Athens Convention Bureau Magazine

SPRING

THE ACB MAG IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE ATHENS TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

ACB MAG

ATHENS TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PRODUCTION

Editorial Director

PRESIDENT

Giorgos Salamas

Aikaterini Katsabe

DESIGN DIRECTORS

CEO

Charalambos Andreanidis

Panagiotis Arkoumaneas

Angie Paragoulia

DIRECTOR, ATHENS CONVENTION BUREAU

EDITORIAL TEAM

George N. Angelis

LIVANIS PUBLISHING ORGANIZATION 98, Solonos Street, 106 80 Athens. T. 210 36 61 200, F. 210 36 17 791 www.livanis.gr

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DIRECTOR, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY

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mitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, pho-

Aggeliki Panagiotou Dimitris Koilalous

Katerina Papadopoulou

tocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission

Manolis Psarros

©ACB mag. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or trans-

of the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company. Where opinion is expressed it is that of the authors and does not

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CONTACT 7 Xenofontos Street, Syntagma, 105 57 Athens, Greece T. +30 210 32 53 123, F. +30 210 32 16 653 E. [email protected] www.athensconventionbureau.gr

the ACB mag. All information in this magazine is verified to the best of the authors’ and the publisher’s ability. However, the ACB mag does not accept responsibility for any loss arising from reliance on it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editorial

5FrontlinesATEDCo News 6events calendarUPCOMING CONFERENCES march - may9

case studiesopen access

14upcoming conferencesairport cities16interviewgeorgios tsakiris 20

venuesathinais cultural centre

24case studiespreparing for the upturn 28

museumsnational archaeological museum

32hotelsdivani caravel36locationsthe byzantine estate40

upcoming conferencesthe athens summit 2009

TRANSPORTATIONORGANISED BUS TOUR SERVICES

FOODESSENCE OF GREECE

44airportatedcO INFOKIOSK48

50DAYTRIPMARATHON54CULTURESPRING CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS58

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 national archaeological museum

EDITORIAL

ATEDCo News

Panagiotis Arkoumaneas CEO / Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company

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divani caravel hotel

p/09

Spring is considered by many to be the best time in Athens. The weather is remarkably pleasant and the ambience of the city is filled with joy. It is the ideal time to combine a conference or a meeting with some inspiring city exploration.

upcoming conferences

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In this issue, you will read about the latest developments concerning meetings and conventions in Athens; you will learn about recent and future congresses being held in Athens; and we will present some appealing options in accommodation and conference locations. The issue also features a very informative interview about the current situation in Athenian tourism with Mr. Georgios Tsakiris, president of the Athens-Attica Hotel Association.  spring Cultural Highlights

 airport cities

 athinais cultural centre

Furthermore, you will learn about the cultural highlights scheduled to take place in Athens during the spring. Enjoy your reading and we look forward to seeing you in Athens.

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Dear readers,

essence of greece

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FRONTLINES

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ATEDCo News ATEDCo Highlights Activities at 9th Airline Marketing Workshop 2009, February 19 ATEDCo CEO Panagiotis Arkoumaneas outlined the company's programme and plan of activities to promote Athens as a city break and convention destination at the 9th Airline Marketing Workshop. The 9th Airline Marketing Workshop was staged by the Athens International Airport at the Athens Little Palace Theatre. Extensive reference was made to ATEDCo's efforts to promote Athens through WEB2.0 and social networking applications, as well as the particular importance of marketing destinations through the Internet. Dionyssia 2009, with the Support of ATEDCo 2009, February 18 With the support of ATEDCO, Dionyssia were hosted this year at the Zappeion Exhibition Centre in Athens, 20-22 February. Dionyssia is Greece's top consumer wine show; it hosted 150 national wine-makers, numerous Greek importers of wine, and featured 1,500 wines to the public.

Athens Featured in Association of British Travel Agents (ΑΒΤΑ) Annual Catalogue 2009, February 11 ATEDCo made a thorough presentation of the tourism product and the competitive advantages of Athens in the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) Annual Members' Catalogue for 2009. The goal of this effort, combined with extensive promotion of Athens in ATEDCo publications during the World Travel Market tourism trade show in London and the mailing of ATEDCo's specialised magazine, Breathtaking mag, to 85,000 travel agents in Great Britain and the United States through ABTA, is to enhance the image of Athens in these markets. Given that the British market makes up 20% of incoming tourism to Greece and is one of the five largest markets for Athens, ATEDCo is developing specific and targeted strategies with multiple benefits for tourism in Athens through ABTA. It is worth noting that following its merger with the Federation of Tour Operators in 2008, ABTA now represents the majority of tourism and travel agencies in Great Britain and is emerging as the most significant player in that country's outgoing tourism.

Because of the difficult conditions being created in the world tourism sector by the economic crisis, ATEDCo is intensifying its efforts, enhancing already planned activities to promote Athens in the American, Italian, French and German markets, as well as in the domestic and Cypriot market, so that a strong position for Athens in the international tourism market can be ensured. ATEDCo CEO Panagiotis Arkoumaneas addresses 5th IMIC in Athens 2009, February 4 ATEDCo CEO Panagiotis Arkoumaneas was among the speakers to address the 5th International Meetings and Incentives Conference at the Athinais Conference Centre in Votanikos. The topic of the 5th International Conference was "Selling Destinations, Venues and Services: Supplier Perspectives - Customer Demands." The conference was supported by the City of Athens and the Athens Convention Bureau. MAD TV Gets Award for Video Clip Supported by ATEDCo 2009, February 2 MAD TV was recognised at the New York Festivals 2009 International Television Programming & Promotion Awards, earning a Silver Award for its "MAD Live in Athens" show that featured Good

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FRONTLINES

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atedco CEO Panagiotis Arkoumaneas

Charlotte during a live performance with the Acropolis in the background. As part of its efforts to bolster activities that promote Athens abroad, ATEDCo supported a series of musical events under the title "MAD Live in Athens," whose goal it was to stage major concerts with the Acropolis as a backdrop. It is worth noting that the Silver Award in this category was given to CNN last year for its show titled "Larry King: 50 Years of Pop Culture," which showcased Larry King's 50year broadcasting career. Aikaterini Katsabe Named New President of ATEDCo 2009, January 26 Following a decision by Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, Athens City Council Member Aikaterini Katsabe was named president of ATEDCo. She is also president of Elpis General Prefectural Hospital. City Council Secretary Dionysis Papadogonas was named ATEDCo vice-president and Panagiotis Arkoumaneas remains as ATEDCo CEO. ATEDCo Meets with Representatives of the Republic of Khakassia 2009, January 20 As part of its programme for international networking and exchange of expertise, ATEDCo held a special presentation for representatives of the Republic of Khakassia at the organisation's offices on 20 January.

The Khakassian delegation included the Mayor of Abakan, the republic's capital, as well as competent officials from the Ministries of Tourism and Culture and important figures from the country's academic community. The tourism product of Athens was presented in detail during the meeting, as was ATEDCo's function as the city's official tourism agency. An extensive discussion took place at the conclusion of the meeting on issues related to tourism development and destination management, in addition to the particular characteristics of the two destinations. It should be noted that ATEDCo, through its networking and exchange of expertise programme, presents plans and activities that showcase Athens as a leading tourism designation to international delegations and representatives of tourism organisations from all over the world (the Middle East, China, South Korea and Russia, among others). Kostas Markopoulos Named New Minister of Tourism 2009, January 8 Greek MP Kostas Markopoulos assumed his ministerial duties Thursday, 8 January, during a handover ceremony marking the changing of the guard at the Ministry of Tourism.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Successful Participation of the Athens Convention Bureau (ACB) at EIBTM 2008 2008, December 8 The Athens Convention Bureau's (ACB) first ever participation in the Global Meetings and Incentives Exhibition EIBTM 2008 was a resounding success. EIBTM took place in Barcelona from 2 to 4 December. ACB's managers had more than 60 planned and unplanned meetings with hosted buyers and trade visitors, representatives of international associations, conference organisers (PCOs), multinational companies, destination management companies (DMCs) from more than 30 countries from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Welcome Speech of ATEDCo's CEO at the opening of the Exporama Show 2008, December 6 Panagiotis Arkoumaneas, ATEDCo CEO, made a welcome speech at the opening of the Exporama Show, which took place on Saturday, 6 December, at the Helexpo Palace in Maroussi. The Exporama Show is the only show which focuses exclusively on the Conference and Exhibition market in South-eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region. The objective of the show is to distinguish the whole region in general as the ideal destination for conferences and exhibitions, promoting its infrastructure, companies and organisations.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

March-May

1st Green IT Conference 17 March, Dais Cultural and Conference Centre The Directorate of Information Technology is facing challenges on two fronts: the dropping economic indicators and the steadily rising cost of energy. Added to these is the continuing internal struggle on a business level striving to achieve a more efficient and economical operation. The goal of the Green IT Conference is to help Information Technology Directorates develop an integrated "green" strategy consisting of technological solutions to issues of infrastructure as well as management practices to ensure the maximum benefits to business.

9th European Congress on Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis 18 - 21 March, Megaron Athens International Conference Centre The objective of ECCEO 9, being held under the auspices of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis, the International Osteoporosis Foundation and the Group for the Respect of Ethics and Excellence in Science, is to provide practitioners with the latest clinical and economic information, allowing them to organise their daily practice in an evidence-based medicine perspective with a cost-conscious perception.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

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WebSci'09: Society On-Line 18 - 20 March, Cultural Centre of the Foundation of the Hellenic World Web Science focuses on understanding, designing and developing the technologies and applications that make up the World Wide Web. But the WWW does not exist without the participation of people and organisations. Now that a significant proportion of everyday life is spent on-line in many countries, it makes sense for the first Web Science conference organised by the Web Science Research Initiative (WSRI) and the Foundation of the Hellenic World (FHW) to be dedicated to the presentation of research into society on the Web. 12th Conference of the European Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics 30 March - 3 April, Megaron Athens International Conference Centre The 12th Conference of the European Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics (EACL-09) covers a broad spectrum of disciplines working towards enabling intelligent systems to interact with humans using natural language, and towards enhancing human-human communication through services such as speech recognition, automatic translation, information retrieval, text summarisation and information extraction. ECOWEEK 2009 Empowering Youth: Ecology + Leadership + Architecture International Conference 31 March – 6 April, Athinais conference centre The conference is open to young architects, designers and landscape architects and professionals of other disciplines, and graduate students from Greece and abroad. The conference will include public lectures and screening of documentaries and will be open and free to the general public.

