New ICCA Agreement Supports Greece’s Ambitions in the International Meetings Market

Yiannis Papachristou; Iro Hatzigeorgiou, Chief Executive Officer, Hellenic Public Properties Company (HPPC); Dr. Senthil Gopinath; Andreas Mavromatis, Chief Executive Officer, TIF-HELEXPO; and Dr. Athanasios T. Bikas, Chief Executive Officer, Corinth Canal S.A. (AEDIK).

Greece has taken a significant step towards strengthening its position in the global meetings and exhibitions market after the Hellenic Growth Fund and ICCA signed a strategic partnership designed to support infrastructure development, attract international events and unlock long-term economic value.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Growthfund Investor Summit 2026 in Athens by Hellenic Growth Fund Chief Executive Officer Yiannis Papachristou and ICCA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Senthil Gopinath, in the presence of representatives from government, business and international organisations.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration aimed at enhancing Greece’s competitiveness as a destination for conferences, exhibitions and business events. Through the partnership, Greece will gain access to international expertise, global industry networks and benchmarking tools, while also benefiting from knowledge exchange, training initiatives and increased international visibility.

The initiative aligns closely with several strategic assets and development projects managed by Hellenic Growth Fund and its subsidiaries, including HELEXPO–Thessaloniki International Exhibition (TIF-HELEXPO), the Public Properties Company (ETAD) and Corinth Canal S.A. (AEDIK). Together, these assets are expected to play a central role in supporting the continued development of the country’s meetings and exhibitions ecosystem.

Beyond attracting major international events, the collaboration is intended to support the modernisation of existing infrastructure and position business events as a driver of investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth.
 

Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, and Yiannis Papachristou, CEO, Hellenic Growth Fund, the National Fund of Greece, sign the MoU in Athens on 22 June.

The two-year agreement forms part of Hellenic Growth Fund’s wider strategy to expand Greece’s international reach and maximise the long-term value of public assets through targeted development initiatives.

Yiannis Papachristou, Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Growth Fund, stated: "Our collaboration with ICCA reflects Hellenic Growth Fund’s strategic approach to creating long-term value through the development-oriented utilisation of public assets.

Strengthening Greece’s position on the international meetings and exhibitions map is not only about tourism; it is also about the country’s ability to attract investment, business activity, and international partnerships. Through this collaboration, we are creating the conditions for key infrastructure and destinations to unlock even greater potential, contributing to the internationalisation and sustainable growth of the Greek economy."

Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said: “Business events are one of the most powerful, yet often under-recognised, levers for economic and societal advancement. This partnership is not only about strengthening Greece’s position in the global meetings market — it is about advocating for the role our industry plays in connecting knowledge, driving innovation, and creating lasting impact.

By working alongside Hellenic Growth Fund, we are supporting a more integrated approach where business events are aligned with national priorities, helping destinations unlock long-term value for their communities.”

The partnership reflects a growing recognition of business events as strategic economic development tools capable of attracting investment, facilitating knowledge exchange and supporting national priorities. For Greece, the agreement represents a coordinated effort to leverage its infrastructure, public assets and international profile to compete more effectively in the global meetings industry.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.