Strong Business Participation and Award Ceremony at the 34th Hermes Expo

 

Strong Business Participation and Award Ceremony at the 34th Hermes Expo

The 34th Annual Hermes Expo took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, New Jersey. It served as a premier platform for business development and networking between Greek, Greek-American, and American companies.

Founded by Paul Kotrotsios and now organized by him in collaboration with his daughter, Aphrodite Kotrotsios, the Expo brings together professionals from a variety of sectors—from food and beverage to technology, healthcare, tourism, and finance—offering unique opportunities for collaboration, product promotion, and idea exchange. At the same time, it promotes Greek values and the entrepreneurship of the Greek diaspora in the U.S.

A highlight of the event is the presence of leaders from the business, political, and cultural spheres. This year’s keynote speakers included:

• Phil Kafarakis – President & CEO of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
• Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis – General Director of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) – Hellexpo
• Michael Bolos – CEO of Thunderbird LLC, who spoke on the revival of American industry and the artificial intelligence revolution

The Expo traditionally honors individuals and businesses that stand out for their contribution to entrepreneurship, innovation, and the strengthening of Greek-American relations. In the presence of Consul General Iphigenia Kanara, this year’s honorees included:

• Ambassador George Tsounis – U.S. Ambassador to Greece, recognized for strengthening U.S.-Greece relations
• Justine Frangouli – Author and President of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal, honored for advocating for women’s rights, empowering Greek women, and her contributions to modern Greek culture through her books and as president of the LEM

  Irina Kapetanakis – Entrepreneur and Rumble Boxing franchisee, for empowering women in the business sphere

• Alec Oikonomakis – Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles, for guiding Greek-American youth
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  Nikos Paschalis – Co-founder of AVRA Estiatorio, for promoting Greek cuisine on an international level

• George Athanasopoulos – President of the Church Council of St. George, for his leadership in the community
• Dr. George Tsioulias – Surgical Oncologist at Mount Sinai, for his innovations in cancer treatment
• Michael Papafotis – IT Professional and AHEPA leader, for his long-standing service to the Greek-American community
• Charles Kapetanakis – Attorney and President of the Hellenic Classical Charter Schools, for his dedication to education and Greek heritage

Also honored were Dr. Elias Iliadis, Ernie Anastos, Fotis Farmakis, Dr. George Dangas, George Siampoulis, Jenny Tsantila, M.Ed., and Dr. Nikolai Markov for their achievements in medicine, media, business, and education.

It’s worth noting that journalist and author Justine Frangouli-Argyri is the first personality from the Canadian diaspora to be honored at HERMES EXPO. As she remarked:
"Receiving the ATHENA Award—the first ever given to someone from the Greek-Canadian community—offered me the opportunity to represent Hellenism in Canada. It places upon me the great political responsibility to highlight the Greek presence in my second homeland.
The Hellenism of the Canadian diaspora is dynamic, worthy, and a vital part of the North American community. It has proudly fought for over two centuries to keep alive its faith and commitment to Greek ideals and Orthodox worship.
I hope this award will serve as the spark for closer collaboration and interaction between the Greek-Canadian and Greek-American communities in these difficult times when our Greek identity needs to be stronger and brighter.”