I am thrilled to share the success of the first-ever FEM Iberia Chapter meeting, which took place in Madrid earlier this month. I  was so proud to have led the steering committee alongside my co-organisers Rossana Veglia, Ana Gazarian and Alfredo Ludo.

The event was a resounding success, with over 50 attendees coming together for a morning of insightful discussions, networking, and collaboration.

A special thank you to our opening speakers Javier Ales and Luis Esteban-Manzanares Fernández-Roldán for their engaging and thought-provoking talks on the latest developments relating to workforce movement / trends and Spanish immigration. Their insights set the stage for an in-depth exploration of the opportunities currently arising in the region with a fantastic panel discussion with Raquel Silva Simões and Julyana Ruiz, representing Portugal, and Fabiana Frsanke and Maria Angeles Lopez, representing Spain, all wonderful moderated by Rossana Veglia. They shared valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape in Iberia, offering a unique opportunity to dive deeper into key issues shaping the future of the region. The meeting was wrapped up by Inigo Lopez, who led a fun and interactive quiz, complete with prizes, ensuring a lively and enjoyable close to a productive day. The morning was chaired by Ana Gazarian with great skill, making everyone feel welcome and expertly introducing each speaker and theme, setting the tone for a productive and engaging event.

Following the event, over 20 attendees joined us for a casual lunch, where conversations continued and new connections were made long into the afternoon.

Looking ahead, we are already planning the next FEM Iberia Chapter meeting, which will take place in Lisbon in April 2025. If you have ideas, want to get involved, or have suggestions for future events, please don't hesitate to reach out - maggie.williams@bicortexlanguages.com

Thank you again to all those who attended and contributed to the success of this inaugural meeting. We look forward to seeing you all again soon!