests – including some very important, demanding and high profile individuals – for providing exceptional accommodation and service.

A key factor in the success of a conference held at the Hilton is the hotel’s location, which allows for quick and easy access to cultural institutions, shopping areas and important sites of Athens. The hotel is situated within walking distance of two Metro Stations (Evangelismos and Megaro Mousikis), in a location where there are a number of buses and inexpensive taxis, all with direct and rapid access to the airport. It takes around three minutes by Metro and about 15 minutes walking to get to the city’s central square in Syntagma and 5 to 10 minutes walking to the fashionable Kolonaki quartier of Athens, full of fancy restaurants, cafes and boutiques. Located opposite two major cultural institutions, the National Gallery on the one side and the Athens Concert Hall on the other, a Hilton guest can drop by even during the break.

IT IS DUE TO ITS HIGH AND UNIQUE STANDARDS IN SERVICE, AMENITIES AND SECURITY THAT THE ATHENS HILTON WAS CHOSEN AS AN IOC (INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMUNITY) HOTEL, AND HAS RECEIVED THE UTMOST PRAISE FROM ITS GUESTS “About 10% of conference delegates stay extra days before or after the conference dates, the majority of them being during late spring to early fall”, says Ms Maria Kokkori, the Hilton’s Director of Conventions and Events. She continues: “This is to a great extend due to Athens as a city. Apart from the climate, which is one of the very best features of Athens, the city has a good mix of culture and activities in close proximity, and a good mixture of different scenery, such as the sea and the mountains, giving convention attendees a reason to stay and explore. Following the Olympic Games in 2004, Athens gained a better worldwide reputation, which has brought about a considerable increase of international presence. Clients come back time and time again, and also bring others. The 2004 Olympics also resulted in better-educated personnel, and many more people are choosing to work in the hotel industry, leading to better hospitality”.

Capacity The Athens Hilton offers more than 6,000 square metres of meeting spaces, all on one floor, a very unique feature for a convention venue, in any city or country. It has 19 Meeting Rooms and it is directly opposite the Megaron Athens International Conference Center, which is often jointly used as a Conference Hall. In terms of accommodation, it has 527 Rooms and also offers shared accommodation, another unique service in the Athens meeting industry.

What is even more important and perhaps the most exclusive feature of the hotel is that it is free standing, meaning it has no other buildings nearby or connected to it, making it easy to provide security.

Family Friendly Although mainly a conventions hotel, the Athens Hilton is also very family friendly, offering a baby sitting service on demand, entertainment in the restaurants, such as drawing and play kits, and even an exclusive kids’ menu with special dietary needs and names of child-friendly action figures. Upon request, the rooms can be fitted with baby baths, special baby shampoo, combs and blankets, and the balcony doors have special child-safety locks. There is also a children’s swimmingpool, with supervision, making it possible for the entire family to relax and enjoy their stay.

‘We Care’ - Green Practices Hilton hotels are very concerned about the environment, and the Athens Hilton is no exception. It has an entire programme for Green Practices, ‘We care’, involving everyone, from maid to top manager and guest. The aim of the programme is to educate every person to save energy, such as water, A/C, towel usage, as well as using environmentally-friendly products, such as bath products, paper and the detergents used in laundering linens, towels, clothes etc.

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MEDEA 2---

CULTURE

ATHENS EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL A unique experience integrating history into contemporary times, the Athens Epidaurus Festival provides its audience with the ability to experience art in the same venues the Greeks used in ancient times.

As the second most popular month for organizing international meetings according to ICCA International Association Meetings Market Statistics Report, June in Athens is linked closely with the beginning of the Athens Epidaurus Festival. The Festival runs for two months – June and July – presenting more than 50 productions, with the participation of internationally renowned artists in the fields of theatre, dance and music.

Around five shows run every day at the festival’s various venues.

The festival programme is announced as early as March, which means that you have plenty of time to inform your delegates, book tickets and offer them an exquisite cultural programme at a minimum cost.

Why is Athens Epidaurus Festival unique?

The most important summer cultural institution in Greece, the Athens Epidaurus Festival, is known all over the world for its exquisite venues.

The main venue in Athens, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, is an open-air venue located on the southern slopes of the Acropolis, with a clear view of the Parthenon. It was built between 174 and 160 BC by the wealthy Athenian philosopher Herodes Atticus, in memory of his wife Regilla. Over the past 52 years, the Odeon has hosted almost all the leading artists of Greek and international postWar music.

