As an official supporter of this key regional meeting, the CVB contributed directly to the business programme and working sessions to exchange best practices with tourism executives from across Europe. The three-day forum focused on how shared goals among destinations, suppliers and industry professionals drive actual regional development.
Designing collaborative frameworks
The bureau powered a hands-on working session titled “Designing Collaborative Event Ecosystems: Thriving Through Uncertainty Together”. Introduced by Vasiliki Dalla, Head of Business Development, and facilitated by Steen Jakobsen, CEO of GainingEdge, the interactive workshop provided participants with practical tools and actionable strategies. Attendees exchanged operational experiences, addressed real market challenges, and co-created frameworks to shape the future of international conferences and business events.
Managing city-wide impact
During the “10 Minutes of Impact” member storytelling session, Lina Korizi, Head of International Business, presented a practical case study titled “The City as a Stage: How Athens uses Culture to Shape its Story and Value”. The presentation focused on the This is Athens City Festival, demonstrating how a strategy of spreading events city-wide creates a measurable, positive impact on the wellbeing of local residents and international visitors. This fast-paced storytelling session allowed participants to learn directly from real-life examples of how innovation and strategic partnerships create tangible value across the business events industry.
Strategic dialogues and partnerships
Strategic sessions throughout the event highlighted the specific mechanisms behind destination competitiveness. The panel titled “Mega Events: Catalysts for Destination Development” examined the role of major international gatherings – including the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Milano Cortina 2026, and the Athens Euroleague Final Four 2026 – as catalysts for economic growth, international visibility, and urban regeneration. In parallel, the “Why Collaboration Wins: Shaping the Future Together” session focused on partnerships between destinations, organisations, and businesses, showing that structured cooperation remains essential for success in the modern meetings industry.
Participation in the ICCA Joint Chapter Meeting 2026 strengthened valuable networks and brought fresh insights to support Athens’ mission of positioning the city as a smart, sustainable and globally connected destination.
Learn more about This is Athens here.
