Focus Bari at the AIVolution Conference

Artificial Intelligence Found Its Voice at Aivolution:  an evening dedicated to AI Voice Agents.  Despite the summer heat, nearly 300 people — 200 attending in person and more than 100 online — joined the Aivolution event at Innovathens in Technopolis, an evening dedicated exclusively to AI Chat and Voice Agents. The event was an initiative of Voice Logica, highlighting how artificial intelligence is already reshaping the future of communication.  The evening opened with Xenia Kourtoglou of Focus Bari, who presented new research on how Greeks perceive interacting with a Voice Agent over the phone. Her key findings revealed that:

• The Greek public is evenly divided into three groups regarding their openness toward AI-driven phone conversations: the positive, the negative, and the “cautiously neutral.”
• Nevertheless, more than half of Greeks are already using AI tools, whether they fully realize it or not.
• Additionally, over one in two expect that voice-based AI will continue to evolve and will be able to handle telephone dialogues effectively, at least in simple scenarios.

See Xenia Kourtoglou’s full presentation here.

Focus Bari Keynote Speech

With the participation of representatives from all businesses involved in DIY and home renovation, the 16th DIY & Home Improvement Conference was held at the Benaki Museum on November 12th, 2025.

Xenia Kourtoglou of Focus Bari presented Greeks’ relationship with their homes and property, sharing insights on the profile of Greek households, the age of Greek residences, and the overall investment in home renovations—tracking the evolution of the entire market.

A particularly noteworthy trend is the increasing inclination of Greeks to renovate properties in order to offer them for short-term or long-term rental, demonstrating that this type of investment yields solid returns.

See  Xenia Kourtoglou’s full presentation here

Focus Bari – Research Sponsor of “The Smile of the Child” since 2017

With a remarkable turnout from the media, political and business leaders, state and institutional bodies, volunteers, partners, and friends, The Smile of the Child celebrated its 30th anniversary in Greece with a magnificent ceremony at the Athens Conservatory.  It all began with a 10-year-old boy, Andreas Giannopoulos, who—before losing his life—expressed one heartfelt wish: for all children in the world to be healthy and to smile. Faithful to fulfilling his son’s wish, his father, Kostas Giannopoulos, founded The Smile of the Child in 1995. Since then, the organization has helped millions of children in need and has developed leading services for child protection, healthcare, care provision and support—impacting not only children but society at large.

Focus Bari has proudly served as the research sponsor of The Smile of the Child since 2017, having conducted 14 quantitative and qualitative studies exploring the perceptions, attitudes, image, and intentions of the Greek public toward this invaluable organization.  Xenia Kourtoglou of Focus Bari presented longitudinal findings that highlight the public’s deep affection and steadfast support for The Smile of the Child, along with heartfelt wishes for continued success and many more years of meaningful impact.

See  Xenia Kourtoglou’s presentation here

Xenia Kourtoglou – Keynote Speaker on Customer Experience in the AI Era

With an impressive turnout of institutional representatives and leaders of the local business community, the 11th Customer Service Conference of the Hellenic Institute of Customer Service (EIEP) took place in Thessaloniki on September 24th at the Electra Palace Hotel.

Xenia Kourtoglou of Focus Bari presented and substantiated the critical importance of customer experience for every organization, unveiling exclusive research findings that guide companies on how to position customer experience as the core mission of their business.

In her keynote, Xenia Kourtoglou also shared evolving insights into Greeks’ relationship with Artificial Intelligence and concluded with seven valuable recommendations on how every company can build the culture, structures, and processes needed to continuously elevate the experience it offers to its customers.

See the full presentation here

Xenia Kourtoglou serves on the Jury for the 3rd consecutive year

With remarkable success and an impressive turnout from top executives across every telecommunications specialization worldwide, the Antonio Meucci International Telco Awards ceremony took place in Madrid, organized annually by More than 160.  Xenia Kourtoglou of Focus Bari has been a member of the Jury since the launch of the awards in 2023, serving in the “Avant Garde Marketing” category. This year, she had the pleasure of presenting the award to the outstanding team of SAMA Telecom.

Xenia Kourtoglou, founder of Focus Bari, speaker at the BIG P. Conference

With tremendous success and an impressive turnout of representatives and executives from all sectors of business and communication, the first Total Business conference, titled "The BIG P", was held at the Athens Conservatory on May 16th. The event emphasized that the “big picture” lies in the vision of the future we are shaping together.  To capture the contemporary expectations of consumers towards the businesses of tomorrow, Focus Bari conducted a nationwide survey on behalf of TOTAL BUSINESS, titled: “(Re)Defined: What Greeks Expect from the Businesses of the Future.”  The findings were presented by Xenia Kourtoglou, revealing key messages from consumers to businesses, across the seven core pillars of modern entrepreneurship:

• A Voice with Substance: Citizens want businesses to engage meaningfully in socio-political challenges, free from hidden agendas.
• Ethics & Transparency as the Foundation of Trust: Society demands honesty, ethical values, and real social responsibility from future businesses — including job opportunities, inclusion, and accountability.
• Technology Is Not Enough: Customer experience, employee mental health, and inclusivity are now central to business evaluation.
• Innovation Is the Only Way Forward: Citizens support innovation, while also insisting on preserving human connection and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Gen Z: Don’t create for the new generation — create with them.
• Focuson the Human Factor: With genuine support, empowerment, and care for employees, performance can double.