During the weekend, Epidaurus in the Peloponnese becomes the meeting point for a large number of Athenians. Approximately a two-hour drive from Athens, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus host some of the most important theatrical performances. The Ancient Theatre is an incredibly well-preserved amphitheatre from the 4th century BC, situated in the Sanctuary of Asclepios, and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a capacity of 15,000. The Little Theatre also dates back to the 4th century BC and used to be the city theatre of Epidaurus in ancient times.

Visitors can get there by means of coaches laid on especially for the festival – the cost is €20 for a round trip – or by boat from Piraeus which takes them on a short cruise around the Saronic Gulf for € 60.

The combination of cultural events and ancient sites is a unique experience for the audience, as it takes them back in time and gives them the opportunity to experience the ancient ruins, not just as a historical attraction, but as an integrated part of contemporary times.

Last summer, with more than 50 productions, the Festival once again transformed June and July in the city into a unique cultural experience.

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PHOTO CH. BILIOS ©

Grand opening in Athens

Dance

The Festival opened with Dimitris Papaioannou’s MEDEA 2. The director of the 2004 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony astonished the audience with his new approach towards a theme he had originally dealt with back in 1993.

In June, prima ballerina Sylvie Guillem, the Tokyo Ballet and the stars of the Paris Ballet, Laurent Hilaire and Manuel Legris, interpreted famous choreographies of Maurice Bezart at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. In July, Mikhail Baryshnikov, “the greatest living dancer” according to the New York Times, presented his latest work Three Dance Duets along with two huge stars of contemporary dance, Mats Ek and Ana Laguna.

---Three Dance Duets

And this is just the beginning of the long list of stars, which also includes the famous American choreographer Paul Taylor, the indubitably innovative flamenco dancer and choreographer Israel Galvan, the leading choreographer Trisha Brown in her first appearance in Athens, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui in his latest work Sutra, a co-production of the Athens Festival, Sadler’s Wells and the Avignon Festival. This is “a journey inwards into the self ”, featuring Buddhist Monks from the Shaolin Temple, and was staged at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus next to the Parthenon.

This combination concluded in a unique meeting of diverse religious and cultural traditions, a unique meeting of East and West with the human being becoming the point of reference.

CULTURE

THE MOST IMPORTANT SUMMER CULTURAL INSTITUTION IN GREECE, THE ATHENS EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL, IS KNOWN ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR ITS EXQUISITE VENUES ---The Peony Pavilion

THE COMBINATION OF CULTURAL EVENTS AND ANCIENT SITES IS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR THE AUDIENCE Theatre On his first appearance in Greece, Lee Breuer, one of the main proponents of the American avant-garde, made a strong impression with his Gospel at Colonus and Mabou Mines Dollhouse. In addition, the Festival once again welcomed important names of the avant-garde movement into their latest production. The Wooster Group presented a Hamlet which was contemporary but, at the same time, remained loyal to the original. The Schaubuhne’s main director, Thomas Ostermeier, returned to Athens with Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring the legendary German actors Kirsten Dene and Josef Bierbichler.

In keeping with a tradition that shaped 20th century theatre, the internationally renowned Polish director Krzysztof Warlikowski presented Hanoch Levin’s Krum.

Music and Opera Seated in one of the most important ancient sites of the Roman period, with the Parthenon to one side and the front of the Herodes Atticus Odeon to the other, accompanied by the sound of the Paris Orchestra or the Bolshoi Orchestra on a hot summer night. This might sound like a Midsummer Night’s Dream, but in fact, it is the musical experience offered by the Athens Festival.

The Festival’s music programme included concerts featuring Nana Mouskouri, Renée Fleming, Stavros Xarhakos, Christophe Rousset and many other renowned artists.

The most popular play of the distant Ming dynasty, The Peony Pavilion, came to Athens as interpreted by the Chinese Kunqu Opera. The Lyon National Opera presented two operas by Benjamin Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Curlew River.

Ajax---

Weekends at Epidaurus The Epidaurus programme opened at the end of June with the renowned German director, Matthias Langhoff, presenting Heiner Muller’s Philoctète at the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, situated within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asclepius and globally renowned for its extraordinary acoustics, welcomed artists such as Fiona Shaw in Beckett’s Happy Days, the Russian master Anatoli Vassiliev’s Medea, and the subversive Greek directors Angela Brouskou and Roula Pateraki with Agamemnon and Oedipus Rex respectively.

Finally, the Paris Ballet brought Orpheus and Eurydice, directed

by Pina Bausch, to the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. Representative of the great choreographer’s early works, the work has become part of the Paris Ballet’s permanent repertoire.

