The simulation involved students taking on roles within the Greek Ministry of Finance responding to an illness affecting members of the International Monetary Fund visiting Greece. Over the course of several days, the simulation followed the Ministry's communication with journalists, catering companies, and other authorities to investigate the incident and issue statements. The illness was ultimately found to not be caused by food poisoning or other criminal means. The simulation aimed to provide experience responding to and managing a public health crisis situation.

1. Crisis Management Simulation Workshop
Advertising and Public Relations Lab
Dept. of Communication, Media and Culture,
Panteion University (@cmc_panteion)
Students names:
Ioanna Katsifaraki
http://gr.linkedin.com/pub/ioanna-katsifaraki/33/546/111
Katerina Plati
http://gr.linkedin.com/pub/katerina-plati/42/392/34b
Martha Stafylaki http://gr.linkedin.com/in/marthastafylaki

3. Ministry of Finance
• Minister of Finance: Ms. Stafylaki Martha
• Alternate Minister of Finance: Ms. Kourousia Maria
• Alternate Minister of Finance: Ms. Dokimaki Maria
• Gen. Secr. Of Ministry of Finance: Ms. Katsifaraki Ioanna
• Spokesperson: Ms. Plati Katerina

4. 5th of June 2012
• Mr. Paul Binder, head of the International Monetary and
Financial Committee is feeling sick.
• We contacted the Hotel Manager for details about the
incident.
• After a telephone conversation with a journalist from Real fm
we stated that “We await the official results of the medical
examinations. T he cause of the disease is not confirmed yet. We are
unable either to deny the fact, nor to confirm. We will keep you
updated and will notify you once we have the official results.”

5. 6th of June 2012
• A second member of the Committee fall ill.
• We contacted the Manager of the Food Catering, who
informed us that the quality of the food was excellent.
 We asked for the official credentials and papers (ISO) and the names of
those responsible.
 We informed the Company that a committee will visit the facilities in
order to conduct an audit.
• Quotes from our Press Release :
“… we have asked for the official credentials and papers (ISO) , concerning
the manufacture and distribution of food.. The documents will be
delivered and will be available in 24 hours.”
«…The Committee is going to inspect and conduct an audit, in order to
investigate the company's facilities.…»

7. 6th of June 2012
• Responses to journalist(Real Fm) questions :
«The caterer have met a range of criteria designed to ensure
that will meet the needs of the Hotel. They offered a good
range of service options, attractive menu choices and good
value for money.»
• Response to journalist(SKAI) question about the tender :
«The caterer was fully compliant with the Greek legislation. The criteria
were too stringent and were based on the European model of tendering. It
is the first time that we co-operate with the Specific caterer, and they fully
understood and complied with the food standards . If you wish, we can
provide and handle all the papers and certificates(ISO), that prove all the
above statements »

8. 6th of June 2012
• Sending a sympathy letter to the Head of the Committee :
Mr. Paul Binder,
“We are fully aware about your current state of health. We would like to
inform you that, all the necessary procedures have started. Furthermore, a
Committee is going to investigate the Caterers facilities and conduct an
audit.
We wish all the best with your recovery, may this be a restful time to
recharge and energize.”
All the best,
Ministry of Finance.

9. 7th of June 2012
• The requested credentials and papers of the “Food Catering”
were received.

10. 7 th of June 2012
• Response to Journalist’s (Real fm) question
“we have no intention of hiding the aspects of the situation, but we are
awaiting the proper results of our research. These results will be
published on Friday the 8th of June. We assure you, our only intention is to
publish the true elements in order to solve this inexplicable incident, that
took place the last three days.”

11. 8th of June 2012
• Negative results concerning the food poisoning
• The members of IMF fully recovered.
• PRESS RELEASE :
“ The medical examination showed that there was not a pathogen
organism. Furthermore , both members of the IMF have fully recovered.”
“We have to underline that we are in constant communication and
dialogue with the Greek Authorities, such as the Greek Police and the Anti-
Terror Force. We contradict any possible reputation on terrorism, as there
is no indication from the Authorities on this case.”

12. 8th of June 2012

13. 8th of June 2012
Press statement: Minister of Finance (speaking in Greek media)

14. 8th of June 2012
• Response to journalist question (Real Fm)
“Regarding the safety procedures, the Members of IMF have their own
security personnel.In case there was a change concerning the food caterer
you should be directed to the Hotel Manager or the Food Caterer. The
Ministry of Finance has no jurisdiction to deal with such activities. We
would like to state that we are in constant communication with the
Authorities and we are doing our best to provide a safe stay to the
Members of IMF. There is no one to blame for the incident. It would be
fitting for such sophisticated questions to direct them to the relevant
departments and authorities.”

15. 8th of June 2012
• Response to journalist questions (Skai)
«The Members of IMF have their own private security personnel, but also
there is provided extra help and specialized personnel from the Police for
their Security. The Police is alert, each time the members of IMF arrive in
Greece. We are not in the position of giving information about the possible
terrorist attack, because is not our main jurisdiction.There was no call for
a terrorist attack. We were informed from the Police that the CCTTV was
checked and there was nothing suspicious and strange worth to be
reported”

17. Crisis Management
Instructor, Mania Xenou, CEO Reliant Communications
Workshop co-ordinator, Konstantinos Ioannidis, PhD
(@kon_ioannidis)
Head of Advertising and PR Lab, Assistant Professor,
Betty Tsakarestou (@tsakarestou)