Ilia Forum 2026

The Ilia Forum is a new, two-day institution that aspires to establish itself as a permanent platform for strategic dialogue, cooperation and outreach for the region of Ilia. Its primary objective is to shape and establish a modern, unified brand for the area, highlighting its role as a hub for culture, tourism and innovation.

At a time when municipalities and regions are called upon to reposition themselves within the national and international environment, the Ilia Forum seeks to serve as a meeting point for local government, the business community, institutional bodies and central administration. In doing so, it aims to strengthen Ilia’s connectivity with decision-making hubs and create the prerequisites for sustainable and outward-looking growth.

The Forum’s agenda is structured around key pillars concerning tourism, culture and sports, agri-food and gastronomy, entrepreneurship and industry infrastructure, as well as digital innovation and transformation. The ultimate goal is to showcase Ilia’s comparative advantages and formulate a cohesive development narrative.

All the elective components mentioned above formed the axis of Ilia Forum 2026 – #ilfo26, which took place on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2026. The event was organized by ethosEVENTS in co-organization with the Ilia Chamber of Commerce, the financial and business portal banks.com.gr, and the financial and investment magazine HRIMA. Participation in the conference was available either in person at the Aldemar Olympian Village (Ilis Congress Center) or online via the LiveOn Events+.

Participation in the conference is free of charge. You may register either through the Conference Secretariat or by completing the online registration form at the link below: https://ilfo26.ethosevents.liveon.tech/panel/register

Ambassadors

Dimitris Avramopoulos

Member of the Hellenic Parliament, Former European Commissioner, Former Minister of the Hellenic Republic

Christos Bouras

Rector of the University of Patras

Konstantinos Leventis

President of Ilia Chamber of Commerce

Ioanna Lourida

President, “OLYMPIADA” Women’s Entrepreneurship & Development Association of Ilia

Alexandros Angelopoulos

Vice President, Aldemar Resorts

George Papandreou

Former Prime Minister of Greece (2009-2011) - President of the International Olympic Truce Centre (IOTC)

Overview

The Conference included keynote speeches and panel discussions focusing on the following core thematic areas:

FRIDAY 5 JUNE | DAY 1

OPENING SESSION | LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Strategic alignment of Municipalities & Region – Ilia’s new narrative

Coordination between Municipalities and the Region to formulate a common development strategy for Ilia.
Infrastructure development and collaborative clusters that strengthen the local economy.
Creation of a new, unified brand for the region aimed at attracting investment and enhancing outreach.

KEYNOTE SPEECH | BRAND ILIA
How to build a regional brand in the 21st century

The key components of a strong regional brand amidst modern, global competition.
The role of identity, storytelling, and authenticity in promoting a destination.
Branding strategies that connect culture, the economy, and tourism for sustainable growth.

SESSION 1 | TOURISM
Olympia as a Global Asset – Ilia as an integrated destination

Ilia as an integrated tourist destination, centered on the global value of Olympia.
An outreach strategy and modern destination marketing to enhance the region’s international presence.
Development of sustainable and experiential forms of tourism through public-private partnerships.

SESSION 2 | SUSTAINABLE CITIES
Ilia as a model of sustainable urban development

Ilia as a model for sustainable urban development, focusing on smart and eco-friendly cities.
Collaboration strategies among universities, the public sector, and research institutions for innovative urban development solutions.
Implementation of sustainable practices and technologies that connect the economy, the environment, and citizens’ quality of life.

SESSION 3 | ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE
Sustainable development and climate resilience in Ilia

Sustainable development and climate resilience in Ilia, focusing on adaptation strategies and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Public-private partnerships for adopting green technologies and circular economy solutions.
Strengthening local resilience and environmental innovation through research, investment, and educational initiatives.

SESSION 4 | INFRASTRUCTURE
The new connectivity as a growth driver

Connectivity as a growth driver, highlighting the role of infrastructure in tourism, agri-food, and logistics.
Transport and investment strategies, including railways, road networks, and airports, that enhance local and regional development.
Interconnecting production, businesses, and tourism for sustainable economic development and outreach.

SESSION 5 | DIGITAL INNOVATION/TRANSFORMATION
Smart Ilia: Digital transformation & innovation

Digital transformation in regional development, focusing on smart cities, tourism, and entrepreneurship.
The role of innovation, research, and startups in creating a dynamic growth ecosystem.
Collaboration among the public sector, universities, and businesses to accelerate the region’s digital transition.

SATURDAY 6 JUNE | ΗΜΕΡΑ 2

SESSION 6 | CULTURE
Olympia is a Global Asset

Olympia as a global cultural asset and its utilization beyond archaeological tourism.
Cultural activities and festivals as tools for promotion and strengthening the region’s identity.
Connecting culture, digital promotion, and tourism for the sustainable development and international showcase of Olympia.

