references
2.2. Chairman of the Executive Committee
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This publication summarises IFEMA’s evolution in 2015. The year again proved difficult and needs to be treated as one in the series of years affected by the long economic crisis we have suffered. Nevertheless, it served to consolidate the upturn the Institution experienced in 2014. Beyond the specific figures, I believe that we should place the emphasis on two key aspects: IFEMA’s capacity to generate wealth in the area of Madrid and its sound financial position. From my vision as a businessman and industrialist, I can only praise the work carried out at IFEMA. The Institution is required to be effective in its management model in order to avoid having to ask for public funds not only for its running but also for its investment plans; to be innovative, so that the entrepreneurs and professionals who take part in its trade fairs obtain the maximum returns from their presence in the events it holds; and to be dynamic and highly competitive so that its effect on Madrid’s business tourism is multiplied. It is my belief that the three aims have been met, although this should not be interpreted as complacency with regard to the results it has achieved.
Only a few months have passed since I accepted the responsibility of chairing IFEMA’s Executive Committee. I feel I know the Institution very well thanks to my role as an entrepreneur who has taken part in its trade fairs and as a member of the management bodies of employers’ organisations and professional associations. Now, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to bring my experience to its management. There is only one path: growth, innovation and internationalisation. The Institution’s member bodies share the vision of the new impetus IFEMA needs. This is why, due to this unequivocal view and this coincidence with its aims, I accepted this responsibility within the new Statutes. I sincerely believe that all the conditions are in place to begin a new, ambitious period of growth. For the purpose, we avail of the thousands of companies that annually place their trust in IFEMA and, of course too, the enthusiasm of the professionals who comprise IFEMA’s workforce. Through these lines, I would like to invite everyone to share this ambition to become an essential international benchmark in the trade fair and congress sector. You may rest assured that we will achieve our goal. Thank you very much.