The SEEWQCI project and Greece’s National Quantum Communication Infrastructure (HellasQCI), both coordinated by GRNET, will participate in the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), taking place from 5 to 13 September 2026 at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition & Congress Center (TIF-HELEXPO), as part of GRNET’s participation in the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence pavilion (Pavilion 12). 

The 2026 edition marks 100 years since the first Thessaloniki International Fair in 1926, with Japan as the honoured country, bringing together organisations, businesses and institutions from Greece and abroad. In this setting, SEEWQCI and HellasQCI will highlight Greece’s contribution to the development of secure and quantum-safe communications, from the development of Greece’s national quantum communication infrastructure through HellasQCI to its extension into a cross-border European network through SEEWQCI.  

What to Expect at the Fair

During the Fair, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about SEEWQCI and HellasQCI, their infrastructure, objectives and progress at the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence exhibition space in Pavilion 12. GRNET representatives will be available at the dedicated DAEDALUS exhibition area to provide information and discuss their contribution to the development of secure and quantum-safe communications in Greece and Europe.

As part of their participation, both initiatives will be highlighted in two panel discussions on quantum technologies during the Fair bringing together representatives from the public sector, academia and industry to explore developments in quantum computing and communications and their strategic implications for Greece and Europe.

Saturday, 5 September 2026 | Pavilion 15 – TCCI Stand

12:30 – 13:30 · “Quantum Computing: The Next Big Step After AI for Business and Society”

The discussion will focus on the transformative potential of quantum technologies, addressing key questions: What are the practical use cases for quantum computing? How will it affect the business world and citizens’ everyday lives? How close are we to the first real-world implementations? What are the main challenges? Representatives from academia, industry and the public sector will discuss the actions being taken at national level and the expectations for the years ahead.

Opening remarks:

  • P. Menexopoulos, 2nd Vice President, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • N. Tzollas, Vice Governor for Digital Governance, Region of Central Macedonia

Participating speakers include:

  • A. Argyros, CEO, DeployQuantum
  • I. Theodonis, Laboratory Teaching Staff, Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens
  • D. Katsianis, Vice Chairman, GRNET and Technology & Assistant Professor, NKUA
  • Dr A. Tsikas, CEO, QUANTUM NEURAL TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
  • M. Flouris, Innovation Expert, Head of Steering Committee, AI Catalyst

Tuesday, 8 September 2026 | Pavilion 12 – Main Stage

18:00 – 19:00 · “The Present and Future of Quantum Technologies in Greece and Europe”

The discussion will focus on the latest developments in quantum computing and communications technologies, as well as the prospects emerging for research, innovation and the security of digital infrastructures. In this context, the contribution of Greece’s National Quantum Communication Infrastructure (HellasQCI), coordinated by GRNET  with the support of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence and the General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Posts, will also be highlighted. The national infrastructure continues to evolve through the EuroQCI projects SEEWQCI and TransEuroOGS, contributing to the development of quantum-safe communications and the resilience of critical infrastructures in Greece and Europe.

Participating speakers include:

  • D. Angelakis, NCSR “Demokritos”
  • Th. Sofos, Nokia
  • S. Tzintzos, QUBITECH
  • A. Aivaliotis, GRNET 
  • I. Papastamatiou, GRNET (Coordinator of HellasQCI & SEEWQCI projects)
  • V. Zarkadas, Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS)
  • M. Pothitos, HCDI – Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation
  • D. Syvridis, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
  • G. Giannoulis, National Technical University of Athens / QRBIT
  • K. Kalli, Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)

Both sessions will also be broadcast live via DIAVLOS, GRNET’s live web streaming service. Streaming details and links are available here.

Further updates on SEEWQCI’s participation will also be shared through the project’s official communication channels throughout the Fair. 

More information about the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair is available here.

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