MEET THE TEAM
Since 1999 our Optimum team of passionate experts has been consistently exceeding the expectations of the most demanding events making us the leading Destination Management Company in Greece.
Optimum is unrolling its fresh identity along with a broader portfolio of services that will bring us ahead of the curve in creating unique and successful events with an impact.
George KIAYAS
George has 28+ years of experience in destination management services, conception and management of events, organization of conferences, incentives, product launches, corporate meetings, as well as corporate, public and sports events. He held senior management positions across operations, management and consulting roles in the hospitality and tourism industry.
He is the Founder and Managing Director of Optimum, proudly leading a top performing team delivering outstanding services to customers from all over the world and consistently resetting the bar of quality in DMC services in Greece.
In his (limited) free time he enjoys following car-racing and football.
Ioli HARMANDA
Ioli studied Hotel Management in Switzerland and has more than 24 years experience in the Tourism Industry. During and after her studies, she worked in prestigious 5* Hotels in Switzerland, Cyprus and Greece in various positions. In 1999, driven by her passion for the hospitality industry, her zeal to always fulfill the clients highest expectations, her great love for Greece, and her devotion to top quality services, she joined George in the founding of Optimum Greece.
Being a partner, she is actively involved in many aspects of the company’s operations; however, her main focus is targeted towards the organization and supervision of the administrative and financial obligations of the company. Her attention to detail, planning and organizational skills have played a significant role in the smooth, prompt and effective operation of the company.
In her free time she enjoys photography, music, dancing and traveling.
Paola BALASSO
Paola has been a valuable member of the Optimum team for 17 years now and in this time she has grown professionally, organizing and running many successful high-end events. Her positive can-do attitude, focused mind and ability to keep her cool in adversities, in addition to her multicultural background and bright smile are her key assets in delivering very high standards of service that have won her Clients and suppliers esteem.
She is passionate about the beauties and heritage of Greece and in her free time she enjoys discovering the secret and authentic corners of Athens.
Her daily fix includes a tight hug with her two children and a visit to the cooking & design blogs she follows.
Petros PRELORENTZOS
Petros has 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Before and after the completion of his studies in the US, he worked in various positions in 5* hotels. In 2004 he decided to leave the hotel world and join the Optimum team. Since then, he has organized numerous successful events, conferences, incentives, and product launches. He is a customer oriented person with a positive attitude and excellent negotiation and presentation skills to all levels of hierarchy.
Having organized a number of automotive launches he has become the “car launch guru” of the company. At the same time he is an explorer of mainland Greece region trying to find new destinations for incentives and launches.
In his free time he is into photography, IT, mountain hiking and football.
Marie Anne LE RESTE
With over 11 years experience in the DMC industry.
Tenacious and resourceful, she will manage to make a project work and meet clients’ expectations both for the program and for the budget thanks to her strong negotiations skills. Enthusiastic and dynamic, she is always looking for the special touch that will provide the winning added value program which will fit to the clients needs providing top quality services.
During her free time, she enjoys cooking with her kids.
