The 34th Panhellenic Pulmonology Congress, held in December 2025 at the Divani Caravel Hotel in Athens, served as the case study for AFEA Congress’ environmental impact measurement under the EU-backed fuTOURiSME program.
Athens-based professional congress organizer AFEA Congress has become the first Greek PCO to participate in the EU-funded fuTOURiSME program, positioning itself at the forefront of a broader shift toward measurable sustainability in Greece’s meetings and conference industry.
Through its MICE-VISION initiative, AFEA is integrating structured sustainability practices and digital monitoring tools into the planning and delivery of conferences and large-scale events. The goal is clear: move from general environmental commitments to certified, data-driven sustainable event management aligned with international standards.
The fuTOURiSME program, co-financed by the European Union, supports tourism SMEs across Europe in advancing innovation, digital transformation and environmental performance. Within this framework, MICE-VISION focuses on embedding sustainability into operational workflows and preparing AFEA for certification under the GSTC-MICE standard – a globally recognized benchmark for sustainable meetings and events.
As part of the initiative, AFEA conducted a detailed environmental impact assessment of the 34th Panhellenic Pulmonology Congress, held in December 2025 at the Divani Caravel hotel in Athens with more than 1,000 participants. The study measured total carbon emissions at 319.44 tons of CO₂ equivalent, with transportation, accommodation and exhibition structures identified as the primary impact sources.
By establishing a measurable baseline, the company aims to implement targeted reduction strategies in future editions and provide transparent reporting to clients and stakeholders.
“This initiative further strengthens our strategic commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Dimitra Lygnou, Vice President and CEO of AFEA Congress. “By measuring the environmental footprint of major conferences and aligning with international certification standards, we are consistently working toward a more responsible and competitive conference ecosystem in Greece.”
The move reflects growing demand within the global MICE market for verified sustainability performance, particularly as destinations compete on safety, transparency and environmental responsibility. For Greece, initiatives like MICE-VISION signal a gradual but strategic transition toward a certified, measurable and internationally aligned conference industry.
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