23/07/2025
A Dynamic Presence for This is Athens-CVB at the Annual ICCA Mediterranean Chapter Meeting
Belgrade, Serbia – The This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) was proud to play an active role at the annual ICCA Mediterranean Chapter Meeting, which took place from July 9-11 in the vibrant city of Belgrade. This year's event was a landmark occasion, breaking previous attendance records and marking the first meeting under the leadership of the ICCA Mediterranean Chapter's new Greek chair, Dimitris Ganitis, Managing Director of the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau. At his statement he stressed the region's strength and future potential:
"The recent ICCA Mediterranean Chapter Meeting in Belgrade, with 122 participants, marked a milestone in our collective journey - achieving unprecedented success and the highest attendance to date. By highlighting the Chapter’s 13 countries, the event showcased the region’s rich heritage, strong infrastructure, and expertise. Enhanced cooperation among these countries will drive growth, attract global events, and reinforce our leadership in the international meetings industry."
The gathering proved to be one of the most impactful in recent memory, providing a vital platform for This is Athens-CVB to connect with industry leaders, share best practices, and forge new paths for the future of meetings and events in the region. We had the opportunity to meet with ACVB partners and members and exchange knowledge and experience with other industry professionals from the Mediterranean area.
The Power of Mediterranean Collaboration: Highlights from the Annual Meeting
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is a global leader in the international association meetings sector. The Mediterranean Chapter is a crucial regional arm of this network, bringing together professionals from destinations, venues, and service providers across the Mediterranean. Its primary goal is to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and collectively enhance the region's competitive edge. The annual meeting is the cornerstone of this effort, serving as a hub for education, networking, and strategic planning to advance the Meetings and Events industry. Additionally, Efi Koudeli, Regional Director Europe of ICCA, after highlighting the significant step forward in strengthening their capacity to engage and develop more PCOs within their industry with this collaboration states for the Mediterranean Chapter:
“It is one of the most diverse Chapters in ICCA Europe. It continues to foster meaningful connections and collaboration across the region. Our recent meeting in Belgrade brought together a remarkable number of members — a true reflection of the chapter’s growing engagement and unity within the broader European network.”
Hosted at the impressive Sava Center, the 2025 meeting featured a rich and insightful program . Sessions delved into some of the most critical topics facing the industry today. Dr. Senthil Gopinath (ICCA, CEO & Events Industry Council, Chair) in the opening panel introduced how to effectively communicate the value of the events industry and international congresses to politicians, cities, and academic institutions. The topic was analyzed by tourism and convention leaders from Serbia (Marija Labović), Italy (Tobia Salvadori), and Istanbul (Dr. Cemil Hakan Kilic).Additional key discussions focused on the strategic development of destinations through public-private partnerships, the profound cultural impact of international events on local communities, and the power of a collective vision for regional growth.
Driving the Future of Greek Meetings
The presentation by the Director of the National Convention Bureau of Italy, Tobia Salvadori, proved to be of particular importance, as it highlighted the strategic value of establishing such national bodies. Additionally, the session highlighted the significance of implementing an Ambassadors' or Intellectual Leaders' Program, a model that empowers local scientific figures to become ambassadors for their country in their area of expertise.The presentation offered valuable knowledge, drawing from Italy's successful experience in the field of conference tourism. The insights gained in Belgrade perfectly complement the ongoing efforts of This is Athens-CVB and its partners in the Greek Meetings Alliance (GMA). By actively participating in these international forums, Athens is not only contributing to the global conversation but also absorbing best practices to support and grow Greece's position in the Meetings & Events Industry. The focus on public-private partnerships and collective vision directly aligns with the Alliance's mission to create a stronger, more resilient meetings ecosystem in Greece.
The Inaugural ICCA-IAPCO Workshop
As the first milestone in the landmark Memorandum of Understanding between IAPCO and ICCA, we proudly participated in their Capacity Building Workshop on 9 July 2025. Marking this significant new partnership, which is focused on strengthening the global meetings industry, the agenda featured critical discussions on the vital link between sustainability and tourism, effective strategies for the conference bidding process, and the meaning of true professionalism in today's industry. Sissi Lignou (President & CEO of AFEA Congress, President IAPCO and Board Member HAPCO & DES) conveyed a message of powerful optimism regarding the new IAPCO and ICCA collaboration:
"I am delighted to kick off our collaboration between IAPCO and ICCA, united by a shared vision to empower meeting professionals and enhance the capacity of professional organizers worldwide. This exciting partnership officially began with an interactive workshop held in Belgrade—an inspiring and dynamic starting point. I’m extremely happy to see this collaboration between two major stakeholders in the global meetings industry come to fruition. It’s a significant step forward for our entire community. Looking forward to our visionary future joint strategies!".
