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🗣️ Interview with Anastasios - Tasos Tzikas, President of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) Interview Highlights: 📈 Strategic Role of #TIF: Established in 1926, TIF is Greece’s primary exhibition organization. Its annual events foster business collaboration across the Balkans and Southeastern Europe, attracting over 1,500 companies. With over 40 exhibitions and 250 events yearly, it positions Thessaloniki as a business and innovation hub. 🚧 Venue Redevelopment: A major redevelopment of the TIF venue is planned, transforming it into one of Europe’s most sustainable #exhibition centers. Featuring 60% green space, the 100,000 sqm project will include pavilions, a business center, and a hotel, with construction starting in 2026 and completion expected in five years. 🌍 Upcoming Events: the #BEYOND technology event in 2025. BEYOND aims to establish Thessaloniki as a regional leader in tech innovation, inspired by events like Barcelona’s MWC. 🌱 Embracing Digital Innovation: TIF is pushing digitalization through the BEYOND fair, which focuses on positioning Thessaloniki as a tech hub in Southeastern Europe. This initiative builds on the city's growing tech ecosystem and international collaborations. 💼 Global Connections: TIF has strong ties with international partners, especially the U.S. Past delegations to California have resulted in successful B2B meetings. Plans to feature San Francisco as an honored city at a future event aim to strengthen connections with Silicon Valley. 🏗️ Challenges & Future Outlook: The biggest challenge is the redevelopment of the TIF venue, vital for maintaining competitiveness. By embracing sustainability and modern technology, TIF aims to lead in international exhibitions, while expanding its offerings with thematic parks and sectorial exhibitions. 🎉 Thematic Park Success: One of TIF's notable successes was the Museum of Chocolate, which drew significant attention. TIF continues to innovate with exhibitions focused on Greek history and thematic parks like dinosaurs, enhancing cultural and business appeal. 💬 Message to Investors: #Thessaloniki is an increasingly attractive destination for business and investment. The city’s redevelopment, strategic location, and thriving tech ecosystem present promising opportunities for investors and partners looking to capitalize on its growing potential.

🎙️ #Interview with Nikos Efthymiadis, Chairman & CEO at Thess INTEC - Thessaloniki Innovation & Technology Center Interview Highlights: 🏗️ #ThessINTEC Structure & Goals: Thess INTEC operates as a public-private partnership with strong management and public sector support. The park, located near Thessaloniki’s airport, aims to become a hub for innovation by 2026, employing 7,000 people and fostering collaboration among academia, research, and industry. 🌍 Attracting Talent & Investment: To retain local talent, Thess INTEC offers competitive salaries and tailors its environment to meet industry needs. The focus is on creating an open innovation system, where industries present challenges, and the best academic and research minds collaborate to find solutions. 📈 Future Impact: Over the next 10-15 years, Thess INTEC aims to become a leading innovation center in Greece, reversing the brain drain and driving economic growth through new products and exports. Its long-term goal is to transform #Thessaloniki into a vibrant innovation hub. ✈️ Message to Investors: M. Efthymiadis encourages international companies to invest in Thessaloniki, citing its strategic location, strong talent pool, and growing innovation ecosystem. The city is set to attract global players, with companies like Pfizer, Microsoft, and Cisco already leading the way. Read the full interview 👇🏼

🎙️ #Interview with Professor Haralambos Feidas, Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) Interview Highlights: 🏛️ University Overview: Aristotle University of #Thessaloniki, Greece's largest university, has over 73,000 students and 2,024 faculty members. It features 11 faculties, 130 departments, and over 300 laboratories. 🌍 Vision for the Future: Professor Feidas aims to enhance the university’s leadership in higher education through expanded international programs in English and strengthened collaborations, particularly with U.S. institutions. 🤝 Partnerships with U.S. Universities: The university has agreements with 21 U.S. universities, focusing on student exchanges and internships, including an English-language medical program that attracts international students. 📚 Enhancing Student Experience: Thessaloniki's vibrant culture enriches the student experience, offering various international agreements for course participation and cultural engagement. 📈 Improving Global Ranking: The university focuses on research activity and faculty recognition to enhance its global ranking. 🚀 Promoting Innovation: With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, the university collaborates with the private sector and secures funding through programs like Horizon Europe. ⚖️ Addressing Challenges: Adapting to new ideas amidst strict regulations in Greek higher education is a key challenge, with potential changes in regulations influencing future competitiveness. 📢 Message to Prospective Students: Thessaloniki offers a unique cultural experience and high-quality education, welcoming students from around the world to join its academic community. Read the full interview 👇🏼

