22/09/2025
Athens Hosts Annual Meeting of Europe’s Convention Bureau Leaders
Athens, Greece – 18–19 September 2025
Athens recently played host to the annual meeting of the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe (SANCBE), bringing together senior representatives from across the continent for two days of strategic dialogue, collaboration, and sectoral reflection.
This high-level gathering underscored Athens’ continued emergence as a leading destination for international business events. The city provided an inspiring setting—where heritage and modernity coexist—to facilitate meaningful discussions on the future of the European meetings industry.
A Platform for Industry Insight and Strategic Exchange
The agenda featured a series of curated presentations and interactive sessions, with contributions from key figures in the global events landscape:
Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, offered a timely update on wider industry trends.
Tanya Popeau, Interim Chief Operating Officer at PCMA, led a focused discussion on the Convene 4 Climate initiative.
Efi Koudeli, ICCA’s Director of Research & Business Development, shared new findings from a collaborative study exploring the role of academia in the future of meetings.
Delegates also participated in targeted workshops designed to identify actionable strategies that will enhance Europe’s position as a globally competitive destination for business events.
Notably, the meeting produced several forward-looking resolutions, reinforcing Europe’s ambition to remain at the forefront of the global events sector. As recent data from IPK International highlights, Europe already attracts nearly 47% of global event-related business travel.
Cultural and Culinary Encounters
The official programme was complemented by a carefully curated social itinerary. Delegates enjoyed a private, expert-led tour of the Acropolis, exploring one of the world’s most iconic heritage sites. The evening concluded with a dinner at Orizontes, perched atop Lycabettus Hill, where guests were treated to panoramic views over Athens and the illuminated Parthenon—an elegant blend of cultural immersion and culinary hospitality.
Greek Meetings Alliance Showcases National Excellence
Greece Presents a United Front in Support of Business Events
Greece was strongly represented through the Greek Meetings Alliance, a strategic partnership established in 2021 between the This is Athens – Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau, and the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organisers & Destination Events Specialists (HAPCO & DES).
Speaking on behalf of the Alliance, Eleni Sotiriou reaffirmed Greece’s ongoing commitment to developing its meetings industry and enhancing its international profile as a credible and competitive destination for business events.
The event itself was flawlessly organised by the This is Athens–CVB team, under the direction of Giannis Georgizas, receiving unanimous praise from SANCBE members for the professionalism and seamless delivery of the programme.
The energy, collaboration, and forward momentum generated during the meeting in Athens were widely recognised as significant. Not only did this successful gathering underscore the city’s capability to host high-calibre international events, it also reaffirmed the collective ambition to position Europe as a resilient, innovative, and future-ready leader in the global meetings and events industry.
For further information on the Strategic Alliance of the National Convention Bureaux of Europe, please visit: https://convention-europe.com
