A Word from the President

Dear and appreciated ALAFAVE members:

The beginning of a new year is always the occasion to look back and reflect upon the achieved goals, overcame challenges, and the projects that have started to bloom. The best part of the season is that it gives us an invaluable opportunity to look forward and dream, plan and act. In ALAFAVE we are already vigorously working on it, with enthusiasm, energy and like always as a family.

We close 2016 with many satisfactions, as we continue celebrating the success of our 5th World Candle Congress, celebrated in Puerto Rico. Where more than 480 participants attended, amongst them, high ranking speakers, and more than 50 exhibitors from about thirty countries who revealed the trends that prevail in the global market.

At the same time, we have 2017 on aim. We are focusing our efforts to collect one more success in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, which will be the site of our next congress in July. In fact, we visited and inspected the hotel to verify that all the participants will be welcomed as they deserve.

In this edition of Punto de Fusion, we will disclose the previews of the learning activities, networking and fun that have been planned for this magnificent event. We want to make sure you will have an unforgettable experience. We will tell you how to take advantage of all the benefits we offer in this congress.

2017 promises the opening of multiple doors of opportunity. It will be a new era filled with novelties, the emphasis is set on the design of innovating and dynamic new channels of communication.

In order to approach and achieve our goals, we held a reunion with the Executive Board of Directors to tune and finalize our strategic planning. We continue to work following our mission statement, our vision and the values of our association in favor of transparency, solidarity, integrity, respect and responsibility. We’ve identified our strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Therefore, we are counting on strategic objectives and a clear direction.

Furthermore, given that we count with the participation, talent and compromise of all our ALAFAVE family members, we are confident that the outcome will be a guaranteed success. On the same note, I would like to extend an invitation to all candle manufacturers in the region to become part of the Board of Directors next year. This is the opportunity to get involved and take part on the upcoming decision making of our association.

What we achieved in 2016 was prominent. The opportunities that 2017 has to offer seem promising and extensive. Therefore, I celebrate with you these achievements and between the many reasons for joyfulness and hope, I send my sincere wishes for peace, health, harmony and success to all our ALAFAVE family members and to each of their families.

Cheers!

Alfredo Ocampo