SESSION 7 | SPORTS
Sports and tourism: synergies and outlook

Sports events as a driver for tourism development and the international promotion of destinations.
Public-private partnerships for the development of sports tourism.
International events and major sports personalities as catalysts for new tourism experiences and investments.

SESSION 8 | AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Agri-food & Gastronomic Identity “From Land to Brand”

Showcasing local products as a key element of a region’s gastronomic identity.
Transforming agricultural production into strong brands with outreach and innovation.
Connecting agri-food, gastronomy, and tourism for sustainable local development.

SESSION 9 | GASTRONOMY
Ilia Flavors – From tradition to global identity

Showcasing Ilia’s gastronomic heritage and its connection to local culture and history.
Branding local agri-food products and creating the “Ilia Flavors” identity with an international perspective.
Connecting producers, tourism, and gastronomy to develop partnerships and enhance gastronomic tourism.

Agenda

Speakers

Institutional Speakers

Christos Dimas

Minister of Infrastructure & Transport

Ioannis Andrianos

Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food

Dr. Efthimios Bakogiannis

General Secretary of Spatial Planning and Urban Environment, A. Professor

Angela Varela

President, Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO)

Andreas Nikolakopoulos

Former Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, MP Greek Parliament

Christos Christodoulopoulos

Mayor, Municipality of Ilida

Ioannis Lentzas

Mayor of Andravida–Kyllini

Roula Alikaki – Tzanetou

Deputy Mayor for Culture of the Municipality of Pyrgos

Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou

Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection and the Subcommittee of Watercourses, Member of the Hellenic Parliament, for Ilia, New Democracy

Dionysios-Charalambos Kalamatianos

Member of Parliament for Ilia and Secretary of the SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance Parliamentary Group

Nikos A. Korovesis

Vice Regional Governor of Ilia

George Chatzopoulos

Operations Executive Chef , Αldemar Resorts

Distinguished Speakers

Andrei Covatariu

Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center

Peter Economides

Brand Strategist

Dr. Dionisios Panagiotaras

Associate Professor, Department of Environment, Ionian University, Greece

Member of the Hellenic Parliament - Member of the Standing Committee on National Defense and Foreign Affairs and member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

Ioannis Androulakis

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Green Fund

Dr. Maria Argyropoulou

Cultural Sociologist, Research and Τeaching Fellow, Department of Tourism Management, University of Patras

Dr. Spyros Arsenis

Head of Business Innovation Development | ΝΒG Business Seeds, Group Business Strategy, Startups and Collaborations Direction

Kosmas L. Vidalis

Professor, Vice Chair, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Patras

Nikos Diamantopoulos

General Manager, Marketing Greece

Dr.Georgia Zouni

Assistant Professor of Strategic Marketing of Tourism Destinations, Department of Tourism Studies, University of Piraeus

Dr. Sophie F. Katsigiannis

Lawyer PhD, LLM Tourism Law

Nikos Karaflos

Owner & Imagineer, Dexamenes Seaside Hotel

Father Ioannis Kapsomenakis

Senior Researcher, Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens

Alexandros Costopoulos

co-founder & Chairman of the U.S. Greece Trade and Investment Council - Founder & CEO of FORESIGHT

Ioannis Kostopoulos

CEO SAMMY PC

Prof. Dr. Haris Lambropoulos

President, Hellenic Development Bank of Investments SA (HDBI, ex TANEO), Member of the Board of Directors, European Investment Bank (EIB) & European Investment Fund (EIF)

Dr. Evangelos Bekiaris

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Director of the Central Directorate of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH)

Dionisis Nikolaou

General Manager of diaNEOsis

Konstantinos Nikoloutsos

President of the Pyrgos Municipal Port Fund (Katakolo)

Pantelis Panteloglou

Artistic Director, Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People & President, European Children's Film Association

Ioannis Papadopoulos

Treasurer of the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), Vice President of the European Muaythai Federation & President of the Mediterranean Muaythai Federation, President of the Pahellenic Muaythai Federation (PMF) & CEO of companies specialising in private aircraft and yacht management

Dr. Ioannis Pappas, MENG MECH. ENG., Ph.D., C.PH.D.

