This initiative, which is organised by the Barcelona City Council, will be held on Saturday 28 October, at the Barcelona Maritime Museum. The event is now the main point where foreign professionals who have just arrived in the city are welcomed and helped to settle, but it is also a space of information, fun, networking, business and much more for the entire international community. The event is free of charge, and tickets are available by registering on the event website.
For a decade now, Barcelona's international talent ecosystem has been gathering at this event, which is designed to welcome them and help them integrate into the city. In its last edition, it brought together more than 5,400 people, beating its attendance record, and it has become a benchmark for members of the international community.
This edition will offer a new programme of activities for all audiences, which will include informative talks, workshops, round tables, networking activities, musical performances and children's activities. It will also have a fair where exhibiting companies and organisations will present their services, products and initiatives to international professionals. The timetable for entering the premises, which is in the former Royal Shipyards, will be from 10 am to 7 pm, and the event is open to anyone who wants to connect with this group, which brings Barcelona diversity and wealth.
With the slogan ‘10 years with you', Barcelona International Community Day is gaining ground as an ongoing event in the city and is celebrating its tenth consecutive edition. To commemorate this tenth anniversary, the event has partnered with the US artist Philip Stanton to create an exclusive illustration, which will be given out on a postcard to all attendees and on a t-shirt to the first 200 people to arrive at the event. The renowned painter, illustrator and designer moved to Barcelona in 1988, and the city has inspired much of his work.
More than 60 activities and almost 100 speakers
The different activities scheduled, most of them in English, include informative and practical talks, workshops, networking activities, musical and other types of performances and children's activities. They will all revolve around major topics like individual arrival and settling, working and doing business, enjoying the city and making contacts.
Some of the most prominent activities will examine topics like Barcelona's scientific potential, entrepreneurial talent, searching for a flat in the city, access to healthcare services, practising Catalan and promoting entrepreneurship among women. There will also be fun, family-oriented activities, like a performance by castellers (human tower builders) and a virtual reality experience, in addition to entertainment, live music and a huge final celebration, with a toast, an anniversary cake and a Catalan rumba concert.
Like every year, the event's different host ambassadors will also be there. These six professionals living in Barcelona will share their inspiring experiences in the city with the other attendees. They will be among the almost 100 speakers and experts of different nationalities who will participate in the programme of activities.
The city's business ecosystem is also participating
The event will again have a fair for companies and organisations that will offer products, services and initiatives to the city's international talent. The fair will welcome almost 80 exhibitors, including companies and public entities, associations, social clubs, nonprofits and international schools. Twenty-one per cent of the companies are participating in the event for the first time.
There will be exhibitors from many different sectors, including real estate, relocation, talent management, legal and financial advice, education and training, insurance and medical services. In short, they represent all the areas in living and settling in the city.
Organisers and supporters
The Barcelona City Council organises Barcelona International Community Day with major participation by Barcelona Activa and with the involvement of numerous organisations, entities and professionals that make it possible to hold it and spread the word about it. The project is an example of a public-private partnership, given that it has significant support from Banco Sabadell as a premium sponsor, as well as the sponsorship of ERES Relocation Services (managing workers' international mobility), MAPFRE (insurance and medical and health services) and Entre Trámites (tax and legal consulting for SMEs, freelancers and foreign companies that want to move to Barcelona).
This year, the Barcelona International Schools Association (BISA), the Maremagnum shopping center, the Old Irish Pub and the childcare services company The Nanny Line are also supporting the event.
The event is free of charge, and tickets are available by registering on the event website.