3rd Sales Executives Conference 3 April, Hotel Pentelikon, Kifissia The 3rd Sales Executives Conference will take place on April 3 at Hotel Pentelikon, urging sales executives to "Think alternatively and give energy to your sales." Over 250 sales directors, managers and executives, as well as general managers are expected to attend the event. Presentations and workshops will focus on crucial sales issues, including the current global financial recession and possible ways to overcome it. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dan Clark, CEO of Clark Success Systems, a consulting, publishing and entertainment corporation, and New York Times best selling author. Cardio Athena 2009 - International Meeting on Cardiovascular Medicine 3 - 4 April, Divani Caravel Hotel, Athens The CARDIO ATHENA 2009 is an effort to enhance the interchange of emerging new information on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. During these two days. participants will have the opportunity to attend sessions with the participation of world experts who are pioneers in the field of Cardiovascular Research. Through lectures, round table discussions and satellite symposia, the meeting offers an outstanding scientific programme featuring both stateof-the-art knowledge and innovative approaches in cardiovascular medicine. This meeting is expected to be valuable, both in terms of everyday clinical practice and advanced research.

FT Global Events Planning for the Upturn 2 April, Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Headquarters, Athens FT Global Events, in association with the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and C&C International Group of companies, is pleased to present a unique conference focused on the steps that need to be taken to drive the upturn in Greece. This 1½-day event will be held on the evening of Wednesday 1st April and throughout the whole day on Thursday 2 April at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Headquarters in Athens. 5th Thought Leaders International Conference on Brand Management 6 -7 April, St George Lycabettus Hotel, Athens This international conference seeks to engender the advancement of knowledge about brand management amongst scholars by disseminating new research and by encouraging the evolution of new research themes. It also aims to narrow the gap between academia and commerce by having presentations from internationally renowned practitioners whose significant senior experience is regarded as being at the cutting edge of application. Parallel tracks of double blind refereed papers will enable authors to gain constructive comments about their papers and extend their knowledge horizon from other researchers.

6th International Conference of the Hellenic Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry 3 - 5 April, Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens The topics of the 6th International Conference, as at past conferences, will be drawn from clinical issues faced by professionals on a daily basis. Renowned foreign guests, as well as Greek speakers, will objectively and responsibly present the knowledge and clinical experience gained in their own field of specialisation to the participants. The programme for the 6th International Conference is characterised by a markedly clinical approach and will focus on aesthetic dentistry and dental implants. 2nd International Conference on Mediterranean Studies 9 -12 April, Athens The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars, researchers and students from all areas of Mediterranean studies, such as history, arts, archaeology, philosophy, culture, sociology, politics, international relations, economics, business and sports. Special sessions will be devoted to Middle Eastern and the eastern Mediterranean countries. Panel organisers are encouraged to submit their proposals by inviting other scholars that do research in the area. The IFIP WG9.5 "Virtuality and Society" International Workshop on Images of Virtuality: Conceptualisations and Applications in Everyday Life 23 - 24 April, Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens The main objective of this workshop is to encourage the continuation and enrichment of the discussion on virtuality and society by focusing more on the technologies, arts, and practices of virtuality as they emerge in areas and contexts of everyday life.

The workshop constitutes an opportunity to bring together theoretical conceptualisations and practical applications of Images of Virtuality manifest in human interaction with information, social, professional and technological systems, art, culture and nature. Airport Cities - World Conference & Exhibition 27 - 29 April, Hilton Hotel, Athens The Airport Cities World Conference & Exhibition's primary aim is to provide a forum for airport-related management issues, a vehicle for airports to promote and market themselves and a direct route for suppliers of products and services to airports. 3rd International Congress of Rhinology - Otology and Skull Base Surgery Current Concepts 7 - 10 May, Divani Apollon Palace & SPA Vouliagmeni, Athens This is the third in a series of international meetings related to Rhinology-Otology and Skull Base Surgery - Current Concepts that is offered through the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Athens. This meeting is designed to provide indepth understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment options for patients suffering from pathologies of the respective anatomic areas. A world class faculty, international leaders in their field and decision-makers will exchange scientific information on the most up-to-date advances in these fields of specialty.

14th International Conference of the A.P.P.A.C. "Neuropsychiatric, Psychological and Social Developments in a Globalised World" 5 - 8 May, Hilton Hotel, Athens The 14th International Conference will be both European and global, both with regard to the theme of the Conference and the participation from all over the world. It will bring together international and local experts with diverse backgrounds to address a wide variety of topics of significant interest in mental health. In addition, an important aspect of the conference will be linking science with profession, providing plenty of opportunities for academic interchange and experience sharing, especially since Psychology is a profession that has grown out of science. International Conference on New Media and Information: Convergences and Divergences 6 - 9 May, Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, Athens The conference objective is to address questions related to digital communication and its significance in the public domain, as they are both being shaped by states and politics, technologies, business activity, publishing initiatives and communities of citizens who utilise the Internet and mobile means of communication. It will explore the relationships among new media and modes of information, the conflict and convergence with traditional forms of information and the socio-economic consequences of these processes.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

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6th International Conference on High Temperature Capillarity 6 - 9 May, Metropolitan Hotel, Athens HTC Conferences aim at issues linked to surfaces and interfaces, wetting and capillarity phenomena, specifically related to materials as well as to materials processing at elevated temperatures. The HTC-2009 conference will host a special session dedicated to the role of "Capillarity on Crystal Growth," chaired by Prof. T. Duffar, and will include invited, oral and poster presentations. Approach to Pleural Cancer: State-of-the-Art 7 - 8 May, New Amphitheatre, Athens University - Main Building, Athens The audience will be informed with upto-date understanding of concepts of pathogenesis as well as practical guides to management of pleural malignancies, allowing participants to gain insight and confidence in the care of patients with pleural cancers. A European School of Oncology course on malignant mesothelioma was first held in Brussels in 2007 and was considered successful. By expanding the programme to other pleural malignancies, awareness and management standard for patients with malignant pleural diseases will be raised. 9th International Conference on Sports: Economic, Management, Marketing and Social Aspects 8– 11 May, Athens The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars and students of economics, management, marketing, tourism, recreation, leisure and other service industries to identify areas of common research issues as well as methodological and analytical differences.

5th International Greek Biotechnology Forum 8 - 9 May, Zappeion Megaron, Athens The 5th International Greek Biotechnology Forum, organised by the Society for Biotechnology, Biosciences and Culture, will once again bring together the crème de la crème of the bio-scientific and biobusiness world. The two-day event will host some of the most important research and scientific developments concerning bio-medicine (Red biotech), agro-biotechnology, biofuels, environmental biotechnology (Green & White biotech) and their commercial applications. 3rd International Conference on Sociology 11 - 14 May, Athens The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars and students from all areas of Sociology, Criminal Justice and Social Work. Athens Summit on Energy Security & Climate Change 12 - 13 May, Hilton Hotel, Athens Hosted by FT Global Events in association with the Institute for Climate and Energy Security and C&C International, the summit will bring together senior governmental officials, corporate leaders, financiers and experts to debate and discuss how the twin goals of energy security and managing climate change can be achieved to the benefit of all. This is the second event of its kind with last year's conference attracting more than 800 attendees.

1st International Conference on Mobile Lightweight Wireless Systems 18– 20 May, Vouliagmeni, Athens Wireless communications are becoming increasingly pervasive, as the number and diffusion of portable wireless-equipped devices is exponentially increasing (ranging from cellular phones to handheld game console, from personal digital assistants and personal navigation devices to still and video cameras). This has resulted in an unprecedented request for lightweight, wireless communication devices with high usability and performance able to support added-value services in a highly mobile environment, able to follow the user everywhere he goes (work, home, while travelling, in the classroom), but also in opening exciting research, development and business opportunities. 7th International Conference on Communication and Mass Media 18 -21 May, Athens The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars and students of Communications, Mass Media and other related disciplines. Past conferences drew participants from five continents and more than 50 countries, presenting papers on diverse topics such as political communication, EU enlargement, website design, cross-media ownership, war correspondence, cultural studies, film, public relations, telecommunication policy, advertising, agenda setting, juvenile audience preferences, and cross-national communication, among others.

4th International Symposium on Environment 21 -24 May, Athens The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars and students of environment from all disciplines, such as Education, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Communications, Environmental Health, Environmental Law and Justice and Government Policy. Areas of interest include (but are not confined to): Energy, Waste and Recycling, Water Research Engineering, Biological Treatment of Water, Water Quality Engineering, Management, Water Quality Modelling, Treatment Management Strategies Relevant to Water, Surface Quality Control, Quality Control of Water, Development of Tools for Controlling Water Quality, Atmospheric Pollution, Soil Pollution, the Economy of Nature, Politics and Science, Petroleum Waste Management and Natural Methods of Controlling Pollution. 11th International Conference on Education 25 -28 May, Athens The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars and students of Education and other related disciplines. A special track will be devoted to Modern Chinese Educational Studies. 24th Annual Meeting of the European Association of the Cardio-Thoracic Anaesthesiologists (EACTA) 27 - 30 May, Divani Carvel Hotel, Athens The programme will feature the latest advances in Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, incorporating lectures, oral and poster presentations, round table discussions and industry-sponsored symposia.

NESA Days in Athens: Congress of the New European Surgical Academy 28 - 30 May, Aegli Zappeion, Athens NESA has already reached its academic targets by bringing together doctors from different surgical specialties. The main benefit from the interdisciplinary exchange of experience, especially in technical innovations, is the development of new ideas that can be used by each of us in our own specialty. We have planned a very stimulating program, covering the latest innovative surgical methods, such as the natural orifice surgical approach, and the up-to-date pharmaceutical advances. Moreover, the junior doctors will have the chance to present their scientific papers, videos and posters and participate in a special workshop on the optimal approach to scientific writing. This year, the NESA Congress will join the 5th Breast Symposium, which will be a wonderful opportunity to promote the multidisciplinary approach to science and clinical practice.

International Conference on Computer Graphics and Artificial Intelligence 29 - 30 May, Technological Educational Institute of Athens (TEI), Athens The aim of the 3IA Conference is to present the actual state of research of computer graphics researchers who use artificial intelligence techniques. Topics include: • Artificial intelligence techniques in construction of geometric figures • Artificial intelligence techniques in scene modelling • Computer graphics and machine learning • Declarative techniques in scene modelling • Scene properties description techniques • Intelligent visualisation • Intelligent methods for exploring virtual worlds • Intelligent collaborative design • Design of intelligent graphic interfaces • Behavioural animation • Animation and artificial intelligence • Scene understanding • Semantics-based approaches in design • Decision support systems in design • Knowledge-based design and rendering • Intelligent Computational aesthetics • Application of AI techniques in CAD and GIS • Intelligent CG applications in bioinformatics & medical informatics 5th Congress of the International Federation of Neuroendoscopy 31 May - 3 June, Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens The congress will consist of informative sessions, state-of-the-art lectures, interactive discussions and events, which will be conducted by distinguished invited speakers. In the context of this congress, we shall discuss most aspects of indications, procedures and outcomes of Neuroendoscopy. Our scientific programme will cover the hottest topics of our specialty, including recent developments and therapeutic methods.

