“Greece on the Move: Intelligent Transport for People and Goods Today and Tomorrow”
The 11th ITS Hellas Annual Conference 2026, organised by ITS Hellas and the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), was successfully held on 23–24 June 2026 at Serafio City of Athens, bringing together more than 150 participants from national and local government, academia, research, industry, the transport and logistics sectors, and technology companies.
Under the central theme “Greece on the Move: Intelligent Transport for People and Goods Today and Tomorrow”, the conference highlighted the pivotal role of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the digital transformation of transport, the enhancement of road safety, sustainable mobility, smarter freight transport, and the development of more resilient and efficient mobility systems.
Across eight thematic sessions, more than 45 speakers and moderators from Greece and abroad represented ministries, public authorities, regional and local governments, research centres, universities, and leading companies active in the ITS sector.
“Greece has all the prerequisites to become a leading player in Intelligent Transport Systems. Through collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision, we can shape the future of mobility,” stated Dr. Angelos Amditis, President of ITS Hellas.
This year’s conference also recorded a significant increase in the participation of women as speakers and session moderators, representing more than one-third of all contributors. Professionals from local government, research, technology, telecommunications, public administration, and innovation actively contributed to the discussions, reflecting the growing diversity and inclusive nature of the ITS ecosystem.
The conference was honoured by the presence of Ms. Maro Evangelidou, Deputy Mayor for Urban Regeneration and Resilience of the City of Athens, who underlined the importance of collaboration between local authorities, central government, and the scientific community in delivering sustainable mobility solutions and strengthening the resilience of Greek cities.
The conference also welcomed Konstantinos Markouizos (Iaveris), Regional Vice Governor for Road Safety and Traffic Management of the Region of Attica, reaffirming the importance of road safety as a cornerstone of smart and sustainable transport policies.
Dr. Antonis Gypakis, Deputy Head of the Directorate for Research and Innovation Planning of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI), presented the latest European developments and strategic priorities for research, innovation, and Intelligent Transport Systems in Greece, highlighting the crucial role of public-private collaboration in accelerating the digital transformation of transport.
Throughout the conference, speakers emphasised that data has become the common denominator of every major development in transport, from road safety and traffic management to logistics and mobility services. Discussions highlighted the need to move from isolated information systems towards open platforms, common standards, and interoperable mobility data ecosystems.
Another key conclusion was the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders and the development of common mobility data strategies to accelerate the digital transformation of transport in Greece.
The discussions also demonstrated that Greek cities are increasingly becoming living laboratories for innovative mobility solutions, while underlining the need to further empower municipalities with digital tools, data, and expertise to implement integrated mobility interventions closer to citizens.
Particular emphasis was placed on freight transport, where digitalisation, interoperability, and route optimisation were identified as critical enablers, as well as on telematics applications for fuel transportation and dangerous goods, where ITS technologies substantially contribute to risk prevention, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
The Innovation Session highlighted the essential role of Living Labs, innovation hubs, spin-offs, and European funding instruments in transforming research results into practical applications that generate tangible societal and economic impact.
The conference also featured two highly engaging Fireside Chats that explored the strategic dimensions of innovation and digital transformation in transport. Journalist Mary Efthymiatou, Chief Editor of Supply Chain & Logistics Magazine, first interviewed Nikos Markellos, Founder & CEO of AMCO, discussing the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in infrastructure and smart mobility. This was followed by a conversation with Fotios Tsakiridis, Co-Founder & CTO of SmartNav Telematic Services Cyprus, who shared the company’s experience in developing innovative telematics and fleet management solutions and discussed the future role of data and Artificial Intelligence in transport. Both discussions provided valuable insights and practical perspectives on the future of Intelligent Transport Systems in Greece and internationally.
The parallel Technology Exhibition attracted significant interest, offering participants the opportunity to experience first-hand innovative ITS technologies and mobility solutions while engaging directly with the companies and experts behind them.
A dedicated interactive workshop, “Smart Connections for Smarter Mobility: Networking Session for ITS Collaboration”, was held alongside the first day of the conference. Coordinated by Anastasia Oikonomoula (Institute of Entrepreneurship Development – iED), the workshop brought together representatives from businesses, research organisations, public authorities, and ITS professionals in a dynamic networking environment. Through short presentations, thematic discussions, and targeted one-to-one meetings, participants exchanged experiences, identified common interests, and explored future collaboration opportunities. The session demonstrated the importance of networking and co-creation in strengthening the Greek ITS ecosystem and fostering new long-term partnerships.
ITS Hellas Awards 2026
The conference also marked the inaugural presentation of the ITS Hellas Awards 2026, a new initiative recognising individuals, organisations, and companies that have made outstanding contributions to the development and deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in Greece.
The awards were presented to:
- SMARTNAV Ltd – ITS Innovation Award
- OSYTH S.A. – Public Sector ITS Implementation Award
- Professor Emeritus Markos Papageorgiou – Lifetime Contribution to Intelligent Transport Systems Award
New ITS Hellas Initiatives
During the closing ceremony, ITS Hellas announced several upcoming initiatives, including:
- The Second Co-Creation Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Mobility, to be held in October 2026.
- The invitation-only discussion forum “Operational AI in Logistics Transportation: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)”, taking place on 7 July 2026 at The American College of Greece, featuring Prof. Nick Vyas (USC Marshall School of Business).
- ITS Hellas’ participation with a dedicated panel at the ITS 2026 International Conference in Patras, entitled “ITS Hellas: Shaping the Future of Smart Cities & Mobility.”
- The continued expansion of the organisation’s new website and networking activities.
Acknowledgements
The successful organisation of the 11th ITS Hellas Annual Conference 2026 would not have been possible without the support of all those who share our vision for a smarter, safer, and more sustainable transport future.
ITS Hellas extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Digital Governance, the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation, the City of Athens, and the Hellenic Cold Storage & Logistics Association for their valuable patronage.
Special thanks are also extended to our Grand Sponsor SmartNav, Main Sponsor AMCO, and our sponsors ICCS, Nea Attiki Odos, and Joist Innovation Park for their generous support.
We also warmly thank our supporters Mobito, ILME, Telenavis, CERTH/HIT, SALFO, and iLINK, together with all speakers, moderators, participants, volunteers, and partners whose expertise, commitment, and active participation contributed to the success of this high-level conference.
We further acknowledge our Media Partners Supply Chain & Logistics Magazine, T-Press / Logistics & Management, AutoTriti, and pro.autotriti.gr for helping disseminate the conference outcomes to the wider professional community.
The success of this year’s conference is the result of the collective effort of the entire Greek Intelligent Transport Systems ecosystem and provides even greater momentum to continue advancing innovation, collaboration, and sustainable mobility in Greece.
