In an era defined by significant geopolitical realignments, accelerating technological transformation, and the reconfiguration of global economic equilibria, the need for a renewed, resilient, and sustainable development paradigm has become more critical than ever.

Grant Thornton’s event, “Thessaloniki 4.0: Innovation & Investment in a Challenging Global Environment” taking place on Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki, aspires to constitute a focal point for substantive public discourse on the evolving challenges and emerging opportunities shaping Greece, Southeastern Europe, and the broader Eastern Mediterranean region.

Capitalizing on its strategic geographic positioning, expanding investment ecosystem, developed energy infrastructure, and robust academic and business ecosystem, Thessaloniki is progressively consolidating its role at the center of these transformations, emerging as a regional nexus of investment, innovation, and interconnectivity.

The keynote address will be delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Gerapetritis. The event will bring together distinguished representatives of the political, business, and academic communities, fostering a structured forum for high-level exchange and strategic reflection on critical developments pertaining to energy systems, geopolitical stability, the digital economy, investment flows, global supply chain architectures, and international competitiveness. Ath the same time, the discussion will examine the role of technological advancement, modern infrastructure systems, and human capital formation in shaping a more outward-oriented, sustainable, and structurally resilient economic model for the country.

 

Agenda

18.00 Welcome
18.30 Opening Address
  Vassilis Kazas - Managing Partner, Grant Thornton
18.35 “Growth Dynamics in Northern Greece”
  Christos Kodos - Partner, Tax & Business Process Outsourcing, Grant Thornton
18.45 “A New Development Transition: Financing Investment in Today’s and Tomorrow’s Economy”
  Konstantinos Kazas - Partner, Advisory Leader, Grant Thornton
Dr. Panagiotis Prontzas - Partner, Head of Strategy and Investments, Grant Thornton
19.00 “Energy, Cost and Resilience in a World of Uncertainty”
  Ioannis Stefanou - Partner, Head of Energy, Grant Thornton 
19.10 Panel Discussion: “The New Energy Landscape and Economic Resilience”
  Andreas Athanassopoulos - Chief Executive Officer, Olympia Group
Dr. Nikolaos Karamouzis - President, Grant Thornton Consulting
George Milonas - President & CEO, Alumil SA
Konstantinos Papadopoulos - Chatzakos - Chief Executive Officer, MEVGAL SA
Coordinated by: Maria Sarafoglou - Journalist 
19.45 Keynote Speech
  George Gerapetritis - Minister of Foreign Affairs 
20.15 Cocktail

Speakers

Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki

13km Thessalonikis-Pereas, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Greece, 570 01

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