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About Athens, Greece

Discover Athens!

About Greece

Capital of Greece:  Athens   ⁄  Official language: Greek   ⁄  The currency: Euro(€)   ⁄  Climate: Mediterranean   ⁄  Weather: The average temperature during February: High 13°C – Low 7°C   ⁄  Population: 10.482.487 (according to 2021 population census)   ⁄  Calling code: The international calling code for Greece is +30   ⁄   Time zone: GMT +2  
⁄  Power Plugs and sockets: Type C and F (standard voltage: 220 V/ frequency:50 Hz)

About Athens

Discover Athens!

Surrounded by a lining of stunning seas and mountains, this safe and travel-friendly city is filled with treasures just waiting to be discovered: renowned archeological sites, modern and classical art museums and galleries, spas, chic shops, restaurants and bars, street markets and bazaars, open-air cinemas, sandy beaches, picturesque Greek islands in close proximity and 300 sun-drenched days.

Arts & Culture

The city’s rich classical tradition and its geographical location – at the crossroads of cultures – have always lent it a formidable platform for artistic expression. That high regard for such arts continues today, with a mushrooming of modern innovations. Every year, the city’s cultural calendar presents exhibits and festivals of international scope, original productions and notable artistic happenings.

Sightseeing

Athens takes the fuss out of sightseeing. It is a user-friendly town thanks to the pleasant demeanor of the English-speaking Athenians and the easy to use and manageable transportation system. The visitor can see a lot in one day. Archaeological Sites & Classical Greek Monuments, Byzantine Monuments & Ottoman Monuments, Museums, Art Galleries, street performances, festivals. Needless to say, The Acropolis remains a “must see”. By the way, Athens is one of the few European cities where one may visit a museum during the day and jet off to a nearby island at night.

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Gastronomy

The city’s rich classical tradition and its geographical location – at the crossroads of cultures – have always lent it a formidable platform for artistic expression. That high regard for such arts continues today, with a mushrooming of modern innovations. Every year, the city’s cultural calendar presents exhibits and festivals of international scope, original productions and notable artistic happenings.

Shopping

Shopping in Athens — a showcase for its traditional and modern culture and lifestyle — can be a fascinating and satisfying experience for all. Amidst the many well-known international brand name outposts and traditional Greek art and folklore shops, there are hundreds of chic boutiques and specialty stores blossoming with great fashion finds for every taste and budget. Make sure to stop in at one of the many wonderful year-round outdoor cafés and restaurants to make your experience of shopping in the Athenian way, complete!

Beyond the Horizon: Leaving More Than Memories

7 - Aeolia | The Legacy Compass: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Events

Purpose:
To explore how PCOs and event leaders can widen their impact by embedding sustainability, DEI, and long-term legacy thinking into every stage of event design. The session focuses on how to create value that extends beyond the event itself, strengthening communities, improving stakeholder relationships, and enhancing the competitiveness of bids.

Key Takeaways

  • Clear, practical approaches to sustainability that can be applied across events, operations, and partnerships.
  • Concrete ways to integrate DEI into planning, staffing, programme design, and on-site delivery.
  • How to design legacy initiatives that benefit host cities, communities, and associations long after the event ends.
  • Examples of what “good legacy” looks like in today’s global meetings landscape.
  • A better understanding of how impact and legacy strengthen bids, stakeholder trust, and long-term client relationships.
  • Tools for evaluating and measuring impact, so legacy becomes intentional rather than accidental.
  • A practical starting checklist to help PCOs embed sustainability, inclusivity, and positive impact into their everyday work.

 

Resilience Through Reflection

8 - Ogygia | The Inner Journey: Strengthening Your Mental Well-Being

Purpose:
To create a supportive space for leaders to reflect on the pressures they face, share honest experiences, and explore practical strategies for protecting their mental well-being. The session focuses on building personal resilience, restoring balance, and developing habits that support sustainable leadership.

Key Takeaways

  • Simple, realistic strategies to protect mental health during high-pressure periods.
  • A personal toolkit for managing stress, maintaining balance, and restoring clarity.
  • Practical approaches to preventing burnout, including boundary-setting and recovery practices.
  • Ways to recognise early warning signs in yourself and in others.
  • Techniques for staying grounded when uncertainty or workload intensifies.
  • Ideas for creating a healthier leadership routine, combining reflection, rest, and renewal.
  • Awareness of how personal well-being strengthens leadership effectiveness and team culture.

The PCO Value Story: Why You Matter

6 - Mount Circeo | Standing Out: Crafting a Compelling PCO Value Proposition

Purpose:
To help PCOs clearly articulate why clients should hire them, shape a value proposition that stands out in a competitive market, and adapt their messaging depending on the type of business they want to win. The session focuses on using strong storytelling to communicate expertise, impact, and relevance.

Key Takeaways

  • A clear, forward-looking value proposition that expresses what makes a PCO indispensable.
  • Practical storytelling tools to communicate value in ways that are concise, compelling, and client-relevant.
  • Messaging frameworks that can be adapted for associations, corporates, destinations, and partners.
  • Examples of what resonates with clients and what doesn’t in pitches and conversations.
  • Strategies for differentiating your services in a crowded, competitive landscape.
  • Guidance on using evidence, outcomes, and real stories to build credibility and trust.
  • Confidence in telling your PCO story with clarity, purpose, and consistency.

