Representatives from the political scene, the business world, as well as leading institutional bodies from the Hotel and Catering Sector attended the grand opening of HORECA 2024.

The opening of the HORECA exhibition was held on Friday, February 9, at 12:00 in the conference room C2 of the Metropolitan Expo, greeted by the General Director of New Democracy Mr. Yiannis Smyrlis.

Also, present at the grand opening was Mr. Peter Ottmann, CEO of the NürnbergMesse Group, of which FORUM S.A. is a member, who stated during his speech that “HORECA marks the start of another record year for your businesses in Greece. HORECA is more than a show, it is a gathering of the most important players of the hospitality sector and it marks a starting point so ring a bell, fasten your seatbelts, get ready winter is over, spring & summer is coming, embrace 2024, may it be a very good year for Greece”.

Ms. Maria Gatsou, General Manager of SETE (Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises) said that “the past year was very important for Greek tourism and the messages for 2024 are equally positive”. She also added that HORECA is now an institution, it gives added value to tourism and catering, it marks the interconnection of professional branches and the business world, but also the highlighting of key pillars on which the sustainable development of the tourism sector is based, while she emphasized that the benefits of the exhibition are many and measurable on an economic and social level”.

Mr. Yannos Benopoulos, President of the Hellenic Coffee Union during his greeting said that “HORECA is an institution, last year we wished it to be a record year for the exhibition and for Greek tourism and it was, so because the wishes catch on we will repeat it again this year.” He also emphasized that the coffee sector is a pillar in HORECA and a key supplier, as it occupies one of the four halls.

Mr. Evangelos Passalis, President of the Association of Greek Food Businesses stated that “I am here both as an exhibitor and as the President of SEET. The companies we represent are in both retail and ho.re.ca and operate in almost the entire market. Anyone involved in food deserves a visit to HORECA, which is an institution and a truly worthwhile endeavor. We must all be here!’’.

Mr. Sofocles Panagiotou, President of the Hellenic Union of Brewers during his speech noted that “personally as an exhibitor I have known the exhibition, from its first steps. HORECA over the years has invested, created structures and managed to become an institution. Its great success is that it managed to become the main appointment between producers and the supply chain. It is very important that it enables exhibitors to meet with existing customers and develop partnerships, but also to enhance their extroversion’’.

Afterwards, Mr. Marinos Giannopoulos, President of Enterprise Greece stated that “On behalf of Enterprise Greece, the competent national body for attracting investments and promoting exports, I would like to express my great joy to be here at HORECA 2024. The exhibition has managed to become an established institution for thousands of hospitality professionals”.

Ms. Aikaterini Spyridaki, Member of Parliament from Lasithi Crete and Head of the Tourism Sector of PASOK – Movement for Change stated that “it is a great pleasure and honor for me to attend an international exhibition like HORECA, which has now been registered as an institution and one of the leading events that participate global and Greek brands, innovative products, modern services and technologies, and many special events are presented. The value and importance of the exhibition is great if one considers how many people it brings into contact, contributing to their creative osmosis. In these meetings at HORECA, the present is valued and the future of the tourism industry is mapped.” She also concluded that the exhibition will be a huge success.

Afterwards, Mr. Giorgos Panagiotopoulos, Head of the Department of Small and Medium Enterprises / SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance, wished every success to HORECA, the exhibitors and the professional visitors.

All the representatives of the institutional bodies of the sector attended the grand opening

Also present at the exhibition’s grand opening were the General Secretary of POESE, Mr. Giannis Daveronis, the Director of the Athens Airport Police Department, Mr. Ioannis Dimitrakopoulos, Mr. Tasos Protopsaltis President of Chef’s Club, Mr. Panos Moraitis, President of the Panhellenic Association of Catering Equipment Companies.

The opening event was coordinated by journalist Maria Nikoltsiou. At the end of the ceremony, everyone was at the entrance to observe the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon.