1 st Announcement 5 th Pan-Hellenic Conference & Workshops for Conference & Business Tourism

1. 1st Announcement 5th Pan-Hellenic Conference & Workshops for Conference & Business Tourism “STRATEGIES OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF CONFERENCE TOURISM IN TIMES OF DEPRESSION” 6 & 7 Μarch 2009 Grand Hotel Palace – Olympia Conference Centre Thessaloniki, Greece Under the auspices of: Ministry of Tourism Development – Greek National Tourism Organization Greek Chamber of Hotels 2-4 Alkmeonidon str. • 161 21 Athens, Greece • Tel. + 30 210725541-3 • Fax. + 30 210 7258487 hapco@hapco.gr • www.hapco.gr

2. CONFERENCE PROGRAMME Friday 6th March 2009 08:00–12:30 Arrival – Registration 09:00–11:00 HAPCO Annual General Assembly (only for HAPCOmembers) 11:00–11:15 Coffee break 11:15–12:30 Opening Ceremony 12:30–14:30 1st Session: «The international economic crisis of today and its impact on tourism, with emphasis on Congress Tourism» 14:30–15:30 Light lunch 15:30–17:302nd Session: «Possibilities for Developing Congress Tourism in the Region of Northern Greece» 17:30–17:45 Coffee break 17:45–19:00 Workshop 1: Presentation of the results of the following two empirical studies: * «Northern Greece as a Regional Congress Destination: Problems and Opportunities»undertaken by the University of the Aegean and the Minoan International College * «Infrastructure, facilities and human resources of Congress Tourism in the Region of Northern Greece» undertaken by the Alexandrian Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki 20.30 Departure for the Polis Thessaloniki Convention Centre 21:00Gala Dinner (by invitation only) Saturday 7th Μarch 2009 09:00–10:00 Arrival - Registration 10:00–12:003rd Session: «Prospects of Developing Inter-Balkan Cooperative Networks» 12:00–12:15 Coffee break 12:15–14:154th Session: «Thessaloniki as in Inter-Balkan Hub of Congress & Business Tourism» 14:15–15:30 Light lunch 15:30–16:30Workshop 2: «Planning & Technological Support of Congress Facilities and Events» 16:30–17:30 5th Session: «Synopsis - Conclusions» 21.30 HAPCO Party

3. Scientific Committee

4. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

5. Accommodation: During the 5th Pan-Hellenic HAPCO Conference, the Hotel-Member Grand Hotel Palace in Thessaloniki, is offering special rates* for congress attendees residing outside of the Thessaloniki area and wishing to participate in the Conference: Deluxe single room: € 80 BB Deluxe twin room: € 95 BB Room reservations should be made direct with the hotel, together with payment for the stay, mentioning the 5th ΗΑPCO Conference: Person responsible for bookings: Ms Zoe Ferekidou (tel. +30 2310-549000, email: reservations@grandhotelpalace.gr *The special rates are per room per day and include full American Breakfast, free use of the inside, heated swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna as well as all the taxes. Flights: Aegean Airlines is the Official Conference Airline and is offering a special 50% discount on published return fares to Thessaloniki, departing on 05/03/09 or 06/03/09 and returning on 07/03/09 or 08/03/09 or 09/03/09, from the following destinations: • Sofia, Bucharest, Larnaca • All Greek destinations For more details and information about the special reservation code, please contact the Conference Secretariat HAPCO Conference Secretariat: 2-4 Alkmeonidon Str, 161 21 Athens Τel.: +30 210 72 56 541-3, Fax: +30 210 72 58 487 E-mail: hapco@hapco.grwww.hapco.gr