The Alicante Province Family Business Association Forum Summer Day brought together roughly sixty young leaders from the region’s top family enterprises. A new generation of Alicante entrepreneurs gathered last Friday in a setting as striking as it was inspiring, the island of Tabarca. The mood carried a sense of harmony and shared purpose among everyone present.
The event ran with the support of Sabadell Urquijo Private Banking and the collaborative energy of Ale-Hop and Chocolates Valor. The session offered a space for mutual learning and the exchange of experiences among family business leaders and the AEFA Forum. It also highlighted Trendsplant, a company based in Alicante, as part of the wider landscape of innovative family businesses in the region [citation: AEFA Forum].
Founders Luis Guillen and Mike Garcia from Trendsplant delivered a keynote focused on the creation of a sustainable fashion brand. They explained the business model behind Trendsplant and traced the brand’s evolution since its inception in 2009. Their talk delivered practical insights into product development, supply chain choices, and how purpose can fuel growth in a family led enterprise [citation: Trendsplant corporate overview].
The Summer Day was framed by the Mediterranean backdrop and its distinctive coastline. The group traveled by catamaran from the Alicante port to the Tabarca natural reserve, turning the day into a dynamic blend of learning, networking, and hands on experiences. Participants had opportunities to share stories of success and challenge in a relaxed, collaborative environment [citation: AEFA field report].
Manuel Rios Arias, president of the AEFA Forum, expressed gratitude to Sabadell Urquijo Private Banking for its support in organizing the seminar. Rios Arias, a partner at Mohure and a figure at Vectalia, underscored that sustainability should be viewed as a catalyst for organizational transformation. He noted that conferences like this help identify innovative case studies and provide practical lessons that can be applied to improve processes and governance within family businesses [citation: AEFA leadership remarks].
What is the AEFA Forum?
The AEFA Forum stands as a meeting point where experiences are shared and ideas are exchanged among the new generation of family business leaders. It acts as a catalyst for ongoing development of this business model, supporting continuity and adaptation in changing markets [citation: AEFA overview].
The group forms part of the Family Business Association of Alicante and aims to guide young entrepreneurs toward a clear understanding of the critical role played by the upcoming generation in succession and long term viability of family enterprises. The forum emphasizes mentorship, knowledge transfer, and practical strategies to navigate generational transitions with confidence [citation: AEFA mission].