With a very optimistic outcome and positive messages regarding the position of Athens in the international conference market, the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB) of the City of Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company (ATEDCo) concluded their participation, for the fourth consecutive year, at the International Conference Show IMEX 2011 which took place from 24 to 26 May in Frankfurt.
The ACB's high gear presence in IMEX 2011, one of the most important exhibitions of the conference market worldwide, follows the main directives of the strategy of the City of Athens, in terms of establishing Athens among the top international conference destinations.
At this year's Show, the ACB exhausted all the available time slots of pre-scedhuled appointments with hosted buyers, who mostly came from markets in Europe, North America and the Far East.
According to initial estimates of the management of ACB, the interest for Athens leveled at a very satisfactory rate, especially considering that during IMEX 2010, the City's image was harmed due to some unfortunate events.
Very positive commends surfaced about the ACB site, particularly on the fact that all of the promotional and informative material can be found in digital form or can be downloaded.
Based on the findings of meetings with hosted buyers and trade visitors, there are three key conclusions about Athens as a destination conferences and corporate meetings:

• It is generally considered a destination that has not been "saturated" as a destination for conferences and corporate meetings and continues to raise interest among business and leisure visitors, both European and international level.

• There is expectation of good value for money especially at this period.

• There is increasing recognition of the high level of public (eg Airport, Metro, etc.) and private infrastructure (eg hotels, quality of existing meeting space, etc.).

Nevertheless, "lack of a large conference center" is still referred to as a matter of concern.
It should be noted, finally, that due to the unrest in North Africa and the Middle East, Greece and Athens are hosting many of the events that had to change destination.
At international level, after two difficult years, 2008-2009, a significant intensification of the market is being recorded, especially in the area of corporate meetings.
The International Association of Conference (ICCA) in 2010 reported a significant increase in the number of events occurring worldwide, which reached 9.120, with a rate close to 8% -10%.
At national level, the U.S. maintained their supremacy but the difference from the second ranked Germany, fell dramatically from 137 to 81 conferences, while Spain remained third.
In terms of cities, Vienna remained first, although hosted six less conferences than in 2009. Significant gains were recorded in Madrid, Istanbul and Sydney, all of which entered the top ten, while increases were very significant for destinations in South-East Asia.
Greece has slipped to 28th position from 20th and Athens, despite the events that marked 2010, was ranked in 26th position (from 20th) with just five meetings less than in 2009.
A key conclusion from all meetings and contacts made by the ACB in the IMEX 2011, is that the interest in Athens as a conferences, corporate meetings and incentive destination, is still very good with significant growth prospects.

For more information:
Kalliopi Andriopoulou
T. 210 3253123
F. 210 3216653
[email protected]