CLICK HERE to submit your paper.

CLICK HERE for Payment and Registration (available on March 1, 2025)

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to announce that the Business Administration Department at the University of Piraeus, Greece, and the Centre for Business Analytics in Practice (CBAP) at Surrey Business School, UK, will be co-organizing the much-anticipated International Conference on Business Analytics in Practice 2025. The main theme of this year’s conference is focused on ‘Machine Learning & AI in Business‘ The conference is scheduled to be held from August 24-27, 2025, and is expected to be a vibrant and informative event.

Piraeus is the main port city of Greece, located within the Athens metropolitan area. Piraeus has a rich history dating back to ancient times while today, it is one of the largest ports in Europe. In addition, it is the main gateway to the famous islands of the Aegean Sea, offering easy access to both the Saronic Gulf islands and the Cyclades. Besides its port activities, Piraeus has attractions like the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, the Hellenic Maritime Museum, and the picturesque Mikrolimano harbour, where you can find great seafood restaurants.

We cordially invite you to join us in this multidisciplinary conference, where leading experts in business analytics will be sharing their knowledge and insights. This conference is a unique opportunity for professionals, academics, and students to collaborate, exchange ideas, and network with like-minded individuals from around the world.

University of Piraeus

The University of Piraeus was founded as a “School of Industrial Studies” in 1938 by the Association of Industrialists and Craftsmen. Since 1966 the school operates as a public entity. Through the years the University combines research, academic knowledge and practice order to create the most appropriate conditions for our students, to reach their full potential and become the Leaders of tomorrow. Key areas of study include business administration, economics, insurance, statistics, computer science, maritime studies, and banking and financial management. Given its location in Piraeus, the university has a strong emphasis on maritime studies, aligning with the city’s role as a major global shipping hub. University of Piraeus is involved in cutting-edge research in areas like data science, cybersecurity, and digital transformation while it collaborates with various international universities and organizations, enhancing its global profile and research opportunities.

The International Conference on Business Analytics in Practice 2025 will take place at the central building of the University of Piraeus located at the heart of Piraeus. All conference rooms as well as the coffee breaks and lunches are taking place in the same building, providing a compact setting fostering networking between participants.

Note that all places of interest in Piraeus are at maximum 20 minutes from central building of University of Piraeus. You may find more information about University of Piraeus at https://www.unipi.gr/en/home/.

Department of Business Administration

The aim of the Department is to provide a theoretical and practical education in business administration in the private and public sector. The Department adopts a flexible approach in light of the rapidly changing economic and technological environment and ensures that it adapts in order to educate managers who are capable of enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.

Centre for Business Analytics in Practice (CBAP)

The Centre for Business Analytics in Practice (CBAP) at Surrey Business School, UK, is a dynamic research centre that utilizes analytics to enhance decision-making across various disciplines. The centre’s primary objective is to explore the potential of data in facilitating organizational success through fact-based, proactive decision-making. CBAP is dedicated to conducting comprehensive research, grounded in both theory and empirical evidence, encompassing diverse areas such as business performance, including efficiency and productivity, AI, big data, health analytics, operations and supply chain analytics, as well as sustainability and net-zero analytics.

CBAP harnesses cutting-edge methodologies from multiple fields to develop efficient and expedited solutions for significant data-driven projects. By leveraging state-of-the-art techniques, the centre strives to contribute to the advancement of analytics and foster innovative approaches to address contemporary business challenges.

Outline of the Conference

This conference is a multidisciplinary event and will feature all aspects of business analytics, ranging from the fundamentals to the advanced levels. The conference will cover an extensive range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Theory and methodology papers that make significant contributions to the fields of Operations Research, Statistics, Analytics, Machine Learning, Econometrics, etc
• Empirical papers (innovative applications in analytics) covering various areas, including but not limited to:

• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data
• Operations and Supply Chain analytics
• Manufacturing, Production and Quality analytics
• Efficiency and Productivity analytics
• Banking, Insurance and Financial analytics
• Management and Marketing analytics
• Accounting analytics
• Energy, Environment, and Climate Change analytics
• Sustainability and Net-Zero analytics
• Health analytics

We will also organise doctoral consortium and round table discussions that bring together esteemed current and former editors of top-tier journals in the Business Analytics field (e.g., the European Journal of Operational Research, Annals of Operations Research, Expert Systems with Applications, Journal of Operational Research, etc.). These sessions will provide a unique opportunity for early-career scholars and doctoral candidates to receive valuable insights and advice on getting published, setting them up for future success.

More information about the scientific and social program of the conference as well as paper submission can be found at https://academyba.com/icbap2025/

We look forward to seeing you at the ICBAP2025 Conference in Piraeus, Greece.

CLICK HERE to view the program (available on August 1, 2025).

CLICK HERE to download the PowerPoint template (available on August 1, 2025)

Will be announced soon!

