HAPCO – Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers

History

HAPCO (Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers), from its foundation in 1996 to this day, continues its mission dynamically, with the aim to represent professional congress organizers as well as companies offering a broad range of services and products relevant to the congress market.

Over the years, HAPCO, with the essential contribution of its members, has developed into one of the principal institutions in the Greek tourism sector and has been acknowledged as the official partner of the Greek State on issues relating to the meetings industry.

HAPCO's international presence is equally important, as it constitutes a founding member of EFAPCO (European Federation of Associations of Congress Organisers) and participates frequently in its activities.

Members

HAPCO's members, which nowadays exceed 110, stand out for their dynamic presence in the realm of tourism and include congress organizers, conference centres, convention centres and resort hotels, hotels with conference facilities, audiovisual companies, catering companies, booth design- and construction companies, publishing houses, business consultants, public relations and advertising companies, software companies, car rental and VIP transportation companies, airlines, cruise companies, educational institutions etc. Thanks to their increased specialization, significant know-how and long-time experience, HAPCO's members offer services of high quality that boost the competitiveness of Greek congress tourism and, concomitantly, increase the success of each organization.

PARTNERSHIPS AND ALLIANCES

Given the role of tourism as a sector of heightened national importance, HAPCO is intent on further extending its cooperation with other tourist institutions, both in Greece and abroad. At the same time, through activities and proposals, it strengthens even further its collaboration with the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, as well as the Greek National Tourism Organisation, in order to achieve the promotion of congress tourism outside the Greek borders, through the GNTO offices abroad.

HAPCO plays a major role in promoting Athens as a prime conference destination and in attracting large congresses to Greece. It is a member of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises and maintains close relations with major national organizations in the realm of tourism.