See the full presentation of the survey here.

With absolute success, the YES to SEApping Forum took place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Heraklion, Crete, as part of the Posidonia SEA Tourism exhibition. The event was honored by the presence of the Secretary General for the Aegean and Island Policy, Mr. Manolis Koutoulakis, who addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of the maritime sector for island Greece and the new generation.  The Forum brought together 200 young participants from leading academic institutions across Crete — including the University of Crete, the Hellenic Mediterranean University, SAEK Rethymno, MBS College, the Metropolitan College, and the Merchant Marine Academy of Chania — offering a unique opportunity for dialogue and connection with the maritime world.

A central pillar of the event was the nationwide research conducted by Focus Bari, presented by the company’s founder, Xenia Kourtoglou. The study focused both on the views and career aspirations of young people interested in the maritime sector, as well as on the perspectives and expectations of potential employers, revealing key findings — most notably:  Young people perceive the maritime industry as an attractive sector full of opportunities, particularly within Greece. However, they often feel excluded, believing that access depends largely on “connections.” This perception leads to low self-confidence and drives many to consider a career abroad, even though their initial preference is to stay and work in their home country.

On the employers’ side, half of the companies surveyed expressed satisfaction with young professionals, while the other half voiced concerns, mainly related to preparedness and professional attitude.

At the same time, the research highlighted the significant role of the YES Forum itself. Young participants recognize it as a tool for empowerment, awareness, and inspiration, while companies view it as a valuable platform for talent discovery and meaningful connection with the next generation.  The event paved the way for deeper dialogue, mutual understanding, and strengthened trust between young people and the maritime industry — another step toward ensuring that shipping is not a closed club, but an open sea of opportunity for all.
XK VIDEO POSIDONIA MAY 2025

See the full research presentation here:

8th EIEP Workshop in Heraklion, Crete

Xenia Kourtoglou on Customer Experience in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

With great success and strong attendance by business owners and corporate executives, the 8th Conference of the Hellenic Institute of Customer Service was held on April 29, 2025, in Heraklion, Crete, under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce of Crete.  The event began with a welcome address by the Vice President of the HICS and the Chamber, followed by a keynote speech by Xenia Kourtoglou, who delivered an inspiring and highly relevant presentation on Customer Experience in the AI Era.  In her talk, Ms. Kourtoglou:

 Analyzed the current socio-economic environment in Greece and how it shapes consumer behaviors and expectations.

 Highlighted the strategic importance of a positive customer experience for the success of any business—regardless of size or sector.

 Presented key findings on Greeks’ relationship with technology and their attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence.

 Demonstrated how AI is rapidly transforming public expectations in the field of service and support.

 Shared practical advice and actionable tips on how businesses can stand out by continuously improving the value and experience they offer to their customers.

Ms. Kourtoglou’s presentation was a highlight of the event, sparking thought-provoking discussions and inspiring immediate action among attendees.

See the full presentation here

2nd DIY Traditional Stores Conference & Exhibition

Xenia Kourtoglou as Keynote Speaker, highlighting the Power of Customer Experience

On April 28, the 2nd Conference of DIY Stores & Exhibition of Tools and Building Materials was successfully held at the Technopolis City of Athens. Organized by Karydakis Media, the event has already become the annual gathering for the traditional home and garden market.  Once again, the event brought together the full spectrum of the industry: from hardware and ironmongery stores to nurseries, agricultural products, paints, tools, and home & garden improvement equipment.

The Keynote Speaker of the Conference was Xenia Kourtoglou, Founder of Focus Bari and Resilience Expert, who passionately spoke about the critical role of Customer Experience in the sustainability and success of any business—especially in today’s highly demanding market environment.  In her speech, she:

• Presented timely insights into the attitudes and needs of today’s Greek consumers.
• Highlighted how a human-centered approach and authentic connection with customers build loyalty and strengthen brand reputation.
• Shared practical tips and actionable strategies that can make a real difference for small and medium-sized businesses—even with limited resources.

See the full presentation here

2nd Real Estate Market Round Table

Xenia Kourtoglou as Keynote Speaker on Greeks and Real Estate

The 2nd Real Estate Market Round Table was successfully held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Eugenides Foundation, firmly establishing itself as a key annual event for the Greek real estate sector. The conference brought together top professionals from the field, decision-makers, investors, and stakeholders from various sectors of the economy.  A highlight of this year’s event was the exclusive nationwide research presented by Focus Bari, titled: “Greeks & the Property Market: Real Estate – Investment, Necessity, Dream or Burden?”

The research was presented by Xenia Kourtoglou, Founder of Focus Bari and internationally recognized expert in Mental Resilience and Leadership Development. As the event’s Keynote Speaker, she offered a fresh and insightful perspective on how Greeks perceive and manage their real estate assets in an era of rapid change.  Based on a sample of over 1,000 respondents from across Greece, the research results sparked meaningful dialogue and reflection. Xenia Kourtoglou’s approach highlighted not only the statistical trends but also the emotional and cultural dimensions of the topic, resonating strongly with the audience. Her presentation explored key questions such as:

• What is the current rate of property ownership in Greece?
• How many owners actively utilize their real estate?
• What role does the emotional and financial value of a property play?
• Is real estate today a smart investment or a management burden?

View the full research presentation here