PL Events, Petros Petropoulos: Our long-term objective is to establish A&R Expo as an annual international meeting point for the SEE region

Petros Petropoulos, Events & Exhibitions Manager at PL Events, for South-East European Industrial Market Magazine

Following two successful editions of Automation & Robotics Expo, how would you assess the event’s development? Which trends are shaping the future of the sector?

The development of Automation & Robotics Expo (A&R Expo) has exceeded our initial expectations. When we launched the exhibition in 2024, our vision was to create a dedicated meeting point for the rapidly evolving automation and robotics industry in Southeastern Europe (SEE). Just two editions later, the exhibition has established itself as a key regional platform where technology providers, manufacturers, system integrators, research institutions, startups and end users come together.

The sector itself is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence is now transforming industrial automation, collaborative robots are becoming more accessible to companies of every size, autonomous mobile robots are revolutionizing logistics, while digital twins, machine vision and predictive maintenance are becoming standard technologies rather than future concepts. At the same time, labor shortages across Europe are accelerating investment in automation.

One of the biggest highlights of this year´s edition was the significantly increased international participation, alongside high-level conferences, live demonstrations, robotics competitions and presentations of real industrial applications. Visitors were looking for practical solutions rather than theoretical concepts, which demonstrated the maturity of the market.

In what ways has the second edition built on and expanded the inaugural event?

The second edition represented a major step forward in every aspect. We welcomed more exhibitors, more international companies, larger exhibition spaces and a broader range of technologies covering industrial automation, robotics, AI, smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0.

We also noticed an important evolution in visitor quality. Decision-makers, factory owners, production managers, engineers, system designers, and investors represented a much larger percentage of attendees. Companies visited with specific investment projects in mind and concrete purchasing plans, making discussions more focused and productive.

Are there plans to organize the event annually in the coming years?

Our long-term objective is to establish Automation & Robotics Expo as an annual international meeting point for the region. The strong response from exhibitors and visitors gives us confidence that there is both demand and momentum to continue expanding the exhibition year after year.

What feedback have you received about the format’s effectiveness as a B2B platform? How does the event position Greece and the region on the global map of industrial innovation?

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Exhibitors consistently reported meeting high-quality business contacts, identifying new distributors and partners, and initiating projects that continued after the exhibition. Many companies described the event as highly targeted because nearly every visitor had a genuine professional interest in automation and robotics.

Our goal is not simply to organize another trade exhibition. We aim to build an international ecosystem that connects industry, academia, startups, investors and policymakers. Automation & Robotics Expo is helping position Greece as a regional gateway between Europe, the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

We believe the region has enormous potential to become an important hub for advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation, and exhibitions like ours contribute by bringing together the right stakeholders under one roof.

Humanoid robot Sophia was among the headline attractions at A&R Expo 2026. How did participants respond to her during the event? What is the professional audience´s attitude toward humanoid robotics and embodied AI?

Sophia attracted tremendous interest throughout the exhibition. While she was certainly one of the most photographed attractions, what impressed us most was the depth of the conversations she generated among professionals.

Visitors increasingly view humanoid robotics not as science fiction but as an emerging technology with practical applications in customer service, education, healthcare, hospitality and human-machine interaction. There is still healthy skepticism regarding current limitations, but there is also widespread recognition that embodied AI will become an important part of the future workforce.

Her presence highlighted the growing convergence between robotics, artificial intelligence and human-centered design, which is exactly the type of discussion Automation & Robotics Expo aims to encourage.

As you look ahead, what message would you like to share with Bulgarian companies and organizations considering participation as exhibitors or partners?

Bulgaria has an increasingly dynamic technology ecosystem, with strong engineering talent and innovative companies working in automation, software, electronics and robotics.

We would be delighted to welcome even more Bulgarian exhibitors, technology providers, research institutions and industry organizations in future editions. Automation & Robotics Expo offers direct access to decision-makers from Greece and the wider Southeast European market, while also creating opportunities for cross-border partnerships and European collaboration.

Innovation grows through international cooperation, and we believe Greece and Bulgaria have tremendous opportunities to build stronger industrial and technological partnerships together.

What role do robotics, automation and AI play across PL Events´ broader exhibition portfolio? Do you see greater convergence between the industries in focus?

Absolutely. Robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are no longer stand-alone sectors – they are becoming horizontal technologies that influence virtually every industry. This is reflected across our entire exhibition portfolio. In Syskevasia, we see increasing adoption of automated packaging lines, robotic palletizing and smart logistics. Plastica showcases advanced manufacturing technologies and intelligent production systems.

Printing Show increasingly focuses on digital workflows, automation and AI-driven production. Chem Expo highlights laboratory automation, process control and quality assurance technologies, while Cleantech demonstrates how intelligent automation supports sustainability, energy efficiency and environmental performance.

We believe the boundaries between industries are becoming increasingly interconnected. Future innovation will emerge where robotics, AI, automation, digitalization and sustainability converge. As exhibition organizers, our role is to create platforms that encourage these cross-sector collaborations and accelerate the adoption of next-generation technologies across industry.