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case studies

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New principles for organizing and disseminating scientific knowledge: EKT's International Conference on Open Access

Repositories and Open Access Journals were in the spotlight at the International Conference "Open Access Infrastructures: the Future of Scientific Communication" that was successfully hosted by the Greek National Documentation Centre (EKT) on December 15-16, 2008, in Athens. The Conference (www.openaccess.gr/conference2008) attracted more than 300 stakeholders that lead the development of these new open-access principles for organising and disseminating scientific knowledge worldwide. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest from the scientific community in the development of alternative tools to ensure the dissemination and the most efficient exploitation of scientific results. Open Access is an initiative of the academic and research community for free, immediate, permanent, online access to digital scientific material. Following international trends, ΕΚΤ has developed national open access infrastructures aiming at providing open access to scientific and cultural material: the Repository Helios of the National Hellenic Research Foundation, Repositories for the Humanities and Health Sciences, the National Archive of PhD Theses, as well as international Open Access Scientific Journals. During the conference, academics, researchers, publishers from Europe and North America, as well as representatives from the European Commission presented views and experiences, and raised important questions on open access infrastructures and the related emerging prospects of scholarly communication. The following are the highlights of presentations and discussions at the conference:

• The international research community called for open access to scientific research as a way of intensifying research for public benefit; • Open access to scientific research is becoming a requirement for research conducted with public funds, and gradually a precondition for private funding of research; • Developments towards open access are positive in all countries and research organisations, especially as its financial implications and general benefits are becoming better understood with time; • Numerous intellectual property issues have yet to be tackled in the effort to put past and current research in the public domain; • Greece has made important advances towards open access; however, an integrated web portal is needed, as well as coordination of efforts of all parties involved. The keynote speaker, Prof. Jean-Claude Guédon (Department of Comparative Literature, University of Montreal, VicePresident of the Canadian Society for the Humanities and Social Sciences) stressed that open access "returns" the knowledge produced to a broader audience and to the scientists themselves. Open Access gives control of knowledge dissemination to the scientific community, instead of the few existing companies that now profit through high-cost subscriptions to journals.

Advisor to the Secretary for Digital Planning Yannis Larios presented the initiatives of the Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance on open access. The representative of the European Commission, Dr Kyriakos Baxevanidis, referred to the development of ICT infrastructures that enable European researchers to produce high-level results, deposit and disseminate them through open access tools. Chris Bird, representing The Wellcome Trust, the largest private funding organization on biomedical research in the UK, presented the organisation's open access policy. Director of SPARC Europe (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) David Prosser elaborated on the international developments of Repositories and Open Access Journals. Dr Evi Sachini, Head of EKT's Strategic Planning & Development Department, presented the Repositories and Open Access Journals that EKT is developing as part of the project "National Information System for Research and Technology Open Access Electronic Repositories and Journals." The infrastructures operate in an interactive digital environment for disseminating knowledge, thus overcoming any geographical or technical barrier. They run on open-source software and are managed in collaboration with scientific and research organisations. Information on open access, relevant national and international policies, activities of the National Documentation Centre, as well as events and news from Greece and the world are now available at www. openaccess.gr. The presentations of the speakers, video and photos from the conference are available on the website www.openaccess.gr/conference2008.

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upcoming conferences

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AIRPORT CITIES

WORLD CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

Airport CEO Speakers confirmed • Yiannis Paraschis, CEO, Athens International Airport SA • Desmond Shum, Vice Chairman & CEO, Airport City Development Company Ltd, Beijing • Wilhelm Bender, Chairman of the Executive Board, Fraport AG April 27 – 29 2009

• Herbert Kaufmann, CEO, Vienna International Airport

The Hilton Hotel, Athens, Greece

• Rudy Vercelli, CEO, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC)

Dear Industry Colleague,

• Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO, Hamburg Airport

Following my letter of invitation, I am pleased to inform you that preparations for the 2009 Airport Cities World

• Kim Day, Manager of Aviation, Denver International Airport

Conference and Exhibition in Athens are now well under way. As your host, Athens International Airport is offering a wide range of social and networking events for you to enjoy and take part in. Whether you are attending as a delegate, speaker, sponsor or exhibitor, I encourage you to take part in the Airport City tour showcasing our creative land-use and innovative Airport City complex, the Welcome Reception at the Athens Hilton Hotel, and last but by no means least, a delightful evening at a relaxing, unique venue with an idyllic sea view. My team at Athens International Airport is looking forward to welcoming you and all our guests from across the globe to Athens in order to explore and develop airport city concepts. The conference programme is at an advanced stage of development and features many airport CEOs, directors and managers, as well as architects, planners, real-estate developers, retailers, cargo and logistic companies and investment bankers. I know that these distinguished presenters join me in wishing to meet and welcome all our conference guests to the event and to share their experiences regarding all the new developments in the global airport cities model.

• Robert Ficano, CEO of the Charter County of Wayne, Michigan - The Detroit Aerotropolis About Airport Cities “Airports have become powerful engines of local economic development, attracting aviation-linked businesses of all types to their environs. Along with incorporating a wide variety of retail and consumer services into passenger terminals, many airports are developing their landslide areas with hotels, conference and exhibition centres, office and shopping complexes, recreation facilities and logistics and free-trade zones. Such commercial development is substantially and positively impacting the financial bottom line of airports. It is also transforming them into airport cities as they become significant employment, shopping, business and leisure destinations in their own right.”

• Larry Cox, President and CEO, Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority • Randall Curtis, Executive Director, Panama City-Bay County International Airport • Luiz Antonio Athayde, Undersecretary for International Affairs, Governo de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte

And many others

Professor John D. Kasarda Director, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, University of North Carolina.

Conference Programme: • CEO Vision • Around the World of Airport Cities - The Very Latest Developments • Developing Airport Cities (adopting the Aerotropolis model) • New Airport Cities

On that note, I look forward to welcoming you as our guests to this exciting and informative conference and event.

• Airport City Developments - An Airport Investor’s Perspective

Sincerely yours,

• Governance of the Airport City / Aerotropolis

Dr Yiannis N. Paraschis

• Non-aeronautical Revenue Streams

Chief Executive Officer, Athens International Airport S.A.

• Leveraging Value From the Airport Location

• Key Partnerships in Airport City Development • Sustainable Airports – Greener Airport Cities

• Cargo and Logistics as the Drivers of Growth • The Development of Airport Cities In China

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upcoming conferences

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Networking Opportunities Monday 27 April

TRAVEL AND CONGRESS SERVICES

Airport City Tour Join us for the Airport City tour of Athens International Airport. This is a unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at a busy hub. All conference guests are welcome to take part in this tour. Welcome Reception All participants are invited to attend the Welcome Reception at the Hilton Hotel in Athens – our official conference hotel – and to take advantage of this networking evening to meet fellow delegates, sponsors and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere. The Welcome Reception will provide a platform for the official opening of the Airport Cities event, and will include an exhibition for delegates to browse.

Tuesday 28 April Gala Evening Join us at the exclusive Balux/Babae club on the waterfront and watch thousands of lights twinkle across the sea. Listen to the sounds, enjoy the flavours, follow the rhythm and experience Greek hospitality at its best!

Wednesday 29 April Farewell Reception Join fellow delegates in welcoming next year’s Airport Cities host, the Airport City Development Company, for the handover ceremony, as well as congratulating Athens International Airport on hosting Airport Cities 2009. The Chinese-style reception will be held in the foyer on the ground floor of the Hilton Hotel, outside the exhibition room.

Contact Us: For registration and general information, please contact: Emma Dean, Events Manager Insight Media Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 208 831 7505 Fax: +44 (0) 208 891 0123 Email: [email protected]

For sponsorship and exhibition information, please contact: Andrew Hazell, Event Director Insight Media Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 208 831 7505 Fax: +44 (0) 208 891 0123

39-41 Lykavittou Street, Athens 106 72, Greece, Direct Tel.: ++30 210 366 8800, Fax: ++30 210 364 6415 email: [email protected] ñ www.afea.gr

Email: [email protected] ICCA Member

site

19

INTERVIEW

20

GEORGIOS TSAKIRIS

PRESIDENT OF ATHENS - ATTICA HOTELS ASSOCIATION Mr Tsakiris talks about changes in Athens, the services offered by Athens Hotels and the future of Athenian tourism.

What changes were evident in Athens following the staging of the 2004 Olympic Games?

What is the status of the conference infrastructure in Athens?

The new infrastructure and the new hotel product and their subsequent extensive promotion through the Games gave the tourism product of Attica a significant boost. However, its establishment in the world tourism market demands significant organisation on a production level, while at the same time it requires enrichment with other specialised forms of tourism, such as convention, cultural, trade exhibition and sports tourism, among others. The evolution of contemporary tourism trends has led most metropolitan destinations to build on their potential as city break destinations as part of a new direction in development. The entry of many destinations into the market has created intense competition among the city breaks destinations, especially in Europe. Most of the capitals and major cities of Europe are pursuing a share of this particular market, and many of them are seeing impressive results.

Without a doubt, the development and establishment of Athens as a conference and trade exhibition destination constitute an important goal and market for tourism in Attica. As for conference tourism, an increase in conventions taking place in Athens has been noted in recent years, particularly since the 2004 Olympics. Of course, this increase is far below the optimal levels that would render Athens a "mature" conference destination. One of the drawbacks we could identify is the absence of a metropolitan conference centre of international scope and standards, which would definitely put Greece on the large conference destination map. At the same time, the lack of a national policy to attract conference events is also an issue. The significant delay in transforming the Tae Kwon Do Olympic venue into a conference centre has been particularly costly for the tourism economy of the city as well as for individual businesses. Other than that, as far as conference infrastructure is concerned, Attica is served by its area hotels and the Athens Concert Hall.

How would you assess tourist flow in Athens? Until the beginning of December, the flow of tourists in Athens, despite the global crisis, was good. The December events and the extensive negative publicity of this destination, which resulted from exaggerated reports of the events by the international news media, caused a marked interruption in tourist flow in Attica, and thereby in the rest of the country as well.

What is the standard of service offered by Athens hotels? We believe that since the Olympic Games, Attica has been providing its visitors the best hotel product in Europe. I refer to the entire range of hotels from 2* to 5*. The services provided are on a part with the physical facilities, as evidenced by the continual recognition of the organisational integrity of Athenian hotels.

