It has become a world reference event to honor professionals in the fields of architecture, design, interior design and construction, whose works have demonstrated excellence in the use of natural stone and innovative surfaces, transforming the architectural and design landscape globally. The Macael Awards gala, which celebrated its thirty-sixth edition on Friday, November 10, also reaffirmed the fundamental role of sustainability and innovation as fundamental pillars in the industry.
The event, which brought together more than 530 guests, was attended by the President of the Parliament of Andalusia, Jesús Aguirre Muñoz, and the Andalusian Secretary of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, and brought together leading professionals from the business world, public administration, architects, designers and industry representatives. Among them, there were also 45 architecture students from the universities of Seville, Malaga and Granada, who have participated in
the ‘Program for the promotion of the stone industry and innovative surfaces’, an initiative that is in its second edition and aims to train future architects in the importance of the use of these materials in architecture. They were joined by agents from different countries such as the United States, Colombia, France, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, prescribers who took part in the XII International Stone Meeting, organized by TRADE.
The gala was the setting for important statements by the president of AEMA, Jesús Posadas, who highlighted the progress and achievements made in recent years, thanking the support of the administrations, but also pointed out the need for pending actions. He stressed the importance of the continuity in the construction of the dual carriageway from Fines to Baza, as well as the completion of the Mediterranean Corridor by 2026. He highlighted a significant milestone: the recent constitution of the OTC (Collaborating Technical Office), thanks to the agreement between the Association, the Macael City Council and the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines, whose prompt implementation is considered essential to address the challenges in the Sierra de Macael.
The gala was the setting for important statements by the president of AEMA, Jesús Posadas, who highlighted the progress and achievements made in recent years, thanking the support of the administrations, but also pointed out the need for pending actions. He stressed the importance of the continuity in the construction of the dual carriageway from Fines to Baza, as well as the completion of the Mediterranean Corridor by 2026. He highlighted a significant milestone: the recent constitution of the OTC (Collaborating Technical Office), thanks to the agreement between the Association, the City Council of Macael and the Department of Industry, Energy and Mines, whose
The president, who in September renewed his mandate, announced the challenges for the next four years, including the reconstruction of the Castillo de los Vélez patio with materials of the Macael Brand and the reactivation of the Andalusian Stone Technology Center for research and innovation, as well as dual vocational training. In the area of marketing, he emphasized the need for the new Business Agency for Economic Transformation and Development (TRADE) to support SMEs in their internationalization.
To conclude, he addressed those present with a “final thought”. “I would like to ask all our political representatives present here, whatever their political sign and sphere of action, to be aware of our business support and commitment to equality among all Spaniards and among all their companies, and our firmness to defend that equality wherever necessary,” he said. “We would not like Andalusia to be discriminated or lowered to have to pay the concessions that are looming on the horizon, we do not want the fact of being entrepreneurs is more burdensome in some areas of Spain than in others. We are committed to equality and equity that pursues the maintenance of the same rights and opportunities,” he added.
The occasion also served to appreciate the invaluable help and collaboration of the sponsors. The president addressed them saying: “it is imperative to recognize and express our gratitude to the sponsors of this event and the great value they have in this act, not only with the collaboration with which it is possible to carry them out, but for the loyalty and continuous support edition after edition and day after day in the daily work in our companies”. This year’s gala was sponsored by COSENTINO, TORRECID, ANDALUCÍA GLOBAL, DIPUTACIÓN ALMERIA, TENAX, BRETON, CAJAMAR, OMAR, COLOROBBIA, BANCO SANTANDER, SACMI, SMALGLASS-ITACA, BBVA, UNICAJA, NICOLAI NEST, HSBC, CAIXABANK, GMM, ITALDIAMANT, BANCA MARCH, COMANDULLI, BANKINTER, VINCENT, ABANCA, SUIMASA, TBM
FOCUS PIEDRA, PEDRINI, SABADELL, OLUCARPA, UAL, SECURITAS, FUNDACION BAHÍA ALMERIPORT, JAMONES TIO EMILIO.
