Gold and Silver Award for Agora Athens at the Tourism Awards 2024

April 17, 2024

It is a great honor and joy for “Lever – Development Consultants S.A.”, a member of the “Samaras & Associates” Group, to receive both the Gold and Silver Tourism Awards 2024. The company was recognized during last night’s grand ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Charis Theocharis, along with many tourism industry professionals, businesspeople, and executives of major companies. “Lever – Development Consultants S.A.” received two awards for the AGORA ATHENS project in the field of Marketing and Market Organization & Promotion, implemented on behalf of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen (EEA):

Gold Award (EEA-CK-LEVER Agora Athens) in the category: “Innovative Actions for Engaging Specific Market Segments”
Silver Award (EEA-CK-LEVER Agora Athens) in the category: “Integrated Promotional Actions for Strengthening Entrepreneurship in Athens – Agora Athens”

Mr. Nikos Kogioumtzis, Vice President of the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen, stated: “We created in the Plaka–Monastiraki area the Agora Athens, the largest Open Tourist Mall in Greece. The traditional Plaka–Monastiraki Market is being transformed into a modern Open Mall that enhances entrepreneurship and supports the local economy in the center of Athens.” As part of the project, Lever developed the Agora Athens Master Plan for the Chamber, creating the branding, organizing a series of events and promotional actions, and implementing the current campaign, managing the strategy, project management, and media planning. Mr. Theodoros Karipidis, CEO of Lever – Development Consultants S.A., said: “With Agora Athens, Lever contributed to an innovative project in the heart of Athens that represents the future of marketplaces in a digitized, modern environment. While preserving the timeless values and imagery of tradition, it provides citizens and visitors with an upgraded shopping experience that attracts tourism and creates conditions for continuous growth in retail turnover and employment in central Athens.” Mr. Vasileios Blesios, Chief Marketing Officer of Lever – Development Consultants S.A., added: “This award confirms the value we have added to the pioneering Greek project of market development, promotion, and revitalization – ‘Agora Athens.’ We are truly proud that this emblematic transformation of Greece’s largest traditional tourist market, Plaka–Monastiraki, into a modern, digitized, and omnichannel marketing destination named ‘Agora Athens,’ is becoming a reality. It also sets a benchmark for market modernization in other areas and cities across Greece.” “During this phase, we executed a comprehensive promotional and advertising campaign including various digital and traditional communication actions, targeting both local and tourist visitors. We also held multiple events throughout the year during key periods (e.g., Black Friday, Carnival, Summer Tourist Season), and promotional campaigns at Athens International Airport, the Port of Piraeus, Athens hotels, the Acropolis, and its Museum, among others, to stimulate demand and boost commercial activity in the area.”