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TIF is the Thessaloniki International Fair, the largest and oldest annual trade fair in Greece, with a history of almost 100 years*.
It begins in the first week of September, lasts one week, and is one of the most important economic, business, and political events in Greece and Southeast Europe.
It serves as a platform that connects companies, organizations, and institutions, giving them the opportunity to showcase products and services, as well as to form partnerships.
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Beyond its business and economic role, the Thessaloniki International Fair also has strong political significance.
At its opening, Greece’s prime minister traditionally presents the government’s economic programme and policy priorities for the year ahead.
Party leaders also use the fair as a platform to announce major initiatives and plans.
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On 3 October 1926, the first Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) officially opened—13 years after the city’s incorporation into the Greek state.
It was held every year until 1940, but due to World War II and the Greek Civil War, it resumed in 1951. Since then, the only year it did not take place was 2020, because of the pandemic.
TIF–Helexpo moved to its current exhibition grounds in 1937, and in 1950 it received funding through the Marshall Plan* to restore the looted exhibition site.
*Economic aid provided by the United States to European countries after World War II, aimed at preventing the spread of communism.
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Every year, the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) hosts a guest of honour country, which has the opportunity to showcase its economic and cultural potential.
Thus, the 82nd TIF in 2017 had China as the guest of honour, the 83rd TIF the United States, the 86th TIF the United Arab Emirates, and the 87th TIF Bulgaria (which has participated continuously since 1926).
This year’s TIF (the 89th) coincides with the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1925, and for that reason there will be no guest of honour country.
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Beyond its business and political importance, the Fair also runs activities that extend into the cultural sphere.
In 1960, it established the Festival of Greek Cinema (now the Thessaloniki Film Festival), and in 1962 the Festival of Greek Song (which was last held in 2008).
This year, marking 100 years since his birth, TIF is honoring Mikis Theodorakis, and every evening the “Music Events Live” shows will take place.
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For many decades—until the 1990s—the Fair, held in the city centre, also had the feel of a funfair: it featured an amusement park, the “Wall of Death” motorcycle show, and a marketplace selling small household items such as vegetable peelers and handheld mini mixers.
The Fair’s “official” food was the sausage sandwich, and its “official” drink was dark beer.
Also, in 1957, frappé was officially introduced to the public at the Fair for the first time.
The Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Conference Center of TIF–Helexpo covers an area of 180,000 sq m, of which 62,000 sq m are indoor facilities.
The exhibition complex includes three conference centers—“Nikolaos Germanos,” “Ioannis Vellidis,” and “Helexpo Corona”—with a total capacity of 4,000 seats.
In 2017, the number of exhibitors reached 1,500, while public attendance in 2024 rose to 221,735 people.
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1926: Politician Nikolaos Germanos opens the doors of the first Fair at Pedion tou Areos (today’s 3rd Army Corps site). At the FIX pavilion, beer cost 1 drachma per glass.
1928: This is the first year a Greek prime minister visited TIF. Eleftherios Venizelos stopped in Thessaloniki while traveling from Belgrade.
1951: Prime Minister Nikolaos Plastiras announced the relaunch of TIF. For its organization, 5 billion drachmas were allocated by the United States, and another 1 billion for its promotion.
1970: For the first time, visitors see the OTE Tower completed.
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1974: Before the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis addressed a crowd of 300,000 from the Makedonia Palace.
2011: In the midst of the bailout memoranda era, protesters traveled by train from Athens, while all rubbish bins were removed from the city center; Mayor G. Boutaris called on the government to attend the Fair.
2012: A low-key opening ceremony by Prime Minister A. Samaras, with no dinners, receptions, ministerial visits, or press conference.
2014: The Thessaloniki Programme became the basis of Alexis Tsipras’s election campaign; he became prime minister a few months later.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Prime Minister
Saturday 06.09 – 19:30
The main pillars of the government’s economic policy will be presented.
Sunday 07.09 – 12:00
A press conference will be held.
Nikos Androulakis
President of PASOK–KINAL and Leader of the Official Opposition
Saturday 13.09 – 20:00
His party’s programme will be presented.
Sunday 14.09 – 12:00
A press conference will be held.
Sokratis Famellos
President of SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance
Wednesday 10.09 – 20:00
The party’s programme will be presented.
Thursday 11.09 – 12:00
A press conference will be held.
