For the third year in a row, IE Foundation has had the opportunity to participate as a co-organizer of the III Senior Economics Encounter, along with CaixaBank, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, the Senior Economy Forum and Atenzia. This edition, in an online format, was held from November 23–24, bringing together professionals and companies to highlight the way senior society is aging and to strengthen the model of social welfare.

The first day included the voice and experience of Pilar Manchón, Senior Director of Google’s Artificial Intelligence Research Strategy, Antidio Fagúndez of The Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE), José Ignacio Echáinz of the Partido Popular, Txema Guijarro of Unidas Podemos, and Enrique Martínez of Ciudadanos. The roundtable meeting was overseen and moderated by Manuel Campo Vidal, President of the Sociedad Civil por el Debate (Civil Debating Society). From their different political perspectives, speakers discussed the social, political and technological challenges faced in an aging society where the need for progress and the preservation of social welfare should be reaffirmed. The session concluded with a speech from Benigno Lacort, CEO of Atenzia and director of the meeting.

The second day included a speech on the essence of a “wise” culinary culture by Carme Ruscalleda, an example of the entrepreneurial spirit that has gained her 7 Michelin stars and 3 Suns from the Campsa Repsol Guide. This was followed by the roundtable “The “new seniors:” A new consumer, an opportunity for the industry,” moderated by Carlos Mas, Chairman of IE Center for C-Centricity. This discussion centered around how “new seniors” have become a very attractive consumer for the industry, and how the real needs and expectations of this growing market need to be understood and met. The discussion included representatives from important companies that have identified the opportunity in this sector: Patricia Alonso, Marketing and e-Commerce Director of Adolfo Domínguez, Christian Martinell, External Communications Lead Iberia at Danone, and Óscar López, President of Paradores.

 

In order from left to right: Carlos Mas Ivars, Chairman of IE Center for C-Centricity, Óscar López, President of Paradores; Patricia Alonso, Director of Marketing and e-Commerce of Adolfo Domínguez and Christian Martinell, External Communications Lead Iberia at Danone.