Creativity That Goes a Long Way | 41st EGOS Colloquium in Athens

From lecture halls to outdoor gathering spots, from the Acropolis Museum to the vibrant energy of Gazi — the 41st EGOS Colloquium brought over 2,300 scholars and researchers from 55 countries and more than 1000 educational Institutions to Athens, uniting them in a celebration of ideas, inquiry, and the shared pursuit of understanding organizations and the people within them.

Hosted for the 2nd time in Greece by Alba at the premises of The American College of Greece, this landmark event marked an important moment for the country’s academic community and Alba’s long-standing commitment to cutting-edge, globally engaged scholarship. EGOS 2025 coincided with a pivotal moment in our history: the 150th anniversary of The American College of Greece. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing education, research, and thought leadership through ACG 150—a strategic vision designed to shape the future of Greece and the global academic community.

The 2025 Colloquium centered around the powerful and timely theme: “Creativity That Goes a Long Way.” Sessions explored how creativity unfolds and endures across time, institutions, and fields — and how it can be sustained amid increasing complexity and pressure for change. It was a theme deeply aligned with Alba’s mission to cultivate agile, responsible, and forward-thinking leaders.

The event’s success was a testament to the synergistic efforts of over 300 academics, staff members, volunteers, the EGOS Board, and the EGOS Executive Secretariat. Their large-scale collaboration in the last three years shaped a Colloquium that was both intellectually rich and emotionally resonant. The rigorous academic program was brought to life through the dedicated work of the Program & Scientific Committees led by Professor Charalampos Mainemelis, while the week-long event was braced by a dedicated local Organizing Committee led by Affiliate Professor Elena Koltsaki. 

A defining moment came during the Opening Ceremony, where the usual keynote was replaced by a bold and moving piano solo concert by renowned composer Stavros Lantsias. When invited to respond artistically to the Colloquium theme, Lantsias crafted a musical journey through different expressions of creativity — from personal compositions and reinterpretations of traditional melodies to works written for film and theater. In a hall filled with scholars, his performance offered a universal language and an emotional mirror to the questions of creativity and meaning that define organizational research.

Beyond the lecture halls, the Colloquium extended into the cultural heart of Athens. Participants shared moments of conversation and celebration at the Acropolis Museum, and later, danced into the night at the EGOS Party at Palaio Amaxostasio — a night to remember, filled with music by Onirama, and an atmosphere of genuine joy and connection.

As hosts of the 41st EGOS Colloquium, we aligned our approach with EGOS’s sustainability principles through a series of thoughtful actions designed to reduce environmental impact and promote responsible practices. We eliminated the use of plastic bottles, offering instead high-quality refill water stations throughout campus. To encourage sustainable transportation, shuttle buses were provided to and from the venue. We prioritized digital branding and communication wherever possible, minimizing printed materials. Meals were thoughtfully curated to include vegetarian and vegan options, with a focus on sustainability. In addition, surplus food was either composted or donated, helping to reduce waste. Looking ahead, we are also committed to offsetting Scope 3 emissions through initiatives such as tree planting and beach cleanups in the upcoming academic year.

As the Colloquium drew to a close, Alba and ACG passed on a living symbol of continuity and care: a Chios mastiha tree, adopted in the name of the upcoming 42nd EGOS Colloquium in Bergamo, 2026. This native Greek tree offers its healing resin only through patience, cultivation, and time — echoing the type of creativity and scholarship that is grounded, sustainable, and deeply human. The tree was adopted with the support of Mastiha Roots

We are deeply honored to have hosted EGOS 2025 and grateful to every participant, volunteer, and organizer who contributed to making it a celebration of knowledge, creativity, and community. As the tree takes root, so too will the memories and insights from this extraordinary gathering.

On a closing note we warmly thank our sponsors for their generous support: Starbucks for providing vouchers to our volunteers, 3E – AVRA Water for keeping participants refreshed throughout the event, KALOS for offering special rates on volunteer apparel, and ZZDOT  for powering up the Colloquium with mobile charging stations. Their contributions help create a more vibrant and welcoming experience for all.