references
2.1. Chairman of the Governing Board
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The 2015 financial year for IFEMA contained some highly important cues that will define the development of this important body. Firstly, I would like to consider the principal figures that define this period. These have grown in size notably, confirming a path of growth that ensures the Institution’s solvency and capacity to generate the resources necessary to keep progressing in its aims. Trade fair and congress activity is growing; more companies and professionals have participated in the events held at the exhibition complex, taking advantage of the business opportunities that appear at these events and testifying to the added value they bring to the hundreds of sectors that are included in this Annual Report. IFEMA’s thrust also demonstrates the qualities of Madrid as a destination for business and meetings tourism. We compete in a segment that attracts the world’s top cities and I believe there is clear evidence that we possess all the qualities to become one of its leaders. To this, all IFEMA’s member bodies are committed and perfectly aligned, out of the ambition to create the best working framework that will make the Institution an international benchmark.
There is no doubt that IFEMA has been able to foster broad consensus throughout its existence. It provided proof of this again in 2015. It gives me pride, therefore, to single out the joint work of the four member bodies in providing the Institution with new Statutes that go more deeply into key aspects such as its professionalisation and transparency in its management. IFEMA is a model that operates in the public sphere. It is a consortium that is financially self-sufficient; one that, having no need for subsidies or injections of public funds, brings its region huge benefits. It is the responsibility of everyone to enhance the Institution’s legacy, expand the multiplying effect of its work and provide its managers with all the tools to make this aim possible. It is my opinion that we are at a turning point and that the near future will demonstrate the correctness of these decisions, which seek the common good that I have attempted to enunciate briefly. This is what we work for and this path will always find us together. Regards,