Andrea Ciantar (IT)

Trainer and project manager

I am a Trainer, Coach and Project Manager. By one side, in fact, I’m expert in implementation of European projects, from the drafting to the presentation and coordination; I support the social organizations in order to enhance their skills concerning European cooperation. By the other side, as trainer expert in autobiographical methodologies and Humanistic coach, I have a broad experience on educational activities in different contexts: vocational training, non-formal education, school, territory, etc. with a special focus on training of trainers in the social sector (educators, social workers, teachers). Since 2015, I’m part of the Italian group of “Ambassador of Epale”, the portal of the European Commission in the field of Training and Education.

URL https://www.cclep.eu

Christos Kremastas (GR)

Lawyer, Musician, Bar Director

C.K. is the guitarist and unofficial DIY manager of the Athens-based post-rock band “Echo Basement”. At the same time a 10year experience as a freelance Lawyer, in the scientific field of Labour Law and the practical training while representing artists, musicians, venues and bars has helped him creating a solid overview of the Athens reality of concerts, bookings, events, state licenses etc. Moreover, founding and running a local cafe-bar (Rudu Bar), that serves also as a very small alternative venue gained him useful experiences and a handful of skills, hints and tips.

URL http://echobasement.com/

Deolinda Da Silva (PT)

Coordination of European Projects and Technician of Guidance

Deolinda Silva was born in Soajo, Arcos de Valdevez, Portugal.Graduated in Education. Master in Adult Education and Community Intervention. She has been working in the Professional School of Alto Lima since 2001, where she held administrative positions until 2014. In 2014 she took on the role of Coordinator of Adult Training Courses, Coordination of European Projects and Technician of Guidance, Recognition and Validation of Competencies.

URL http://www.epralima.com

Dr Mahamouda Salouhou (FR)

Director of the European Center for Leadership & Entrepreneurship Education (ECLEE) President and Co-Founder of Djagora University

As the Director of ECLEE, Dr. Mahamouda Salouhou has created curriculum and certificate programs in Six Sigma, Lean Plus, Leadership Diamond®, Leadership Diamond® Certificate Africa and Cultural Diversity, Project Program Management, International Mobility for Employment in North America and Europe. He is consultant and trainers to several Fortune 500 companies, he has designed and implemented several workforce development programs in Europe, North America and Africa, started several businesses in the US, Europe, Africa and serves on the advisory board of companies in those continents. He also designed and developed ECLEE’s International Mobility, summer STEMPlus for High school and underprivileged European and African students. He is leading a consortium of over 20 Vocational Universities in Africa.He is President and Co-Founder of Djagora University (www.djagora.edu.sn), Dr. Salouhou led a team to create a new university that focus on skills and employability.Dr. Salouhou is also the founder of Djagora Academy® Finishing School, a project-based learning program that aim at accelerating the employability of the students and newly graduate students in Europe and Africa.

URL https://www.eclee.com/

Dr Vasileios Laopodis (GR)

Founder and President of Culturepolis

Dr. Vasileios Laopodis, studied Physics in Athens, and Business Administration and Informatics in Toulouse, France (PhD). He worked in the private sector (IBM, FIAT, banking etc.), taught at universities and Technological Institutions,and gave numerous lectures around the world. He worked for 18 years at the European Commission (1988-2006) on policy initiatives and projects related to RTD&I/New Tech, Standardization, Information Society, and the social and cultural impact. He was founding member of many professional and societal organizations and is the author of many articles/scientific papers / books. In 2006, he founded CulturePolis non profit organization {culturepolis.org) in Corfu promoted projects and European initiatives in the fields of culture with emphasis on SE Europe and the Mediterranean.

URL https://culturepolis.org/

Fabio Fila (IT)

President of STEA , Member of the Board Doc Servizi

My career path has been nothing short of amazing. I started as a musician playing drums and bass like most teenagers do. FUN! In 1997 I went from behind the glass to in front of the glass when I became a video and audio technician. This is when my show business life really began. From there I moved on to being a live entertainment production manager which allowed me to learn organisational skills in an entertainment environment. All of these moments and work paths joined together and gave my the possibility to start work with the largest Italian entertainment co-op known as DOC SERVIZI in 2007. I am now head of health and safety office “Doc Crew”. From there I oversee 2,500 employees regarding light design, sound engineering, rigging, scaffolding and production managers etc… In 2018 I founded STEA (Safety Theatre Entertainment Art), an innovative start up. Our aim is to create the first Italian network formed by safety & security experts for the entertainment industry.

