Comparative Advantages for the Development of Koroni from the presentation of the Hay Group and Maniatakeion Foundation study

Starting Monday March 15 to Sunday March 21, the Maniatakeion Foundation in cooperation with the Hay Group, an international management consulting firm, carried out in Koroni a programme titled "Future Leaders." The content of this programme consisted of the detection of Koroni's comparative advantages and the processing of issues pertaining to business and social development. To this end, nine post-graduate students from various universities in Greece, who were selected by the Hay Group, worked in Koroni for a period of seven days, in order to collect data that characterize the area and process issues concerning business growth in Koroni and the wider area. The post-graduate student group held useful interviews with representatives of the local institutional, social, business and historical-archaeological bodies.

The event titled "Leaders of the Future: setting the bases for building a society with Vision and Values" with the presentation of the "Future Leaders" programme was held on Tuesday April 27 at the Hellenic Management Association. The programme was implemented in cooperation with three Non-governmental Organizations, specifically the Maniatakeion Foundation for the development of Koroni, the Prespes Protection Society and the National Theatre, with the support of A.B. Vassilopoulos, Athenian Brewery, Piraeus Bank and Titan.

The objective of the Koroni group was to prepare a strategic and business plan aiming to bring out Koroni's cultural heritage, its utilisation and reinforcement of the local community according to international development standards. The vision is conveyed distinctively in the slogan "Koroni in our hearts".

The study included an analysis of Koroni's strong points (history and culture, natural beauty, foreign tourism, local cuisine and hospitality) as well as the weak points of the city (lack of biological waste treatment, asset fragmentation, road network, port dysfunctions, ageing population, tourist services, lack of city promotion, seasonal desolation, limited absorption of community funds, obstacles in the castle's commercial exploitation, limited co-operative activity and lack of social services).

The strategic axes, on which the study is based, comprise the protection and promotion of the local culture and natural setting, upgrading the quality of life, the reinforcement of tourism, extroversion through strategic partnerships and the development of the local economy. Moreover, the study suggested the following business objectives, particularly social network, social services, new infrastructures, "green" actions, cultural actions, communication and marketing and tourist services. Finally, it must be noted that the study includes a schedule for the implementation of actions in the short-term as well as in the long-term, as well as financial data on the cost estimate for these actions.

The participants in the event were Konstantinos Lambrinopoulos, BoD Chairman of the Hellenic Management Association (EEDE), Charis Kiriazis, BoD Vice Chairman of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), Stavros Lekakos, Managing Director of the Piraeus Bank, Giannis Kalogirou, Deputy Professor of Technological, Financial and Industrial Strategy at the National Metsoveion Polytechnic, Christian Amiralis, Managing Director of the Hay Group, Dimitris Maniatakis, Chairman of the Maniatakeion Foundation, Thimios Papagiannis, Chairman of the Prespes Protection Society, Efi Theodorou, Deputy Artistic Director of the National Theatre. The coordinator of the event was Athanassios Papandropoulos, Honorary Chairman of the Association of European Journalists.

In his speech, Dimitris Maniatakis, Chairman of the Foundation, stated that he supported Hay Group‘s efforts from the very beginning since they coincided with the activities of the Foundation. He then referred to some of the Foundation’s activities, such as: 1) The realization of the 1^st International Conference titled "Historical Memory & Financial Growth" held on 2 to 5 July, 2009, with the cooperation of the Italian and French Embassies in Greece and the support of the Hellenic Parliament. 2) The participation and proposal to Unesco concerning the entry of the Mediterranean Diet in the representative catalogue on Unesco's Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. 3) The effort for the creation of a Mediterranean network of cities with Venetian castles in Greek-speaking countries. 4) The proclamation of an open tender for the preparation of a complete study concerning the operational unification of Koroni's archaeological, historical, religious and touristic areas into a single Cultural Park, with respect both to the environment and the monuments. In this framework, the Maniatakeion Foundation supports actions that will reinforce the Municipality of Koroni and promote its comparative advantages, seeking the creation of a cultural "product" with touristic value and historical memory. As a result Koroni, with its characteristics such as history, culture and natural beauty, will become an internationally recognised touristic destination. This would render Koroni a pilot model of development, which, in view of the KALLIKRATIS Plan, sets an example to other Municipalities, by seeking financial growth as well as social prosperity. Concluding the Chairman pointed out that the significance of cultural heritage in the economic setting of the 21^st century is boosted by restless efforts, so that the dynamic cultural awakening may comprise a creative vehicle for financial growth.

For further information and comments at the Maniatakeion Foundation website http://www.maniatakeion.gr/.