🎥 Coverage & Editing by: Grammaticus Macedon
Old Bridge, New Jersey – Grand Marquis
On a bright and festive spring afternoon, the 2025 Hermes Expo International opened with spiritual gravitas and entrepreneurial vitality. Attendees from across the U.S. and Greece gathered to celebrate Hellenic business, heritage, and networking in a unique format that blended Orthodox tradition with cutting-edge commerce.
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✝️ Traditional Opening Blessing
The event commenced with a formal Agiasmos service led by Father Nektarios, representing His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos. Prayers, invocations, and chants in both Greek and English sanctified the proceedings, invoking divine blessing upon the vendors, organizers, and all participants.
“Bless and sanctify all those present… may their works be fruitful and in service of our people,” intoned Father Nektarios.
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🎙️ Dignitaries, Clergy & Elected Officials
Following the blessing, a series of notable figures took the stage to address the audience:
• Senator Owen Henry, former mayor of Old Bridge, welcomed the Expo to Central Jersey and pledged continued support for business development in the region.
• Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (NY) praised the Expo’s role in fostering community and economic opportunity, particularly within the Greek-American diaspora.
• Assemblyman John Allen (NJ) proudly traced his Greek roots back to Kefalonia and reaffirmed his role as the lone Greek in New Jersey’s legislative Hellenic caucus.
• Councilman Jim Kontolios (Ridgefield, NJ) and other civic leaders echoed the importance of unity and tradition in today’s business landscape.
• Bill Matarangas, President of the Hellenic American National Council, offered greetings and expressed solidarity between national and regional Hellenic efforts.
• Kiriakos Pozrikidis, CEO of Thessaloniki’s TIF-Helexpo, announced a renewed MOU with Hermes Expo and invited American entrepreneurs to join the Greek delegation at the Thessaloniki International Fair in September.
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🛍️ Walking the Floor: Booth Interviews & Merchant Highlights
With formalities complete, Grammaticus Macedon conducted a comprehensive walkthrough of the exhibitor booths, speaking directly with representatives and capturing the energy and variety on display.
🎤 Featured Booths & Interviews
• Kontos Foods
A staple in Greek-American cuisine, Kontos showcased its renowned pita products and bakery items. Representatives emphasized their continued investment in quality and expansion.
• Grecian Delight / Kronos
A leader in Greek food distribution, the Grecian Delight booth highlighted both classic and modern Mediterranean offerings.
“We’re not just selling food — we’re sharing the flavors of Greece with the American table,” said one team member.
• Hellenic News of America (HNA)
Publisher Paul Kotrotsios and his daughters reflected on the Expo’s 30+ year mission and the evolution of the Hellenic professional footprint in America.
• Hellenic American National Council
President Bill Matarangas emphasized unity and national coordination among Greek-American groups.
• Transatlantic HELEXPO
Their representatives invited attendees to join the American delegation to Greece in September for strategic business partnerships.
Throughout the walkthrough, vendors offered tastings, product demos, and heartfelt testimony about the importance of the Expo in maintaining Hellenic identity and generating real business outcomes.
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🤝 Themes Echoed Across the Expo
• Faith + Commerce: From blessings to business, the intersection of Orthodox tradition and economic innovation was proudly on display.
• Transatlantic Partnerships: Vendors and officials alike reaffirmed the importance of U.S.–Greece collaboration.
• Youth Engagement & Legacy: With the younger generation of the Kotrotsios family taking leadership roles, continuity was not just spoken — it was seen.
🗣️ “Networking isn’t a buzzword here — it’s how our children find jobs, how our businesses grow, and how we stay united,” said one attendee.
📌 HermesExpo.com
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