Old Bridge, NJ — Hermes Expo International will host its 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Celebration on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, New Jersey, honoring distinguished leaders from the Greek-American community whose work reflects excellence in business, education, healthcare, public service, and community leadership.
Founded in 1992, Hermes Expo has become one of the most recognized Greek-American business expos in the United States, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, chambers of commerce, institutions, educators, clergy, and community leaders. For more than three decades, the Expo has served as a powerful platform for networking, collaboration, and the advancement of Greek-American enterprise while strengthening business and cultural ties between Greece and the United States.
The Hermes Expo 35th Anniversary Awards Celebration will recognize leaders whose contributions have had a lasting impact across industries and within the broader Hellenic community.
2026 Hermes Expo Honorees
The evening’s program will be guided by Jim Polos, Executive Director of the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. A respected public servant with deep ties to the region’s economic and civic development, Polos brings extensive experience in public leadership and community engagement. His role will help frame the evening’s celebration of leadership, service, and achievement across the Greek-American community.
The following distinguished individuals will be honored during the anniversary celebration:
Evellyn Leontarakis Tsiadis — Athena Award
Father Paul Pappas — Spiritual Leadership Award
Manny Niotis — Business Excellence Award
Dr. Evelyn Balis Lolis — Athena Award
Leonidas Pappoulias — Paideia Award
Despoina Apostolidou — Paideia Award
Dr. Leonidas C. Platanias — Healthcare Hero Award
Helen & John Psaras — Aristotelian Award
Honorable Mariyana Spyropoulos — Public Service Award
Each award reflects values rooted in Hellenic tradition — wisdom, leadership, education, service, and excellence — and celebrates individuals whose achievements continue to inspire the Greek-American community and beyond.
Hermes Expo 2026 Event Schedule
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Grand Marquis | Old Bridge, New Jersey
Hermes Expo Vendor Showcase
11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Business & Leadership Conference and Masterclass Series
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Grand Opening Ceremony
2:10 PM
Cocktail Hour & 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner
5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
The Business Conference and Vendor Showcase are complimentary with online pre-registration, providing a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and institutions to network, exchange ideas, and explore new opportunities.
The Cocktail Hour and Awards Dinner are ticketed events, featuring an elegant reception, dinner program, and celebration honoring this year’s distinguished recipients.
For more than thirty-five years, Hermes Expo has remained a national meeting point where business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and professionals gather to connect across industries and generations, reinforcing the strength of Greek-American enterprise and leadership in the United States.
Family members, friends, colleagues, and associates of the honorees, as well as members of the broader community, are warmly invited to attend this milestone celebration.
Tickets and registration information are available
As Hermes Expo marks its 35th anniversary, the celebration reflects not only the achievements of its honorees but also the enduring strength of a community committed to leadership, collaboration, and the continued advancement of Greek-American enterprise.
