The selection of Athens to host this important conference showcases the great potential of the Greek capital as a MICE destination, recently enjoying a series of successful bids on behalf of the ACVB and local partners. A few weeks ago Athens was announced as host of the 2018 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference (IWMC) to be held in October 2018.
For the IFLA bid, the Committee of the International Federation took into account the opening of a new national library building and Athens’ designation as 2018 World Book Capital. Mayor of Athens, GeorgiosKaminis, welcomed the decision of the Committee reconfirming his strategic investment in culture as a driver for local growth.
The demanding and long-lasting process came into fruition with the hard work of all partners: the members of the Greek Commission, Dr Philippos Tsimpoglou, General Manager of the National Library of Greece and Dr. Evgenia Vasilakaki, Librarian and Head of Programmes of the National Library of Greece, Mrs. Christina Kyriakopoulou, President of the Association of Greek Librarians & Information Scientists, Mr. Giorgos Glossiotis, Vice President of the Association of Greek Librarians & Information Scientists, Mrs. Eva Semertzaki, IFLA’s Associate at the Association of Greek Librarians & Information Scientists and Head of the Bank of Greece Library, Ms Sissy Lignou, Director of Business Development, and Ms. Sia Vagena, Development Executive of AFEA Travel & Congress Services and Ms. Eliza Tsolakou, Head of the Conference and Visitors’ Office of the City of Athens.
The Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) of the City of Athens remains committed to fulfilling the City of Athens strategic goal, which is to promote Athens as a destination for leisure, city breaks, conferences and corporate meetings. The development of conference tourism is a top priority, with the industry showing significant growth. In recent years, according to ICCA, Athens has climbed several places and currently finds itself within the 25 most popular destinations on the world map of conference tourism.
