Dear friends,

This year marks 40 years since the founding of the Hellenic Association of Consulting Firms (HELLASCO), the accession of Greece to the then EEC and today's EU and 200 years since the founding of the modern Greek state while, at the same time, we are nearing the end (?) οf a health crisis that brought to the surface forgotten global threats along with the already recognized ones such as climate change and the environmental burden from anthropogenic activities. We meet the challenges by integrating new technologies, accelerating the transition to a different, more digital way of organizing life and work.

Currently Greece is facing a great development opportunity that will allow it to cover the distance from the developed countries of the EU, leaving behind the crisis of the last decade, using a financing package in which, in addition to available national resources, we shall add the resources of the new Partnership Agreement (PA) 2021-27, the Resilience and Recovery Fund and the leverage of private capital. Furthermore, we shall not forget the private investments, the big and emblematic public ones (Elliniko project, energy projects, marinas, etc.) together with the smaller ones.

The role of our firms will be crucial in the timely evaluation, maturation and licensing of the necessary projects and programs, in the preparation of technical studies, as well as their control, management and supervision.

At the same time, the openness of our companies must be further strengthened as a distinct category in the context of the national export strategy due to the very high reciprocal added value of the design - consulting sector in the economy, aiming at a healthy and sustainable development.

To adequately respond to our mission, it is required to strengthen the size and corporate governance of our firms, to integrate new technologies, to continuously train our staff and to attract new scientists with expertise and international experience. Close collaboration with the entire construction industry, IT companies and Management Consultants shall apply as well.
In this context, HELLASCO will hold on September 30 and October 1, 2021 its anniversary Conference entitled: "The consulting industry catalyst for development", at the Divani Apollon Palace Hotel in Kavouri, Athens.

Government officials and distinguished speakers from Greece and abroad will attend the Conference. We will discuss on the role of Greek consulting companies in the recovery of the country, the green - sustainable and digital transition, the presence of Greek consulting companies in the international market as well as the proper way of organizing them.

We are looking forward to meeting you all in person, with the belief that in the HELLASCO 2021 Conference the significant role of the sector will be promoted, and it will contribute to addressing the new conditions in the international environment of our companies, highlighting the challenges and the required steps to be taken along with policy makers and related market sectors.


Panagis Toniolos
President of HELLASCO