Mendoni: Culture is a dynamic asset for economic and social cohesion.

Thessaloniki has tremendous potential and is developing at a rapid pace. The city can play a key role in broader cultural development.

It significantly enhances employment and entrepreneurship. Culture is a comparative advantage for our country. Our homeland as a whole is an immense archaeological site with countless remnants of past civilizations.

Angeloudis: Sustainable tourism is one of the three main pillars of this city’s development

The second pillar is infrastructure and the logistics sector, while the third focuses on innovation.

The port of Thessaloniki has become a major advantage for the city.

In the coming years, infrastructure must be completed, and the city must become sustainable—this is the responsibility of the municipal authorities.

It is a fact that our three universities must enter a unified process to position the city in an innovation-driven environment.

Sarantis: The big capital is the universities and the research centers to which we do not give the importance that we should

I think that the Minister does not emphasize enough the issue of the railway network. If the port is not connected to the railway, it cannot serve the city and indeed all of southeastern Europe. You will tell me that we do not have passenger traffic here and you are talking about commercial traffic? And yet if the railway issue is not resolved, the industry cannot develop in the way it should.

Skertsos: Discussions about tomorrow are important

I try to allocate my time with 70% dedicated to the present and 30% to the future. We have a plan that is being implemented in every region of the country. The economy of Thessaloniki, as well as that of the Central Macedonia region, is growing faster than the rest of the country.

Before the debt crisis, the country experienced asymmetric development with an Athens-centric state. There was a lag in investments in the rest of Greece. I was born, raised, and studied in Thessaloniki, but I realized that it did not fulfill my ambitions, and I had to move to the capital to pursue my dreams.

Our vision is for each new generation to live better than the previous one. To achieve this, we need better infrastructure, better education, better public goods, and a more efficient and fair justice system in a country that is better protected.

Greece has managed to grow faster than other European countries.

We have more than 400 small and large projects in the city and the region, with over €13 billion in public investments in Thessaloniki, with the Thessaloniki Metro as the flagship project.

In 2019, Central Macedonia had 47,725 businesses, and by 2025, this number will reach 57,107—a 20% increase in businesses with salaried employees.

In 2019, there were 345,000 employees; by 2025, this number will rise to 430,000, marking a 25% increase in employment in Central Macedonia.

I place great importance on production. We must focus on production because, without primary production and industry, the economy cannot be sustained.

In recent years, 373 manufacturing enterprises have been added in Central Macedonia.

There is an investment mobilization in Central Macedonia, serving as a foundation for planning the future.

In the past, investment resources were misallocated. We must allocate more funds so that those living in Central Macedonia do not feel the need to leave.

Our vision is for every corner of Greece to be a place where people want to live, raise their children, and even return from abroad to settle here.

There is no greater vision than this.

(Babis Koutras, Antonis Schreuter, Akis Skertsos, Tasos Karamitsos)

Greece Talks is set to illuminate Thessaloniki’s future by addressing key questions:

• How can Thessaloniki respond to modern challenges and develop a sustainable growth strategy?
• What role does everyday life play in shaping a unique travel experience?
• How can the city reintroduce itself to the world, strengthening its position as a dynamic, sustainable, and welcoming destination?

The conference will serve as an ideas hub, bringing together visionaries, entrepreneurs, and cultural stakeholders who share a vision of a forward-looking Thessaloniki filled with optimism.

(Loukia Saranti, President of the Federation of Greek Industries)

(Stelios Angeloudis, Mayor of Thessaloniki)

(Akis Skertsos, Minister of State)

Conference Program

11:00 | Opening Remarks
Androniki Kolovou, Director, Travel.gr

11:10 | Thessaloniki 2030: Shaping the City’s Future Identity

• Akis Skertsos, Minister of State
• Stelios Aggeloudis, Mayor of Thessaloniki
• Loukia Saranti, President, Federation of Industries of Greece
• Moderator: Antonis Sroiter

11:50 | Thessaloniki 2030: Tourism Trends

• Dimitris Koutsopoulos, CEO, Deloitte Greece

12:10 | Thessaloniki 360°: Attracting Global Talent, Business, and Culture

• Anastasios Tzikas, President, TIF – HELEXPO SA, Technopolis Thessaloniki SA
• Prodromos Monastiridis, President, Thessaloniki Convention Bureau
• Orestis Andreadakis, Artistic Director, Thessaloniki Film Festival
• Fani Tsatsaia, General Director, Metropolitan Organization of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki – MOMus
• Moderator: Georgia Sadana

12:45 | Thessaloniki Metro: A Journey Through Centuries

• Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture

13:05 | Quality of Life in a People-Centric City

• Nikos Tachiaos, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport
• Anastasios Andreadis, Co-CEO, STANTA S.A
• Andreas Taprantzis, CEO, AVIS
• Athina Athanasiadou-Aidona, Governor, Central Macedonia
• Moderator: Babis Koutras

13:35 | BREAK

14:10 | Heritage Meets Future: Transforming the Hotel Guest Experience

• Eleni Andreadi, ESG Senior Director, Sani/Ikos Group
• Ismini Tornivouka, Director of Operations, TOR Hotel Group
• Alexandra Efstathiadou, Owner, Ekies All Senses Resort
• Kimon Riefenstahl, Owner & CEO, Danai Beach Resort
• Elena Rapti, Deputy Minister of Tourism
• Moderator: Ilias Kikilias

14:50 | Tourism Grows in Growing Cities

• Nikos Papathanasis, Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance
• Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO, AEGEAN
• Alexander Zinell, CEO, Fraport Greece
• Theodoros Tzouros, Senior General Manager, Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, Piraeus Bank
• Moderator: Giorgos Eugenidis

15:35 | Thessaloniki: A Terpsis Design Story

• Minas Kosmidis, Architect & Creative Director, Minas Kosmidis Architects

15:50 | How Luxury Retail Creates Urban Destinations

• Tolis Koumparos, CEO, 2nd Floor S.A.
• Lambrini Stavrou, Co-Founder & Brand Manager, Ancient Kallos
• Moderator: Georgia Dodou

16:25 | How Food Culture Shapes Destination Brand Identity

• Dimitris Tasioulas, Executive Chef, Olympos Naoussa, Thessaloniki

16:35 | Closing