DBA Afterwork, A new event targeting young Deusto Business Alumni members.

Deusto Business Alumni (an association formed by La Comercial Alumni, ESTE Alumni, DBS Executive Alumni and INSIDE Alumni) held its first DBA Afterwork the 2nd of March 2015. This original and unique event aimed to create closer contacts with the younger generations of Deusto Business Alumni, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, now Deusto Business School and previously known as La Comercial.
The first DBA Afterwork was first held in Bilbao, with a view to other events being scheduled soon in San Sebastian and Madrid. The former students’ association of Deusto Businesss School, Deusto Business Alumni, adopted this idea that has been carried out by alumni of prestigious business schools in other cities around the world. DBA Afterwork aims to fulfil the need for a high-level event targeting the young sector of the Association.

Deusto Business Alumni often organises sessions, conferences and round table discussions at the Faculty, and meetings and lunch-debates at other venues. All of these meetings are prestigious and highly valued both for the level of the lecturers and for the attendants’ profiles. These events led to the DBA Afterwork project, which was developed as a meeting place for young Deusto Business Alumni (up to approximately 45 years of age). They are offered the possibility to listen to either a lecturer who offers a different view of society, an example of a successful experience or a celebrity who can amuse them after their work day, serve as a reference for new graduates and bring in a breath of fresh air for older members. This platform will prompt a new way of networking among graduating seniors, practising professionals from the last graduating classes and renowned brands.

The first DBA Afterwork started at 7.30pm in Room CAC2 at the Bilbao Alhóndiga and full visitor capacity was reached with the 180 Deusto Business Alumni members, which shows the sense of belonging to their alma mater. 85% of alumni are members, the highest of all the national business schools. The event started with the official photo-call of the attendants which was followed by a welcome from Jose San Blas, President of Deusto Business Alumni. He thanked both the participants for attending and Kutxabank for its sponsorship, as well as the other brands that took part in the event such as Alhóndiga Bilbao, Castillo de Cuzcurrita, Coca Cola, Forbes, Cerveza La Salve, Martina de Zuricalday , the photo-call from miraparty.com, Sumo and the DJ Penny Lane.

San Blas referred to the over 7,000 current members of Deusto Business Alumni, a number that shows its strength. Its members hold different positions in the world of business, in the Basque Country as well as in the rest of Spain. This association is based on three main cornerstones: employment, networking and education through their sessions and events. Afterwards, Fernando Canales, founder and chef of Etxanobe Restaurant, delivered his talk, which was the academic touch of this entertaining event. Its original objective, i.e. is to offer time for amusement and networking after the work day.

Canales talked about his trips, his view of life, his hobbies and the positive points of his career and personal life. Having just returned from a trip to Beirut, he gave the audience a closer look at Lebanese cuisine, which, to his mind, is very similar to the Basque tradition in its appreciation of typical dishes. Moreover, Canales shared ideas such as “knowledge is in the eye of the beholder” or, in his view, how “emotional memories transmitted through food form a part of our very being”. The renowned chef commented on the need to take into account that “progress is not what happens, but the way of looking at things". When Canales finished his presentation, José San Blas invited the attendants to enjoy an “Afterwork” soirée with DJ ambiance music and an original catering jointly with former DBS students. This high-level and prestigious event is expected to be widely accepted as it is held over time and for the excellent level of its lecturers, participants as well as the good organisation and media coverage.