Message from the IPRA President: Athens welcomes the world of Public Relations September 2026
1 hour, 45 minutes ago
Last year, 2025, marked 70 years of the existence of IPRA. It also marked 60 years since IPRA established the Code of Athens for Public Relations practice. IPRA returns to Athens on 25 September 2026 to celebrate PR excellence and the application of its professional principles by practitioners throughout the world.
Our return to this inspiring city, with a remarkable history of dialogue, ideas, and connections between people and cultures, represents much more than a choice of location. It is a celebration of the global Public Relations community and of the power of communication to build trust, encourage collaboration and create meaningful impact.
As we gather for the IPRA Golden World Awards for Excellence 2026 Gala, we will celebrate the people that, in the past year, created outstanding examples of professional work from around the world. We hope our colleagues in Greece, particularly, will be inspired by what we celebrate here.
A word about our partners
The commitment of our local initiator and organizer, V+O GREECE | SEC Newgate, to making this celebration in Athens happen, reflects the strength of our profession and the importance of connecting local expertise with the international communications community.
We are also grateful for the support of the Hellenic Association of Advertising and Communication Agencies (EDEE), under whose auspices the event is taking place. Founded in 1968, EDEE is the leading institutional body representing Greece’s advertising and communications industry. It represents 95% of the sector’s market turnover and more than 3,500 professionals across five key disciplines: Advertising, Public Relations, Media Specialists, Integrated Marketing Communications, and Branding & Design. Its support reflects the vital role of communication excellence in shaping the future of our industry.
We also have partners who are helping to make this gathering possible. The iconic Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, which is hosting the Gala, has, since its inception in 1874, served as a proud ambassador of impeccable Greek hospitality. Located in the heart of Athens, it has welcomed heads of state and royalty throughout its history. It is one of the few hotels worldwide to have remained in uninterrupted operation for more than 150 years. In 2024, the hotel also received an IPRA Golden World Award for the communication initiatives marking its 150th anniversary.
We are also delighted that AEGEAN is our Official Air Carrier. The 2026 AEGEAN network includes 260 direct routes connecting 164 destinations. AEGEAN is a member of the Star Alliance network and has been awarded 15 times as the Best Regional Airline in Europe.
Electra, a leading hospitality group offering authenticity in some of Greece’s most famous destinations, is also a Hospitality Partner, with three properties, Electra Metropolis Athens, Electra Palace Athens, and Electra Rhythm Athens, located just steps from the city’s most renowned landmarks and the Gala venue.
We also thank our two Gold Sponsors, AKTOR Group and LAMDA Development, for their contribution to the IPRA GWA 2026 Gala. AKTOR Group of Companies is a leading market player in Southeast Europe, leveraging 70 years of experience in large-scale infrastructure projects to strategically invest in sectors such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), green energy, concession projects and Public-Private Partnerships. LAMDA Development is active in real estate, with a portfolio including The Mall Athens, Golden Hall, Designer Outlet Athens, and Mediterranean Cosmos in Thessaloniki, as well as assets such as Flisvos Marina and the Corfu mega-yacht marina. The company's flagship project is the Ellinikon, the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. And to amplify awareness we have Media Sponsors Boussias Media, Direction Business Network and Newsbeast.
Humanity in Harmony in Athens
The IPRA Golden World Awards reminds us that Public Relations is about communication that creates understanding, strengthens relationships and connects people across the world. I look forward to welcoming you all to the Athens Gala, where we will celebrate excellence, friendship and the shared future of our profession: Humanity in Harmony.
Kind regards,
Esther Cobbah
IPRA President 2026
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