HAPCO & DES: Greece has Potential to Become a Top Global Conference Destination

The Board of Directors of HAPCO & DES.

Greece is well-positioned to rank among the top five international conference destinations, according to Sissi Lygnou, President of the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers & Destination Events Specialists (HAPCO & DES).

Speaking at the association’s annual Vasilopita-cutting ceremony in Athens, Lygnou underlined Greece’s unique advantages for conference tourism and the steps needed to achieve this ambitious goal.

“My vision is for Greece to join the top five conference destinations globally,” Lygnou said. “This can be achieved because Greece has all the necessary assets. With strategic moves and collective effort on a national level, we can realize this potential.”

Advancing Greece’s position as a conference destination

HAPCO & DES President Sissi Lygnou. Photo © GTP

Lygnou underscored the growing demand for conference tourism in Greece but highlighted critical obstacles, particularly the lack of a large-capacity conference center in Athens.

“While demand is rising, our infrastructure falls short of what’s needed to host large-scale events,” she noted.

She also called for the inclusion of conference tourism in the Greek Tourism Ministry’s strategic plans, stressing the importance of state support. Other barriers identified included high pricing in venues and hospitality services, which reduce Greece’s competitiveness in attracting international conferences.

“Conference tourism can make a lasting impact on Greek tourism, placing the country at the forefront of the global market—if we work collectively to make it happen,” Lygnou said. She further highlighted that business and conference tourism align with the goals of sustainable and high-quality tourism that Greece seeks to promote.

Greece to host IAPCO General Assembly

A significant milestone for Greece’s conference tourism industry is its selection as the host for the 56th Annual Meeting and General Assembly of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) in 2026. IAPCO is a leading professional organisation dedicated to raising standards in the international congress industry.

Lygnou highlighted the collaborative efforts behind this success: “Four Greek PCO offices, all members of HAPCO & DES and active members of IAPCO, joined forces with the convention bureaus of Athens and Thessaloniki to secure this prestigious event for Greece,” she said.

The IAPCO General Assembly will bring over 100 leading international conference organizers to Thessaloniki and Athens in February 2026.

The event will feature a Board of Directors meeting in Thessaloniki, followed by the main conference in Athens. “This is a great honor for Greece and a unique opportunity to showcase modern Greek hospitality to global professionals,” Lygnou added.

14th HAPCO & DES Conference: Focus on transformation

In addition to future international events, HAPCO & DES is gearing up for its 14th Annual Conference, scheduled for March 10–11, 2025, in Athens. Titled “Metamorphosis”, this year’s event will focus on three themes: People, Transformation, and the Future.

“Our goal is to strengthen the skills and readiness of our industry for a better future,” said HAPCO & DES General Secretary Tonia Alexandrou. The conference will include keynote speeches, workshops, and panel discussions with international and local experts. A special section will highlight the Greek Meetings Alliance (GMA), a coalition comprising the City of Athens & This is Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau, HAPCO & DES, and the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau (TCB).

The conference aims to address key industry trends, from innovation and new technologies to sustainable development, providing actionable insights for professionals in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector.

Building Greece’s future as a conference leader

HAPCO & DES President Sissi Lygnou.

Lygnou concluded by reaffirming HAPCO & DES’s commitment to elevating Greece’s standing in the global conference tourism market. “Greece has everything it takes to become a leader in conference tourism. With collaboration, strategic planning, and the right investments, we can redefine the country’s tourism profile and leave a lasting legacy.”

A professional renowned in the Greek congress industry, Lygnou is currently the President-Elect of IAPCO. This year she will lead IAPCO for a two-year term (2025-2027).