21 The Mayor of Athens, Nikitas Kaklamanis with Georgios Tsakiris

INTERVIEW

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Why do you believe that Athens is an exceptionally safe destination for its visitors? Athens is undoubtedly a very safe destination. Naturally, as inhabitants of this city, we have a different point of view and conception as compared to visitors. This is an area that we have to work on as a country so that we can convince our visitors of the safety that we objectively do provide. How does the economic crisis affect tourism worldwide and how is Athens responding to these conditions? Times are definitely hard. The current economic crisis is unprecedented in our generation. As for its impact, we can only assess it and certainly not predict it. This uncertainty does not only affect Athens and Greece in general, but the entire global tourism market. The question is what magnitude of damage will each destination actually experience? We are already seeing our major competitor destinations recording losses – some greater and others smaller – in both occupancy and in prices. The hoteliers in Athens and Attica have already markedly reduced their prices to make their productive more attractive. This, along with immediate efforts to promote Athens announced by the government and the combined and targeted activities of the City of Athens, will help us limit the impact of the crisis. What do you see for the future of Athenian tourism? I personally believe a great deal in the potential of and outlook for tourism in Athens. All destinations have their good and mediocre periods. The potential of Attica on a cultural level, as well as a city breaks and lifestyle level, is unique. Dining and shopping in Athens have increased the recreational options for visitors to the city. Our tourism and hotel product is exceptional and in general I believe that if we improve our organisation and the image we project, things will be better.

The hoteliers in Athens and Attica have already markedly

In your opinion, why would a company choose Athens as a conference location? As I mentioned earlier, Athens provides a broad range of interests for visitors, and in combination with the many options for recreation offered conference-goers during their stay in the city, it makes an ideal conference destination. Athens has many advantages: besides being a major metropolitan destination, it is also a coastal city that can combine and offer its visitors that kind of holiday as well.

reduced their prices to make their productive more attractive. This, along with immediate efforts to promote

A View of the Ancients. With breathtaking views of the famed Acropolis and Parthenon, regal Constitution Square and the Parliament, lush Lycabettus Hill, or the original Olympic Stadium, the Hotel Grande Bretagne offers unrivaled perspectives of Athens’ mythical history.

Athens announced by the government and the combined and targeted activities of the City of Athens, will help us limit the impact of the crisis.

Life is a collection of experiences. Let us be your guide. The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts Hotel Grande Bretagne Explore the collection at luxurycollection.com or contact your travel professional.

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VENUES

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Athinais

Cultural Centre

In the 1920s, it was a natural silk factory. But in the 1950s, it discontinued production and was reduced to a storage facility. As the 21st century begins, after a long period of idleness, Athinais is bursting with new life, converted into a modern "multi-purpose" venue fostering creative human interaction.

The old silk factory has been gracefully revamped and transformed into a stateof-the-art, 6,500m2 conference complex hosting a wide range of business initiatives, cultural activities and quality entertainment. The inspired renovation project preserved the building's industrial character and accentuated its distinctive architectural features, merging traditional values with advanced technology and progressive design. Heralding the revitalisation of a historic district rich in age-old memories, Athinais is a contemporary landmark in the trend-setting part of Athens, offering a novel approach to creative endeavour and reflecting the changing face of Greece that became the centre of the world during the 2004 Athens Olympics. Conferencing The conference halls extend over a total area of 1,100m2, hosting business forums, presentations, trade shows, scientific conventions and social functions. The natural lighting and unobstructed layout guarantee ideal viewing conditions and perfect acoustics. Exceptionally designed and offering the latest in audio-visual, communication and exhibition facilities, the Athinais halls comprise an outstanding conference centre with advanced features and sophisticated style.

Athinais Catering

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HOTELS

VENUES Athinais is bursting with new life, converted into a modern "multi-purpose" venue fostering creative human interaction. The old silk factory has been gracefully revamped and transformed into a state-of-the-art, 6,500m2 conference complex hosting a wide range of business initiatives, cultural activities and quality entertainment. The inspired renovation project preserved the building's industrial character and accentuated its distinctive architectural features, merging traditional values with advanced technology and progressive design. Heralding the revitalisation of a historic district rich in age-old memories, Athinais is a contemporary landmark in the trend-setting part of Athens, offering a novel approach to creative endeavour and reflecting the changing face of Greece that became the centre of the world during the 2004 Athens Olympics. Conferencing The conference halls extend over a total area of 1,100m2, hosting business forums, presentations, trade shows, scientific conventions and social functions. The natural lighting and unobstructed layout guarantee ideal viewing conditions and perfect acoustics. Exceptionally designed and offering the latest in audio-visual, communication and exhibition facilities, the Athinais halls comprise an outstanding conference centre with advanced features and sophisticated style. Silk Room The main conference hall was named after the precious natural fibre that marked the building's initial "life cycle." Artium An impressive space offers a unique setting of enchanting natural beauty. Auditoriums I & II Two state-of-the-art auditoriums for conferences and lectures that complement Athinais' multifunctional capabilities. Banqueting Accommodating groups as small as 100 people and as large as 1,500, the Athinais halls are the right choice for banquets of the highest standard. Original ideas and distinctive elegance make social events at Athinais a memorable experience. Impeccably appointed and imaginatively decorated with fine examples of modern and contemporary Greek art, the Silk Room and Artium are stylish banqueting venues that make a lasting impression with their graceful and inspiring ambiance. The everlasting value of good taste, the irresistible appeal of modern design, the captivating beauty of art and the romantic aura of the old silk factory create an ideal atmosphere for a genuine feast of the senses.

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50SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 255INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS 760UNIQUE SOCIAL EVENTS77.256PARTICIPANTS37.200ABSTRACT PAGES 17.800INVITED SPEAKERS210.000SQ. M EXHIBITION SPACE520MEDIA ACTIVITIES 4.000ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS100SKILLED PROFESSIONALS

Art and Culture Precious antiquities and unique objects of extraordinary ancient and contemporary art are exhibited in an impressive indoor area specially designed to host visual art exhibitions of high calibre. Two of the most important exhibitions that have been hosted by the Museum of Ancient and Contemporary Art are "9000 Years of Cypriot Culture" and "3,200 Years of Cyprus Hellenism - From Astarte to Aphrodite," both staged by the Pierides Foundation in close co-operation with Athinais. Adjacent to the Museum of Ancient and Contemporary Art, the Art Shop offers a wide assortment of decorative objects, high-quality reproductions, sculpture, museum copies and jewellery. Suitable for both personal and business gifts, the Art Shop's exclusive selections reach a broader public, promoting art in everyday life.




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CASE STUDies

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ORGANISED IN ASSOCIATION WITH

FT Global Events: Preparing for the Upturn FT Global Events, in association with the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and C&C International, staged a unique conference focused on the steps that need to be taken to drive the upturn in Greece.

This one-and-a-half-day event was held on the evening of Wednesday 1 April and throughout the day on Thursday 2 April at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry Headquarters in Athens, Greece. The event was tailored to bring together political and business leaders to discuss how Greece can best manage the economic upturn. As the Governor of the Bank of Greece, George Provopoulos, said: "After many years of strong and uninterrupted growth, Greece’s economy is today at a critical crossroads." The global downturn means that the government and Greek businesses must mitigate the impact of the economic challenges and actively turn crisis into opportunity to stimulate and sustain medium and long-term growth and development across all sectors. The conference focused on the steps that need to be taken to drive the upturn in Greece.

The conference brought together leading speakers from government and the private sector, both locally and internationally, and was a successful forum for debate and dialogue on key issues including: • In-depth evaluation of the government’s economic stimulus plans to drive growth • Analysing the key role that foreign and direct investment can play in revitalising the economy • Examining the steps the retail, industrial and service sectors need to take to mitigate the implications of the downturn and plan for future growth • How Greek ship owners are limiting the impact of the downturn on their business by capitalising on the opportunities of the downturn • Exploring the opportunities for investment in infrastructure projects and the impact that revised regulation on PPP is having on the sector

• Assessing the steps that need to be taken to restore confidence in and maintain the positive reputation of Greek tourism to guarantee its large contribution to the country’s GDP Attendees included senior industry figures and experts from key sectors like government, finance, retail industry, shipping infrastructure and tourism. ABOUT THE ORGANISERS The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays a leading role in supporting the interests of Greece’s business community. The ACCI was founded in 1841 and today it has approximately 100,000 members.

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The activities of ACCI are focused on four core areas: • Consultancy: ACCI serves as advisor and consultant to the government on matters concerning commerce, industry and economic development policy. • Supporting business activities through the provision of authoritative data, advice and information and an extensive programme of meetings and conventions, trade missions and collaborations with international organisations and agencies. • Education, through the organisation of seminars, support of continuing education and its participation in the activities of the Athens Laboratory of Business Administration. • Awards and prizes for companies, business people and students.

Financial Times Global Events FT Global Events is at the cutting edge of business practice and since launching in 2002, has attracted over 24,000 high-level professionals from throughout the banking and financial services sector. Organised by an experienced and dedicated in-house team, our events portfolio includes conferences, summits, country briefings, roundtables and awards which are held throughout the UK, Mainland and Eastern Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

The conference was organised by C&C International (www.CandC-group.com)

THE NEW FACE OF ATHENS ON THE WEB Enjoy the best of Athens with us www.breathtakingathens.com

All you need to know about your business trip in Athens www.athensconventionbureau.gr

MUSEUMS

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National Archaeological Museum The history of Greek civilisation from the beginings of Prehistory to Late Antiquity

The National Archaeological Museum is the largest museum in Greece and one of the world's great museums. Although its original purpose was to secure all the finds from the 19th century excavations in and around Athens, it gradually became the central National Archaeological Museum and was enriched with finds from all over Greece. Its abundant collections, with more than 20,000 exhibits, provide a panorama of Greek civilisation from the beginnings of Prehistory to Late Antiquity. The museum is housed in an imposing neoclassical building built at the end of the 19th century, which was designed by L. Lange and remodelled by Ernst Ziller. The vast exhibition space, consisting of numerous galleries on each floor accounting for a total of 8,000 square metres, houses five large permanent collections: The Prehistoric Collection consists of unique works of art representing the major civilisations that flourished in the Aegean from the 7th millennium to about 1050 BC. It includes objects from the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age, from mainland Greece, the Aegean islands and Troy.

