With particular splendor and in a climate of optimism, the official opening of FOOD EXPO 2025 took place, with the presence of important personalities from the political and business scene of Greece and many other countries.
The opening ceremony of FOOD EXPO took place on Saturday, March 8 at 12:00, in conference room C2 of the Metropolitan Expo, and was inaugurated by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Konstantinos Tsiaras.
The first to take the stage was the President & CEO of FORUM SA, Mr. Thanasis Panagoulias, who, after thanking everyone for their presence at the opening of FOOD EXPO, stated that “today, in a period of great geopolitical turmoil, we truly see the power of exhibitions. Exhibitions manage in a magical way to gather in a physical space not only people, not only different perceptions, but also products, commercial relations and agreements. This is, therefore, the power of FOOD EXPO . An exhibition that in its eleventh edition has managed to be a leading force in food and beverages in Southeastern Europe. And this could not have been achieved without the significant contribution of all our exhibitors, institutional bodies, the ministry, chambers and regions. The market is all of us. I wish everyone good success!”.
Then, Mr. Georgios Pitsilis, Governor of the Independent Authority of Public Revenue, took the stage and, among other things, stated that “the food and beverage sector holds a central position in the Greek economy. The high quality of Greek products is now recognized internationally and this is proven by the presence of all of you today.”
In the course of the event, Mr. Georgios Kavvathas, President of the Greek Federation of Food and Agriculture, after thanking FORUM for the important exhibitions it has organized in recent years, stated that “ FOOD EXPO concerns the entire Greek economy. Because this exhibition unites the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy”. Later, Mr. Chnaris Emmanouil, PASOK MP, took the stage and stated that “ FOOD EXPO is a dynamic exhibition and this is evident from the number of exhibitors and the number of visitors”. Finally, Mr. Konstantinos Tsiaras, Minister of Rural Development and Food, took the floor, who declared himself impressed and stated that “this is an effort that goes beyond the standards of a European country. Greek products are high quality products that can have a prominent position in the global market”. He expressed great optimism about the food sector in Greece, as it is a very dynamic sector, and urged everyone to create the best conditions for Greek and global society.
The inauguration was also attended by important representatives from Greece and abroad, such as Mr. Marlafekas Platon, President of EFEPAE, Ms. Roxani Bey, Deputy Mayor for Cleaning and Recycling of the Municipality of Athens, Mr. Ntoutsias Georgios-Theodoros from the Interprofessional Table Olive Organization, Mr. Christopoulos Manolis, President of the Chamber’s Commercial Department, Mr. Karathanos Athanasios from the Union of Greek Oenologists, Mr. Karasarinis Andreas, Secretary of Agricultural Organizations from the New Democracy party, Mr. Yiannis Triantafyllou from the New Democracy party, Mr. Alexandros Vassilikos from the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, Mr. Ioannis Smarnakis, President of the Greek Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Mathildis Andreas from the Panhellenic Union of Sommeliers, Ms. Kavallari Vasiliki, Deputy Governor of Eastern Attica, Mr. Diamantidis Symeon from SEVE, Mr. Mitrakos Giorgos, Director of SEVITEL and Mr. Kokkalis Vasilios, Minister of Rural Development and Food.
Also present were ambassadors from Albania, North Macedonia, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Lithuania, Hungary, Palestine, Portugal, Slovakia, Thailand, Chile, as well as representatives from the regions of Attica, Western Greece, Western Macedonia, Central Macedonia, the South Aegean, the Peloponnese and Central Greece. Furthermore, the exhibition was also attended by representatives from the Chamber of Aetolia-Acarnania, Achaia, Ilia, Magnesia, Serres, Chania, Larissa, Messinia, Trikala and Halkidiki, as well as a representative from the Municipality of Kropia.
The opening event was coordinated by journalist Maria Nikoltsiou. At the end of the ceremony, everyone gathered at the entrance to observe the ceremonial ribbon cutting, while the Minister, accompanied by the President & CEO of FORUM , also visited the exhibition halls.
