v9 FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT Official Partner
THE AIM The Balkans & the Black Sea region holds major importance for the South Eastern European stability and development. Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Middle East and Central Asia, this region is part of a critical eco-system which requires multilevel approach for gaining mutual understanding and cross-border cooperation. The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum aims to bring forward the latest updates of best practices, business models, creative tools and fresh ideas, enhancing its stakeholders with all possible areas of sustainable Stability Growth Cooperation
THE SCOPE The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum focuses on: Highlight cross-border cooperation Enhance bilateral and multilateral relations Strengthen and generate economic and business growth Facilitate mutual understanding and sustainable development among the Balkan and Black Sea States.
HOSTING CITY The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum 2017 will be at Serres, Central Macedonia, Greece on May 25 th & 26 th 2017 and should be held annually at a different location* in one of the 17 member states of the Region. Every year the Forum will promote 2 honorary countries* of the Balkans and the Black Sea region. These countries will have the opportunity to bring forward special topics at the panels and to exhibit their cultural heritage adjacent to the venue of the event. * Subject to the Scientific Committee advise and the Steering committee confirmation About Serres (click here)
WHY SERRES On the crossroads of the region, Serres is easily accessed by car from most of the capitals of the area. Alternatively Serres is connected by air with all countries of the region via Thessaloniki International airport (1hrs drive). Serres provides a wide range of hotels and infrastructures. Land of Alexander the Great; the region of Serres offers visitors world famous sights and attractions, like Lake Kerkini, Prodromos Monastery, Amphipolis, Serres Ottoman monuments, Fort Roupel, Alistrati Cave, etc. Serres Regional Administration, Serres Public and Private sectors are fully aligned to deliver an outstanding forum.
PROGRAMME Wednesday May 24 th 2017 17 participant countries Arrivals. Check-in. Registrations 2 honorary states 20.00-21.30 : welcome reception cocktail at the Region of Serres Headquarters 7 42 500 multi-level panels international speakers delegates
PROGRAMME Thursday May 25 th 2017 09.00-09.45 : Registrations 10.00-10.30 : Welcome notes, EU and Black Sea Officials 10.30-11.30 : Session (I) EU, Balkans, Black Sea perspectives: SDSs 2030 11.30-11.45 : Discussion - QAs 11.45-12.00 : Break 12.00-13.00 : Session (II) Roads of Energy 13.00-13.10 : Discussion - QAs 13.10-14.10 : Honorary Country-A, welcome lunch reception 14.10-15.10 : Session (III) Digital Economy & Innovation 15.10-15.20 : Discussion - QAs 15.20-16.20 : Session (IV) Women in leadership 16.20-16.30 : Discussion - QAs 16.30-16.40 : Break 16.40-17.40 : Session (V) Agriculture & Environment 17.40-17.50 : Discussion 17.50-18.00 : Conclusions of the day 20.30-24.00 : Official dinner at Domaine Nerantzi hosted by the Governor of Serres Mr. Moisiadis Forum official language is English. Simultaneous translation in Greek and Russian
PROGRAMME Friday May 26 th 2017 09.00-09.15 : Welcome notes by State Officials 09.15-10.15 : Session (VI) Maritime, Infrastructures, Transportation, & Hubs 10.15-10.30 : Discussion - QAs 10.30-11.30 : Session (VII) Cultural & Sustainable Tourism 11.30-11.40 : Discussion QAs 11.40-12.00 : Conclusions of the day 12.00-12.15 : Forum Declaration MOU signing End of conference sessions 12.15-13.30 : Honorary Country-B, welcome lunch reception 13.30-18.30 : Visit Serres by Geo Routes Cultural Journeys 4 experiential routes at the Region of Serres 20.30-24.00 : Farewell traditional dinner at the village of Agio Pneuma (Holy Spirit) Saturday May 27th 2017 Check-out and departures or at leisure extensions to enjoy Serres Forum official language is English. Simultaneous translation in Greek and Russian
2017 HEADLINE TOPICS Cultural Tourism a key to Sustainable Development aligned with UN resolution (A/C.2/70/L.5/Rev.1 of 4/12/2015) that has adopted 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. 1. EU, Balkans, Black Sea perspectives: Sustainable Development Goals 2030 2. Roads of Energy 3. Digital Economy & Innovation 4. Women in leadership 5. Agriculture & Environment 6. Maritime, Transportation, Infrastructures & Hubs 7. Cultural & Sustainable Tourism
PARTICIPANTS Participants to the Forum shall be Executives and Officials from EU, the Balkans and the Black Sea Bodies and Institutions, Officials from International organizations, public officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and academia from various countries. Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum is organized by Geo Routes Cultural Institute in cooperation with the Regional Unit of Serres and will be under the Auspices, the Support and the strategic cooperation of many International, European and Black Sea Organizations. BALKANS & BLACK SEA FORUM STATES Albania - Armenia - Azerbaijan - Bosnia/Herzegovina - Bulgaria - Croatia - FYROM - Georgia - Greece (2017 hosting country) - Moldova - Montenegro - Romania - Russian Federation - Serbia - Slovenia - Turkey (Jan 2017 Presidency BSEC ) Ukraine (July 2017 Presidency BSEC ).
