Athens is experiencing a growing global interest as a conference and meetings destination. The Athens Convention Bureau (ACB) -a division of Athens Tourism & Economic Development Company, the official tourism board of the city- aims to make the capital of Greece the destination of choice for conventions, conferences, meetings and incentives.

Since April 2008, the ACB has been promoting and showcasing Athens in the demanding international conference and meetings market and providing service to every foreign association or business interested in hosting conferences or events in the city. The ACB is serving a long-time need in the tourism sector in Athens and its activities have already resulted in the first tangible results, as well as receiving particularly encouraging feedback.

The ACB's activities have three main goals:

1. To serve and efficiently respond to every expression of interest in staging events in the city. In addition, it provides information on anything related to the conference product of Athens. This effort has already been deemed a success and has engendered great optimism for the future of conference tourism in the city.
2. The ACB aims to pursue major international conferences and meetings. It is already collaborating with competent bodies in successfully attracting and conducting important conferences in Athens. This intervention is geared to the continuing, significant reinforcement of the local tourism and conference market, as it focuses on the attraction of conferences and events that under different circumstances would never considering coming to Athens.
3. The ACB's main concern is to promote and showcase the Athens conference product. Specifically, familiarisation trips are conducted for conference planners and representatives of major multinational companies, allowing them to get to know Athens and to organise their company meetings here.

As part of all of the above, plans have moved ahead with the Bureau's official website, www.athensconventionbureau.gr, that is in operation and directed to anyone interested in staging a conference or company event in Athens by making conference information readily available. This portal is designed to offer one-stop-shopping and is updated regularly to provide visitors with the latest information. The website has also a strong presence in the new social networking media (facebook, twitter, YouTube, Flickr).




In addition publication of official Athens Convention Bureau magazine, ACBmag, is sent to thousands of select recipients in a broad conference market. The magazine features the conference services of Athens in an attractive fashion, it makes suggestions to interest business travellers who are staying in the city and it provides a multitude of useful information.




As part of our efforts to implement our action programme, we are seeking the cooperation of the private sector. On the basis of international models, we instituted a Membership Programme to bolster our activities and to achieve the common goals of promoting Athens in international tourism markets, of developing tourism and of promoting the city internationally with its economic growth as the ultimate objective.




As the City of Athens' official tourism organisation, the Athens Tourism and Economic Development Company pursues a vision of increasing urban tourism, specifically in the sectors of city breaks, conferences and trade shows and major events. By creating the ideal conditions for promoting Athens as a competitive urban destination on an international level, it plays a critical role in creating an integrated tourism product that aids Athens in acquiring international recognition and in establishing the idea of a complete product.