The most important exhibits are the treasures from the royal tombs at Mycenae, the famous Cycladic marble figurines, and the superbly preserved wall-paintings from Thera with their large-scale compositions. These objects are on display in Rooms 3-6 on the ground floor and Room 48 on the first floor. The Sculpture Collection presents the development of ancient Greek sculpture from the 8th century BC to the end of the 4th century AD. The sculptures comprising it, many of which are masterpieces and landmarks in the history of art, come from Athens and other parts of Greece – Thessaly, central Greece, the Peloponnese, Crete and the Aegean islands – and enable visitors to get an overall impression of both of the development of sculpture and of the particular features of the various local workshops. The collection contains some of the largest groups of original sculptures in the world. Amongst these are the groups from the Archaic period, the most important of which are the series of Kouroi, and those of Classical grave reliefs, the unparalleled famous gravestone of Hegeso and those from Salamis and the River Ilissos. This veritable

treasury of large-scale sculpture occupies 30 rooms on the ground floor, arranged in a broad circle around the periphery of the old building. The visit begins in Room 7, with the works of Late Antiquity. The Collection of Vases and Minor Objects is to be found in Rooms 49-56 on the first floor. A few outstanding pieces, like the monumental Geometric amphora from Dipylon or the Analatos hydria, are displayed for comparative purposes in rooms of the Sculpture Collection. The great quantity and quality of the Geometric pottery, the early black-figure vases from Vari, and the white-ground lekythoi and red-figure vases of the 4th century BC make this collection one of the richest in the world. The exhibits are displayed in chronological order and illustrate the evolution of Greek pottery from the 11th to the 4th century BC.

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MUSEUMS

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The Bronze Collection is one of the largest in the world. It is famous mainly for its unique, large-scale original statues, such as the Poseidon or Zeus from Artemision, the Marathon boy, the Antikythera youth and the jockey from Artemision and also smaller pieces, such as the mechanism from Antikythera, figurines and vases. The majority of the bronzes were dedications in the major Greek sanctuaries. These small artefacts, displayed in Rooms 36-39 on the ground floor, illustrate the development of Greek art from the Geometric to the Roman times. The Egyptian Collection is renowned throughout the world for the importance of its objects. Representative items are on display in Rooms 40-41 on the ground floor. These are arranged in chronological order and cover the full spectrum of Egyptian civilisation from the early Predynastic period (5000 BC) to the time of the Roman empire (30 BC – AD 395). Examples of every art form are included: statues, reliefs, stelai, pottery, sarcophagi, mummies, Fayum portraits, miniature art and jewellery. The Stathatos Collection is exhibited in Room 42 of the ground floor. The 970 objects comprising it, mainly works of the Minor Arts in a variety of materials, cover the period from the Middle Bronze Age to the Post-Byzantine period. The museum possesses a rich photographic archive and a library with many rare publications, the latter of which is constantly enriched to meet the needs of the research staff. There are also modern conservation laboratories for metal, pottery,

stone and organic materials, a cast workshop, a photographic laboratory and a chemistry laboratory. The museum has temporary exhibition spaces, a lecture hall for archaeological lectures and one of the largest shops of the Archaeological Receipts Fund. The National Archaeological Museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Besides displaying its own treasures, it organises temporary exhibitions and lends artefacts to exhibitions both in Greece and abroad. It also functions as a research centre for scientists and scholars from around the world and participates in special educational and other programs. An important feature is the availability of guided visits for people with impaired hearing. The Museum functions as a Special Regional Service of the Ministry of Culture and its five permanent collections are administered autonomously. The new wing Five new permanent exhibitions were inaugurated February 26 2009 in the new wing of the National Archaeological Museum, covering a total of 550 square meters. It is situated on the upper storey of the building, where the former Numismatic Museum operated from 1946 to 1998. The exhibition units are part of the Vases and Minor Arts Collection, most of them presented for the first time. The units are Hellenistic Pottery, Terracotta Figurines, the Vlastos-Serpieris Collection, Glass Vessels and Gold Jewellery and Silver Vessels.

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HOTELS

Divani Caravel Hotel Fully serviced conference facilities, rooms with outstanding view, a perfect location in the heart of Athens.

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HOTELS

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Divani Caravel has 16 fully equipped function rooms, most with natural daylight, with a spacious banqueting foyer at the hub of the main conference room, providing an impressive setting for delegate registration, exhibitions and refreshment breaks. The 600 m2 Olympia Ballroom with its spacious foyer, one of the largest hotel ballrooms in the city, accommodates up to 1,500 persons and lends an extra dimension to congresses, exhibitions, product launches and major banquet events. The room can also be divided into two completely self-contained soundproof areas. State-ofthe-art lighting and audio-visual facilities are discreetly positioned throughout.

Just minutes away from the business centre, fashionable Kolonaki with its exclusive shopping, trendy cafes and restaurants, as well as notable museums like the Museum of Cycladic Arts and the National Gallery, the Divani Caravel makes the perfect base from which to enjoy all Athens has to offer.Upon entering the hotel, you find yourself in an impressive lobby combining light, marble and wood. Stay in one of the 471 fully refurbished luxury, executive-floor rooms and suites, which combine comfort and elegance. Unique designer fabrics, tasteful artistic paintings, stately and functional oak furniture together create an atmosphere of luxury and warmth.

room service, complete a superb package of pleasure and relaxation. During your stay, you may sample the full American buffet breakfast at the Amalia Restaurant or have a cocktail at the Roof Garden Pool Bar. The indoor/outdoor swimming pool operates all year round and invites you to swim with a breathtaking view of Acropolis and the city of Athens. At the Café Constantinople, you can partake of the lunch buffet featuring a variety of local and international dishes and, as night falls, have a drink, accompanied by a cigar, in the Cigar Lounge before continuing with an unforgettable dinner at Brown’s Restaurant. Meetings & Events

All rooms are soundproof, equipped with individually adjustable climate control, satellite and cable TV, minibar, safe deposit box, radio, digital phone system with voice mail, ADSL & ISDN lines and data port, electronic key-card-lock system, fireproof doors and hairdryer. The two executive floors and the suites have a full stereo music system, a second telephone line, coffee/tea facilities and luxurious bathroom amenities. Executive services include daily VIP turndown service, mineral water upon arrival, private executive hospitality desk and private executive lounge with free breakfast, drinks and snacks. A fully equipped business centre, daily laundry, dry cleaning and valet service, as well as round the clock

Host your next business meeting, training conference, corporate event or formal affair in the luxurious elegance of the Divani Caravel Hotel. The hotel’s helpful staff is eager to ensure all the details are taken care of, and that your event will be truly memorable. The Conference Halls are the ideal venue for all types of meetings. Divani Caravel offers 4,000 m2 of meeting space and can accommodate from 10 to 2,000 persons. All areas are fully equipped, multifunctional and soundproof, with individual lighting and the latest audio-visual technology upon request. Our staff will attend to every detail to ensure your meeting is a success.

The hotel offers three more spacious conference halls: the Macedonia, which has the ability to break out to eight separate banqueting areas, and the Ilissos and Vergina, which can be used for meetings or dining. Alternatively, the meeting rooms Lobby Suite, Florina and Aristotelis I, II, III, are perfect for high-level meetings on a smaller scale. Finally, the banqueting halls Horizon and Athens View, both located on the Roof Garden level, offer a magnificent backdrop of Lycabettus Hill and the Acropolis for your event. Peak Health Club & Spa The Peak Health Club & SPA is located on the 9th floor of the Divani Caravel, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, in the centre of Athens. Open seven days a week, the spa offers a treatment menu with more than 30 different selections, including signature services that allow clients to experience Anne Semonin’s one-of-a-kind face and body therapies. The SPA welcomes guests as well as residents of Athens who would like to enjoy this oasis of serenity in the centre of the city. The Peak Health Club & SPA features three private treatment rooms, including one room for two, all decorated in relaxing colours with peaceful music and scented candles.

Restaurant and Bar Facilities “Amalia Restaurant”: Delicious full American breakfast buffet with Greek and low-calorie section. “Constantinople Café”: One of the most popular and busy meeting places in the city offering all-day dining and an à la carte menu. “Brown’s Bar-Restaurant”: Elegant settings, warm colours, a lounge feeling and light music are just some of the reasons for dining at this unique restaurant. “Cigar Lounge”: For those who enjoy a good cigar, this is the place for you while in the city. Warm colours, comfortable seating and a unique selection of premium cigars that can be complemented with select whiskeys and cognacs. “Pool Bar”: Take a dive in our rooftop indoor/outdoor swimming pool and enjoy your drink with the best panoramic view of Athens.

Divani Caravel 2, Vas. Alexandrou Ave. 161 21 Athens Greece Tel: 0030 210 7207000 Fax: 0030 210 7236683 E-mail : [email protected] Website: www.divanis.com

A combination of beautiful settings, specialised staff and a convenient location make the Divani Caravel Hotel an ideal choice for inspiring meetings and events.

Furthermore, the Peak Health Club & SPA offers a stateof-the-art fitness centre with the latest Technogym cardiovascular equipment. But that's not all! The fitness centre at the Peak Health Club & SPA boasts fantastic views of Athens to make one’s workout more enjoyable and to take their mind of the task at hand.

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The Byzantine Estate-nasioutzik museum An estate with a unique atmposhere for both social and corporate events.

On the outskirts of Athens in the Spata area lies a 18.5 acre estate, rich in history and culture, belonging to George Nassioutzik, originally from Serres in northern Greece. He acquired the estate in the early 1970s upon returning to Greece after living in various countries all over the world. Through his travels, his appreciation of Greek culture grew and he began the transformation of his estate following the traditional architecture and aesthetics which characterise both Northern Greece and the Byzantine era. Stones collected from old traditional homes destroyed by earthquakes, wood from tobacco factories and old railroad tracks, hand-crafted wooden doors and floor tiles from the ancient monasteries of Mound Athos were all brought together to build this home. Additional wings were built onto the mansion through the years and today the home includes a museum which displays some of the most remarkable items reflective of Byzantine history and Orthodox Christian art. In addition, George Nassioutzik’s personal art and artifacts collection consists of 18th century Tsanak Kale pottery, antique kilim carpets from all over the world, traditional handmade wooden chests, old books (some of which belonged to Prime Minister Theotokis), and various folkloric art pieces. These collections are among the largest and most impressive private collections of their kind.

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LOCATIONS

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With time, George Nassioutzik’s family and friends, as well as multinational corporation representatives, began to request the use of the estate, where the unique atmosphere overwhelms all visitors, for both social and corporate events. Thus, beginning in the early 1990s, he decided to make the estate available for the staging of grand-scale events upon request.

Nassioutzik Museum Hall Capacity

Today, the estate consists of numerous fully equipped interior halls filled with character, as well as an exquisite exterior garden facility which features a lovely swimming pool, large verandas always surrounded by beautiful seasonal flowers and cobble-stone terraces. The most recent addition to the estate is the Nassioutzik Museum “Meteora.” It has been constructed to resemble a monasterycastle and is located at the top of the hill, offering a phenomenal view of the entire Mesogia region. There is an Orthodox Church dedicated to Saint Constantine within the estate, as well as a heliport and extensive parking facilities.

