On Saturday, February 14, 2026, an esteemed event took place at the conference hall of the Chamber of Commerce in Gythio, where the Entrepreneurship Awards of 2026 were presented. This gathering was graced by various dignitaries, including the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Mani, Mr. Chrysostomos, who officiated the event and blessed the traditional New Year’s cake. Other notable attendees included Deputy Minister of National Defense Mr. Athanasios Davakis, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development Mr. Ioannis Andrianos, and local MPs Neoklis Kritikos and Naya Grigoraou, along with the Region of Peloponnese Governor Mr. Dimitrios Ptochos, the Vice-President of the Central Union of Greek Chambers Mr. Fotis Damoulios, and the President of the Greek Confederation of Professionals and Businesses Mr. Georgios Kavaithas.
The event was highly regarded, with participation from local officials such as the Deputy Regional Governor of Laconia, Mr. Theodoros Veroutis, and various representatives from law enforcement and local municipalities. Attendees included the Mayor of Sparta, Mr. Michalis Vakaloopoulos, and the Deputy Mayor of Monemvasia, Mr. Konstantinos Mavromichalis. The event also featured representatives from local chambers of commerce and federations.
In his speech, the President of the Laconian Chamber, Mr. Ioannis Panaritis, emphasized the importance of the Entrepreneurship Awards program in supporting businesses that effectively demonstrate the link between entrepreneurial activity and progress. He noted that healthy entrepreneurship fosters growth and contributes significantly to the local and national economic development.
Highlighting Laconia’s agricultural identity, Mr. Panaritis stressed the need for a vibrant primary sector alongside value-added processing and tourism to bolster the economy. He expressed concern over the region’s infrastructure challenges and the impact of climate change on agricultural production, urging for both large-scale projects like the Ke lefina dam and smaller, adaptable infrastructure initiatives to address water scarcity issues.
Moreover, he raised alarms about the consequences of unregulated wind energy installations, which can harm local ecosystems and biodiversity, leading to adverse environmental impacts. Mr. Panaritis specifically mentioned the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which poses potential threats to the Greek agricultural sector due to increased competitive pressures.
He concluded with a summary of the various initiatives undertaken by the Laconian Chamber, aimed at supporting local businesses and promoting products from the region. As the ceremony progressed, the awards were distributed across multiple categories, recognizing the achievements of enterprises and individuals.
Noteworthy awards included:
– Trade Category: Afis N. Vekrakou A.E.
– Export Category: Agricultural Cooperative of Palaiopanagias P.E.
– Processing Category: Panagiotis Chiotis & Co.
– Female Entrepreneurship Category: Olympia Alevisopoulou for her comprehensive business activities.
– Innovation Category: Urban Non-Profit Organization Vamvakou Revival.
– Special Recognition: The late Spyridon Mourkoyannis for his lengthy contributions to the Chamber of Laconia and to syndicalism.
The ceremony celebrated the spirit of entrepreneurship, reinforcing the commitment to growth and collaboration within the business community of Laconia.
