AFEA Congress had the honor of being selected as a company and Local Event Partner for the FIRST Global Challenge 2024, following a competitive process and assignment by the international organization FIRST Global and its partners, as well as with the support and guidance of the national committee, the Ministry of Digital Governance, and the organization Mellon Lab—an organization that focuses on the development of innovative technological solutions and educational programs, with an emphasis on digital technologies and STEM education.
FGC Athens 2024 took place at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Athens, bringing together more than 3,500 students, judges, and team coaches from 193 countries, who competed with shared values and a focus on innovation and technological progress. The theme of the competition, "Feeding the Future," challenged participants to design robots that address challenges in food systems, energy, and water.
The event was held across six different sites, with the contribution of 350 volunteers from over 60 countries, while more than 1,000 students and teachers from schools in Attica attended. The opening ceremony and competition attracted over 20,000 visitors in total. The Peace and Friendship Stadium was transformed into a modern and innovative venue for young STEM athletes.
AFEA Congress, with an active team of more than 90 people, had the honor of undertaking and supporting a significant part of the organization and coordination of the event, in collaboration with the organizations mentioned above.
During the event, 15 different VIP experiences were created at various venues, with the participation of 350 VIP guests. For the technological support of the event, more than 16 kilometers of fiber optics, 26 cameras, and 6 video streams were used. The project was supported by more than 50 technicians and 2 digital teams on-site, ensuring the live broadcast of the event by 2 live broadcasting channels worldwide.
The AFEA Congress team, with support and collaboration from leading companies in the technology, construction, and catering industries of the country, and under the guidance of the organizers, provided advanced technologies for the live broadcast of the competition. They also created special areas for team training and robot exhibitions while providing more than 19,000 meals a day, adapted to the diverse nutritional needs of more than 2,500 people, with less than 5% food waste. Additionally, an advanced system and transportation service was provided to and from all venues for all participants.
One of the highlights of the event was the social evening at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, where participants had the opportunity to relax and interact through specially designed activities, with the city of Athens as a beautiful backdrop. The Parade of Nations, which took place at Kallimarmaro, further enhanced cultural exchange between countries, highlighting the rich culture and history of Greece to international participants.
AFEA Congress is proud of its contribution to the success of this world-class event, once again showcasing Greece's position as an international hub of innovation, technology, and cooperation. We extend our thanks to FIRST Global, the Ministry of Digital Governance, and Mellon Lab for their unwavering support and excellent cooperation, as well as to our exceptional team, partners, sponsors, and volunteers who contributed to the successful execution of this event.
