Advancing Greek Enterprise Across the United States
Hermes Expo International marked its 35th anniversary with a high-level, invitation-only gathering in Athens on January 15, 2026, drawing senior government officials, institutional leaders, and prominent business professionals from Greece and the United States. Held at the historic Athens Club, the event underscored Hermes Expo’s standing as a trusted convener at the intersection of policy, enterprise, and transatlantic economic engagement.
Founded in 1992, Hermes Expo International has evolved into a central institution for Greek–American business engagement, operating at the intersection of commerce, diplomacy, and community-building. For more than three decades, the Expo has provided Greek companies with structured access to the U.S. market, facilitated partnerships for American businesses engaging with Greece, and created a trusted forum for chambers of commerce, regional authorities, government agencies, and entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate.
The Athens gathering was distinguished not only by its setting but by the depth and level of participation. Senior representatives of government, institutions, local and regional authorities, chambers of commerce, and business leaders from both countries were present, reflecting the institutional confidence Hermes Expo has earned over time.
Among those in attendance were Niki Kerameus, Minister of Interior of Greece; Haris Theocharis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Konstantinos Vlassis, Deputy Minister of Education; and Sakis Kypraiou, Representative of the Prime Minister’s Office, alongside representatives of the political and institutional leadership of both Greece and the United States.
Also present was Yuri Arthur, Senior Commercial Counselor, U.S. Embassy, highlighting the strong participation of U.S. institutional and economic stakeholders. The event was further attended by senior public officials, elected regional and local leaders, and institutional stakeholders actively engaged in economic development and international cooperation.
Also attending were Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Extroversion at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dimitris Kirmikiroglou, Secretary General for Communication and Information, Presidency of the Government of Greece.
At the regional level, participation included Dimitris Kouretas, Governor of Thessaly; Dimitris Tsetsilas, Deputy Governor for the Primary Sector of Thessaly; and Chrysa Tsaganou, President of the Regional Council of Thessaly.
Local government was represented by Vasilis Gorgolis, Deputy Governor of Ioannina; Christos Tatsis, Deputy Mayor of Ioannina; and Afrodite Vati Mariola, Deputy Mayor of Western Lesvos.
The gathering was further attended by leading institutional and business figures, including Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis, CEO of TIF–HELEXPO; Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, Chairman and CEO of Enterprise Greece; and Spyros Bekas, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Ioannina, along with representatives from chambers of commerce across mainland and island Greece.
Business leaders, academics, healthcare professionals from Greece and the United States, journalists, and former Hermes Expo exhibitors, many of whom will participate again in the upcoming edition, were also present.
The strong turnout and level of representation underscored that the Athens anniversary gathering was not symbolic, but substantive. It served as a forum for dialogue, alignment, and relationship-building among decision-makers shaping economic cooperation between Greece and the United States.
In his address, Pavlos Kotrotsios, Founder and President of Hermes Expo International, emphasized that Hermes Expo is not a conventional trade show, but a gateway of access for Greek companies entering the U.S. market. He noted that the Expo functions as a structured ecosystem designed to facilitate real partnerships, translate Greek quality and innovation into commercial outcomes, and activate the combined strength of the Greek diaspora and American philhellene entrepreneurs.
A defining feature of Hermes Expo is its departure from traditional exhibition models. Rather than prioritizing scale or visual spectacle, the Expo focuses on targeted B2B meetings, early identification of participants’ objectives, and the active facilitation of meaningful business introductions. Participation is not about purchasing visibility, but about gaining access to relevant networks, decision-makers, and strategic pathways in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of institutional and group participation. Chambers of commerce, regions, municipalities, and organized bodies are integrated into a holistic framework that includes targeted communication, participation in the conference program, activation of networks through the Hellenic News of America, and structured post-expo follow-up aligned with each participant’s strategic goals.
Beyond its transatlantic mission, Hermes Expo International has played a uniquely important role within the United States itself. In a vast and decentralized American business environment—where Greek-American professionals and entrepreneurs are spread across regions and industries—the Expo has served as a central convening platform, strengthening visibility, trust, mentorship, and long-term collaboration across generations and sectors.
Aphrodite Kotrotsios, Executive Director of Hermes Expo International and CEO of the Hellenic News of America, highlighted the complementary role of the two organizations, which operate as a unified ecosystem grounded in credibility, continuity, and long-term engagement. She emphasized the importance of generational responsibility and the need to ensure that Greek and Greek-American entrepreneurship remains visible, connected, and relevant within the evolving U.S. market.
The anniversary year will culminate with the 35th Hermes Expo International, scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, New Jersey. The flagship event is expected to once again bring together businesses, institutions, chambers of commerce, and entrepreneurs from Greece, the United States, and beyond.
After 35 years, Hermes Expo International continues to stand as a trusted vehicle for strategic positioning and measurable outcomes. The Athens gathering reaffirmed its unique role as a forum where government, institutions, and the private sector meet with purpose, advancing Greek enterprise in the United States through structure, access, and trusted networks.