Senior Sustainability Advisor - European Climate Pact Ambassador

Georgios Salachas

Professor, Dept. of Agriculture, Internal member of Governing Council, University of Patras

Katerina Saridaki

Director–Capsule T Travel & Hospitality Accelerator

Nikos Tzanakos

Member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, International Children’s Games Organization (ICG)

Elias Tsaldaris

Founder, Innovation Group | Metaverse Architect & AI Content Strategist

Ioanna Fanariotou

Head of the Managing Authority of “Western Greece” Programme

Diatsenta Fanou-Fouskarini

Home Economics and Dietetics Scientist, Career Counseling Advisor

Triantafyllia (Rozy) Charitopoulou

Dr.-Ing. (Environmental Engineer), Thematic Vice President of Alternative Management and Innovation, Hellenic Solid Waste Management Association, Management Organisation Unit of Development Programmes, Expert Team for Mountainous, Disadvantaged, Remote & Island Regions

Korina Chatzigeorgiou

Chief Executive Officer, AgriNow

George Chatzopoulos

Operations Executive Chef , Αldemar Resorts

Moderators

Elena Kyparissi

Senior Event Manager & Consultant

Myron Flouris

Business Consultant

Kyrela Petrou

Financial & Business Editor, ethosMEDIA

Harris Ntigrintakis

Journalist at Alpha 98.9 / Eleftheros Typos / Newsbeast.gr, Director, Tourismtoday.gr

Lampros Arist. Rodis

Journalist - Editor-in-chief of Insurance World

Gold Sponsor

Corporate Participations

Registration Sponsor

Under the Auspices of

Communication Sponsors

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Sponsorship Program

ΝΑΜΕ SPONSOR | €15.000 + VAT.

A representative of the sponsor is entitled to a ten (10) minute speech.
The sponsor is entitled to the participation of two (2) of its executives in conference panels.
There is an opportunity to publish an internal interview with a senior executive in the magazine HRIMA, with a reprint on the banks.com.gr portal.
The sponsor will be prominently displayed in all conference promotional materials (electronic newsletters, email updates, landing pages, reports, etc.).
They are entitled to three (3) round tables for eight people each (24 people) in the conference venue.
They are entitled to sixty (60) invitations to attend the conference via the LiveOn electronic platform.
The sponsor’s logo (and/or a composition with it) will be prominently displayed in the visuals on the main conference website and in the visuals for LiveOn Events+.
The sponsor is entitled to their own Premium 2D Digital Booth in the Sponsors Hall at LiveOn Events+. This includes (materials up to 40MB).
At the Digital Booth, up to ten (10) sponsor representatives can be connected during the event for online communication with participants. Their contact information (e-Business card) will be automatically shared with visitors who request some form of communication with them.
They are entitled to space for a booth with a maximum size of 4m x 3m in the lobby of the hotel where the conference will be held.
The sponsor has the option of airing an advertising spot (maximum duration 20 seconds). The spot will be shown up to four (4) times during advertising slots during the conference.
The sponsor will be promoted thru the organizer’s social media (Facebook and LinkedIn) with four (4) “featured” posts.
They are entitled to include promotional material up to (40MB) in the conference Promo Pack (digital bag).
They will receive a comprehensive report of the conference.

GOLD SPONSOR | €12.000 + VAT.

A representative of the sponsor is entitled to a ten (10) minute speech.
The sponsor is entitled to have a representative participate in a conference panel.
There is an opportunity to publish an internal interview with a senior executive in the magazine HRIMA, with a reprint on the banks.com.gr portal.
The sponsor will be prominently displayed in all conference promotional materials (electronic newsletters, email updates, landing pages, reports, etc.).
They are entitled to three (3) round tables for eight people each (24 people) in the conference venue.
They are entitled to fifty (50) invitations to attend the conference via the LiveOn electronic platform. The sponsor will be prominently displayed in all conference promotional materials (electronic newsletters, email updates, landing pages, reports, etc.).
The sponsor’s logo (and/or a composition with it) will be prominently displayed in the visuals on the main conference website and in the visuals for LiveOn Events+.
The sponsor is entitled to their own Premium 2D Digital Booth in the Sponsors Hall of LiveOn Events+. This includes (materials up to 30MB).
At the Digital Booth, up to eight (8) sponsor representatives can be connected during the event for online communication with participants. Their contact details (e-Business card) will be automatically shared with visitors who request some form of communication with them.
They are entitled to space for a booth with a maximum size of 3m x 3m in the lobby of the hotel where the conference will be held.
The sponsor has the option of airing an advertising spot (maximum duration 20 seconds). The spot will be shown up to three (3) times during advertising slots during the conference.
The sponsor will be promoted thru the organizer’s social media (Facebook and LinkedIn) with three (3) “featured” posts.
They are entitled to include promotional material up to (30MB) in the conference Promo Pack (digital bag).
They will receive a comprehensive report of the conference.

SILVER SPONSOR | €9.000 + VAT.

