The Spain–U.S. Council Foundation held its 124th Board Meeting at the InterContinental Hotel in Madrid, a session chaired by Josu Jon Imaz with representatives from companies and institutions participating both in person and remotely. The meeting was marked by the incorporation of Grupo Saica and Cantabria Labs as new board members, strengthening the presence of industrial and scientific‑technological sectors with growing operations in the United States.

The board warmly welcomed both companies, whose experience and innovative profile will help enrich the Foundation’s work.

During the meeting, activities carried out since the previous session were also reviewed. Among them, a cocktail event held in October in Madrid with the delegation from the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy (CFEE) stood out. The delegation included over 40 legislative and business leaders from the main U.S. energy sector. The meeting allowed in‑depth discussions on sustainability, mobility, and transport networks, reinforcing Spain’s image as a relevant actor in applied public policies.

In November, the Foundation also participated in a meeting with a commercial delegation from Puerto Rico, led by the Secretary of Economic Development, an opportunity to expand economic collaboration with a territory historically close to Spain.

That same month, the Foundation helped organize a sports diplomacy event at Casa de América, bringing together NFL representatives and teams participating in an event at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, highlighting sports as a vector for country branding and economic activity.

Another initiative highlighted was the annual reception of the “Forever Young Leaders” community, held at the residence of the Spanish Ambassador in Washington D.C., which gathered 80 attendees and consolidated a network of young U.S. professionals connected to Spain through various editions of the Foundation’s visitor programs.

In December, the Foundation facilitated a meeting with the Illinois Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation, focused on collaboration opportunities in emerging sectors such as quantum computing.

The Foundation also organized, together with the Fulbright Commission and the Franklin Institute, a seminar on university exchanges, attended by Spanish and U.S. academic and scientific institutions, highlighting the historical and current impact of educational mobility on bilateral cooperation.

Following this review, the President provided a general assessment of 2025, emphasizing the strengthening of relations with U.S. counterparts, especially through the Spain–U.S. Forum in Santander, which once again brought together institutional, business, and academic leaders from both countries.

He also highlighted work with influential U.S. organizations, such as the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) and the CFEE, as well as collaborations with cultural and academic institutions like The Alamo Trust, the Franklin Institute, the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, and ECUSA.

The exhibition “Invisible Emigrants,” displayed for five months in Tampa, along with an increasing number of activities related to the educational and scientific fields, contributed to consolidating Spain’s cultural presence in the United States.

The President expressed his gratitude to the corporate board members and the Foundation team, whose work is key to promoting initiatives that project Spain’s image and capabilities in the United States.

During the session, the 2026 Action Plan was also approved, with special attention to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence through cultural and educational activities aimed at highlighting Spain’s historical contributions.

Initial initiatives for the coming year were announced, including lectures led by diplomat and writer Eduardo Garrigues at Casa de América, and a new “Emerging Leaders” visitor program in collaboration with the European External Action Service.

Board members also discussed candidates for the Bernardo de Gálvez Award, with the results to be announced in the near future.

The meeting concluded with a holiday toast and a message of thanks from the President to all board members for their commitment to the Foundation’s mission.