XVI Alumni Reunion of BBS: Innovation, Connections, and New Horizons
24 September 2024Two intense and emotional days marked the XVI Alumni Reunion of BBS, an event that annually brings together Alumni, Faculty, Staff, and the School’s partners.
This edition was even more special thanks to the inauguration of the New Campus, an innovative structure designed to represent the union between the history and future of BBS.
The new Campus, inaugurated during the evening of September 6 with an exciting ribbon-cutting ceremony, is much more than a simple building. Located in front of the historic Villa Guastavillani, it embodies the heritage of the School and its continuous evolution. As stated during the event, “This campus now belongs to the community,” offering a space where students, alumni, faculty, and partners can meet, grow, and create new opportunities.
Friday evening was a true moment of celebration, with live music, DJ sets, and the energy of the BBS community coming together to celebrate a new beginning. But the Reunion was also an opportunity to reflect on the value of relationships and innovation.
Saturday morning began with the “Meditations” by Pier Luigi Celli, followed by the engaging speech of Laurent Choain, Chief Leadership Education & Culture at Forvis Mazars Group. Choain addressed a central theme for the BBS community: the importance of making people feel involved in organizations. “No one would be willing to sacrifice for a boss or a cause, but for a friend, yes,” he explained, emphasizing how professional friendships form when each person becomes a supporter of the other’s growth. This is the key to building organizations where innovation arises from collaboration and sharing.
The day continued with the “Industry Champion Case Discussions,” featuring prominent figures such as Alessandro Parimbelli, CEO of Coesia, who spoke about how innovation is a collective process, putting people at the center. Innovation, as discussed during the event, is not just about technology but about how new ideas are integrated and implemented at every level of the organization. Coesia’s presentation highlighted how people engagement and innovation are closely linked: “People are at the heart of every organization, driving innovation through their continuous involvement.“
Davide Abate, Chief Technologies and Infrastructures Officer at Ferrari, offered insights into the future of the automotive industry, while Paolo Alfonso Racchetti of Automobili Lamborghini discussed the challenges and opportunities in innovative product design and development. Matteo Zompa and Cristina Tonini of Philip Morris International emphasized the importance of sustainability in industrial innovation, sharing the company’s initiatives to integrate sustainable practices into production processes. Finally, Alessandro Cillario and Stefano Onofri of Cubbit highlighted how technology can be a powerful tool to solve complex problems and create value in new ways.
The XVI Alumni Reunion was, therefore, a true bridge between the past and future of Bologna Business School. A moment to celebrate achievements but above all to look ahead, toward the new challenges and opportunities that await us. The new Campus, in fact, which hosted its first Reunion, is not just a physical place but the symbol of a community that evolves, continuing to grow together, making innovation and human relationships the pillars of its journey.
In a constantly changing world, BBS reaffirms its commitment to building an environment where knowledge, collaboration, and innovation serve the growth of each individual. An event that has further strengthened the sense of belonging and inspired the community to look to the future with confidence and determination.
