Introduction

The Hi-tech Innovators' Meeting for the sectors of information technology, software, research and advanced technology was organized by the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board - HEPO and was held on December 12th 2008 in Patras, in the Politeia complex. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and with the support of relevant unions and organizations. By placing emphasis on establishing synergies and cooperation between Greek and foreign high -tech companies, the High Tech Innovators Meeting opened new paths of development for Greek high - tech companies; it incited company extroversion and introduced innovative products and services to European markets.

More specifically, the goals of the Hi-tech Innovators' Meeting were the following:

• To develop business collaborations between Greek and foreign companies in the sectors of telecommunications, information technology, software, research, innovation, electronic services and high technology.
• To promote and publicize the Greek product potential in these sectors.
• To reinforce extroversion and promote strategic collaborations of Greek companies.
• To improve the business environment and competitiveness of Greek companies.
• To promote Greek technology and technological know-how to foreign markets.
• The event hosted 35 Greek companies and research and technology organisations, as well as 45 business representatives from Egypt, Bulgaria, France, Germany, India, Spain, Israel, Italy, Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey.

The event was inaugurated by the Managing Director of HEPO, Mr. Andreas Katsaniotis. The speakers who participated in the event included, among others, Mrs. Daniela Oancea, executive official at the Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies in Romania, Mr. Elias Kastritis, executive at the Special Secretariat for Digital Convergence of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as representatives from local Authorities and Associations.

A total of 340 pre-arranged business meetings were held during the Hi-Tech Innovators Meeting, while the participating Greek and foreign companies expressed particular interest for mutual collaborations and synergies.
During the course of the event, the participating Greek companies had the opportunity to present their products and services, as well as their business activity, in the specially formed exhibition area.

The Managing Director of HEPO, Mr. Andreas Katsaniotis stated, among other things, that "... HEPO has in recent years engaged in a consistent effort to reinforce the entrepreneurship and extroversion of Greek companies in the sectors of information technology, software and high technology, while it intends to develop targeted actions for their promotion in foreign markets, in the short future".

For the preparation and the realisation of the event, C&C International Group of Companies, undertook the following activities:

• Planning and preparation of promotional material of the event

This task included the concept development, creation and communication of the identity of the Partenariat as well as the planning, design and production of all promotional material and print that was used in all stages of the event (communication, organisation, execution and evaluation).

• Communication and publicity,

including the design, creation and production of above- and below- the line promotional material and events (web site, publications, press conference, press releases, articles, radio & TV spots, e.t.c).

• Design and implementation of the invitation strategy fro the invitation of participating businesses, journalists, related organizations and VIPs,

including the compilation of contact lists, the drafting of invitation letters and all follow-up procedures.

• Design, preparation and execution of the event

Including venue management and hospitality services, registration and matchmaking services, seminars and seminar bags.

More specifically, our services included

• The securing of suitable location for the event
• The design, manufacturing and setting of exhibition kiosks and meeting rooms
• The renting and installation of all required audiovisual and technical equipment
• The design and development of software for the planning, co-ordination and implementation of the meetings
• The creation and branding of seminar bags and material (notepads, commemorative gifts, catalogues etc)
• The preparation of menus for meals and coffee breaks

Web campaign

For the Hi - tech innovators meeting, CnC International designed and set up special web site (http://www.hitech-meeting.gr/) featuring informative Greek and English content for the organisation, the event and the participating companies and including an online registration form, floor plans of the exhibition stands and a periodically updated press section.

It also created a web banner for the promotion of the event in the HEPO΄s own website

All in all, the Hi-Tech Innovators' Meeting was deemed successful both by its organisers and its participants. Important meetings took place within its framework and collaborations between Greek and foreign companies were initiated. HEPO accepted congratulating and complimenting letters from all the participants.