WHY ATTEND Officials, Executives, cabinet Ministers, prominent business and financial leaders are invited to take part in a constructive dialogue aiming to improve the bilateral and multilateral relations, the cross-border economic cooperation and sustainable development between the Balkans and Black Sea States. Listen to first class speakers on challenges and opportunities in the Balkans and Black Sea region. Gain knowledge on how the region is planning to future proof its economy, institutional strengthening and rule of law. Sharpen the Saw and meet experts and influencers face to face. Full access to the Forum, offered only to the delegates of the event.
ORGANIZATION The Balkans & Black Sea Cooperation Forum shall host 500 VIPS, Officials, speakers and delegates. Organizational structure set as follows: ORGANIZING COMMITTEE STEERING COMMITTEE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE DIPLOMATIC AFFAIRS HOSPITALITY AGENDA & SPEAKERS MARKETING COMMUNICATION VENUE MANAGEMENT STAFFING MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATION
VENUE Serres Municipal Theater Asteria The 500 seats conference center Asteria will host the plenary sessions in theater setup. In the city center, it is adjacent to the Cultural zone where the branded kiosks of the Honorary Countries will be located and 100m to the Business HUB where Organizations and Sponsors will be promoted. Both the Cultural zone and the Business HUB will be open to public.
BUSINESS HUB Serres Eleftherias Square The 1.000 square meters Eleftherias Square is located 100m from the conference center and 30m from the entrance of the Cultural zone where the branded kiosks of the Honorary Countries will be found. The Business HUB, at the heart of the city, serves as exhibition zone for Sponsors and Organizations, also as center to the promotion of all kinds of intra & inter business relations. Both the Cultural zone and the Business HUB will be open to public.
SERRES SOCIAL PROGRAMS Prodromos Monastery and Serres Town 4hrs cultural-religious tour, highlighting the Ottoman era and the beauties of Serres and the 12 th AD Prodromos Monastery Amfipolis & Alistrati Cave 5hrs historic-speleological tour to Amfipolis, the land of Alexander the Grea. Visit to the Cave of Alistrati with its numerous stalactites and stalagmites powered by Lake Kerkini & Fort Roupel 5hrs tour to the premier Natura 2000 birding site in Greece. See also Fort Roupel, famous for the defense against German invasion in Greece on April 1941 Secrets of Nigrita 5hrs heritage tour to Nigrita; famous for its donkey milk and the spirulina super food production. Visit also the shelter of Nigrita Mountaineering Club at Mt Sourpa Upon registration delegates are offered to choose a complimentary participation to one of the above routes
REGISTRATION All prices are in EURO and inclusive 24% VAT Registration fees Before 31/1/2017 1/2/2017-30/4/2017 1/5/2017- on site Delegates 300 400 500 Students 150 200 300 Registration fee includes: Admission to all sessions, Business HUB and the Honorary countries zone Admission to the official dinner (students excluded) Admission to the Farewell traditional dinner Participation to a cultural heritage journey Visit Serres Refreshments and luncheons upon conference breaks Shuttle bus from the hotels to the conference venue (1 roundtrip per day) Forums catalogue, programme and agenda Conference bag and material Up-front information to your mail about travelling and the destination General Conditions: Registrations should be free of charges Registrations are not transferable and no refunds for cancelled registrations are accepted On site registrations and those settled by credit card, are subject to an administration fee of 25 per delegate Reduced registrations valid only if they will be paid within the timelines mentioned above Students reduced fees require a valid academic ID and a student enrolment document Online Registrations click here
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION Elpida Resort (4**sup) Forum Official hotel offering Spa, Beauty center, Bar, In & Outdoor Pools, Restaurant, Meeting rooms. The rooms offer Mini bar, Safe-box, free Wi-Fi, Plasma TV, Air-Cond. and Bath amenities. (1,5km to the Conference center) Elpida City (3**sup) Elpida offers a Restaurant, Gym, Sauna, Bar, Meeting rooms. Its rooms offer Air- Conditioning, Mini bar, free Wi-Fi, Plasma TV and Bath amenities. (150m to the Conference center) Philippos Xenia (4**sup) Forum Official hotel providing Spa, Restaurant, Bar, Health center, Meeting facilities, Indoor Pool. Its rooms offer free Wi-Fi, Air-Conditioning, Mini bar, Safe-box, Plasma TV and Bath amenities (400m to the Conference) Siris Hotel (4**sup) Siris offers a Restaurant, Bar, Outdoor Pool, Meeting rooms, play ground. Its rooms provide free Wi-Fi, Air-Conditioning, Mini bar, Safe-box, TV and Bath amenities. (7km to the conference center) Online Bookings click here
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION Hotel Acropol (4**) Acropol offers a Restaurant, Spa, Bar, Wellness center, Meeting facilities, Indoor & Outdoor Pools. Its rooms offer Air-Conditioning, Mini bar, free Wi-Fi, Plasma TV and in-bath hydro-massage (5km to the conference center) Hotel Galaxy (2**) Located in the very city center Galaxy offers Breakfast room, Room Service, Reception and Bar. Its rooms offer free Wi-Fi and TV. (only 30m walk to the Conference Center) Online Bookings click here
CONTACT For information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact: T. +30 2102845980 info@geo-routes.com co-organizers