Monemvasia I, II, III Cocktail: 600 – 350 - 200 Theater: 500 – 200 – 100 (150) Dinner/Dance: 380 – 180 - 132 Schoolroom: 320 – 150 – 60 (100) Banquet: 320 – 100 – 35 (70)

Throughout the years, the Byzantine Estate has hosted some of the most renowned social, cultural, corporate and political events. Socialite weddings, exclusive art exhibits, music concerts, car shows, haut-couture fashion shows and global company conferences are examples of the variety of events that take place at the estate. Recently the Byzantine Estate had the honour of hosting the two-day forum for the European People's Party in which numerous prime ministers of Europe participated. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, former Spanish Prime Minister José Maria Aznar and Greece’s Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis were some of the honored guests.

Estate Venue Mystra – Museum of Orthodox Art Cocktail: 300 (hall) – 70 (museum) Theater: 250 Dinner/Dance: 160 (hall) – 40 (museum) Schoolroom: 150 Banquet: 100

Marmaras Cocktail: 120 Theater: Dinner/Dance: 50 Schoolroom: Banquet: -

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Meteora Venue Cocktail: 1,000 Theater: Upon request Dinner/Dance: 350-400 Schoolroom: Upon request Banquet: Upon request

In addition, the Byzantine Estate hosted the gourmet lunch for all the European Ministers of Economy and a gala for all Olympic Committee participants where over 200 countries were represented.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

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The Athens Summit 2009 It is generally accepted that climate change is one of today’s greatest challenges and threats. If the issue of climate change is not dealt with appropriately, economies, societies and the environment all around the world will be critically harmed, especially in developing countries. Climate change is not restricted by national boundaries; it affects the entire planet. Its sensible management, therefore, requires determined and combined action on a global level. To this end, the Athens Summit 2009 will address issues concerning the management of climate change and energy security in Southeast Europe and beyond. The Athens Summit 2009, hosted by FT Global Events, is an unrivalled forum, bringing together senior governmental officials, corporate leaders, financiers and energy experts from Southeast Europe and beyond to proactively prepare for and get the most from the upcoming Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change. Sourcing and securing energy supplies and meeting climate change targets continue to be top priorities for policy makers around the world, despite the economic challenges.

For the countries of Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean, the challenge is to put in place energy strategies which meet global sustainability objectives while also reflecting unique local conditions and priorities. The UN Copenhagen Climate Change Conference presents a unique opportunity for this region to review and refocus its activities in key areas, including increasing intergovernmental cooperation in guaranteeing energy supplies, as well as in improving energy efficiency, driving investment and facilitating the speedy transition to a regional low-carbon economy. The Athens Summit 2009 is being staged under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Dr. Karolos Papoulias. This is the second event of its kind, with last year’s conference attracting more than 800 attendees. The conference is aimed at those who wish to update themselves with news and views of recent developments, understand how efficient energy strategies are a necessity for the region and exchange ideas with leading international experts in the field. The Athens Summit will be a meeting point for international knowledge concerning climate change and energy security.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

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Senior industry professionals, such as the following, will benefit from attending the summit: • Energy and environmental ministers • Renewable energy companies • Alternative fuel producers • New energy technology players • New entrants into clean energy, e.g. agribusiness and agribio technology • Financiers - investment and project finance banks, private equity and venture capital, carbon trading companies, clean energy and climate change fund managers • Energy equipment suppliers

manufacturers/

• Practicalities of identifying and securing the investment required to fully maximise the potential of indigenous energy resources, including wind and solar; • Fostering the development of lowcarbon technologies to improve longterm efficiencies; • Clarifying the responsibility of business to reduce carbon dependency and achieve climate change targets. Organisers

Through keynote addresses, expert panel discussions and case studies, the summit will cover several topics concerning climate change and energy security and will offer unique insights into numerous topics, such as:

The Institute for Climate and Energy Security is an enabler of effective initiatives and capacity-building for climate and energy security. It identifies, enables and strengthens initiatives for global climate and energy security. Relying on broad scientific consensus, it aims to bring the many diverse communities (NGOs, governments and decision-makers, business leaders and academia) into effective deliberation and to act as a catalyst of joint actions. The primary geographic focus of its activity is Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean.

• What Southeast Europe can offer and gain from the Copenhagen Conference; • How Mediterranean countries can play a central role in managing the economic and political challenges of securing Europe’s energy supplies; • How to build a regional approach to developing energy policies which balance local priorities while working towards meeting climate change targets;

The Hilton Athens has been chosen as the Athens Summit venue.

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• Keeping the focus on energy and climate change issues in the face of economic downturn;

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Institute for Climate and Energy Security

The Hilton Athens, located on one of the capital city's most fashionable avenues, has a spectacular view of the Acropolis. It is just a few minutes walk from the city centre, opposite the National Art Gallery and close to many major companies, shopping areas and historical sights. The hotel's conference centre provides stateof-the-art infrastructure combined with ultimate comfort and promises an unforgettable meeting experience. It features 14 meeting rooms for two to 2,000 people, a 24-hour business centre and an Executive Lounge.

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The conference is organised by C&C International (www.CandC-group.com)

Financial Times Global Events FT Global Events is at the cutting edge of business practice and since launching in 2002, has attracted over 24,000 highlevel professionals from throughout the banking and financial services sectors.

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AIRPORT

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ATEDCo Info Kiosk at Athens International Airport

What time does the Museum of Cycladic Art open? Which restaurant is still serving at this time? What time is the next bus to Syntagma? At Athens International Airport – Eleftherios Venizelos, the new ATEDCo info kiosk will tell you everything you need to know about the city of Athens. ATEDCo has introduced a tourist info-point in the Arrivals area of Athens International Airport to better inform and welcome incoming visitors to Athens. Through this hospitable and efficient kiosk, visitors may get information from specially trained staff and receive brochures providing extensive details on all that Athens as a tourism destination has to offer. These brochures include recommendations for sightseeing, dining, nightlife, day trips and shopping; included in the brochures are a map and a "What's Hot" insert listing all current events. A plasma TV screen at this Info-Point shows various video spots around Athens. There is also a special informational touch-screen connecting users to the Athens web site www.breathtakingathens.com, which also provides a variety of tourist information. The Info Point at Athens International Airport is the first of a broader information network serving visitors which will gradually be extended to all points of entry to the city, as well as to other locations of interest to tourists, with the aim of providing the best possible service for visitors to Athens. The info kiosk features the latest technology, with a 19" TFTLCD high definition touch screen, and is equipped with stateof-the-art computing systems as well as an anti-vandal keyboard with trackball.

This new generation of interactive digital stations and interactive digital signs are the newest sources of digital information and modern message-transmission centres. The interactive digital stations (info kiosks) are specially built and serve as integrated communication and promotional systems. The info kiosks are distinguished by the high quality of their construction, their exceptional design and their immense flexibility in adapting to any use in either an indoor or outdoor environment. The info kiosk may help visitors obtain information about the city more readily during their stay in Athens, discover what Athens has to offer, navigate the city more easily through the integration of city maps, and increase cultural awareness. The goal of the info kiosk is to capture the attention of tourists and dispense information concerning the activities within Athens. In this way, it is hoped that tourists will choose to stay in the city longer. The use of kiosks can be very advantageous as they have the ability to enhance the amount of information being dispensed without increasing man hours. With the kiosk technology, users can obtain information 24 hours per day. Tourists now arrive in the city of Athens and before they leave the Athens International Airport, they already know where to go and what to see.

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Organised BUS TOUR services An easy and efficient way to discover the city and its surroundings.

An organised bus tour service takes visitors sightseeing, with routes around the major tourist attractions of Athens and its surroundings. There are many key points of interest and attractions along the routes the buses follow, like the Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium, Cape Sounion, Delphi, Mycenae and many other jewels of Greek culture. The tour includes visits to the monuments, memorials, museums and government buildings of Athens, as well as visits to historic sites away from the city centre.

These tours run all year round with modern, air-conditioned coaches and professional multilingual guides. The prices vary depending on the route and the services selected (eg. first class ticket, meal included and other special services each company offers), but they range between €30 and €100. Organised bus tours also offer passenger pull service from major hotels and attractions (based on scheduled timetable). Here are some of the most common routes that organised bus tours offer in Athens: Athens Sightseeing This tour gives you an opportunity to discover the great variety that Athens has to offer and to get acquainted with the cultural heritage of Greece. This tour usually begins with an introduction to the more contemporary side of Athens, including Syntagma Square, the Greek Parliament, the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and the National Library, among others. It continues towards the “Sacred

Rock” of Acropolis with a stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896. Along the way to the Acropolis, passengers will have the chance to see the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. At the Acropolis, you will enjoy works of art from the Golden Age of Athens: the Erechtheum, the theatre of Herodes Atticus, the Propylaea and the Temple of Athena Nike. Take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking view of Athens and continue the tour with a visit to the New Museum of Acropolis, designed by Bernard Tschumi and due to open in June 2009. Many of the bus tour companies also offer a night-time tour of Athens that introduces you to Athenian entertainment, featuring a fine dinner at a traditional Greek tavern with folk music and plenty of dancing, usually followed by a stroll around the picturesque streets of Plaka. Duration: Approximately 5 hours Price Range: €30 - €60

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Another pleasant and cheap way to explore the historic centre of Athens is on Athens Sightseeing Bus Line 400. The route begins at the National Archaeological Museum and makes stops at the city's top sightseeing spots. The duration of the round trip is 90 minutes. The ticket costs €5 and can only be purchased on the bus. It is valid for 24 hours and provides for unlimited travel on the Athens Sightseeing Public Bus Line and all modes of public transport. Services Time Table Frequency June – September: 07:30 – 21:00 30’ October & May: 09:00 - 18:00 30’ November – April: 10:00 – 16:00 60’ If you also want to enjoy the warm Athenian sun while discovering the city, you should try the open-top double decker bus tour that departs every 30’ from Syntagma Square. The open-top double decker bus goes to all the Athenian top sightseeing spots in 90’ and the ticket costs €18.

Cape Sounion Cape Sounion is one of the most famous and scenic locations in Attica. It is the southern-most point in Attica and offers a breathtaking view of the Aegean and the islands. In ancient times, the temple was the last sign of civilisation the Athenians saw as they sailed away from home and the first as they returned. A drive along the coastal road, passing through the attractive suburbs of Glyfada, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza will take you to Cape Sounion, where the glorious Temple of Poseidon stands above the cliffs. Enjoy the spectacular view from the temple and then grab a bite of fresh sea food with a glass of cold ouzo at the tavernas nearby. Duration: Approximately 4 hours Price Range: €30 - €50

Delphi Another must offered by organised bus tours is a daytrip to Delphi. Delphi is located in southern mainland Greece, along the slope of Mount Parnassus, and includes the Sanctuary of Apollo and the site of the ancient oracle. It takes approximately 90 minutes to get there from the centre of Athens. Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world; it was sacred throughout the Greek world as the site of the omphalos stone, the centre of the earth and the universe. A drive through the rich plain of Boeotia, the city of Thebes, related to the tragedy of King Oedipus, and Livadia will take you to Delphi, where you can visit the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the museum. The museum contains masterpieces of ancient Greek sculpture, such as the bronze "Charioteer of Delphi" and the famous athlete Hagias. It is also worth visiting the spring of Castalia and the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. On the way back to Athens, a short stop is usually scheduled at the charming mountain village of Arachova, built on the southern slopes of Parnassus and well known for its attractive hand-woven carpets, rugs and quilts, as well as for its local wine and cheeses.

