“Equal measures of grunge and grace, Athens is a master of reinvention, serving up an anarchic mash-up of architectural gravitas, urban grit and infectious creativity.”
Lonely Planet
Welcome to the enchanting city of Athens, where ancient history meets modern vibrancy! Boasting a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landmarks, and world-class venues, Athens is the perfect destination for hosting your next conference. In this blog post, we will uncover the many reasons why Athens should be at the top of your list when planning a conference. So, let’s dive in and explore the wonders of this captivating city!
The Top 5 Reasons To Host Your Conference in Athens
- Ancient History and Cultural Splendors: Athens, the birthplace of democracy, provides an extraordinary backdrop for your conference. Imagine walking in the footsteps of great philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle, while reveling in the awe-inspiring ancient ruins of the Acropolis. The captivating history and culture of Athens will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on your attendees, creating an unforgettable experience.
- World-Class Conference Venues: Athens offers a wide range of cutting-edge conference venues, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and advanced technology. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a large-scale event, Athens has the perfect venue to cater to your needs. The Megaron Athens International Conference Centre, for instance, is a world-renowned venue that combines architectural splendor with modern amenities, ensuring a seamless and professional event.
- Exciting Networking Opportunities: Hosting a conference in Athens provides the perfect platform for networking with professionals from diverse industries and backgrounds. Athens attracts a multitude of global events, conferences, and exhibitions, bringing together influencers, innovators, and thought leaders. This vibrant environment creates invaluable networking opportunities, allowing your attendees to connect and collaborate with like-minded professionals from around the world.
- Gastronomic Delights: Greek cuisine is renowned for its delectable flavors and healthy ingredients. Athens is a food lover’s paradise, with a plethora of traditional tavernas, modern restaurants, and street food stalls offering a wide range of mouth-watering delicacies. Treat your conference attendees to authentic Greek cuisine, from souvlaki and moussaka to baklava and traditional Greek salads, ensuring a truly memorable culinary experience.
- Vibrant Nightlife and Entertainment: When the sun sets, Athens comes alive with its vibrant nightlife. From trendy bars and rooftop lounges to live music venues and nightclubs, the city offers a myriad of options for your attendees to unwind and socialize after a day of conference sessions. Athens boasts a dynamic arts scene, with theaters, galleries, and live performances showcasing both ancient and contemporary works. Immerse your attendees in the city’s lively entertainment scene, providing an all-encompassing experience during their stay.
The Highlights
Having just returned from Athens after hosting a European Conference for 140 attendees, here are some highlights (and top tips) we discovered along the way.
The Acropolis
On the final day, myself and the team found ourselves with a couple of hours to spare before heading to the airport. Naturally, we decided to fill our time by hiking up the mountain to visit the Acropolis up-close. A last minute decision that was definitely worth it. Not only was walking through the ruins a magnificent experience, but the breathtaking views across the city were everything you could wish for and more. You could easily take a group of guests here – especially in the off-peak season. Audoguides are available in many different languages, allowing the guests to explore at their own pace, although I would recommend allowing at least 2 hours.
The Acropolis Museum
The itinerary for this group didnt allow enough time to visit the Acroplis itself, so as a special treat, we chose The Acropolis Museum as the Gala Dinner destination. The views were spectacular, especially at night with the ancient ruins lit up across the night sky.
As an extra bonus, we also included a private tour in smaller groups around the famous museum just before dinner. The guests were truly able to immerse themselves in the history and culture of Ancient Greece, and having such an exclusive experience really was the icing on the cake. The museum closes to the public at 5pm, and private tours can start from around 7pm, lasting around 60 minutes. Other cool ideas include giving a small souviner to all your guests, or setting up a group photo opportunity with the Acropolis as the backdrop!
Athens Riviera
If your itinerary allows time, it’s well worth taking a trip down to the Riviera to experience some of the best local dishes Athens has to offer. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants around here, but we chose Agora to host a small dinner for a few of the guests on the final night. Fresh seafood, fantastic atmosphere, classic dishes with modern twists, and stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea, what more could you want?
A Group Activity
To finish the conference on a high, we really wanted the guests to experience a small part of Greek history through the famous Sirtaki dance. We organised experienced facilitators to come in for the last 30 minutes of the day to do a small performance, a couple of music games and of course, a lesson in how to dance Sirtaki. Once the group had run through the steps a few times, it was time for the big performance! It was fantastic watching the group come together to dance, and there was plenty of fun and laughter too!
Hosting a conference in Athens is an opportunity to indulge in the rich historical and cultural tapestry of one of the world’s most captivating cities. With its ancient landmarks, world-class conference venues, exciting networking opportunities, gastronomic delights, and vibrant nightlife, Athens offers the perfect blend of business and leisure. So, take the leap and choose Athens as your next conference destination, and let your event unfold in a city that epitomizes the meeting point of ancient wonders and modern marvels.
Active Consultancy specialise in creating events that are tailored to your needs – just check out our previous blog Let Active Be Your Corporate Event Planners For Unforgettable Memories. No matter the size and scope or budget, we have the expertise to make it unique and memorable. Our experienced and knowledgeable events team are nimble enough to meet our client’s needs, visions and expectations whilst maintaining a focus on delivering dynamic and measurable results every time.
Get in touch with our friendly Events Team today to find out how we can help bring your next event to life.
