AFEA: COSPAR Athens 2022 - An amazing journey to the stars!

For a whole week Athens, the capital city of Greece, was the center of the global community of Space Research and Technology!

The 44th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, a prestigious conference hosted at the Megaron Athens International Conference Center (MAICC) & Divani Caravel Convention Hotel from July 16 to 24, 2022, the ultimate event of Space Research worldwide, is considered as the crown of global space research and technology conferences. It was also one of the first in-person events in combination with virtual attendance in such an extensive scientific program in this community.

COSPAR Assembly brought together international experts at the forefront of the scientific discovery of space to discuss the latest research and technology related to planetary science, astrophysics, and space exploration.

The plan was clear, yet challenging: 30 parallel meeting rooms, 7 full conference days, 5 full set up days, 140+ scientific sessions, more than 2,000 in person participants, 500+ virtual attendees, 3,500 scientific announcements, 8 thematic sections, 600 posters in 2 conference venues.

The means to success: a team of 30+ members, 100+ AV and IT technicians, 120+ volunteers and a dedicated Local Organizing & Scientific Committee, 30+ coordination meetings within the last period and genuine efforts that would lead to success, starting from bidding process period in 2016.

This journey was long and challenging, but at the same time exciting and one of a kind!

Now, a few days after the completion of this amazing project, we can surely say that “challenge was accepted, and mission was accomplished”!

AFEA has been the official PCO of the conference since the Bidding process in 2016.

Sissy Lignou, CEO of AFEA stated:

"The COSPAR Scientific Assembly 2022 will be an important case study on an international level on many aspects. It is one of the first international events in the community of Space Science on a worldwide aspect, as well as in the history of COSPAR, covering the online participation component, in combination with physical presence in such a large scientific scope (30 parallel rooms for 7 full conference days). In addition, the event had to be re-designed various times during the pandemic and due to other challenges, such as the war and others. Yet, we never gave up, never stopped following our vision to deliver a unique, unforgettable, record-breaking event.

We are extremely proud and excited to be part of this important meeting, which we have been actively supporting since the beginning of the bidding process for Athens, in 2016. It is a unique journey and an extraordinary experience, as well as an honor to be among top scientists of the field. Τhe support of Athens – Convention & Visitors Bureau since the beginning of the bidding process, until the final execution, was very valuable. Athens and Greece had the opportunity to showcase their full potential as a unique meetings destination during COSPAR 2022.

We are proud of our team and grateful to the LOC and COSPAR for their trust and support.”