Enterprise Greece in cooperation with the Association of Marble Enterprises of Macedonia and Thrace (SEMMTH) organized multiple actions for the 2nd consecutive year for the promotion of Greek Marble|Then.Now.Forever, within the framework of the 58th Marmomac, held from 24 to 27 September 2024 in Verona , Italy. 40 distinguished Greek companies participated highlighting through their stands, the unique characteristics and diversity of Greek marble.
Enterprise Greece, continuing its cooperation with the Association of Marble Enterprises of Macedonia and Thrace (SEMMTH), organized a booth promoting Greek Marble|Then.Now.Forever, in the Hall “Marmomac Plus Theater”. Together they created and supported an advertising campaign with Greek Marble | Then. Now. Forever. – A symbol of excellence, which was located at all the central points of the exhibition and finally ensured this year the projection of the official video on Greek marble on the main giant screen of the Hall “Marmomac Plus Theater”, which was a meeting point of the leading architectural offices and all-important speeches and events took place. The promotion that had taken place in the exhibition in the previous period, with a series of articles and tributes in the Italian press, thanks to the actions of Enterprise Greece, also contributed to the better promotion of Greek participation and Greek marble.
The 58th edition of Marmomac, the largest and most important global exhibition for the marble industry, focused on the promotion of advanced technologies and sustainable practices to improve the production and applications of marble and stones. The exhibition was visited by more than 50,000 industry professionals, 66% of whom were foreigners from 140 countries. As for exhibitors, 1,485 companies from 55 countries participated, including Greece, occupying a total of 74,000 m² of exhibition space, including 12 indoor halls and 4 outdoor spaces. In terms of top buyers, according to data provided by Marmomac for all exhibitors, the five most important markets were Germany, Spain, the USA, France and India.
It is noted that there was a particular increase from India (10%) as well as an impressive increase from the United Kingdom (20%).
Alongside the exhibition, MARMOMAC was a center of education and dialogue with over 40 conferences and workshops, through initiatives such as ThePlus Theatre and A Matter of Stone. The training program for architects at the MARMOMAC Academy was also important.
Greece in this year’s event had two very important distinctions:
1. For the first time this year, through a special award from the Italian Marble Women Association (Le Donne del Marmo), 2 “ambassadors” of female entrepreneurship in the sector were honored for their significant contribution to the development and promotion of marble worldwide. Among the awardees and representing the international dimension of the institution, Mrs. Eirini Papagiannouli, marketing director of I. Papagiannoulis Bros S.A., who is also an active member of SEMMTH.
2. The Greek company “Stonetech”, also an active member of SEMMTH, was distinguished and honored with the “Best Communicator” Award, in the International Design category. The committee recognized the innovative presentation of the company, with an impressive stand designed by Spyros Soulis, which highlighted the beauty and timelessness of Greek marbles.
Mrs. Pagona Larda, Counsellor for the Economic and Financial Services of the Greek Embassy in Milan, visited the exhibition and she had the opportunity to be informed by Greek companies about their activities as well as to explore ways to promote Greek marble in the Italian market.
Referring to the successful presence of our country in the 58th Marmomac, the CEO of Enterprise Greece, Dr. Marinos Giannopoulos, stated that: “Our successful cooperation with the Association of Marble Enterprises of Macedonia and Thrace has contributed to the substantial strengthening of the image and the increase of the added value of the Greek Marble “brand” in international markets. In this national effort, the contribution of the Greek companies themselves is also important with their intense extroversion and their always careful and impressive participation in international exhibitions and presentations. Their excellent presence at the 58th Marmomac highlighted the important position and recognition of Greek Marble in the global market. Enterprise Greece in collaboration with the Association (SEMMTH), supporting Greek participations in various promotional actions of marble in the most important international exhibitions of the industry, contributes to the overall promotion of it and its companies, to further enhance exports”.
The President of the Association of Macedonia-Thrace Enterprises (SEMMTH), Mr. George Lianos, stressed: “MARMOMAC 2024 confirmed most emphatically its dominant position globally as an international exhibition of the Marble and Natural Stones Industry. The participation of Greek Marble in MARMOMAC highlighted to a large audience, the prominent position of the industry in the global market, both through the 40 exhibitors-Greek Companies, as well as through the stand for the promotion of Greek marble and the extensive promotional campaign with the slogan “Greek Marble|Then. Now. Forever”, achieved in collaboration with SEMMTH and Enterprise Greece, for the second consecutive year.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of SEMMTH, as well as on behalf of all our members, I would like to thank Enterprise Greece’s executives for their maximum contribution to the implementation of this year’s participation in MARMOMAC, and I express the certainty that the continuation of SEMMTH’s cooperation with Enterprise Greece will greatly contribute to the establishment of the Greek Marble brand and the promotion of the industry in the next important international exhibitions”.
