Greek decision-makers and international speakers discuss in Athens

The 16th DIY & Home Improvement Conference on the Greek market will take place on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, at the Benaki Museum in Athens. The tools, paints, building materials, technology and home and garden equipment industry uses the annual conference to network with decision-makers from both major retail groups and traditional trade. Speakers from the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Greece will be appearing. The event is organised by Greek specialist publisher Karydakis Media.

“The DIY & Home Improvement Conference in Athens creates a unique networking platform for retailers and producers, presenting to the world the quality and consistency of the industry. At the same time, it creates the conditions for new investments in the region, which has been developing rapidly in recent years, due to its geopolitical importance and the increase in tourism,” emphasises Prokopis Karydakis, general manager of Karydakis Media.

One of the highlights this year will be the tribute to John Herbert, the initiator and managing director of the international DIY association Edra/Ghin. At the congress in Athens, he will be presented with the International Lifetime Award by Karydakis Media.

Here is a preview of the conference programme:

• International Networking: Connecting Greek manufacturers with European retailers
• AI: Practical applications and new opportunities for the Greek market
• Robotics: The future of retail stores
• Climate Forecasting: Technology for DIY and gardening
• Startups: A dynamic session led by the Athens University of Economics and Business think tank, showcasing how Greek innovation is shaping the future of the DIY sector. Startups will present disruptive solutions in retail technology, sustainability, and consumer experience — positioning Athens as an emerging hub for DIY innovation.
• Panel Discussion: How technology shapes the future of construction
• Praktiker new era: The official debut of the strategic investment in the Greek market. This landmark move signals renewed confidence in Greece’s growth potential and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the local DIY & Home Improvement industry, opening the way for broader partnerships and market development.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Thierry Moubax - CEO & Co-founder, AI Compass
Presentation: “The AI Toolkit: A Builder’s Guide to Competitive Edge”
With 25 years of C-level experience at DHL and Shell, Thierry Moubax turns AI theory into practical, actionable business strategies. His session will provide a roadmap for businesses to embrace AI, optimize workflows, and achieve competitive advantage.

Olga Fuertes - Managing Director, Montana Colors (Briolf Group)
Presentation: “Freedom to Create. Power to Transform”
Olga has led Montana Colors’ international expansion for over a decade and serves on the boards of AFEB, AED, and Qida. With expertise in marketing, sales, and logistics, she will share insights on growth strategies, brand positioning, and the global spray paint and creative solutions market.

Ciro Borrelli - Head of Business Development Southern Europe, Weathernews Inc.: “Weather-Sensitive Retail: Turning Climate Data into Smart Decisions”
Borrelli will present findings from a multi-year study with leading French retailers, showing how predictive models and weather insights influence sales in categories such as garden furniture and awnings — supporting better inventory planning, demand forecasting, and operational optimization.

Dimitris Magkos - Executive Director B2B, Nova: “A Brave New World: The Challenges of Technology in the Market”
With over 15 years of senior experience in the Home Improvement sector and manufacturing industry, Magkos will explore how businesses can benefit from advances in AI, IoT, and closed networks, while addressing investment risks and cybersecurity challenges in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Tom Dujardin — Co-founder, DeDuCo: “The Innovative Multipurpose AI DIY Assistant”
DeDuCo, long a leader in sales force automation, has invested in AI and robotics to optimize shelf audits and improve the retail experience. Dujardin will showcase real-world applications of computer vision and robotics in retail and DIY, highlighting efficiency gains and customer experience improvements.