Future-Fit PCO: Adapting to Client Needs

5 - Thrinacia | The Evolving Role of the PCO: Meeting Tomorrow’s Client Needs

Purpose:
To explore how client expectations are shifting and what this means for the role of the PCO. Participants will identify emerging needs, discuss how services and skills must adapt, and develop a clearer understanding of how PCOs can continue to deliver value in a changing environment.

Key Takeaways

  • A clearer view of how client needs are evolving, from strategy and data to engagement, tech, sustainability, and year-round support.
  • Insights into the new skills and services PCOs will need to remain relevant and competitive.
  • A practical understanding of where PCOs can add the strongest value as associations and corporations rethink their models.
  • Discussion-led ideas on adapting workflows, structures, and mindset to meet future expectations.
  • Awareness of new partnership models between PCOs, clients, suppliers, and destinations.
  • A draft action list to help each participant prepare their organisation for the next phase of client demand.
  • A shared vision of what the PCO role may look like over the next 3–5 years.

The Momentum Mindset

4 - Sirenuse | Innovation & Agility: Staying Ahead in an AI-Driven World

Purpose:
To share practical examples of how AI and emerging technologies are being used across the industry, understand their real possibilities, and explore how innovation and agility can keep organisations ahead of client expectations. Participants will leave with a grounded sense of what’s possible now—and what’s coming next.

Key Takeaways

  • A clear view of the current AI tools your peers are using and how they’re applying them day-to-day.
  • Real examples of innovation: what has worked, what hasn’t, and why.
  • An understanding of how emerging technologies (AI, automation, robotics, medical tech) could reshape the meetings and events landscape.
  • Practical ideas for staying ahead of client needs through agility, creativity, and smarter storytelling.
  • Insights into how to evaluate new technologies without being overwhelmed by hype.
  • A stronger sense of how innovation can future-proof your organisation, team, and service offering.

Team Management

3 - Djerba | Building Strong Teams: Creating a Culture Where People Thrive

Purpose: 
To explore how leaders can hire, develop, and motivate the right people while shaping a culture where teams feel supported, connected, and able to perform at their best. The session will also look at how trusted partnerships outside the organisation strengthen overall performance and resilience.

Key Takeaways

Participants will leave with:

  • Practical strategies for building high-performing, resilient teams.
  • Clear tools for motivating staff and strengthening collaboration across roles.
  • Ways to create a culture that supports trust, accountability, and psychological safety.
  • Approaches for identifying external allies: clients, suppliers, and partners who can help the organisation navigate complexity.
  • An understanding of essential interpersonal skills that drive teamwork and strong relationships.
  • Actionable ideas leaders can apply immediately to empower their teams and reinforce a thriving workplace culture.

Leadership & Vision

2 - Sicily | The Road Ahead: Practical Succession Choices for Leaders

Purpose:
To give leaders a straightforward understanding of the main succession options available and create space for honest discussion about real experiences. Participants will compare approaches from management buyouts to family succession, mergers, sales, and private equity and gain clarity on what path could best support their organisation’s future.

Key Takeaways

  • A simple overview of the main succession routes, including MBOs, family succession, mergers, sales, and private equity.
  • Clarity on the pros and cons of each option and what they mean for leadership continuity and company culture.
  • A better understanding of timing, readiness, and the signals that indicate when to start planning.
  • Insights from real experiences shared by peers, what worked, what didn’t, and what they would do differently.
  • Guidance on how to align succession decisions with long-term vision, stakeholder expectations, and personal goals.
  • Awareness of common pitfalls and how to avoid them when choosing a path forward.
  • Confidence to begin shaping a realistic plan that protects the business, the team, and the legacy you want to build.

 

Leadership & Vision

1- Ismarus | Leading Through Change: Building Resilient Leaders

Purpose: 
To help leaders understand the challenges that arise during periods of change, explore practical ways to stay resilient, and develop the clarity needed to guide their teams with confidence. The session aims to equip participants with simple, effective strategies for leading with purpose, adapting to uncertainty, and staying focused on long-term vision and continuity.

Key Takeaways

  • A clearer understanding of the real challenges leaders face during periods of uncertainty and rapid change.
  • Practical tools for staying resilient, including how to manage pressure, maintain perspective, and stay grounded.
  • Simple strategies to lead with purpose, keeping teams aligned even when direction shifts.
  • Techniques for communicating clearly during change so teams feel informed, supported, and focused.
  • Ways to build adaptability, both personally and within the organisation, to respond quickly without losing stability.
  • A stronger sense of your own “inner compass” how to make calm, confident decisions when the path ahead is unclear.
  • Guidance on keeping long-term vision intact, ensuring continuity while navigating immediate challenges.

Official Airline Partner

AEGEAN, Star Alliance member and Official Airline Partner of the 2026 IAPCO AM & GA, welcomes participants with an exclusive 20% discount across its flight network.

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