Thessaloniki International Fair

The Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) is an annual event that has been illuminating Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, every September since 1926. This week-long festivity commences with the Prime Minister of Greece officially inaugurating the fair. Each year, a different country is featured as the honored guest; in 2018, it was India, and Germany was scheduled to be the focal point in 2020.

The fair takes place at the International Exhibition & Congress Centre of TIF HELEXPO, centrally located in downtown Thessaloniki. The venue spans an impressive 180,000 square meters, with 62,000 square meters devoted to indoor exhibition spaces distributed among 17 interconnected pavilions. But the experience extends beyond the exhibitions. The center is well-equipped with conference facilities, parking, leisure areas, dining options, and various other amenities to accommodate a wide range of events.

Historically, trade fairs in Thessaloniki trace their roots back to the Byzantine era, attracting traders from across the Balkans. Today, TIF is more than just a trade exhibition—it is also a cultural and political epicenter. Alongside the commercial displays, visitors can enjoy cultural events and attend conferences. Politically, it holds substantial significance as the platform where the Prime Minister traditionally presents the government’s policies for the upcoming year.