Thessaloniki International Fair (Helexpo) 2022
This year's TIF welcomed over 200,000 visitors from 10-18 September, with the number of visitors significantly increased compared to last year's event. The number of exhibitors was also significant, with a particularly upgraded presence compared to last year's TIF approaching 1,500, with international and state participations amounting to 19, including the honored country of the United Arab Emirates, with a separate presence of 46 Chambers from all over Greece. The Region of Epirus could not be absent. It was there with a significant and large delegation of businessmen and institutions.
With local and natural products region of Epirus stole the show!
Caius, with George Mendrinos and Stathis Efstathopoulos presented the progress of the "caius paths" project to the attendees, gaining the interest of companies and institutions with whom the foundations of future partnerships were laid.
In general, there were many references at the TIF on initiatives to protect the environment and how technology can help the development of forest areas. A highlight of these initiatives was the presentation of the Smart Forest Innovation Challenge that was made by the Secretary General of Forests of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Prof. Konstantinos Aravosis. The programme is organized by the General Secretariat of Forests of the Ministry of Environment & Energy and focuses on topics related to the prevention, protection, restoration and digitisation of forests, the identification of solutions and their exploitation in business ideas. Prof. Aravosis said, among other things, that this is the first time that an innovation competition is being organized exclusively for forests. He also pointed out that with the recent reconstitution of the General Secretariat, forests are at the center of the Ministry's attention. He invited researchers, teams and institutions to jointly envision and design the modern working environment of foresters, who will have access to all necessary data on a computer screen. The CEO and Founder of Mantis Business Innovation and Head of Research of the Economic Environment and Sustainable Development Unit of the National Technical University of Athens, Mr. Christos Nikoloudis, then explained the process and referred to the evaluation system of the Programme, presenting in detail the thematic modules.
Thessaloniki International Fair featured many interesting presentations and discussions on specific areas. Topics such as the sustainability of trails in the long term, technology, health, construction, promotion, etc. were developed. A highlight of these initiatives was the presentation of the Smart Forest Innovation Challenge.
