The Alicante province family business community stands more united and visible than ever. The Alicante Province Family Business Association (AEFA) hosted its fourth annual gathering yesterday, the Annual Christmas Meeting for Business Families. More than 120 entrepreneurs and their families attended on November 25 at the Casa Sicilia restaurant in Novelda. The event underscored the association’s growth as 17 new family businesses joined in 2023, strengthening their voice across the province. Cited: AEFA
Thanks to these additions AEFA now represents 180 affiliated companies. Commemorative plaques were presented to the new members during the ceremony. The new partners announced include Astilleros Astondoa, Autocentro Elektra, Balearia, Bateig, Beniconnect, Centro Clínico Dermatológico, CLR, El Plantío Golf Resort, Forty Gestión, Francés Asesores, Josep Llorca Construcciones, Grupo La Grajera, Marbamar, Nirvel Cosmetic, Panter, Levant and Benigar. Cited: AEFA
The atmosphere blended emotion with a family spirit, a hallmark of the meeting. The event aimed to celebrate and reinforce what defines the association: a family character. In her address, AEFA president Maite Antón emphasized that the gathering honors all the families behind the member companies and celebrates intergenerational collaboration. Cited: AEFA
During the gathering Antón offered a concise review of AEFA’s 2023 activities, highlighting initiatives such as the Centenary Business Club and the AEFA Awards. The association also noted collaboration with Alicante University, the Miguel Hernández University of Elche, and other academic partners. Cited: AEFA
Antón also noted that in addition to training programs, AEFA’s advocacy before authorities yielded favorable outcomes, including incentives related to Inheritance and Donation Tax. She extended congratulations to the AEFA Forum and the AEFA Senior initiative for their exemplary work, and affirmed that AEFA will continue to serve all family businesses in the province because of the broader social benefit they generate. Cited: AEFA
In closing, the AEFA president thanked the board members and the supporters who contributed to the event, including Banco Sabadell, Banco Santander, Caixabank, Cajamar, the Cuatrecasas and Garrigues law firms, the Manuel Peláez Castillo Foundation, the Juan Perán Pikolinos Foundation, Deloitte, the Alicante Provincial Council, the Generalitat Valenciana, Ibercaja, Improven, KPMG, PwC, Ifedes and Eurocaja Rural. Cited: AEFA
AEFA Forum sustains the continuity of the family business
The province of Alicante remains vibrant through generational transitions in family enterprises. This momentum was evident at the AEFA Forum Christmas Meeting held on November 17, where more than 100 young family entrepreneurs gathered. The event was led by Manuel Ríos Arias of Vectalia, and it outlined the agenda for 2023, reinforcing the forum as a hub for sharing knowledge and building networks. Cited: AEFA
The AEFA Forum gathering on November 17 featured a reflective session on the year’s activities. It highlighted efforts to foster personal connections and the exchange of experiences among the new generation of family business leaders. In his remarks, the forum president expressed gratitude toward the Board of Directors and paid tribute to Pablo Sánchez Chillón, Mayte Torregrosa and Juan José Castón for their collaboration with the AEFA Forum. Cited: AEFA
The Forum’s mission centers on promoting progress, competitiveness, and ongoing improvement within family enterprises. Activities included participation in the 19th National Congress of the IEF Family Forum, plus initiatives such as a Shareholder School and the Summer Meetings. These efforts are laid out by Ríos Arias as part of the ongoing program. Cited: AEFA
At its core, the continuity of family businesses hinges on successful generation change. The Family Forum emerged as a meeting place for sharing experiences and exchanging ideas that boost development and competitiveness. The forum serves members of the Alicante province’s Family Business Association, their families, mentors, and young entrepreneurs, all guided toward strengthening generational transitions and sustaining family business continuity. Cited: AEFA