The opening ceremony marked the beginning of the most important event for yachting and marine tourism in Greece.
The atmosphere at the opening was festive, with the participation of State representatives, institutional bodies and top industry professionals. In their speeches, the speakers referred to the strategic importance of marine tourism for the Greek economy, the development prospects of yachting and the pivotal role played by the Olympic Yacht Show in promoting Greece as a top international destination.
Eleftheria Davatzi, journalist and event coordinator, first called to the opening podium the head of the OYS Organizing Committee, Gerasimos Gerolymatos, who, among other things, highlighted the international identity of the show, stating: “Five years on, the Olympic Yacht Show has evolved into an institution for marine tourism and the recreational boating market. An event that does not merely showcase boats, but connects people, ideas and businesses, creating bridges between the Greek and international markets and between land and sea.”
Next, Mr. George Prokopiou, owner of Olympic Marine, took the floor, thanking the exhibitors and organizers, noting that “the Show has now been established as an institution, becoming a reference point for the marine recreation sector, with the participation of top exhibitors from Greece and abroad. The Olympic Yacht Show is not just an exhibition. It is a unique opportunity for yachting professionals and enthusiasts to meet, exchange ideas and create new partnerships, enhancing the extroversion and evolution of the sector.”
Representing the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Kikilias, wished success to this important event, stating from the exhibition podium: “Olympic Marine is a very important marina on the borders of Attica and it helps and strengthens the Yachting sector. At the same time, it also contributes to shipping and tourism and the local economy. Events like the Olympic Yacht Show stimulate the market and the economy which, as you see, has added value that ultimately ends up in the Greek economy, and therefore in the Greek family, and this particularly pleases us.”
The dynamism of the Olympic Yacht Show was also highlighted by the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, who stated, among other things: “The Olympic Yacht Show has now become an institution and dynamically contributes to the development of marine tourism in Greece. This premier Greek in-water boat show enhances extroversion and promotes Greece internationally as a strong force in marine tourism worldwide. With a focus on innovation and in cooperation with bodies, businesses and industry professionals, we continue, so that Greece can further utilize its comparative advantages.”
The President of the Greek National Tourism Organization, Angeliki Varela, then took the stage at the exhibition’s opening, who in turn emphasized the essential role of the exhibition, noting: “Events like the Olympic Yacht Show highlight the dynamism of Greece which tends to remain a top Yachting destination in the world, not only for its natural beauty but also for its organization, quality and overall experience. At the same time, it constitutes a distinct example of collaboration and extroversion.”
As an institution, the organization of the 5th Olympic Yacht Show promotes Greece, enhances market interest, and creates platforms for collaboration among professionals, entities, and specialists internationally. I hope this year’s event will be a starting point for even more collaborations and initiatives for the benefit of Greek yachting and our tourism overall.
Among those present at the opening ceremony were Mr. Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, General Secretary of Shipping and Ports, Vasilis Politis, Vice President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping, Polychronis Bairaktaris, Deputy Regional Governor of Civil Protection, and Konstantinos Markouizos (Iaveris), Deputy Regional Governor of Road Safety.
The event was also honored by the presence of the Mayor of Lavrio, Dimitris Loukas, the President of the Hellenic Marine Association and CEO of LAMDA Marinas Investments, Stavros Katsikadis, and the CEO of the Lavrio Port Authority, Giorgos Vakondios.
A special moment during the opening of the 5th Olympic Yacht Show was the awarding of honorary plaques to personalities in the sector for their contribution to the development of yachting and their support of the Show. Specifically, the awardees were Giorgos Pappas of Pappas Yachts, who received the plaque from Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, General Secretary of Shipping and Ports; Alexandros Zeis of Motocraft, who was awarded by Vasilis Politis, Board Member of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping; and Sofia Vahari Tsouvelekaki, who received the honorary plaque from Konstantinos Koronakis, Board Member & President of the Processing Sector of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Furthermore, the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni, presented the award to Christos Kontovasilis of Pantaenius Hellas; the Mayor of Lavreotiki, Dimitris Loukas, awarded the team of Azimut Hellas; and the Minister of Shipping, Vasilis Kikilias, awarded Mary Goggosi of MG Yachts & Villas. Finally, the team of ONDECK and the Head of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Yacht Show, Gerasimos Gerolymatos, took to the stage to present Giorgos Prokopiou and his wife, Alexandra, with a commemorative frame featuring them on a special cover of Skipper ONDECK.
Following the honorary awards, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, followed by a tour of the officials through the land and floating sections of the exhibition.
From October 9th to 12th, Lavrio is transformed into a center of global yachting, hosting more than 140 vessels, innovative projects, shipyards, and companies that are pioneers in the field. Going beyond the narrow confines of an exhibition, the Olympic Yacht Show is a platform for dialogue and inspiration that connects the Greek with the international yachting scene and with modern innovation.
With the first day opening with a strong institutional “signal,” the continuation promises even more: presentations, meetings, and networking that will shape the image of the sector for the years to come.
The Olympic Yacht Show 2025 is organized by ONDECK EVENTS at Olympic Marine in Lavrio. Its goal is to highlight the innovation, quality, and dynamism of Greek yachting in the international market.
