SOKEE: Greece Should Focus More on Exhibition-driven Tourism

Further developing exhibition tourism was the focus of the 1^st Conference of the Greek Exhibition Industry Association (SOKEE), which represents event organizers, stand contractors and exhibition centers.

Founded a year ago, the non-profit organization held its first conference at the Athens Marriott Hotel this month which brought together Greek and international exhibitionprofessionals who discussed ways of developing the segment that can increase tourist flows to the country, boost the economy and create jobs.

“With a contribution of more than 1 billion euros to the national economy and a multiplier effect for many more sectors (transportation, catering, hotel accommodation, etc), the exhibition industry creates jobs, brings high-income tourism and promotes the country as a high-end business destination,” said SOKEE President Theodore Vokos, speaking during the event.

SOKEE President Theodore Vokos. Photo source: SOKEE.

Vokos went on to add that the segment also enhances Greek company export dynamics as exhibitions provide the ideal opportunity to make contacts with buyers and investors from abroad.

Also addressing the conference, Labor Minister Adonis Georgiadis underlined the importance of further developing the segment as it both contributes to the extension of the tourism season and to revenues.

“Supporting the exhibition sector is a priority and exhibition tourism must be our goal. 2023 is a year of growth, and based on the good reputation we have built as a country worth investing in, we must aim to grow the exhibition industry,” he said.

ACE CEO Chris Skeith. Photo source: SOKEE.

Key takeaways of the event include creating a model that will connect the primary sector with tourism and small and medium sized businesses, and the effective use of EU and national funding options in this direction.

Speakers participating in this year’s debut conference represented international associations, including IFES (International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services), the Association of Event Organizers (AEO) and AUMA (Association of the German Trade Fair Industry), who referred to the economic importance of exhibitions on European economies but also to the challenges of the post-pandemic era.

Highlighting the contribution of the segment, AEO CEO Chris Skeith said that an average traveler in town for an exhibition event spends 3.5 times more than the leisure tourist.