We’re proud to release the schedule for the 2018 National Innovation Conference, which features an exciting line up of speakers and panels of experts and leaders from various fields.
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Temple University Performing Arts Center
1837 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
9:30 am: Registration and continental breakfast
10:00 am: Official Opening of Conference
10:00 am – 10:10 am: Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Chair, Board of Directors, Greek America Foundation
10:10 am – 10:15 am: Alexander Thomopulos (President) and Kostas Ouranitsas (Chairman), National Hellenic Student Association
10:15 am – 10:20 am: Dr. Angelika Dimoka, Associate Professor of Marketing at Fox School of Business, Temple University
10:20 am – 10:25 am: Gregory Pappas, President & Founder, Greek America Foundation
10:25 am – 10:30 am: A special video message from Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, United States Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic
10:30 am – 10:50 am: A special message via video by Arianna Huffington targeted to young people called “Being Fearless”
10:50 am – 11:10 am: A conversation with John Roa, Tech Entrepreneur, Chairman Roa Ventures and lover of Greece
11:10 am – 11:30 am: Gus Kalaris Master winemaker and proprietor of one of the world’s foremost wine brands, Axios Wines
11:20 am – 12:05am: (Lower Level of TPAC) Camp NIC for Kids Session #1 (Creative Arts) Kostas Kiritsis Teaching Artist in NYC and educator.
11:30 am – 11:50 am: Networking break sponsored by Olyra Foods and CEO Yannis Varellas and Liokareas Extra Virgin Olive Oil and CEO/Founder Peter Liokareas. Enjoy a sampling of Olyra breakfast biscuits made in Greece with the very best organic products and based on ancient recipes for a sound mind, body and taste buds; and samples of Liokareas Extra Virgin Olive Oil, considered to be among the best olive oil on the planet.
12:05 pm – 12:50 pm: (Lower Level of TPAC) Camp NIC for Kids Session #2 (Cooking) Maria Loi chef, restaurateur, Greek food ambassador, author, healthy lifestyle expert
11:50 am – 12:50 pm: Panel Discussion “Slay in your lane” Featuring a dialogue with four dynamic women who will share their experiences in philanthropy, science, politics and education in the era of the #MeToo movement.
Danialle Karmanos Social entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian, Author, Activist, Founder of Kids Work it Out, The Cuddlers (Detroit, MI)
Dr. Marie Bountrogianni Dean of The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at Ryerson University (Toronto, ON)
Dr. Angeline Beltsos CEO and Medical Director of Vios Fertility Institute (Chicago, IL)
Alexis Fasseas Partner at META Modern Health (Core Fitness Chicago), Co-founder at PAWS Chicago (Chicago, IL)
12:50 pm – 1:30 pm: Lunch break
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm: (Lower Level of TPAC) Camp NIC for Kids Session #3 (Chemistry) Vivian Panou, Director of Special Events and Programs at Earth Friendly Products
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Panel Discussion “Food 2.0” Featuring a dialogue with some of the continent’s foremost food innovators and entrepreneurs who are taking traditional Greek food concepts into the next generation, transforming papou’s diner into new, bold and innovative concepts.
Maria Loi Chef, Restaurateur, Greek food ambassador, author, healthy lifestyle Expert (New York, NY)
Manolis Alpogianis Owner and President of America’s Dog & Burger, Co-Owner of TAG Restaurants (Chicago, IL)
Charles Bililies Founder and CEO of Souvla (San Francisco, CA)
Eric Papachristos Co-Owner and CEO of Saloniki Greek, Owner and Founder of Trade and Porto (Boston, MA)
Thanos Tripi Owner of Mamakas Taverna and Agora by Mamakas (Toronto, ON)
Michael Kasseris Social entrepreneur, founder of New City Microcreamery (Hudson, MA)
Nikolas Smyrlakis Co-Founder of Finest Roots spirits company (Athens, Greece)
Peter Liokareas Master olive oil producer and founder of Liokareas Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Mani, Greece (Pittsburgh, PA)
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm: (Lower Level of TPAC) Camp NIC for Kids Session #4 (Greek Dance) Anthoula Katsimatides actor, producer, writer, voice over artist, radio show host, dog lover, Greek folk dance instructor & proud New Yorker
2:30 pm – 2:50 pm: Elena Laquatra, TV journalist and Miss Pennsylvania USA 2016
2:50 pm – 3:10 pm: Networking break sponsored by Destination Eve and its CEO Agamemnon Polyzois, a destination event management company that produces weddings and celebrations in Greece. The break will feature granola from innovative food start-up Luv Michael which gives young adults with autism worthwhile employment opportunities
3:10 pm – 3:30 pm: Athan Stephanopoulos President, NowThis Media
3:30 pm – 3:50 pm: Peter Polydor Founder and President of Ergo Holdings, a privately-held group of companies in capital, tech and real estate sectors
3:50 pm – 4:00 pm: Farewell and thank you!