Nicholas Karachalis works as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Planning and Regional Development of the University of Thessaly in Volos and as a lecturer at the post-graduate programme in Cultural Management at the Greek Open University. He also works a trainer and seminar facilitator with various projects (e.g. URBACT Local Support Groups Seminars, ESPON on line training, National Public Administration School in Greece, etc.) From 2001 to 2010, and after finishing his military service obligation, he has been active as an independent advisor and associate researcher at the Regional Development Institute of the Panteion University of Social and Political Science of Athens. He holds a PhD in Economic and Regional Development (Panteion University of Social and Political Science of Athens), a Master in European Urban Cultures (Joint programme by the Free University of Brussels, the University of Tilburg, the Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Arts and Design of Helsinki) and a BA in Urban and Regional Development (Panteion University of Social and Political Science of Athens). In 2010 he completed his post-doctoral research in tourism impact measurement of urban festivals. He has a strong interest in analysing the trends and dynamics between culture, tourism and spatial development processes, using an interdisciplinary approach and perspective (drawing on cultural economics, place marketing and branding, urban tourism, cultural planning, etc.) with a publication track record in English and Greek journals and books. He has collaborated to several research projects and studies related to regional and local development, marketing, cultural economics and tourism planning. Alongside with his academic research, he has worked as an advisor for public bodies (Municipalities, Regional Authorities, City Tourism Offices, etc.) on matters of policy, marketing, funding, tendering practices, entrepreneurship, change management etc. He is fluent in Greek, English and Dutch.