🗣️ Interview with Stelios Angeloudis, Mayor of #Thessaloniki and President of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization Interview Highlights: 🌟 City Evolution: Thessaloniki's strategic location and diverse heritage are key to its growth. Recent shipping disruptions have increased its significance as a gateway to Southeastern Europe. 📈 Vision for Development: The city’s growth is anchored in three pillars: #transportation, #logistics, and #innovation. #Tourism is also vital, with attractions like Byzantine monuments and nearby historical sites. 🚧 Major Projects: Upcoming projects include a new metro system, the reconstruction of Eleftheria Square (honoring Holocaust victims), and the new Holocaust Museum, expected to be completed by 2027. 🌍 Tourism Goals: Thessaloniki aims to increase annual tourist numbers from 1 million to 20 million in the next 5-7 years. The city is enhancing its cruise ship offerings and promoting its UNESCO gastronomy status. 🌱 Sustainable Tourism: The Mayor emphasizes the importance of sustainable infrastructure, with plans for new five-star hotels and balanced tourism growth. 💼 Attracting Investment: Plans to promote Thessaloniki as an investment destination are underway, with efforts to engage international partners, including discussions with Pfizer. ⚽ #Sports Development: Initiatives include a new handball facility and plans for Olympic-grade infrastructure to support emerging sports like skateboarding. 🎬 #Cultural Achievements: Thessaloniki is becoming a filming location for major American films and is exploring direct flights to New York to enhance global connectivity. 💬 Message to Readers: The Mayor invites investment in Thessaloniki, emphasizing its rapid development, rich culture, and commitment to sustainability. The city is a beautiful place for tourism and business, with exciting projects on the horizon. Read the full interview 👇🏼 Pavlos Avramopoulos Δήμος Θεσσαλονίκης - Municipality of Thessaloniki City of Thessaloniki Newsweek

💡 An interesting viewpoint from Moetai Brotherson, President of French Polynesia Islands Business Nic Maclellan Présidence de la Polynésie française Gouvernement de la Polynésie Française

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Teahupo’o on the island of Tahiti in the territory of French Polynesia is home to ‘the heaviest’, ‘most perfect’ waves in the world. But what’s it got to do with Paris? Al Jazeera English Nick Dall

🌐 French Polynesia is emerging as a digital innovation hotspot under President Moetai Brotherson's leadership, prioritizing IT, telecom, and film production. A key partnership with Google in which it is set to install five submarine cables, boosting local bandwidth 50-fold and attracting global IT and cinema industries. OPT (French Polynesia) CEO Hina Delva emphasizes the sector’s USD 222M value, serving 300,000 residents with mobile, fiber, and postal services. With 32 islands connected via undersea cables and upcoming 5G and e-SIM tech, connectivity is set to soar. Gouvernement de la Polynésie Française ONATi Tahiti Nui Telecom

✈️ Air Moana has swiftly become a leader in French Polynesia's domestic airline sector since its 2023 inception. With a 20% market share, 250 professionals, and two ATR 72-600 aircraft, it’s breaking monopolies and prioritizing safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction. CEO Olivier-Jean Breaud highlights their "remarkable journey," while Deputy GM Raitini Rey emphasizes their commitment to modernization and digitalization. Future plans include expanding to the American market and enhancing regional connectivity with new routes. Strategic partnerships, like with Air Tahiti Nui, are key to Air Moana's sustainable growth.

🚢 #FrenchPolynesia is poised for significant advancements in its #transport and #infrastructure sectors, aiming to bolster its #tourism appeal and enhance connectivity both regionally and internationally. Présidence de la Polynésie française Moetai Brotherson Jordy CHAN Ministère des Grands Travaux et de l'Equipement Tahiti Tourisme Jean-Marc Mocellin Bud Gilroy Belinda Hindmarsh PONANT Aranui Cruises