references
1.2. Madrid City Council
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MANUELA CARMENA, MAYOR OF MADRID
2015 was a year both of economic transition and of progress with IFEMA’s new legal form. Local elections in the city of Madrid and its region represented a major watershed for the Institution and led to significant changes in the management of the Consortium. While the Institution’s financial results were modest, its activity continued to grow after years of crisis and the major trade fairs for which IFEMA is recognised —ARCOmadrid (the International Contemporary Art Fair), FITUR (the International Tourism Trade Fair) and FRUIT ATTRACTION (the International Trade Show for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry)— have also grown in terms of visitors, volume and renown. Moreover, the large number of congresses staged by the Institution maintains the consortium as one of the principal agents of the Madrid economy. IFEMA’s accounts show great solidity. In the coming years, the Institution may be required to adopt a more prominent role in leading initiatives that transcend the organising of trade fairs and congresses and contribute still further to the employment and economic activity of the city of Madrid and its region. It is precisely the connection of IFEMA’s growing activity with the initiatives under way in Madrid that is one of our most important undertakings: both for visitors —who can enjoy one of the world’s most attractive cities— and for the city itself —which profits from the presence of visitors with high purchasing power, many of whom are international.
IFEMA is ready for momentous changes in the near future: new Statutes, the finalising of the senior management team and, above all, responding to the digital challenge, in this sphere too. As is only natural, Madrid City Council will offer its fullest and most loyal cooperation to the other institutions in the consortium to address this new era with enthusiasm and energy.