Duration: Approximately 9 hours Price Range: €70 - €100 These are some of the most popular guided tours offered, although there are plenty of options to suit everyone's tastes and needs. An appealing alternative offered by many of the tour companies is a tailor-made tour, whereby each group or family selects their own route depending on their interests. These tours can be arranged through your travel agent. No matter which route you choose, the guided bus tour is a unique and fascinating way to discover the hidden gems of the Greek culture and heritage. Enjoy the ride!

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DAYTRIP

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MARATHON: A walk through history There are some places that leave their imprint behind. No matter how many years go by, they continue to radiate a certain brilliance. Marathon is such a place.

Chosen by the ancient Greeks to become a permanent part of history, it is a place of civilisation, courage and daring that tells of the course followed by the Greek people across the ages and through eternity. Certainly a visit to Marathon calls for an early start, when Nature is just coming alive and the sun begins to warm the paving stones. Marathon is a flashback in time, a journey to the past and present of Athens, as the monuments and natural beauty tell the whole story of the capital of the city-state. Marathon got its name from the son of Epopeus who was banished by his father and came to this area – 42 km northeast of Athens – a suppliant. A fertile, half-moon-shaped valley, it is protected by the hills of Vrilissos and the mountains of Diakria and touches the sea at Marathon Bay. It is one of the most fertile valleys, where fruit trees and grape vines are cultivated.

The route from Athens to the village passes through planted fields, vineyards, olive groves and lush hillsides on Attica's east side. The wondrous peaceful beaches rest the eye while the body enjoys the sun and clear waters. The most popular beach is at Schinias, which served as the venue for rowing and canoeing competition during the 2004 Olympic Games. Back to the future The Marathon area is of great historical significance, as it was the site of the famous battle of the same name that took place in 490 BC. Ten thousand Athenians and a thousand Plataeans pushed the Persians to the sea, where they boarded their ships and retreated. The Greeks owed their victory over the Persian army to military genius Miltiades. Immediately after the battle was won, a soldier named Pheidippides was sent to Athens with the news. He ran all the way to Athens and managed to say, "We have won," before he collapsed and died.

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That was the first marathon, and it is this same route that today's marathon runners follow. The 9m-high tomb was erected at the site of the battle in memory of the 192 Athenians who had lost their lives fighting; there were originally 10 columns on top of the burial mound to represent the 10 tribes of Attica. The tomb was discovered in early 1884 by Heinrich Schliemann. The Rhamnus mystery The archaeological site of Rhamnus lies near Marathon and findings at the site indicate the area was inhabited during the Neolithic age. Its name derives from the word "rhamnus," a shrub variety (buckthorn) found throughout the area. In ancient times, Rhamnus was known for its port and its castle. There are remains of two temples at the site: the Great Temple dedicated to Nemesis, the goddess of divine retribution, which is considered the most important sanctuary of this specific goddess in all of ancient Greece; and the Small Temple dedicated to Themis, the goddess of justice. Both temples were built in the 5th century BC. There are also remains of the ancient theatre, the fortress and several grave sites. Besides the archeological sights, visitors are rewarded with the marvelous views toward Evoikos Bay and the surrounding lush green landscape. Marathonas Archaelogical Museum Though well-known to visitors, it is a rather small museum featuring important findings from various historical periods. It is located next to the Middle Helladic cemetery of Vrana and houses artifacts from the prehistoric age through the Roman period. The artifacts from the Neolithic period discovered in the Cave of Pan at Oinoi, the funerary stelae and the votive inscriptions from the sanctuaries of Marathon are especially noteworthy.

The most notable finding is the "Marathon Youth (Ephebe)," an impressively intact statue found by fishermen in 1925. It is bronze, 1.24 m tall, and thought to be of the Praxiteles school. The museum is open daily, except Mondays, 8:30 am – 3 pm. The Marathon Run Museum This is the second spot that makes a visit to Marathon a true history lesson. It was opened in 2004 and presents the complete history of the Olympic Marathon Race from 1896 in Athens through 2004, when it was again held in Athens and in which 220 athletes from 55 countries participated. Most of the photographs, posters and drawings have been provided to the museum by the International Olympic Committee from the Olympic Museum Lausanne. The Marathon Run Museum is open daily, except Monday, 9 am – 9 pm. Marathon Lake A dam was constructed at the point where the torrents of Charadros and Varnavas meet to shore up the lake and collect rain water. This is how the artificial lake of Marathon was formed; following necessary treatment, its waters flow to the Athens reservoirs through underground adqueducts. It is the largest permanent source of potable water for Athens and Piraeus. The Marathon Dam is particularly impressive as the artful construction and Pendelikon marble cladding make it the only one of its kind in the world. Marathon Lake is a place of incomparable beauty, enriched by the pine forest and picturesque lanes; there is also a quaint café near the dam. Schinias-Marathon National Park This is one of the 25 fully charted protected areas of Greece. The Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre was located here and the tomb of the fallen warriors from the Battle of Marathon was included in its designation. The national park is divided into eight zones, one marine zone and seven landbased zones.

Each one warrants special protective measures so that the ecosystem is not disturbed. Specifically, the Schinias wetlands (430 hectares) and hilly areas around the Kynosoura peninsula and Drakonera are fully protected. The wetlands constitute a habitat for species of wild birds, such as egrets and hawks, as well as many other species of birds. It is possible to take part in a variety of activities here, such as bicycling, bird watching and short excursions to nearby areas.

How to get to Marathon From the centre of Athens, follow Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, which branches into Messogion Avenue. Marathon Avenue begins at Stavros Aghias Paraskevis and continues to Marathon. At the Marathon intersection, Lake Marathon Avenue leads to the lake.

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CULTURE

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China National Acrobatic Troupe

SPRING CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS AC/DC

JAMES BLUNT James Blunt returns to Athens March 7 to round off his latest tour with a performance at the Faliro Pavillion. James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount, February 22, 1974) is an English singer-songwriter whose debut album, Back to Bedlam, and single releases – especially the number one hit You're Beautiful – brought him to fame in 2005. His style is a mix of pop, rock and folk. Along with vocals, James Blunt performs on a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar. He was nominated for five Grammy Awards in 2006. Blunt subsequently released his second album, All the Lost Souls, in 2007; this album was certified gold within its first week of release. Enjoy James Blunt live in Athens.

AC/DC, famous worldwide for their magnificent shows and their sold-out appearances galvanising crowds in big stadiums everywhere, are bringing the Black Ice World Tour to Athens. Black Ice World Tour is the first worldwide tour of the electrifying hard rock band, AC/DC, since 2001, while it is the first time in their long- running career they will appear in Athens. Exactly seven months after the start of Black Ice World Tour, on 28 October in the Wachovia arena at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, we welcome AC/DC on 28 May at ΟΑΚΑ in Athens.

For more than three decades, the Young brothers have enjoyed the highest level of success. With songs such as Back in Black, Hell’s Bell, Highway to Hell and For Those About to Rock, the most important guitar duo in the history of rock has succeeded in becoming a permanent part of the musical subconscious of millions, regardless of their music preferences. Their basic characteristics are their unique energy and eccentric Rock N Roll stage presence -- huge bells, inflatable Rosie, loud canons and, of course, the band’s trade mark, the school uniform of restless Angus Young.

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AC/DC

China National Acrobatic Troupe

CULTURE

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BODIES...THE EXHIBITION The human body - a fascinating experience! BODIES...The Exhibition showcases meticulously dissected real human body specimens that have been preserved through an innovative process and respectfully presented, giving visitors the opportunity to view the beauty and complexity of their own organs and systems.

Depeche Mode

specimens are on display in nine galleries showcasing the complexity of the body's many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and organs.

For visitors of all ages, BODIES...The Exhibition displays real human bodies and allows people to view themselves as never before. More than 200 organs and full body

AC/DC

BODIES...The Exhibition is a stunning display of human anatomy, arriving in Budapest following its huge success in cities such as New York, London, Washington, Mexico City, Amsterdam and Prague. More than 11 million people have already had a chance to discover all there is to know about human anatomy. The exhibition opened in Athens on 7 February and will run until 10 May at Technopolis. ART-ATHINA 2009 Athens International Contemporary Art Fair May 21-24, 2009

James Blunt

Launched in 1993 by the Hellenic Art Galleries Association, Art-Athina stands today as one of the longest-running contemporary art fairs in Europe, attracting over 10,000 visitors annually. Art-Athina has witnessed a burgeoning growth in the number of art collectors, art dealers, curators, artists, critics and other art enthusiasts from around the world visiting the event, establishing Athens’ reputation as a vigorous, vibrant art scene. The fair will welcome a showcase of selected international galleries, a wide range of international collectors and art professionals through the VIP guest programme, distinctive parallel events, talks, exhibitions and art projects. Newly relocated next to the seashore in the Faliro Bay, Art-Athina presents a unique opportunity to discover and enjoy international contemporary art in Greece.

Bodies

John Williams

DEPECHE MODE 12 May, Terravibe Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy Fletcher are coming back to conquer the universe with the Tour Of The Universe 2009. Depeche Mode lead the pop electronica scene with their stimulating performances and songs like Personal Jesus, I Feel You, Enjoy The Silence, Blasphemous Rumours, Photographic and many more. With the 12th album to be recorded, Depeche Mode has had a glorious 28-year career during which they have sold over 75 million records. One of the world’s biggest and best live acts, Tour of the Universe 2009 will undoubtedly be the musical highlight of summer 2009. Reach out and touch faith. RENE AUBRY AT THE PALLAS THEATRE 5 May René Aubry is a French composer born in 1956. He is a multi-instrumentalist known for blending classical harmonies with modern instrumentation. Aubry has composed for choreographers such as Carolyn Carlson, Pina Bausch and Philippe Genty. He has also scored for films and released many of his own albums. He will be in Athens at the Pallas Theatre on 5 May for one memorable performance.

CHINA NATIONAL ACROBATIC TROUPE, Badminton Theatre 11 – 22 March An acrobatic show for the whole family! The China National Acrobatic Troupe was founded in 1950 under the patronage of the Prime Minister Zhou Enlai and was the first acrobatic troupe created after the establishment of the New China. Its repertory consists of 100 different programmes which include air acrobatics, vocal creations and magic. It is one of the most powerful troupes of China, consisting of two acrobatic troupes, a circus, a magic studio, as well as two affiliated performing companies. In March 2009, the magnificent troupe will again visit Greece for 12 performances at Badminton Theatre with a new show full of colour, breath-taking acrobatics and magic virtuosity.

