Thessaloniki Convention Bureau Takes Action, Promotes Greek MICE Tourism

In its first months of operation, the Thessaloniki Convention Bureau (TCB) has laid the groundwork for the representation of the northern port city in the international market and its promotion as a prime MICE destination.

The TCB is currently in the process of securing the rights for the city to host the international three-day “World of Coffee” meet – organized by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) – for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019. The June event is expected to attract over to 200 exhibitors and some 10,000 visitors from 100 countries.

The TCB will be an exhibitor at this year’s 30th Philoxenia exhibition, one of the country’s main tourism and hospitality shows, to run 13-16 November in Thessaloniki. During the event and in collaboration with the Greek National Tourist Organization, the TCB will organize a workshop titled  ‘Destination: Thessaloniki’ on 14 November. Following the event it will participate in the Global Meetings & Events expo (EIBTM) on 18-20 November in Barcelona, Spain.

In the meantime, the TCB participated in this year’s five-day international ICCA Congress, held in Antalya, Turkey, with the aim to gain knowhow, network and have a dynamic presence in conference industry events.

It also participated in the ICCA Central European Chapter Meeting in August in Belgrade, Serbia networking with MICE tourism professionals from the central European market. The TCB joined conference agencies from the Balkan region in the creation of the Balkan Alliance of Convention Bureaus. The body aims to promote the region through the organization of conference activities.

The TCB was present at a travel fam event in Thessaloniki on 26-28 October as well as at this year’s Travel Bloggers Exchange held within the framework of TBEX 2014 in Athens last month.