Athens, June 30, 2009
P R E S S R E
L E A S E
GEFYRES (BRIDGES, 2002-2009) is one of various
annual events organized by iForce Communications for more than
8 years under the Aegis of the Institute of Development of Western
Greece (INADE).
The Hellenic Government offered
their support and aegis to the event via several participating
ministries - the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry
of Development, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Mercantile
Marine, the Ministry of Public Works, Environment and Urban Planning
and the Ministry of Labour. A strong alliance with the Association
of European Journalists has increased the media awareness and
attention to the event both domestically and internationally.
The Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) was the patron
sponsor of the event. The Patras Port Authority and the Region
of Western Greece were also keen sponsors. Other organisations
like the Regional Development Institute of Panteion University
and the Office of the European Parliament in Greece collaborated
to realize the event.
Its primary mission is to
‘bridge’ multiple perspectives via the business and
public communities, local authority, universities, the media and
active citizens. One of the objectives is the development of the
Western Greece area focusing on the quality of life, technology
and the rising of the education level of the area.
A Summary of the Topics addressed
within the framework of the conference, included:
• "The Growth of
Western Greece-Infrastructure Works"
• "Regional Growth and New technologies"
• "Environment and Quality"
• "Tourist, Cultural and Athletic Development"
• The Contribution of Technology & Workforce for Regional
Development.
• The Contribution of Education and Human Resources for
Regional Development
• Regional Development and Topical Coherence as an answer
to the Economic Crisis.
During its 8 year tenure (2002-2009)
more than (80) VIP key- note speakers have participated and more
than 2.000 delegates. An overview of these VIPs include:
H.E. Mrs. Vivianne
Reading, Member of the European Commission, H.E. Mr.
Andreas Lukourentzos, Undersecretary of the Ministry
of Education, H.E. Mrs. Sofia Kalantzakou, Under-secretary
of the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection, H.E. Mrs.
Anna Diamantopoulou, deputy of PA.SO.K., ex Member
of the European Commission, H.E. Mr. Petros Doukas,
Under-secretary of Treasury, H.E. Mr. Anastasios Nerantzis,
Under-secretary of Ministry of Transport and Communication, H.E.
Mr. Dimitris Kontos, Secretary-general of the
Ministry of Employment, H.E. Mr. George Mergos,
Secretary-general of the Ministry of Treasury, H.E. Mr. Kostas
Mousouroulis, Secretary General of the Ministry of Development.,
H.E. Dimitris Kostopoulos, General Secretary
of Labour, H.E. Mr. Miltiadis Papaioannou, former
Minister, Kostas Katsigiannis, General Director
of the National Organization of Tourism, Dimitris Katsikopoulos,
Prefecture of Achaia, George Kassimatis, Director
of the Bureau of the European Parliament in Greece, H.E. Dr. Giorgos
Manouris, Environmental Director of the Ministry of Environment
and Public Works, Spyros Papaspuros, President
of A.D.E.D.Y., H.E. Mr. Kostas Tsoutsoplidis,
Secretary-general of the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection.
Deputies: Giorgos Kontogiannis,
Nea Dimokratia, Kostas Spiliopoulos, PA.SO.K.,
Kostas Spartinos, Representative of SY.RIZ.A.,
Makis Voridis, LA.O.S., Kuriakos Mitsotakis,
Nea Dimokratia, Ilias Kallioras, Nea Dimokratia,
Nikos Nikolopoulos, Nea Dimokratia, Natassa
Ragiou, Nea Dimokratia, Theofilos Vasileiou,
Nea Dimokratia, Panagiotis Adraktas, Nea Dimokratia,
Meletis Meletopoulos, Representative of the Democratic
Party, Prof. of Geology Dr. Sotiris Varnavas,
Prof.of Chemical Engineers Dr. John Ziomas, Prof.
of Transporation Dr. John Golias, Prof. of Computer
Engineers Vassilis Makios, Prof. Petros
Groumbos, President of Patras Science Park, Prof. of
Computers Dr. Pavlos Spirakis, Dr. Evaggelos
Baltas, Dr. Vassilis Pappas, Architect, Dr. Haris
Apostolopoulos, Aerospace Engineer, Dr. John
Kalavrouziotis, Professor of Environment, Dr.
Stavros Tsetsis, Architect-Urban Planner, Dr.
George Manouris, Ministry of Public Works and Environment,
Dr. Thanassis Papadaskalopoulos, President of
Panteion Institute, Dr. Emmanouel Bexrakis, President
IFGL-Greek Center Alexandros Panagopoulos President
Superfast Ferries, John Taloumis, President 3NET,
John Kelemenis, lawyer, Dimitris Pelekis,
Lawyer, Thanos Mikroutsikos, President Patras
2006, Stamatis Mavros, President of Organisation
of Hellenic Culture, Thanassis Kosmopoulos, Governor
of Daphni Mental Hospital, Christos Roilos, CEO
Patras 2006, Sotiris Mamassis CEO Patras Port
Authority, Prof. Nikos Baltas, President of OSE TRAINS, Dr. Dimitris
Vagenas, Dr. Dionissis Chionis President, of PROASTIAKOS TRAIN,
Dr. Nikos Yiannis, President Evropaiki Ekfrasi,
Fokion Aggelopoulos Manager MICROSOFT Hellas,
Manolis Troulis, Ministry of Mercantile Marine,
Dionyssis Massalas, Journalist ERT, Tassos
Papadopulos, Journalist, Fanis Zouropoulos
Publisher and Journalist, Andreas Thanassoulias
v. Mayor of Aegion etc
Mayors from local municipalities
such as Patras, Rion, Nafpaktos, Aigion, Kalavryta, Aigeira and
Antirion actively participate at the conference as well as the
local Prefectures. The local Chambers of Commerce and Industry
participate and express their comments, concerns and ideas. Several
NGO’s have also participated such as Evroipaiki Ekfrasi
etc.
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During the conference’s
(8) years existence, local media have covered the event with extensive
coverage via various T.V. channels and press.
Corporate Sponsorship includes: 3NET SA, ALPHA BANK – AXONAS
S.A., GEFURA S.A. - FRIGOGLASS – SHELL GAS – ?????
S.A. – AUDI – SIMPLESOFT- Superfast Ferries- O.T.E.
S.A.- A.S. PARPAROUSSIS, Vintner – RWA - Dafyll Hellas,
Patras Port Authority (O.L.P.A.), Coca Cola 3E – Honeybee
– SK pools- FRIESLAND HELLAS - Kelemenis & Partners-
Region of Western Greece.
Media Sponsors includes: ERT, EXPRES, PATRA TV, ERGOTAXIAKA &
TECHNOEKDOTIKI, ISOTIMIA, PELOPPONISSOS, KATHIMERINI, POPULAR
SCIENCE, TO DONTI, EUROPAIKH EKFRASI, CITY PRESS, KERDOS, NET
105.8fm .
LINKS: www.inade.gr, www.iforce.gr
,
For further information, please contact office@iforce.gr and/or
Ms. Katerina Mamoli at iForce Communications.
© 2009. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos
referenced herein belong to their respective companies and/or
organizations.
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