The sponsor is entitled to a ten (10)-minute speech by one of its executives or participation by one of its executives in a conference panel.
There is the possibility of publishing an interview with a senior executive on the banks.com.gr portal.
The sponsor will be prominently displayed in all conference promotional materials (electronic newsletters, email updates, landing pages, reports, etc.).
They are entitled to two (2) eight-person round tables (16 people) in the conference venue.
They are entitled to forty (40) invitations to attend the conference via the LiveOn electronic platform.
The sponsor’s logo (and/or a composition with it) will be prominently displayed in the visuals on the main conference website and in the visuals for LiveOn Events+.
The sponsor is entitled to their own Premium 2D Digital Booth in the Sponsors Hall at LiveOn Events+. This includes (materials up to 20MB).
In the Digital Pavilion, up to six (6) sponsor representatives can be connected during the event for online communication with participants. Their contact details (e-Business card) will be automatically shared with visitors who request some form of communication with them.
They are entitled to space for a booth with a maximum size of 3m x 2m in the lobby of the hotel where the Conference will be held.
The sponsor has the option of airing an advertising spot (maximum duration 20 seconds). The spot will be shown up to two (2) times during advertising slots during the conference.
The sponsor will be promoted thru the organizer’s social media (Facebook and LinkedIn) with two (2) “featured” posts.
They are entitled to include promotional material up to (20MB) in the conference Promo Pack (digital bag).
He will receive a comprehensive report of the conference.

BRONZE SPONSOR | €6.000 + VAT.

The sponsor is entitled to have a representative participate in a conference panel.
The sponsor will be prominently displayed in all conference promotional materials (electronic newsletters, email updates, landing pages, reports, etc.).
They are entitled to one (1) eight-person (8 people) round table in the conference venue.
They are entitled to thirty (30) invitations to attend the conference via the LiveOn electronic platform.
The sponsor’s logo (and/or a composition with it) will be prominently displayed in the visuals on the main conference website and in the visuals for LiveOn Events+.
The sponsor is entitled to their own Advanced 2D Digital Booth in the Sponsors Hall at LiveOn Events+. This includes (materials up to 10MB).
In the Digital Booth, up to four (4) sponsor representatives can be connected during the conference for online communication with participants. Their contact information (e-Business card) will be automatically shared with visitors who request some form of communication with them.
They are entitled to space for a booth with a maximum size of 2m x 2m in the lobby of the hotel where the Conference will be held.
The sponsor has the option of showing an advertising spot (maximum duration 20 seconds).
The spot will be shown up to one (1) time during advertising slots during the conference.
The sponsor will be promoted thru the organizer’s social media (Facebook and LinkedIn) with one (1) “featured post.”
They are entitled to include promotional material up to (10MB) in the conference Promo Pack (digital bag).
He will receive a comprehensive report of the conference.

PREMIUM CORPORATE PARTICIPATION | €3.000 + VAT.

The sponsor will be featured in all conference promotional materials (electronic newsletters, email updates, landing pages, reports, etc.).
They are entitled to the presence of four (4) people in the conference venue.
They are entitled to twenty (20) invitations to attend the conference via the LiveOn electronic platform.
The sponsor’s logo (and/or a composition with it) will be displayed in the visuals of the conference’s main website and in the visuals of LiveOn Events+.
Sponsors are entitled to their own Standard 2D Digital Booth in the Sponsors Hall of the LiveOn Event+. This includes (materials up to 8MB).
They are entitled to space for a booth with a maximum size of 2m x 2m in the lobby of the hotel where the Conference will be held.
They are entitled to include promotional material up to (8MB) in the conference Promo Pack (digital bag).
They will receive a comprehensive report of the conference.

CORPORATE PARTICIPATION | €1.500 + VAT.

The sponsor will be featured in all conference promotional materials (electronic newsletters, email updates, landing pages, reports, etc.).
They are entitled to the presence of two (2) people in the conference venue.
They are entitled to ten (10) invitations to attend the conference via the LiveOn online platform.
They are entitled to display up to one (1) rollup with a maximum size of (0.85×2.00) in the lobby of the hotel where the conference will be held.
The sponsor’s logo will be displayed in the conference visuals (the main conference website, on the Sponsors section homepage, and on the presentation pages).
They are entitled to include promotional material up to (5MB) in the conference Promo Pack (digital bag).
They will receive a comprehensive report of the conference.

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION

Participation in the conference is free of charge and requires mandatory registration.

Participants may choose between:

In-person attendance at Aldemar Olympian Village, at the Ilis Congress Center
Online participation via the LiveOn Expo Complex, LiveOn’s innovative 3D exhibition and conference center

Benefits per individual participation:

Attendance at the conference sessions.
Full utilization of the advanced digital features of the LiveOn Expo Complex (networking, Promo Pack, video calls & chats).
Certificate of attendance (to be sent electronically).
Online exchange of contact details and personal communication with participating speakers, delegates, and sponsor executives through the conference’s Networking Hub.
Each participant will receive an extensive post-conference report (including speaker presentations, videos, and photos).