Special issues in journals

	Journal: IMA Journal of Management Mathematics Editors: Ali Emrouznejad CLICK HERE​ for details and submissions
	Journal: Machine Learning with Applications   Special Issue on Revolutionising Search Experience: Intelligent Search Engines Powered by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Guest Editors: Ali Emrouznejad, Vincent Charles CLICK HERE​ for details and submissions

Proceedings

You are welcome to submit a paper for oral presentation or a poster on any area related to applications or methodologies in Business Analytics, including but not limited to:

CLICK HERE for Payment and Registration (details will be avilable soon)

• when checking in at the conference, students will be asked to provide a copy of a valid student ID, a confirmation letter from the academic advisor, or other formal evidence of the student’s status.
• an accompanying person is a friend, spouse, or a member of the family who is not working on a topic related to this conference. The accompanying person will not receive a certificate of attendance/presentation. A co-author, scholar, student, or associate working in a related field may not attend the conference as an accompanying person. Hence, full registration is required for them.
• this conference is self-funded. Please DO NOT ask for a discount or to waive the registration.
• the registration fee includes conference lunches for 3 days (25.8.2025 – 27.8.2025), a welcome reception (25.8.2025), a gala dinner (26.8.2025), a closing reception (27.8.2025), coffee breaks for 3 days (25.8.2025 – 27.8.2025), a conference bag, the online book of abstracts, and the certificate of presentation.
• the Research Center of the University of Piraeus handles registration for the conference. Your registration will not be confirmed until the Research Center of the University of Piraeus receives your full payment.
• you may cancel your conference registration for a complete refund minus a €50 processing fee as long as your cancellation occurs before the 1^st May 2025. After this date, no refund will be given.

For any issue regarding registration, please email to conference secretary (icbap2025@unipi.gr) or to Prof Sotirios Bersimis (sbersim@unipi.gr).

Coming to Piraeus

Piraeus is located within the region of Attica, on the southwestern coast of Athens. It serves as the primary port of Greece and one of the largest in Europe. Piraeus is approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) away from the center of Athens, making it easily accessible by road and public transport.

As for the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, Piraeus is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) away. Depending on traffic, the drive from the airport to Piraeus typically takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour by car or taxi. Public transport options, including the suburban railway and metro, can take a bit longer, usually around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Flights to Athens are very frequent and come from almost all over the world. Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) is a major hub in Southeastern Europe, and it serves both domestic and international flights. Athens is well-connected to major cities across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and parts of Asia and Africa. Airlines from almost all European countries offer direct flights, as do many from North America (e.g., New York, Toronto), the Middle East (e.g., Dubai, Doha), and Asia (e.g., Beijing, Tokyo). Overall, Athens is accessible from nearly every corner of the globe.

Staying at Piraeus

Piraeus has a good number of hotels, catering to different budgets and preferences. As a major port city and an important transportation hub, Piraeus attracts both tourists and business travellers, especially those heading to the Greek islands or attending conferences.

You can find a range of accommodation options in Piraeus, including luxury hotels with views of the sea or the marina, mid-range hotels offering comfortable stays close to the port, city center, and public transport as well as budget options like smaller hotels and hostels, ideal for travelers in transit or short stays. Most hotels in Piraeus are located near the port, Pasalimani (Zea Marina), and Mikrolimano, as well as around the central areas close to the metro stations and main shopping streets. While Piraeus doesn’t have as many hotel options as central Athens, it still provides enough variety for those looking for convenience near the port or a more local experience.

Participants don’t necessarily have to stay in Piraeus. They can also stay in Athens. For example, it takes about 20 minutes to travel from central Athens to Piraeus by metro, using Line 1 (the Green Line). The metro is a convenient and reliable option for commuting between the two areas, and it runs very frequently (every 2-3 minutes) throughout the day. Additionally, there are bus and taxi services available, offering flexibility for travel. So, staying in Athens can be a practical option while attending a conference in Piraeus.

Weather at Piraeus

At the end of August, Piraeus typically experiences warm and dry weather, characteristic of the Mediterranean climate. Daytime temperatures are usually around 28-32°C (82-90°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to a more comfortable 20-24°C (68-75°F). The air is generally dry with moderate humidity, but it can feel a bit humid due to the coastal location. It’s rare to see rain in late August, as this is part of the dry season in Greece. The sea temperature is perfect for swimming, with the sea temperature around 25-27°C (77-81°F). You might experience light breezes, especially in the afternoons, which can be refreshing near the port and seaside areas. Overall, it’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities and seaside relaxation!

Visiting the famous islands of the Aegean Sea

Piraeus is the main gateway to the famous islands of the Aegean Sea, offering easy access to both the Saronic Gulf islands and the Cyclades. As Greece’s largest port, it serves millions of passengers each year, connecting them to iconic destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos. With frequent ferry services, Piraeus plays a crucial role in the transportation network, making it the ideal starting point for exploring the diverse beauty and charm of the Greek islands, from cosmopolitan spots to quiet, picturesque retreats. For example, traveling from Piraeus to the islands of Paros and Santorini by high-speed ferry offers a faster and more convenient option for visitors. The journey to Paros takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, while reaching Santorini takes around 4.5 to 5 hours.

However, from the port of Piraeus, you can visit several nearby islands quickly, making them ideal for short trips. Here are some of the closest islands and the approximate travel times:

• Aegina: Around 40 minutes to 1 hour by regular ferry or 30 minutes by high-speed ferry. Aegina is famous for its pistachios, beautiful beaches, and historical sites like the Temple of Aphaia.
• Agistri: Ferry Time: About 1 hour by high-speed ferry. A small, quiet island known for its crystal-clear waters, ideal for a peaceful getaway.
• Poros: Ferry Time: Around 1 hour by high-speed ferry. Poros offers a charming town, pine-covered hills, and a relaxing atmosphere.
• Hydra: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by high-speed ferry. Hydra is famous for its traditional architecture, lack of cars (donkeys are the main mode of transport), and picturesque harbor.
• Spetses: Around 2 hours by high-speed ferry. Spetses is known for its naval history, elegant mansions, and beautiful beaches. These islands are part of the Saronic Gulf and are very popular for day trips or weekend getaways from Piraeus due to their proximity and beauty.

You may find more information about Greece at https://www.visitgreece.gr/ or at the respective app.