More than 1,500 people of 81 nationalities gathered last night in the gardens of Palauet Albéniz to attend the Hola Barcelona! Cocktail, the event that Barcelona Global organizes every year to welcome international talent that has chosen the city to live and work. If there was any barcelonian by choice who had not yet confessed to being in love with the city, with yesterday's party, all their reticence surely cleared up and, from today, they will act as a true Barcelona Lover wherever they go.
And it is that this meeting-tribute to Barcelona's expat community is one of those that make an impression, not only because of the incomparable setting in which it takes place, but also because of the atmosphere it generates, immersing attendees in a mega networking experience and exchange of cards and phone numbers at the foot of a foodtruck. Yesterday's evening was also special, because it celebrated the tenth anniversary of this event, which Barcelona Global created in 2013 to thank international professionals who have settled in the city for their support and commitment to the city. The event is also a perfect showcase to promote, publicize and add new members to the influential association, whose objective is to position Barcelona as one of the best cities in the world for talent, investment and attracting companies. 16% of the members are already international professionals, a figure that continues to grow.
Mike Blackman, director of the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) fair, was the star guest of the meeting, which was presided over by the Deputy Mayor of the Barcelona City Council, Maria Eugènia Gay, as the mayor was in Vilanova i la Geltrú attending the inauguration of the preliminary regatta of the America's Cup. "Barcelona is aware of the strategic value that international talent brings to the city, and for this reason there is a comprehensive plan for attracting, welcoming, retaining and energizing the resident foreign community, as well as various municipal resources aimed at assisting the different profiles that arrive to develop their life and professional project here," said Gay.
Blackman, creator of the world's most important audiovisual fair, explained why he has decided to settle in the city and move this exhibition from Amsterdam to the Catalan capital. He highlighted the success of public-private collaboration as a great asset of the city and praised Barcelona Global for having extended a hand to him from day one with a "How can I help you?". Blackman emphasized the city's strong potential in all areas, which is why he made a request to all Barcelonians present at the event: "please, maintain ambition", a gauntlet quickly picked up by the president of Barcelona Global, Maite Barrera, who precisely placed ambition at the center of her speech.
"Let's dream big", Barrera declared, in an inspiring intervention full of city pride, in which she warned that "conformism is the worst enemy of growth." "Barcelona has no limits!; we must be ambitious, think big and work very hard to make the limitless Barcelona we want a reality," said the president of Barcelona Global, who rallied those present with a "nothing is impossible" that was followed by wide applause.
According to Barrera, who confessed to "being in love" with Barcelona, the city is characterized by factors such as passion, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, diversity, innovation capacity, and an open mind. However, she considered that its "great wealth is that it has extraordinary talent" that acts as an engine for economic and social development. In this sense, she assured that Barcelona Global works intensely to make Barcelona an attractive city to attract "more and more talent," but "not just any talent, but one that is generous and generates a positive impact on our society."
"We need this impact talent to help us build a better Barcelona," he asserted, which is why he asked the Administrations for a greater effort to facilitate the arrival of this talent. "If we want international talent to choose Barcelona for their life project, we must have competitive taxation in relation to other European cities, affordable international schools, improve access to housing, be more sustainable, improve the airport's intercontinental connections and the efficiency of public transport, in addition to continuing to reduce the complexity of administrative procedures," concluded Barrera, who gave way to a lively party.