Alicante State Family Business Association, AEFA, carried out two activities this week to strengthen and promote family businesses across the province while fostering training and a spirit of coexistence among related companies in the region.
The first event was the fourth session of the Stakeholder School, the AEFA Forum, and a Deloitte presentation held at the Erum family company headquarters in Alcoi. In this session, every participating family was recognized with a commemorative plaque. The program included a presentation on preparing a family strategic plan led by Miguel Sabater, Monitor Manager at Deloitte Spain, and Beatriz Martín, Audit and Assurance Partner. The day also featured a boardroom training simulation, designed so family business partners could gain practical insights into leadership, governance, and strategic decision making. Participants also enjoyed a guided tour of Erum’s facilities, with Alvaro Erum, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer for the Americas and Asia, sharing the company’s journey and growth as a family enterprise. The experience underscored how strong governance and clear planning can sustain long-term family involvement in business.
The visit to Erum’s facilities highlighted the practical side of family entrepreneurship and the importance of transparent governance. The tour provided a real-world look at how a family business scales while maintaining its heritage and values. The insights shared by the Erum leadership emphasized sustainable growth, professional management, and the balance between family ownership and organizational professionalism. The experience reinforced AEFA’s commitment to education and peer learning among provincial family firms.
The second action, organized for AEFA Senior members, featured a visit to the Gómez y Lorente cannery, a company specializing in artichoke processing—one of the Vega Baja region’s flagship crops and a symbol of local identity. The delegation explored the cannery’s facilities and then traveled to Almoradí to gain a deeper understanding of the region’s industrial fabric and its culinary traditions. The group concluded with a stop at Teatro Cortés to explore the interior and enjoy an artichoke-inspired tasting menu prepared by Silvino Restaurant, highlighting how gastronomy and local industry intersect in community life.
The second visit also included a close look at production processes and the packaging workflow at Gómez y Lorente, illustrating how family-owned operations adapt to market demands while preserving artisanal methods. Guests had the opportunity to discuss with executives how family leadership supports continuity, regional diversification, and resilience in the face of broader economic shifts. This programmatic outing reflected AEFA’s ongoing aim to promote education, exchange of experience, and the celebration of local culture through gastronomy and manufacturing.
Taken together, these two activities demonstrate AEFA’s active role in fostering learning and collaboration among family businesses throughout the Alicante province. They also underscore the association’s emphasis on gastronomy and regional heritage as pathways to stronger community ties. By organizing events and experiences that help members develop management expertise and expand professional networks, AEFA positions family enterprises as drivers of sustainable growth and regional prosperity. The organization continues its work to illuminate best practices in governance, succession planning, and strategic execution while showcasing the rich cultural landscape that makes the province a unique home for family-owned ventures.