In Greece, there is a significant demand for international conferences; however, the country struggles to accommodate this demand due to a lack of infrastructure and competitive pricing. This predicament is exacerbated by the fact that many potential events have to be turned away in major cities like Athens and Thessaloniki. The President of the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO), Sissy Lignou, noted that while geopolitical shifts have favored Greece in attracting more conference relocations, the country is still unable to meet all its host requests for conferences.

During IAPCO's partners' meeting in Thessaloniki, which included participation from countries like Taiwan, Australia, and Mexico, Lignou highlighted the economic impact of the conference industry, which is instrumental in contributing approximately 17 billion euros in revenue. This statistic underlines the importance of bolstering the country's capacity to host such events. In her remarks, Lignou emphasized that many events being rejected stem from logistical challenges that could be mitigated through better infrastructure and pricing strategies.

The challenge for Greece remains in enhancing its capability to host high-profile international gatherings adequately. As global trends shift and more organizations seek to conduct their meetings in destinations like Greece, it becomes critical for stakeholders to address existing deficiencies in venue capacity and competitiveness. The implications for job creation and economic development in Greece could be significant if the necessary investments are made to support the growing demands of the conference sector.