Hermes Expo 35th Anniversary Set for April 29, 2026 at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, New Jersey
Old Bridge, New Jersey — Hermes Expo International will honor Helen and John Psaras with the Aristotelian Award during the 35th Anniversary Hermes Expo Awards Celebration on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
Founded in 1992, Hermes Expo has become one of the most recognized Greek-American business gatherings in the United States, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, chambers of commerce, institutions, educators, clergy, and community leaders. For thirty-five years, the Expo has served as a platform for networking, collaboration, and the advancement of Greek-American enterprise.
The Aristotelian Award, inspired by the teachings of Aristotle, recognizes individuals whose lives reflect leadership, wisdom, philanthropy, and a commitment to strengthening society through service, enterprise, and community engagement.
John Psaras, a self-made businessman, philanthropist, and humanitarian, was born in Cyprus and raised on the Aegean island of Chios before immigrating to the United States at the age of nineteen. By the age of twenty-two he had purchased his first building and launched a construction company working with government agencies including West Point Army bases, Navy yards, and United States post offices.
Over the past four decades, he expanded into real estate investment and property management, building an extensive portfolio throughout Brooklyn and Long Island. Today he is the founder and owner of John Psaras Realty Inc. and John Psaras Realty Management Co., based in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
For his leadership and service, Mr. Psaras has received numerous recognitions, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2013. He is a member of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and an Archon of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, one of the highest distinctions within the Orthodox Christian community.
Helen Psaras, born in the village of Thanos on the island of Lemnos, immigrated to the United States at the age of fourteen. A successful businesswoman and respected community leader, she studied business management and accounting and for more than forty years has served as the director of John Psaras Realty Inc. She is also the owner of Bon Voyage Travel Inc., organizing travel programs serving the Greek-American community.
Mrs. Psaras is widely recognized for her dedication to philanthropy and community service. As President of the Holy Cross Ladies Philoptochos Society in Brooklyn for many years, she has led numerous humanitarian initiatives assisting families in need both in the United States and abroad. Through philanthropic missions, she has organized delegations delivering material and financial aid to institutions and communities throughout Greece and Cyprus.
She has held leadership roles in organizations including the Hellenic American Women’s Council, the Pan-Lemnian Philanthropic Association “Hephaestus,” and the Thanos Association of Lemnos, where she serves as President. She also served on the National Board of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.
Together, Helen and John Psaras have supported numerous philanthropic projects in Greece, including the founding of an elderly care center and a two-story museum in Thanos, Lemnos, which they continue to financially support. In recognition of their contributions to the Greek-American community, they have received numerous honors and in 2016 served as Grand Marshals of the Greek Independence Day Parade in New York City.
2026 Hermes Expo Honorees Include:
• Evellyn Tsiadis and Dr. Evelyn Bilias Lolis — Athena Award
• Father Paul Pappas — Spiritual Leadership Award
• Manny Niotis — Business Excellence Award
• Leonidas Pappoulias and Despoina Apostolidou — Paideia Award
• Helen and John Psaras — Aristotelian Award
• The Honorable Mariyana Spyropoulos — Public Service Award
Event Schedule
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Grand Marquis | Old Bridge, New Jersey
Business & Leadership Conference and Masterclass Series
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Hermes Expo Vendor Showcase
11:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Grand Opening Ceremony
2:10 PM
Cocktail Hour & 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner
5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
The Business Conference and Vendor Expo are complimentary with online pre-registration.
The Cocktail Hour and Awards Dinner are ticketed events and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Pre-registration and dinner tickets are available at:
Click here for Awards Dinner Tickets
Click here for Business Conference & Vendor Show Registration
For thirty-five years, Hermes Expo has remained a national meeting point where professionals connect across sectors, entrepreneurs gain visibility, institutions collaborate, and the next generation of leaders engages directly with experienced executives and innovators.
Entrepreneurs, professionals, students, chambers of commerce, institutions, and community members from across the country are invited to attend, engage, and be part of a growing movement shaping the future of Greek-American enterprise in America.
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