YES Forum Celebrates 10 Years with Prestigious Lloyd’s Greek Shipping Award

Danae Bezantakou, concept-founder of YES Forum & CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants, with Konstantinos Markou, General Manager – ClassNK Piraeus Office & Sponsor of the Piraeus International Center Award.

The celebration of the 10th anniversary of YES Forum (Young Executives Shipping Forum) was marked by a significant milestone: being honored with the “Piraeus International Center Award” at the Lloyd’s Greek Shipping Awards 2024 at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens.

YES Forum is the leading platform of open dialogue among the Decision Makers of the Greek Shipping and Sea Tourism Industry and the Entrepreneurship in general, principals, executives and university students, recent graduates and young executives. 

This recognition acknowledges the forum’s ongoing efforts to bring young people closer to the shipping job market, offering them opportunities for employment, internships, and mentoring.

“The ‘Piraeus International Center Award’ is not the culmination of our efforts but a significant milestone in our continuous journey. The YES Forum stays dedicated to its mission: inspiring, guiding, and empowering the new generation to embrace and harness the immense potential of the maritime industry,” said the forum’s officials.  

Yes Forum’s mission 

Danae Bezantakou, concept-founder of YES Forum & CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants.

The forum’s key areas of operation include: 

– Youth Day at Posidonia Shipping Exhibition: Since 2016, the forum has organized the first-ever Youth Day at the Posidonia Shipping Exhibition. The YES to Shipping Forum 2024, held on June 7, 2024, featured 40 speakers and attracted 600 participants from 61 educational institutions. 

– Yes Tour To School Program: Approved by the Ministry of Education, this program introduces Greek Shipping to students from Grade 3 to Grade 12 across Greece. Over 100,000 students have participated nationwide, gaining insights into the maritime industry. 

– Open & Career Days: These events present career opportunities in the shipping industry. Open Days involve student visits to shipping company offices, with over 80 Open Days conducted so far. Career Days enable young people to exchange CVs and conduct mock interviews with industry professionals. To date, 5 Career Days have been held with the participation of 100 companies. 

The Bezantakou family.

– Mentoring Program: Connecting young people with experienced industry professionals, the forum has facilitated over 100 mentor-mentee pairings, covering the full spectrum of the shipping industry. 

– Towards the Sea by Dioptra: This writing initiative, led by Danae Bezantakou and the YES Forum team, aims to introduce children as young as 7 to the multifaceted maritime industry, highlighting how shipping activities impact daily life. 

– YES-CV Platform: An innovative platform where young professionals can upload their CVs, allowing shipping companies direct access to search for candidates and connect with them. 

– Shipping Guide: This free resource for high school students, parents, and educators provides foundational information about the shipping industry, including company departments, pathways to becoming a captain, corporate profiles of supporter companies, and stories of prominent shipping families.