Rene Aubry

THE MOSCOW STANISLAVSKY BALLET AND ORCHESTRA 3-12 April The Stanislavsky Music Theatre of Moscow, after a series of successful performances at the Royal Festival Hall of London, comes to Athens to present Don Quixote, one of the most celebrated classical ballets of all times and full of spectacular choreographies, dancing virtuosity and Spanish temperament. It will be performed at Badminton Theatre from 3 to 12 April. JOHN WILLIAMS GUITAR RECITAL 12 March John Williams will present a guitar recital with works by Antonio Vivaldi, Domenico Scarlatti, Enrique Granados, Isaac Albéniz, John Williams, Agustin Barrios Mangoré, Ennio Morricone, Stanley Myers, John T. Williams, Peter Sculthorpe and traditional Irish music. Williams is the Grammy Award-winning, Australian-born British classical guitarist who is included among the foremost ambassadors of the guitar. He will be in Athens on 12 March at the Athens Concert Hall.

The Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet and Orchestra - Don Quixote

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food

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Essence of Greece! You can sense there are hidden treasures inside as you cross the threshold: products of the Greek soil, still unfamiliar to many, but with a centuries-old culture behind them that bears witness to the course of the Mediterranean diet through time. A single visit will not be enough, however. Mastiha Shop (Panepistimiou 6 και Kriezotou, Athens, 210-3632750) Known throughout the world as the resin tear of the mastic tree from the famous island of Chios, mastiha proves its value day after day. At the Mastiha Shop, you will find a full range of mastic-based products – from toothpaste to nougat to taffy. The well-known Chios Mastiha liqueur and Mastiha Ouzo are stocked, along with spoon sweets from Chios. In addition to foodstuffs, you will also find a variety of beauty products, as the therapeutic and beautifying properties of mastiha are widely recognised. Soaps and hand-, face- and body-creams are available in vintage packaging nostalgically recalling days gone by. "I Symbetheri" (The In-Laws) (Stournari 14, Athens, 210-3836661) For Cretans, the secret to good health lies in the products from their rich native earth. Their diet consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, greens, produce, legumes, dairy products (especially feta, graviera and mizithra cheeses), virgin olive oil and bread. Their dishes are spiced with wonderful aromatic herbs, such as oregano; they make sweets from honey and grape must syrup and drink excellent Cretan wine. All of Crete's products come directly to this shop, where you will also find rusks ideal for making the Cretan dakos, pure goat's cheese, Cretan honey, spoon sweets and herbs, as well as kaltsounia cheese pies and Sfakia cheese and honey pies. Mesogaia (Nikis 52 and Kydathineon, Plaka, 210-3229146) Neo-Greek grocery stores have become a part of life in Athens, and one of the first to open was Mesogaia. Here you will find so many excellent products, you won't know which to try first: olives and olive paste, homemade jams and spoon sweets, pasta, organic olive oil, rusks, biscuits, Drapetsona halva, homemade ice cream, cheeses and delicious bread that arrives fresh from Evia every morning. You will be impressed by the excellent service provided by a staff that is well versed in how the products are made and you will really feel that you know what you're buying and eating. "Pantopoleion tis Mesogiakis Diatrofis", (Mediterranean Diet General Store) (Sofokleous 1 και Aristidou 11, Athens, 210-3234612) The Mediterranean diet has become famous throughout the world for its beneficial ingredients. This traditional Mediterranean Diet General Store offers everything on which its reputation is based: olive oil from Crete, award-winning organic wine labels and rusks, pies, sauces, jams and rare cheeses, as well as organic beer from the Piraiki Brewery. Browse the shelves stocked with sundry jars. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask a member of the staff standing by to give you a guided tour of everything Greece has to offer.

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"Ola ta Kala" Grocers (A Bit of Everything) (Gianitsopoulou 1, Esperidon Square, Glyfada, 210-8981051 και Kifissias Ave. 238-240, Kifissia, 210-8089908) This well-known grocery stocks the best organic products in Greece: fresh milk, cheeses, pasta, sauces, the finest varietal wines, spoon sweets and jams. You will also find organic olive oil from the Aghia Triada monastery in Chania, mushrooms from Evia, tuna from Alonissos, masourakia (baklava) rolls from Chios, tomato and olive sauce and ouzo from Mytilene, salmon and trout from Galatista and a variety of homemade savouries sold in bulk, such as dolmadakia gialantzi and fish-roe spread taramosalata made from white fish-roe paste. It is a true journey of pleasure. Green Farm (Dimokritou 13, Kolonaki, 210-3614001) Enjoy organic products from select farms in Greece and Europe at this shop. All goods are cultivated according to strict European guidelines and with a passion for top-quality agricultural products. Their stock includes everything you need for complete organic dining: fruit, vegetables, nuts, milk, cheeses, pasta, various kinds of bread and biscuits. You will also find a large variety of organic wines, oils, olives and herbs, as well as deli meats, fresh meat, legumes, fish and frozen goods. In brief, it's an organic supermarket of European standards! Lesvos Shop (Athinas 33, Omonia, 210-3217395) This is the pride of Lesvos, offering the valued products of this island's famed cuisine. Cheeses (ladotyri, kalathaki, melichloro), homemade pasta, spoon sweets, honey, olive oil, ouzo (the better known Plomari, Ouzo 12 and Varvagianni brands), wines and even cosmetics for the face and body. The shop also stocks all kinds of Lesvos syrup-soaked sweets, a large variety of olives, all kinds of raki and country sausages, pastourma and many types of trahana (frumenty) and egg noodles. The list would not be complete without the infinite number of sweets and biscuits made by the renowned Women's Cooperatives of Lesvos. "To Perivoli tis Ikologias" (Eco-garden) (Andr. Metaxa 13-15, Exarcheia, 210-3847766) Here you'll find a garden for small and interesting producers bringing the best products from all over Greece: seasonal fruits, fresh vegetables, legumes and a wide variety of herbs. There are also many types of olives, nuts (walnuts, almonds and hazel) and a line of local taste treats. They also take orders for organically produced fresh meat, fruits and vegetables. Delitopia (Thetidos 15, P. Faliro, 210-9886444) This small delicatessen is a new addition to the natural product market, stocking jams and sweets made by Yiam, Statir and Arkadiani, specially made salads by Yannis Baxevanis, excellent cheeses and deli meats (Greek and European), fish products and extra-virgin olive oils, home-baked bread from wood-fired ovens in Evia, handmade soaps and pastries. Homemade cookies with white chocolate and orange are particular favourites. "Thymari tou Strefi" (Strefi Hill Thyme) (Kallidromiou 51Α, Exarcheia, 210-3300384) This beautiful grocery brings select products from all over Greece, including excellent deli meats, cheeses and sweets made by women's cooperatives. Many agricultural cooperatives also have their goods on offer, including herbs, legumes, rusks, spoon sweets, olives, nuts, wines and various types of olive paste. Athens Central Market Also known as Varvakeio Market, this area is enclosed by Athinas, Evripidou and Sofokleos streets. There is a central vegetable, meat and fish market there selling all of the Greek family's favourites. Fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fruit arrive every day and Athenians will wander through looking for items that cannot be found elsewhere. It is worth strolling through the area's streets to see what products are available and to choose fresh and nutritious goods from among the outdoor stalls. What to take back with you You will find so many things you'd like to buy that you will not be able to choose. We suggest some of the more delectable Greek products: virgin olive oil from Crete or Kalamata, wines from the islands, pistachios, dried figs, egg noodles, mountain honey, spoon sweets and olives. You don't have to buy large quantities; you'll be back soon!

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CITY OF ATHENS THEATER

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ARTS Exhibition

Athens Video Art Festival

Dear Industry Collegue

Dance Festival

BABEL Comics Festival

We are delighted to welcome leading experts from across the globe to Athens to explore airport city concepts. The Athens International Airport City is designed in line with the Greek classical principle of ‘human scale’ and is committed to offering attractive services and facilities in an appealing business environment. Let us all share our experience at this conference and discuss all that’s new in the global airport cities context, capitalising on our potential and creating value for our customers, airport users and neighbouring communities.

Technopolis hosted hundreds events from May 1999 to present such as: Visual Art - Photography - Technology - Sculpture -Conferences Seminars, International Festivals Concerts - Theatrical and Dance Events- Business Forums Educational Programs Product presentations

Let me invite you to participate as a conference delegate, a sponsor or an exhibitor and contribute to maximising this event. Do not miss the opportunity of boarding this flight in Athens!

Concert Alkistis Protopsalti

Sincerely yours, Dr Yiannis N. Paraschis Chief Executive Officer, Athens International Airport S.A.

Testimonials The Host of ACE 2008

The Delegates

The Sponsors

“We had a wonderful time hosting Airport Cities in Dallas/Fort Worth and have got nothing but great feedback from it.” Jeffrey P Fegan, CEO, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

“Thank you for the organisation of this great conference. It was well set up, very informative and professional and yet still informal enough to actually enjoy!” Simon Kloppenburg, Advisor Airport Development, Curacao Airport Holding NV

“I wanted to express my sincere congratulations and thanks for the vision and foresight Insight Media and Dr Kasarda have shown by staging this conference & exhibition.” Gregory J Erne, Chief Investment Officer, REDICO

“Technopolis” of the City of Athens provides: Access to the disabled, Coffee bar, 20 WC, nearby parking. Operating hours: Weekdays and Weekends 10.00-22.00. (Operating hours may be modified without notice) Access: Trolley: Line 21 (from Omonia Square), OASA Busses: 035, 049, 811, 815, 838, 914, B18, ?18, 731, 031. Train: Station “Thision”. Metro: Station "Keramikos". Contact: Technopolis City of Athens, 100 Piraeus Str., 11854 Gazi, Athens Tel: 210-3461589 and 210-3467322, Fax: 210-3413228 http://www.cityofathens.gr/dimotikoi-foreis/texnopolis-dimoy-athinaion Mail: [email protected]

CITY OF ATHENS

CULTURE TO THE NEIGHBOURHOODS Íikitaò Êaklamanis

Conference and registration information

Sponsorship and session speaker information

Emma Dean

Andrew Hazell

Events Manager [email protected] +44 (0) 208 831 7505

Events Director [email protected] +44 (0) 208 831 7518

www.airportconference.com

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ATHENS FOR YOU

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Athens is well known for always living up to its visitors' expectations regardless of their age and preferences. Athens has lots of proposals for family holidays, youth adventures and children's fun, whether you come with your family or on your own, whether you are young or not so. Find out more and plan a tailor-made holiday. CITY OF ATHENS

just click www.breathtakingathens.com