Once again, the Maritime Museum will host Barcelona International Community Day, the main welcome and networking event designed to help integrate professionals arriving from all over the world into the city. It has become the leading event for the international community, with information, entertainment, business opportunities, and much more. It is also open to anyone wishing to engage with this community, which adds diversity and enriches the city.
The event, organised by the Barcelona City Council, will be held on Saturday, 28 September, at the Barcelona Maritime Museum. Admission is free of charge. All you need to do is register on the event website.
As in other years, the event will include a programme of activities for all audiences, as well as a trade fair featuring companies and organisations that will showcase their services, products and initiatives for the community. The site, in the old Royal Shipyards, will be open to the public from 10 am to 7 pm.
This year's motto, "Unique work-life balance," refers to the perfect work-life balance that can be achieved in our city. The event also features an updated look, in line with Barcelona International Welcome, the City Council's year-round service for welcoming and integrating international talent, and the Barcelona International Welcome Desk, its personalised assistance service.
More than 60 activities for all audiences
The planned activities, mostly in English, include information and practical talks, workshops, networking activities, musical performances, children's activities and more. All will revolve around major themes such as personal arrival,settling in, working and doing business, enjoying the city and networking.
Activities to learn Catalan, build new relationships, learn more about the city and further explore topics of interest, such as the healthcare system, housing and family life, will also be available. There will also be professional sessions focused on finding a job, starting a business or attracting international talent, among other topics.
But entertainment and fun activities will also be a big part of the event. Attendees can enjoy a live display of giants held to celebrate the 600th anniversary of this activity. The event will also have a space devoted to the 37th America's Cup, designed to introduce city residents to this competition.
As usual, the event host ambassadors will be there. There are six professionals based in Barcelona who will share their experiences in the city to inspire other attendees. They are just six of nearly 90 speakers and experts of various nationalities who will take part in the programme of activities.
Services, products and initiatives for international talent
Yet another year, Barcelona International Community Day will include a trade fair featuring more than 80 participating companies. They will include 56 businesses and public organisations, 16 associations, social clubs and non-profit organisations, and eight international schools. Some 30% of these companies and organisations will take part in the event for the first time.
Spread out over more than 75 stands, they will be offering specialised information, resources and services for foreign professionals who have just arrived in Barcelona. There will be exhibitors from diverse sectors, including real estate, relocation services, talent management, legal and financial advice, education and training, medical services and more.
The business ecosystem, committed to international talent
Celebrating Barcelona International Community Day would not be possible without public-private collaboration. The event's premium sponsor will again be Banc Sabadell, and ERES Relocation and Entre Trámites will be the main sponsors.
The brand sponsors include, among others, the Barcelona International Schools Association (BISA), Maremagnum Shopping Center, the HLA Hospital Group and ArticketBCN; and the activity sponsors will be The Old Irish Pub and the childcare service company The Nanny Line.
In addition, La Vanguardia will be back as a media partner, along with other media collaborators.
A diverse, enriching community
The international community now accounts for more than 25% of Barcelona's population. One out of every four residents is foreign, fuelling Barcelona's diverse and intercultural spirit. These new arrivals positively contribute to the city in many ways: they create wealth with their talent, work, investments, companies, professional projects and other economic or commercial activities.
They also help make Barcelona more competitive and productive by bringing new ideas, techniques and innovation. Furthermore, they act as ambassadors for the city in their home countries, contributing to the arrival of new investors, entrepreneurs and professionals and helping them land softly.
Welcoming and integrating them is essential and a priority for positioning Barcelona as an open, diverse and cosmopolitan city in the world.