Visitors can find full information about the programme, the venues and ticket booking on the Festival website: www.greekfestival.gr

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FOOD

SEAFOOD Although sushi may no longer sound so exotic and is increasingly becoming more of a favourite with the Athenians, fish prepared in the traditional Greek fashion still remains their first choice. In no way is this a coincidence, because the Greeks have

DOURABEIS 29 Akti Protopsalti, Piraeus, Tel: 210 4122092 This is one of the most well known tavernas in Attica, classic in taste and recently revamped. As always, it continues to offer high quality at reasonable prices. The best known dish is scampi tail served in a deliciously crisp wheat pastry with a little pepper, the ideal summer meze and a tailor-made accompaniment for your wine or ouzo. The fish are always perfectly cooked and served, naturally, with the freshest salads you have ever tasted, as if the ingredients have just been picked from the garden.

a predilection for the abundance, quality and immediate availability of the fish and other seafood

SARDELLES

obtained from the Mediterranean, particularly

15 Persephone, Gazi, Tel: 210 3478050

the Aegean Sea. What else could compare with

A pleasantly decorated new taverna which specialises in more modest fish dishes - but produces much better versions of them - always perfectly baked to melt in the mouth, like lightly fried fresh red mullet and shrimps which can be eaten as a snack. An important part of the meal is provided by whatever greens are in season and freshly prepared salads. Potatoes are always in great demand and served promptly to all tables. The seating is outdoors.

a perfect dish of lobster macaroni, a successful Kakavia (Aegean fish chowder) or even a serving of lovely fresh squid, using recipes in which the fish plays a lesser role in the meal, as an accompaniment? As a result of that we have, firstly, a number of mezedopoleia (reastaurants selling only appetizers) throughout Athens whose trump

STROFI

card lies in their numerous seafood-based dishes

33 Leoforos Irinis, Perama, Tel: 210 4416456

and, secondly, numerous restaurants where fish

It is incredible what can be found in a fish mezedopoleio. The menu at Strofi is limitless. In its handpicked list of dishes, customers are encouraged to study and note down their own choices, as almost anything is available: all types of fresh shellfish, from the humble mussel, clams and oysters to exotic razor clams. The pride of the restaurant is the baby squid, whitebait and crab, served in a delicious recipe which has not been attempted elsewhere.

reigns as the main course.

THE VAROULKO 80 Piraios St, Athens /Tel: 210 5228400 / Email: info@varoulko.gr / Website: www.varoulko.gr Wherever you search for haute cuisine in Greece, and whatever food guide you read, the Varoulko has featured permanently in the top 5 restaurants for the past 20 years. The trademark of the Varoulko is not its occasional success stories such as shrimp moussaka or squid with pesto, but the fact that you can go to a taverna of such high standing dressed in jeans and be treated just as well as any other customer. Some of the dishes to really go wild about are: sea urchin roe in a red sauce served in two Chinese soup spoons, cuttlefish ink soup with leeks, shrimp moussaka, battered fillets of John Dory served on a bed of purĂŠed aubergine, rice shaped pasta with cockles, fish fillets and many, many more.

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PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO/FROM THE ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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ROAD ACCESS TO/FROM THE ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

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THE NEW FACE OF ATHENS ON THE WEB www.athensconventionbureau.gr www.breathtakingathens.com

www.atedco.gr

CITY OF ATHENS

ARTS Exhibition

Dance Festival

BABEL Comics Festival

Athens Video Art Festival

Technopolis hosted hundreds events from May 1999 to present such as: Visual Art - Photography - Technology - Sculpture -Conferences Seminars, International Festivals Concerts - Theatrical and Dance Events- Business Forums Educational Programs Product presentations Concert Alkistis Protopsalti

“Technopolis” of the City of Athens provides: Access to the disabled, Coffee bar, 20 WC, nearby parking.

Operating hours: Weekdays and Weekends 10.00-22.00.

(Operating hours may be modified without notice) Access: Trolley: Line 21 (from Omonia Square), OASA Busses: 035, 049, 811, 815, 838, 914, B18, ?18, 731, 031.

Train: Station “Thision”.

Metro: Station "Keramikos".

Contact: Technopolis City of Athens, 100 Piraeus Str., 11854 Gazi, Athens Tel: 210-3461589 and 210-3467322, Fax: 210-3413228 http://www.cityofathens.gr/dimotikoi-foreis/texnopolis-dimoy-athinaion Mail: info@athens-technopolis.gr

CITY OF ATHENS

CULTURE TO THE NEIGHBOURHOODS Íikitaò Êaklamanis

www.breathtakingathens.com