URL https://www.docservizi.it

Nick Barpakis (GR)

Event producer, concept developer

Nick ‘Espeekay’ Barpakis is a rare case of a cultural entrepreneur. Born in Athens and active at the Greek capital after the turn of the millenium, he has paved through promoting cultural events, creating collectives that focus οn urban arts and tourism, as well as rocking soundsystems as a Dj selector. His clear vision meets relentless will to collaborate and connect in unconventional ways. Various projects he is an integral part of, such as European Music Day 21st June over the past 13 years, or other festivals he has been a part of since their inception, highlight on public space interaction and accessibility, so that most can attend. Now a freelance promoter (Djangofest Greece, Volume showcase festival, Demo Crates and others), co-owner of live club Lab Art (www.labart.gr) and member of numerous active networks, he plans innovative concepts that maximize expression and inclusion through simple participatory principles. Bridging meaningful aspects of art & business alike, he envisions a sound future in Greece, one beat at a time..

Nicky Greet (UK)

Director of Membership, Skills, Technical PLASA Organisation

Nicky Greet is Director of Membership, Skills &Technical at PLASA. Working with the Rigging industry, she was instrumental in the formation of the NRC, launched in 2007. The NRC is now widely adopted as the industry standard in competence in rigging with Centres in the UK and Sweden others are in planning for Italy, Spain, Portugal and Dubai. Nicky sits on the CEN TC433 WG 4, the European Eco Design Coalition Group, is Vice Chair of National Rigging Advisory Group and is currently working on an Erasmus Project for certification of competences. Nicky has an MSc in People and Organizational Development and is an External Verifier for Vocational Qualifications and has 30 years experience of working internationally in the field of people, organizational and skills development within the education, vocational and business sectors. Nicky lives in Cadiz, Spain.

URL https://www.plasa.org

Peter Heath (UK)

Managing Director – PLASA

I spent nearly 20 years with Japanese manufacturer Roland, I worked in a number of roles before becoming Sales Director in 2009 for Roland (UK)Ltd. Having spent several years working in music product I moved to Professional audio and video in 2007 finishing my career with Roland as Head of Pro AV for Europe. I joined PLASA as Managing Director in 2016 and have been focused on rebuilding the association. The last 3 years have seen a return to growth, stability and opportunity. During the late 1970’s and early 80’s I was a musician. We built our own PA and lighting effects and I worked in a studio before building my own. For some strange reason I got a ‘proper job’ within real estate….but soon found a way to get out!! Needless to say I’m very happy with what I do and the journey that has accompanied me during the last 30 years.

URL https://www.plasa.org

Tommy Darker (GR)

Founder of Whiise, Teacher of Music Entrepreneurship at University of Westminster, Musician

Tommy Darker is the founder of Whiise, the London startup that aims to personalise education in the creative industries globally, and host of WhiiseCon, the first music conference to only invite globally successful musicians as speakers. He is a musician and teaches music entrepreneurship at the University of Westminster, previously at Berklee College of Music.

URL https://www.whiise.com

Konstantina Karameri (GR)

Project Manager CulturePolis

Konstantina Karameri is the Project Manager of CulturePolis since 2017. She graduated from Law School at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and finished her MA in ‘Art, Law and Economy’ at the International University of Thessaloniki. She has worked in Brussels for KEA European Affairs, Pearle* Live Performance Europe and the Federation of Screenwriters in Europe. Her expertise focuses on cultural strategy and consulting, communication & campaign for culture and funding opportunities for young artists.

URL https://culturepolis.org/

Alekos Vretos (GR)

Oudist Musician – Composer

Greek musician and composer Alekos Vretos seamlessly divines the perfumed essence of Middle Eastern music, infusing that essence into jazz and creating a rich world music hybrid that is as enjoyable to listen to as it is bold to consider.’ All ABout Jazz, 2015. Vretos plays the oud, of which sound is woody and strangely elastic, largely due to its fretless fingerboard. Like the traditional western mandolin, it is a fine vehicle for improvisation, something Vretos amply demonstrates on his albums and on stage. With his album ‘Mergin’ (2009), Vretos merged Arabic and Latin Music with taste and intelligence. His last album ‘K on Top of the Piano’ (2014) has not only a flavor of organically produced music but is strickingly graphic and vivid. Alekos Vretos has collaborated with legendary composer Mikis Theodorakis, as well as Gilad Atzmon, Simon Shaheen, Martha D. Lewis, Theodore Antoniou, The Greek Contemporary Ensemble, The Kamerata, the Jazz Upstairs Big Band, Yorgos Fakanas, Dimitris Maragopoulos, The Athens State Orchestra, Lakis Chalkias, Kostas Thomaidis and Takis Paterelis to name a few. For his work and help towards the music scene (especially World Jazz), he was included in 2013 list of the 100+1 most influential people in the Greek music scene published by the Athens Voice newspaper.

URL http://www.alekosvretos.gr