The 75th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) will open on Saturday September 11, while this year's participants exceed 1,041 so far, compared to 915 last year.

About 250,000 visitors are expected and three out of 10 exhibitors will appear for the first time. The Hellenic state's participation has been limited to levels below 20 percent, reflecting according to HELEXPO president Paris Mavridis "the government mandates for a cutback in state expenditures."

This year's TIF, that will last until September 19 and have Hungary as its theme country, will focus on innovation-green growth and have 16 official state participations. It will include 11 special dedications, conferences, concerts and several "green" activities.

The central slogan of this year’s 75th TIF reflects its major homage show «Innovation and Green Development», to be hosted at Pavilion 13, at the heart of Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre.

The developmental prospects opened by adopting green technologies, particularly in a country with the natural environment of Greece, are indisputable. HELEXPO wants to highlight these prospects and outline the overall strategy to be implemented when planning many of its exhibition events.

In the context of the «Innovation and Green Development» homage show, the following actions are to be deployed, aiming at informing the 250,000 TIF visitors expected on the applications of Green Development in their daily lives:

• - A green gate into TIFE is to be created, using 20,000 plants arranged on a special scaffolding;
• - In cooperation with Artemide Company, the only solar energy tree in the world is to be presented, which is to be commercially available as of October;
• - A visitable bioclimatic home is to be installed;
• - Environmentally friendly electric-energy bikes will be on show, which visitors will be able to ride;
• - Solar Information Pavilions will be in operation to inform the public about the possibilities opened by green development;
• - Finally, on Monday, 13 September 2010, a special day-meeting will be held on this topic, which will be attended by the political leaders of the Ministries of Economy, Competitiveness & Shipping and Environment & Climatic Change, as well as distinguished scientists and entrepreneurs (see relevant programme).