Greek Businesses Called To Take Part In WACS 2016

Despina Amarantidou, director of communications of ARTION Conferences & Events, gave an an official presentation of the WACS congress to an audience of journalists, tourism professionals, company representatives, culinary educational institutions, organizations and businesses.

Greek tourism professionals, entrepreneurs and professional culinary schools are invited to form partnerships and actively participate in promoting Greek gastronomy through the 37th World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress that will take place in Athens in 2016.

At an official presentation of the WACS congress held yesterday, 11 February, Despina Amarantidou, director of communications of ARTION Conferences & Events, gave insight on the partnership program that has been planned for Greek enterprises and professional cooking schools.

Ms. Amarantidou presented the opportunities for business partnerships, actions and synergies that will arise from the organization of the WACS congress in the Greek capital.

“The congress will be a dynamic promotion for Athens, the country and its gastronomy, while it will financially boost companies and relevant educational institutions,” she said.

The World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) congress is held every two years and some 2,000 chefs from all over the world gather in an elected host venue. Founded in 1928 in Paris, WACS is a global organization that currently has 82 member countries and 93 official chefs associations.

The WACS congress usually attracts a massive audience and lasts five to six days.

The presentation was organized by ARTION Conferences & Events on the sidelines of the 8th HORECA Expo.

For more information about the organization and program partnerships: www.wacs2016.org

The president of the Hellenic Chef’s Federation, Miltos Karoubas, underlined the necessity for everyone to be part of the WACS 2016 congress to promote the Greek culinary tradition. “Let’s take advantage of the fact that more than 2,000 professional chefs will come to Athens for the event. This is a chance to work together and come up with ideas for the better representation of our country to our foreign guests,” he said.

At a press conference held prior to the presentation, Gissur Gudmundsson, president of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS), said he was “very happy” the congress would be hosted in Athens for the first time in its 85 years of history. “It’s a great pleasure and special privilege that the interest of the international culinary community will turn to the delights of Greek cuisine,” he said.

Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis said that being the host city to events such as the WACS congress gains an additional meaning: it contributes to the good reputation and positive image of the city internationally and it has a direct impact on the economy and the market.

The secretary general of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Panos Livadas (left), speaking to the president of the Hellenic Chef’s Federation, Miltos Karoubas (center), and the federation's members on the benefits of the organization of the 37th WACS Congress in Athens.

Athens Development and Destination Management Agency President Giorgos Broulias, Hellenic Chef’s Federation president Miltos Karoubas, Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis, ARTION Conferences & Events Director of Communications Despina Amarantidou and World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) President Gissur Gudmundsson.